4545 Connecticut Ave. NW #620
Washington, DC 20008
Toll Free - 1-877-512-5969
Local Phone - 1-202-537-0937
Fax - 1-815-333-0233
E-mail: info@washingtonphotosafari.com
"I just love your photo safaris. They get my husband out of the house so I can get some work done!"
— L.H.
4545 Connecticut Ave. NW #620
Washington, DC 20008
Toll Free - 1-877-512-5969
Local Phone - 1-202-537-0937
Fax - 1-815-333-0233
E-mail: info@washingtonphotosafari.com
"Greatest Generation" War Memorials of World War II
Next Safari: 08/10/2008
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
The nation's capital honors the American heroes of World War II with an extraordinary array of memorials. Washington Photo Safari, DC area's largest provider of photography training field excursions, now offers an opportunity to capture the real meaning of these memorials inside your camera. Beginning with the newly inaugurated World War II Memorial on the National Mall, this photo Safari then goes on to do close-up work on the famous naval battles of World War II carved in bronze inlays at the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue, and we end up at the Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington which depicts the flag-raising on Mt Suribachi made famous by Joe Rosenthal's classic photograph. From there we also get a magnificent view of the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the US Capitol, all neatly aligned in your camera viewfinder. Professional photographer E. David Luria provides tips on composition, exposure, lighting, and informal outdoor portraiture.
Meet at entrance to WWII Memorial, 17th St.
Fee: $69 per person includes transportation from site to site.
Afternoon Cherry Blossoms at the Tidal Basin
Next Safari: 03/28/2009
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Springtime in Washington DC means cherry blossoms. And the best place to shoot them in the late afternoon sun begins at the FDR Memorial and then to move with the sun behind us along the Tidal Basin toward the Jefferson Memorial, guided by professional architectural photographer E. David Luria. The FDR Memorial itself offers hours of photographic fun, exploring the waterfalls, the Depression-era statues, and the depictions of FDR and Eleanor, plus great views of the Tidal Basin, the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial, all framed in cherry blossoms. Our clients are also the ONLY people to take an EXCLUSIVE photo at a secret spot we have discovered on the Tidal Basin: the "Lady of the Blossoms Cherry Tree!"
Afternoon Cherry Blossom Safaris are offered daily, March 28-April 12. Open to photographers at any skill level with any kind of camera, film or digital.Meet at visitor entrance to FDR Memorial, West Basin Drive SW, between Ohio and Indpendence Aves., SW.
$59 per person.
Annapolis Harbour and City
Next Safari: 08/02/2008
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Nearby Annapolis offers a treasure trove of photo opportunities, starting with the colorful boats at the City Dock and then moving to the storefronts, restaurants, the Governors Mansion, Church Street, and the old homes near and on Main Street. This Safari is led by Annapolis photographer Paul Nelson, who knows all the best "photo op" spots to get those great close-ups of painted walls, fire hydrants, and striking architecture.
Meet at Alex Haley Memorial statue on City Dock in downtown Annapolis.
Fee: $89 per person.
Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Next Safari: 08/23/2008
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Everyone enjoys visiting Baltimore's Inner Harbor, especially photographers! It provides more to photograph than you might imagine: skyline panoramas, historic ships, water taxis, street performers, pleasure boats, reflections and abstracts and other tourists. Our photo Safari starts at the Maryland Science Center and winds its way around the Harbor to take advantage of the afternoon light and the activity of the moment. After an orientation on travel and people photography, professional photographer David Muse will show you where to find the perfect pictures and how to create images that convey a real sense of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
Meet on boardwalk outside of Science Museum.
Fee: $69 per person.
Barns, Farms and Bridges of Frederick County MD
Next Safari: 09/28/2008
All Day
If you’d like to travel back in time, join us on this unique day-long photo experience led by Frederick photographer Judy Reisman to shoot the farms, barns and covered bridges of Frederick County, MD. The morning stops will include two horse farms, one with a bright red barn, the other with a white barn, and both with plenty of photogenic horses; a weathered wooden building that was used in the 1950’s as a general store and is now used as a motorcycle repair shop. On its front porch are displayed memorabilia from the area's rural past. Across the street is a dilapidated building that was formerly used as the post office for this community that was home to the Amelung glass factory and its workers. Daisy Mae, a rusting old red pickup buried in the vegetation in the back of the old post office, is a most photogenic subject.
Other stops include an old cemetery overlooking a large, well-preserved wood barn. It was here that local painters often sketched and painted landscapes of the farmland below and Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance. Afterwards, we will visit the barn and shoot its endless photographic possibilities for abstracts and texture. The most memorable stop for many Safarians on this outing is the next stop, a gourmet lunch at an upscale local inn, during which time we will have the opportunity to discuss photo-related topics.
The afternoon session will be no less photogenic as we make a loop through the verdant rolling hills and upper farmland of Frederick County and shoot the three very picturesque extant covered bridges in Frederick County and the creeks they cross. We will also make several other stops to shoot barns and picturesque landscapes.
Register EARLY, this one always fills up quickly. Please note that if there are any spaces left in the two weeks before the Safari, we will accept registrations from those who wish to do only the morning (farms and barns) or afternoon (bridges, farms and barns) portion.Meet at Park and Ride off Exit 26, I-270 Transportation from Shady Grove Metro can be arranged for people without cars.
Morning session 9:00am-noon. Afternoon session 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
$179/person for the full day, includes gourmet lunch; $89 for either morning or afternoon.
Photo credit: Andrew Jezioro.Capitol Hill / Union Station
Next Safari: 08/09/2008
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
One of the best places to learn the techniques of architectural photography is right in the heart of Washington: on Capitol Hill.This photo Safari, led by architectural photograher E. David Luria, begins by focusing on the magnificent architecture of Union Station and the nearby Thurgood Marshall Judiciary Building. We then climb Capitol Hill to photograph the Supreme Court and Library of Congress buildings and end up by capturing the late afternoon sun as it falls on the west face and on the unique statuary in front of the US Capitol building, on the Peace Monument,and the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
Meet at Colombus statue outside of Union Station on Massachusetts Ave.
Fee: $54 per person.
Cherry Blossoms at Sunrise
Next Safari: 04/01/2009
6:15 am - 8:30 am
If you don’t mind getting up REAL early and tromping around the Tidal Basin on a COLD April morning, this photo Safari's for you! The early sun filtering through the blossoms gives them a lovely, golden light, much nicer than the harsh white light of mid-day. We meet at 6:15 am (sorry!), and then the sun comes up at about 6:45 am on the Tidal Basin. Guided by professional architectural photographer E. David Luria, we photograph our way around the entire Tidal Basin, capturing the Jefferson Memorial, the FDR Memorial and the Washington Monument, all framed by blossoms in the early morning sun. Our clients are also the ONLY people to take an EXCLUSIVE photo at a secret spot on the Tidal Basin: the "Lady of the Blossoms Cherry Tree!".
Offered April 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 12. Open to photographers at any skill level with any kind of camera, film or digital.Meet at entrance to paddleboat rental station near Maine Avenue and 15th St SW.
Fee: $64 per person.
Hillwood Gardens
Next Safari: 09/13/2008
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
The gardens of the late Post Cereal heiress Marjorie Merriwether Post are among the most beautiful gardens in the Washington area. Adjoining the the very popular Hillwood Museum and Gardens in upper northwest Washington, the gardens offer incredible opportunities for photography - the paths,the mansion, the statuary, and the refurbished Japanese Gardens. Photography is not allowed inside the Hillwood Museum, but the safari fee includes admission to the Museum after the safari ends.
Meet at Museum entrance on Linnean Ave NW.
Fee: $64 per person.
Just for Kids 6-12; An Animal Alphabet Soup Photo Safari
Next Safari: 09/13/2008
8:30 am - 11:00 am
Many people have asked us to do a safari at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Here, finally, is a special Safari designed by popular photo instructor (and kid-at-heart) Melanie Otto for camera-loving kids 6-12, accompanied by their parents. After giving them basic camera instruction, Melanie will send the kids and their parents off around the Zoo to "bag" a particular list of critters, that covers several letters of the alphabet, such as "L" for leopard, "Z" for zebra, "E" for elephant, "C" for chimpanzee, and "P" for Panda, or letters which spell a word that Melanie gives out. The winning team gets a prize! Is this cute, or what? Any digital camera is acceptable.
Meet at entrance to Kids Zoo Section of National Zoo, near Beach Drive entrance.
Fee:$59/child (no charge for parents)
Monuments and Memorials
Next Safari: 07/26/2008
9:30 am - 1:15 pm
Learn how to take great pictures BEFORE you go on that expensive trip! Join our standard "Monuments and Memorials" workshop, offered every Wednesday and Saturday, in which Paris-trained architectural photographer E. David Luria takes you to the most popular monuments and historic buildings in Washington: the White House, Lafayette Park, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Albert Einstein, Lincoln, Korea, Vietnam, and Vietnam Women's Memorials, and to Union Station. While you are taking the pictures, Mr. Luria gives you hands-on tips in basic architectural photography, outdoor portraiture, and interior photography without flash or tripod.
Meet at Renwick Gallery, 17th and Pennsylvania Ave NW. Advance reservations required. Safari groups are generally 3-6 people only. Suggested as preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographer at any skill level with any camera, film or digital. No tripod needed on the morning itinerary.
Fee: $74/person half-day, includes transportation and materials.
Register for Half-Day on a Saturday
Monuments and Memorials (half day or full day)
Next Safari: 07/30/2008
9:45 am - 5:15 pm
Meet at Renwick Gallery, 17th and Pennsylvania Ave NW. Advance reservations required. Safari groups are generally 3-6 people only. Suggested as preliminary course before taking special safaris. Open to any photographer at any skill level with any camera, film or digital. No tripod needed on the morning itinerary.
Fee: $74/person half-day, includes transportation and materials.
The full day version ($129/person) includes the morning session described above and, after lunch in Union Station, goes on to the colorful Adams Morgan entertainment/restaurant district for training in "right-brained" abstract photography, then to the magnificent Washington National Cathedral where we teach you how (and how not) to photograph church interiors and the most beautiful stained glass windows you will ever see in any church.
Our afternoon session ends at the famous 76-foot tall Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, where you can duplicate the famous photograph taken by AP photographer Joe Rosenthal on Mt. Suribachi in 1945 and capture in your camera each of the six soldiers depicted in Clint Eastwood's recent movie, Flag of our Fathers, against a backdrop of the Washington Monument and the US Capitol across the Potomac River.
The Safari ends at 5:15 pm and we drop you off at the Rosslyn Metro Station on the Blue/Orange Lines.
Clients also have the option of taking the Afternoon Half-Day session only described above, beginning at 2:00 pm at the Old Town Trolley Desk at Union Station, and ending at 5:15 pm at Iwo Jima, with a drop-off at Rosslyn Metro. The cost of the afternoon-only half-day Safari is $74.Register for Half-Day or Full Day on a Wednesday
Monuments and Memorials - (CANCELLED)
Next Safari: 08/30/2008
All DayMonuments and Memorials, offered every Wednesday and Saturday is cancelled on this date only!
Ridin’ The Rails With Your Camera: Metro Safari
Next Safari: 09/28/2008
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Come join the Photography Underground by riding the rails with us on this 3-hour photo METRO-authorized safari through the Yellow, and Red Lines of the Washington METRO System. Architectural photographer E. David Luria, director of the popular Washington Photo Safari, provides tips on low-light and mixed-light photography, taking pictures of the cavernous, vaulting ceilings at Gallery Place and other Metro stops, how to photograph trains coming into a station, how to capture the dramatic view from the escalator at Dupont Circle, how to photograph the landmark views from outdoor stations at National Airport and New York Avenue, and how to photograph passing scenes from a moving train. Our safari begins at Terminal C in National Airport. From there we cross to the rooftop lot of Garage C and photograph the Metro trains coming in to the airport station. Then we go into the Metro station, take the Yellow Line across the scenic 14th Street Bridge to Gallery Place, where we photograph the interesting station design. From there we continue to the exit at the Judiciary Square station to photograph the beautiful National Building Museum, then back to Metro Center to photograph the artistically intersecting tunnels. Finally we end up at the spectacular escalator soaring up to the street at Dupont Circle on the Red Line. Any camera will do, all skill levels invited. No tripods please.
Meet inside METRO fare gates at Terminal C side of Reagan National Airport Station.
Fee: $64 per person.
The White House and its Neighbors
Next Safari: 07/25/2008
9:45 am - 12:30 pm
Our newest workshop in travel photography, now offered every Friday morning, takes you to some of the most popular monuments and historic buildings along the 17th Street corridor near the White House in Washington DC.
Our itinerary includes beautiful Lafayette Park, the White House itself, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Corcoran Gallery, the American Red Cross building with its poignant statuary, the Organization of American States building, the majestic World War II Memorial with its fountains on the National Mall, and a session inside the magnificent Renwick Gallery (a Smithsonian museum of American crafts),with professional photographer E. David Luria providing tips on architectural photography, outdoor portraiture,and interior museum photography without flash or tripod.
Advance reservations required. Suggested as preliminary course before taking special Safaris. Suggested Metro stops: Farragut North (Red Line), Farragut West (Blue/Orange Lines)Meet at Renwick Gallery, 1699 Pennsylvania Ave NW, northeast corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW. Advance reservations required. Suggested as preliminary course before taking special safaris. Suggested Metro stops: Farragut North (Red Line), Farragut West (Blue/Orange Lines)
Fee: $69/person half-day, includes 40-minute orientation on travel photography techniques, and materials.
New York City: The Battery, Times Square Midtown, AND a Visit to AP! (sold out)
Next Safari: 10/04/2008
All DayNew York City , one of the greatest and most photogenic cities in the world, center of journalism and the arts, economic engine to the nation, looks gorgeous in your camera's viewfinder when seen from the rooftop terrace of the Associated Press headquarters in downtown Manhattan, our first stop on this weekend Safari thanks to a gracious invitation from AP President Tom Curley who will also take us on a tour of AP's most famous news photographs.
Then, led by architectural photographer (and ex-New Yorker) E. David Luria, this popular Safari will also take you on the Staten Island Ferry, through the Battery and Midtown Manhattan, and also Times Square at night to capture the vibrant spirit of this city. We will see great views of the New York skyline from the water, taking a water taxi to Brooklyn to see the Brooklyn Bridge. On Saturday morning we will amble through Central Park. We will photograph the Dakota Apartments (still home to Yoko Ono), the Sailboat Pond, the kids climbing all over the Alice In Wonderland statue, Fifth Avenue, the New York Public Library, AND we will end up in the magnificent atrium of Grand Central Station.Offered Saturday, October 4 at 1:00 pm through Sunday, October 5 at 4:00 pm.
Meet at entrance to AP Headquarters at 450 West 33rd Street, just east of 10th Avenue near Penn Station. New York City For inexpensive, reliable, comfortable and safe express travel to NYC we recommend Vamoose Bus - $25 one way!$225 per person, includes Safari instruction and water taxi.
Sorry, this Safari is FULL!
Safaris on this category will be available in upcoming months.
Interior and Exterior Architectural Photography
Next Safari: 09/20/2008
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
If you want to learn how to take professional-quality photographs of homes, apartments, hotel suites, restaurants and other public or private spaces, this special practicum is designed to teach you the basics of interior and architectural photography. It will cover such topics as how to:
- balance indoor and outdoor light when shooting towards windows;
- balance indoor and outdoor light when shooting from windows into the room;
- get the whole room in one photograph;
- how to distribute light evenly across the room and its furniture;
- achieve correct color filtration or white balance for indoor and outdoor shots;
- emphasize the particular architectural details of a structure;
- utilize trees and flowers to improve composition of outdoor shots;
- choose the correct time of day for shooting outdoor and indoor photos;
- prevent converging vertical lines in architectural photography;
- use auxiliary flashes and hand-held ambient light meters;
- photograph interior public spaces WITHOUT a tripod
Our Safari will take us to a beautiful home in Northern Virginia owned by Washington Photo Safari client Matthew DeZee. Mr. DeZee and his wife Barbara have graciously given us permission to photograph the outside and inside of their home for this workshop The session is taught by professional architectural photographer E. David Luria, founder and director of Washington Photo Safari. Mr. Luria's architectural photographs appear in over 100 publications and he has photographed several hundred apartments, residences and restaurants.
Suggested equipment includes SLR adjustable camera, wide angle lens in the 10mm to 18mm range, sturdy tripod, auxiliary flash with bounce and swivel capability, familiarization with white balance menu.
This Safari for intermediate and advanced clients only.Meet at 2835 Norbonne Place, Oakton VA 22124.
Fee: $89 per person.
National Airport
Next Safari: 09/21/2008
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The huge picture windows, the Jeffersonian-style arching domes, and the built-in artwork of architect Cesar Pelli’s Terminals B and C at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport provide many opportunities for good exterior and interior architectural photography. Our safari will also visit the old Terminal A, now undergoing restoration.
Meet in front of Continental Airlines ticket counter, Terminal B, Level 3.
Fee: $54 per person.
Saint Matthew's Cathedral
Next Safari: 08/24/2008
3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Dedicated in 1913, the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle (which honors the patron saint of civil servants) plays a major role in the Catholic life of the nation's capital. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Washington, Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass here in 1979, and President John F. Kennedy's funeral was celebrated here on November 25, 1963. Designed by New York architect C. Grant La Farge, the Cathedral has been cited as having "one of the most beautiful church interiors of modern times." Its walls are laden with shimmering mosaics suggestive of those found on in the renowned churches of Ravenna, Italy.
With special permission from the Cathedral Staff, Washington Photo Safari is pleased to offer a new exclusive photo Safari that takes you inside the spectacular St.Matthew's Cathedral, teaching you how to photograph church interiors without flash, capturing the architectural beauty of a Cathedral laid out in the form of a 155' x 136' Latin cross, with the interior rising 190', and how to photograph its stained glass windows. A sturdy tripod is essential, along with familiarity on how to set a digital camera white balance to "tungsten" or "incandescent", or the use of an 80A tungsten filter for film cameras. Your instruction fee includes a $10 donation to the Cathedral.Meet inside Cathedral entrance at 1725 Rhode island Avenue NW.
Fee: $64 per person.
All-Digital Cherry Blossom Sunrise Special
Next Safari: 03/29/2009
6:15 am - 9:00 am
OK, so you have your fancy digital camera. Have you tried using it in the brisk cold of an early April morning on the beautiful cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin BEFORE the sun comes up? If not, here is your chance to do it under the direction of professional digital photographer Melanie Otto, who will help you with those macro settings for intimate blossom close-ups, with file compression and white balance usage, fill flash, filtration, tripod use, and with those tricky exposure issues.
Our VERY reasonable fee even includes a light breakfast from a secret but fantastic pastry shop!
Offered March 29, April 1, 8 and 10. Any digital camera may be used.Meet at entrance to paddleboat rental station near Maine Ave. (Raoul Wallenberg Pl) and 15th St. SW.
Fee: $99 per person.
All-Digital Tidal Basin at Night
Next Safari: 08/16/2008
7:45 pm - 10:00 pm
Here is a great opportunity to get outdoor fieldwork experience and advanced training in such technical areas as "white balance", file compression, mixed lighting, exposure compensation, and ISO settings in a twilight and nighttime setting at the Tidal Basin. Conducted by professional photographer and digital camera specialist Melanie Otto, this safari will take you through the photographic challenges presented by the statues and waterfalls of the FDR Memorial at night and by the reflected images of the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial in the waters of the Tidal Basin. You will also learn how to blur your water images with slow shutter speeds, and how to fill your frame with haunting nighttime images of the Civilian Conservation Corps faces.
Must have STURDY tripod!Meet at entrance to bookstore at FDR Memorial, West Basin Drive SW. between Ohio Drive SW and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $89/person.
Canon 30D/40D Users Safari
Next Safari: 07/27/2008
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Fast on the heels of Canon�s popular 30D camera, the new 40D features live preview, 10.1 MP and a burst rate of 6.5 fps, improved sensor, a 3-inch screen and interchangeable focusing screens, this Safari will help new 40D users and current 30D users put their cameras through the paces of ISO settings, flash settings, variable white balance settings, file compression, aperture and shutter priorities, focus settings, custom settings, menu navigation tricks, exposure tricks, use of the histogram etc. menu shortcuts inside and outside of the new National Museum of the American Indian.
Special exhibits at the museum pose unique white balance challenges for the digital photographer, especially the mix of daylight and tungsten light. The eight-story high atrium is a great place to practice wide-angle photography, and the carvings and statues provide challenges for your telephoto lens. Digital camera specialist Melanie Otto provides hands-on training for these exciting pieces of equipment.Meet at Museum entrance at 3rd St and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $89 per person.
Canon Digital Rebel / Rebel XT/XTi Users Safari
Next Safari: 07/26/2008
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
With its 6.1-megapixel sensor and attractive pricing, the Canon Digital Rebel SLR digital camera and its successors (the 8 megapixel Rebel XT and the 10 megapixel XTi) have become very popular items among digital photographers. This Safari will help Digital Rebel and XT users put their cameras through the paces of ISO settings, flash settings, variable white balance settings, file compression, aperture and shutter priorities, focus settings, custom settings, menu navigation tricks, exposure tricks, use of the histogram etc. menu shortcuts inside and outside of the new National Museum of the American Indian.
Special exhibits at the museum pose unique challenges for the digital photographer, especially the mix of daylight and tungsten light. The eight-story high atrium is a great place to practice wide-angle photography, and the carvings and statues provide challenges for your telephoto lens. Digital camera specialist Melanie Otto provides hands-on training for this exciting new piece of equipment.Meet at Museum entrance at 3rd St and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $89 per person.
Nikon D-40 /D40x/ D50 Users
Next Safari: 08/03/2008
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Attractive and affordable alternatives to the higher priced digital SLR’s, the compact, economically priced Nikon D40 with its 2.5 inch LCD screen and 6.2 megapixels resolution, the updated 8 megapixel Nikon D40x, and its older brother the D-50, have become very popular full-featured entry-level digital SLR cameras.
This Safari will help D-40, D40x, and D-50 users put their cameras through the paces of ISO settings, flash settings, white balance settings and sub-settings, file compression, aperture and shutter priorities, focus settings, custom settings, menu navigation tricks, exposure tricks, use of the histogram etc. menu shortcuts inside and outside of the new National Museum of the American Indian. Special exhibits at the museum pose unique challenges for the digital photographer, especially the mix of daylight and tungsten light. The eight-story high atrium is a great place to practice wide-angle photography, and the carvings and statues provide challenges for your telephoto lens. Digital camera specialist Melanie Otto provides hands-on training for these exciting new pieces of equipment.Meet at Museum entrance at 3rd St and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $89 per person.
Nikon D-60 Users Safari
Next Safari: 08/23/2008
9:30 am - 1:00 pm
The latest in Nikon’s entry-level SLR offerings, the new D-60 has become a very popular option for first-time SLR users wishing to upgrade from their point and shoots. Providing a full 10 megapixels and a high-resolution 2.5 inch screen for viewing, the D-60 has many of the same features as its much more expensive siblings, such as a new EXPEED processor, a 3D Color Matrix Metering II evaluates each scene for brightness, color, contrast, size and position of shadows and highlights, a dust reduction system, an advanced 3-Area AF system, image optimization options. In-Camera Image Editing and Enhanced Retouch Menu, and a very welcome 500 images per battery charge. It is sold with an 18-55mm vibration reduction lens.
This Safari will help D-60 users put their cameras through the paces of ISO settings, flash settings, white balance settings and sub-settings, file compression, aperture and shutter priorities, focus settings, custom settings, menu navigation tricks, exposure tricks, use of the histogram etc. menu shortcuts inside and outside of the new National Museum of the American Indian. Special exhibits at the museum pose unique challenges for the digital photographer, especially the mix of daylight and tungsten light. The eight-story high atrium is a great place to practice wide-angle photography, and the carvings and statues provide challenges for your telephoto lens. Digital camera specialist Melanie Otto provides hands-on training for these exciting new pieces of equipment.Meet at Museum entrance at 3rd St and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $89 per person.
Nikon D-80 Users
Next Safari: 08/09/2008
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
An attractive and affordable alternative to the higher priced Nikon D-200 SLR, the new Nikon D80 with its 2.5 inch LCD screen and 10.1 megapixels resolution has become a very popular full-featured pro-level digital SLR camera. This safari will help D-80 users put their cameras through the paces of ISO settings, flash settings, white balance settings, file compression, aperture and shutter priorities, focus settings, custom settings, menu navigation tricks, exposure tricks, use of the histogram etc. menu shortcuts inside and outside of the new National Museum of the American Indian,. Special exhibits at the museum pose unique challenges for the digital photographer, especially the mix of daylight and tungsten light. The eight-story high atrium is a great place to practice wide-angle photography, and the carvings and statues provide challenges for your telephoto lens. Digital camera specialist Melanie Otto provides hands-on training for this exciting piece of equipment.
Meet at Museum entrance at 3rd St and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $89.00 per person
Safaris on this category will be available in upcoming months.
Professional Wedding Photography: A Three-Part Course
Next Safari: 09/06/2008
9:00 am - 12:00 pmWashington Photo Safari is pleased to offer for the first time a comprehensive, locally-taught course in professional wedding photography, taught by Bob Blanken, one of the premier wedding photographers in the DC area.
Weddings offer one of the most lucrative fields in photography, but if you plan to shoot weddings, you MUST know what you are doing! As once-in-a lifetime events, weddings are NOT a field in which the casual amateur should dare to tread without proper training! Limited to 12 students who are serious about getting into wedding photography as a career or part-time avocation, this course has three parts:
Part I of this three-part course will therefore first provide a half-day introduction to all the planning that must be done BEFORE the first picture is even taken, a review of minimum equipment needs, scheduling of the wedding, meeting with the family, shotlist negotiation with the families, and location scouting.
First Session: September 6, 2008, 9am - noon.
Part II provides another half-day training in how to pose brides and their family groups, practice in the use of strobes and ambient lighting at Bob Blanken’s professional studio, shots at a staged wedding rehearsal, what kinds of shots should be taken at the wedding itself and at the reception, the use of photography assistants, and proper lighting. Good posing techniques will also be discussed in this section, and it will also review suggested wedding photography contract provisions.
Second session: September 13, 2008, 9am - 1pm.
Finally, Part III of the course, lasting a full day, takes participants to a wedding and to a reception facility for on-location shooting practice with bride-and-groom stand-ins on how to photograph a wedding from church entry and procession, the ceremony, the reception, to the final departure of the wedding couple. Back in Bob Blanken’s studio, it also covers work flow, placement and delivery of wedding albums to the clients, and billing arrangements
Third session: September 27, 2008, 9am - 5pm.
Bob Blanken, who has shot several hundred weddings during his career, is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and its local affiliates. He is also a regular instructor in indoor and outdoor portraiture for the Washington Photo Safari and a member of the International Special Events Society (ISES) and the Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Bob has been certified as a Professional Photographer by the Professional Photographers of America and has received their esteemed Craftsman degree. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards including 17 nominations as Best Photographer of the Year and was the 2006 ISES Capital Award Winner for Best Social Photographer. Today, his company provides full photography services including onsite printing for special events.The initial meeting place for Part I is at the studios of Bob Blanken at 6604 Persimmon Tree Road, Bethesda MD 20817.
The cost of the entire 15-hour course is $1,295, payable to Washington Photo Safari. Limited to 12 students.
Photo: Bob Blanken.
Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, VA
Next Safari: 07/26/2008
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
The United States Marines have done it again! These "Semper Fi" people really know how to celebrate their history! First they endowed the country in 1954 with the magnificent 76-foot tall Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, VA., celebrating their victories in World War II. Now, they have built a SPECTACULAR $120 million facility in nearby Quantico that tells the history of the Marine Corps from 1775 to the present, with separate galleries devoted to such major conflicts as World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and Korea.
Each gallery is a treasure-trove of great photo opportunities and TRIPODS ARE ALLOWED! You will need a tripod and GLOVES inside the super-cool dark wintry gallery devoted to the Korean War, with shells bursting around you in the freezing cold.
You can get your camera right into the faces of life-size Marines in full combat. Architectural photographer E. David Luria will teach you how to get strong action shots inside this museum, using the white balance functions of your camera. We highly recommend using a 50mm F1.4 or F1.8 lens if you have one. (If you do NOT come away with great pictures, you WILL do 50 pushups!)Join our carpools from DC to meet at Museum entrance off of Quantico exit on I-95.
Fee: $54. Presently serving and former US Marines get 20% discount by calling 202-537-0937.
National Portrait Gallery/ American Art Museum
Next Safari: 08/16/2008
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
You could spend a day in here and not see all of the spectacular exhibits this museum has to offer. Renovated and reopened in 2006, the National Portrait Gallery/American Museum of Art is a photographer's delight, and most of the exhibits are open to photography. Our Safari, directed by professional architectural photographer E. David Luria begins outside the 8th and F Street entrance to the museum for some exterior views of the building that was begun in 1836 and was the site of Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural ball. Then we move inside to photograph the incredible works of art on display, including the portraits of the Presidents, the Folk Art gallery, the gallery of contemporary art and sculpture and the new 28,000 sq.-ft. Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard, with its undulating glass and steel roof designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster. On this safari you will learn how to photograph works of art in a museum without flash or tripod. For best results we suggest digital cameras with ISO ratings of 800 or 1600, or film cameras with 1600 speed color film. Digital camera users should be familiar with setting Tungsten/Incandescent White Balance, film users will need an 80A or 80B Tungsten filter to fit their normal lens. No tripods allowed.
Meet outside the 8th and F Street entrance to the museum.
Fee: $54 per person.
The Kreeger Museum in Fall
Next Safari: 11/01/2008
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
One of the most beautiful hidden treasures of Washington DC is the Kreeger Museum, located above Georgetown on Foxhall Road NW. Designed by famed architect Philip Johnson, the Kreeger houses the extraordinary art collection of the late GEICO Chairman David Lloyd Kreeger and his wife, Carmen.
This priceless collection contains paintings by Picasso, Modigliani, Bonnard, Braque, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Klee, Monet, Pissaro and many others, plus sculpture by Rodin, Brancusi, Calder, and Henry Moore. On this photo Safari, led by E. David Luria, architectural photographer and director of the popular Washington Photo Safari, you will be given an exclusive opportunity to learn how to photograph these works of art, a privilege not given to regular Museum visitors.
Emphasis will be on photographic composition, exposure, and white balance settings for accurate color rendition without the use of flash or tripod. Then the Safari moves outdoors to photograph the sculpture on the outdoor patios against a backdrop of magnificent fall colors. Register early for this unique opportunity to have your camera bring the treasures of the Kreeger into your own home.Meet at entrance to the Kreeger Museum at 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington DC.
Fee: $64/person, includes a $10 donation to the Kreeger.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Next Safari: 11/09/2008
8:00 am - 8:30 pm
Spend a day exploring the Refuge that Time magazine called "nature on the throne of her glory." Twelve miles south of Cambridge, Maryland, the tidal marshes, freshwater ponds, evergreen forests and late fall colors of this 27,000 acre refuge provide a wealth of rich photographic subjects -- including wildlife, scenics, abstracts and macro opportunities. Waterfowl will be plentiful, so bring your longest lens as well as a variety of other focal lengths to capture all this Refuge has to offer.
This trip is led by nature photographer John Witschey and limited to 7 photographers.
This Safari has always sold out so make your reservations early!We will meet at the Vienna Metro Station and the price includes transportation.
Fee:$195/person.
Fall Colors in Shenandoah National Park
Next Safari: 10/19/2008
8:00 am - 8:30 pm
This Safari is timed for the peak fall colors in Shenandoah National Park. With elevations ranging from just 1,000 to nearly 4,000 feet, we're guaranteed to find great colors. We'll also have great opportunities for landscape and macro photography, and we'll be on the lookout through sunset for wildlife, including whitetail deer bucks sporting their fall antlers and -- if we're very lucky -- a black bear or two. This popular Safari is led by nature photographers Judy Reisman and John Witschey.
We will travel as a group from the Vienna Metro Station; price for this Safari includes transportation from the station.
Fee: $159 per person. Maximum 12.
Photographing The American Bald Eagle
Next Safari: 01/10/2009
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Come spend an afternoon photographing our National Bird with professional wildlife photographer Sean Quintilian. The Susquehanna river offers excellent opportunities to photograph Bald Eagles as they fish and interact with each other. The workshop will focus primarily on shooting the birds in flight, attention will be paid to proper panning techniques and telephoto lens use. A 300mm lens or longer will provide best results for this workshop, but please contact Sean with equipment questions. The workshop will run from 11:00am til we run out of light.
Meet at 11:00 am at the park and ride at exit 89 on interstate 95 in Maryland.
Fee:$89 per person.
Photo: Sean Quintilian.Photographing The American Bald Eagle
Next Safari: 11/29/2008
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Meet at 11:00 am at the park and ride at exit 89 on interstate 95 in Maryland.
Fee:$89 per person.
Photo: Sean Quintilian.Photographing The American Bald Eagle
Next Safari: 12/14/2008
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Meet at 11:00 am at the park and ride at exit 89 on interstate 95 in Maryland.
Fee:$89 per person.
Photo: Sean Quintilian.Photographing The American Bald Eagle
Next Safari: 01/17/2009
11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Meet at 11:00 am at the park and ride at exit 89 on interstate 95 in Maryland.
Fee:$89 per person.
Photo: Sean Quintilian.Tails and Scales
Next Safari: 10/26/2008
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Get up close and personal with our fine feathered friends. No big glass required for this opportunity to shoot avian wildlife. For this Safari with instructor Judy Reisman we will meet in Frederick County’s Cunningham Falls Park where rangers from the Md. Department of Natural Resources will place birds of prey (about 8 different species) on tree limbs and logs for you to shoot. We can expect to have a bald headed eagle, vulture, barn owl, screech owl, kestrel, as well as others. Before the shoot, Judy will provide tips on bird photography, show ways of avoiding distracting backgrounds and explain using fill flash to best advantage.
Meet at Cunningham Falls Park entrance.
Fee: $89 per person.
Photo: Judy Reisman.They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Next Safari: 09/20/2008
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Join pet and nature photography expert and popular instructor Judy Reisman on this special opportunity to shoot at a highly photogenic horse farm at the foot of Sugarloaf Mt. amidst the jewel-colored fall foliage. We will be teaming up with the Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding program and their sweet-natured and handsome school horses, which we will shoot both with their riders and outside in the pastures, along with the pure-bred beauties being raised on the farm. Traveler, one of the school horses, is a most striking subject, as he has one partly blue eye. As an added enticement, participants will be welcome to enter their favorite photos for inclusion in the 2009 calendar that Circle of Hope will be publishing.
Meet at Circle of Hope Riding Center at Pleasant View Farm 22500 West Harris Road Barnesville, MD 20838.
Fee:$ 99/person, includes $10 donation to the Circle of Hope.
Photo: Judy ReismanWolf Photography
Next Safari: 11/01/2008
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Here is another great opportunity for nature-loving photographers to build their portfolios with shots of wolves.
Following on the heels of our popular March workshop on Snow Geese and Wolves, Washington Photo Safari and wildlife photographer Sean Quintilian have now established an excellent relationship with the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, located about 20 miles north of Lancaster PA. The sanctuary was established to provide homes and companionship for captive wolves. Many of the wolves have come from very poor conditions, many come from people who had good intentions but quickly found out they were in over their heads in trying to take care of a wolf. Currently there are over 20 wolves that call the sanctuary home.
The staff of the sanctuary is now allowing exclusive access to Washington Photo Safari. Although the enclosures are fenced in, there are excellent opportunities to capture tight close-up portraits of the wolves, as well as interaction between the wolves. Wildlife photographer Sean Quintilian will teach participants how to make the fence disappear through techniques for shooting with big glass and wide aperture to capture natural looking shots, and he will share his knowledge of the natural history of wolves in North America.
Washington Photo Safari will be holding a half day workshop at this sanctuary 4 times a year, one each season, and $25.00 of each registration fee will be paid to the sanctuary. Visit the sanctuary's website for more information.Meet at the Sanctuary: 465 Speedwell Forge Rd. Lititz, PA 17543.
Fee:$114/person includes $25 donation to the sanctuary.
Photo: Sean Quintilian.
Iwo Jima Memorial / Silent Drill Team
Next Safari: 08/12/2008
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Sunset at the US Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington brings a special treat on Tuesday evenings during the summer: a breathtaking performance by the US Marine Corps Silent Drill Team!
Our photo Safari begins with an opportunity to photograph these soldiers marching in silent precision across the parade ground in front of the Memorial and then tossing their bayoneted rifles, end over end, at each other. At the conclusion of the ceremony at twilight we photograph the 78-foot high statue of the Marines planting the flag at Mt. Suribachi, with tripods and proper filters for white balance or color correction. We then walk over to the nearby Netherlands Carrillon to photograph that postcard view of the three monuments, Lincoln, Washington and the Capitol, all aligned on a west-east axis in your viewfinder. It�s a photographer�s delight!Meet at Iwo Jima Memorial Parking Lot, Arlington, VA.
Fee: $54 per person.
Nighttime Architectural Photography In Lafayette Park!
Next Safari: 09/13/2008
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Come join professional architectural photographer E. David Luria as he teaches you how to shoot illuminated buildings at night at one of the most picturesque sites of Washington DC: Lafayette Park, in front of the White House. Mr. Luria will provide instruction on composition, exposure, white balance and lighting, and on the use of tilt/ shift lenses for vertical correction. Subjects will include the White House with the deep blue sky of civil twilight, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the Renwick Gallery, the Blair House, the nearby Hay-Adams Hotel and St. Johns Church, and the beautiful mansions that line Lafayette Park. Available for intermediate to advanced photographers only with adjustable SLR digital or film cameras and wide angle lenses (12mm to 18 mm). Use of a shift lens for perspective control is highly recommended (they are available for $500 to $600 from www.KEH.com ), instructor will have two Nikon-mount PC lenses available to loan to Nikon participants. STURDY tripod and horizontal/vertical bubble level plus flashlight are essential for this safari. Black and white digital or film media are also a great option for this Safari.
Meet at base of Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Park near 16th St and H Street NW.
Fee: $79 per person.
Nighttime Architectural Photography On Pennsylvania Avenue
Next Safari: 08/24/2008
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Come join professional architectural photographer E. David Luria as he teaches you how to shoot illuminated buildings at night, capturing the beauty of classic architecture along Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Luria will provide instruction on composition, exposure, white balance and lighting, and on the use of tilt/ shift lenses for vertical correction. Subjects near Freedom Plaza will include the magnificent Willard Hotel, the grandiose Wilson Building (City hall), the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, the JW Marriott Hotel, National Theater, and the Old Post Office Building. Available for intermediate to advanced photographers only with adjustable SLR digital or film cameras and wide angle lenses (12mm to 18 mm).Instructor will have two Nikon-mount PC shift lenses available to loan to Nikon participants. Tripod and horizontal/vertical bubble level plus flashlight are essential for this Safari. Black and white digital or film media are also a great option for this Safari.
Meet in front of Willard Hotel at 14th and Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Fee: $69 per person.
Outdoor Informal Portraiture - Beginner Level
Next Safari: 09/14/2008
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Getting a natural, relaxed image in posed pictures of friends and family is art, not science. It takes a number of ingredients, particularly mastering the science portion of photography so you, the photographer, can be natural and relaxed. This photo safari, taught by professional portrait photographer Bob Blanken, will use the wonderful settings available at Brookside Gardens in Wheaton MD for an instructional beginner-level workshop that will have you:
- Controlling exposure with fill flash and reflectors
- Learning how to select a background
- Using shade to your advantage
- Posing individuals, couples and groups with confidence
- Using the sun as a main, fill or accent light
- Composing your photograph like a pro
- Having fun!
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society. (required for admission to Intermediate Level Outdoor Portraiture Safari)Meet at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD, 20902. (map)
Fee: $89 per person.
Photo: Bob BlankenOutdoor Informal Portraiture - Beginner Level
Next Safari: 09/06/2008
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
- Controlling exposure with fill flash and reflectors
- Learning how to select a background
- Using shade to your advantage
- Posing individuals, couples and groups with confidence
- Using the sun as a main, fill or accent light
- Composing your photograph like a pro
- Having fun!
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society. (required for admission to Intermediate Level Outdoor Portraiture Safari)Meet at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD, 20902. (map)
Fee: $89 per person.
Photo: Bob Blanken
Purrfect Pawtrait Pet Photography
Next Safari: 11/16/2008
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Woof! Meow! Want to learn how to take better pictures of your pet or other animals? Professional pet photographer Judy Reisman will show you how. We will be working with domesticated animals on this safari, but the techniques will be applicable to critters at the zoo and in the wild. Judy will also share her secrets of animal psychology in getting animals to cooperate and give you the special �look� that makes you say �Awwwww!� Posing will also be covered, using animals alone and with people, and you will learn how to use natural light, reflectors and your flash for pet portraiture. We provide the pet models.
Photo: Judy ReismanMeet a Reisman Studios in Adamstown MD, near Frederick, MD.
Fee: $89 per person.
Abstracts and Still Lifes
Next Safari: 08/02/2008
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
See that wrinkled red leaf on the sidewalk? It's a picture. See the cross-hatched shadows on the wall made by the fire escape railing? It's a picture. See the abstract reflections in that yellow motorcycle's gas tank? It's a picture. If you want to develop your eye for the weird and unusual close-up, come join us in the colorful Adams-Morgan entertainment neighborhood for a walking Safari that will sharpen your eyes for pictures you never knew were there!
Our co-instructor is creative amateur photographer and frequent Safarian Dennis Ettlin who will demonstrate his clever techniques for close-in photography.Meet at northeast corner of 18th St and Kalorama Rd NW.
Fee: $54 per person.
F-Stops and Shutter Speeds
Next Safari: 09/06/2008
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Going on a big trip with your new camera? Do this Safari before you go! You love your new camera BUT, out of fear of doing the wrong thing, you always keep it on a nice, safe "Auto" or "P" and let the camera do the thinking. Or, you put it on "M" because you see the pros doing that and STILL your pictures come out poorly exposed! You are depressed! You are intimidated by the letters "A","S","M", or "ASM", or "Av" and "Tv". As a result, you only use $100 worth of the $500 worth of features on your camera! Does this sound familiar? You are not alone. Help is now on the way from a professional architectural photographer who has made every F-stop mistake in the book, E. David Luria, director of the Washington Photo Safari! This special photo Safari will concentrate on understanding WHY you would want to choose "Shutter Priority" or "Aperture Priority" or the "Portrait" setting, or the "Landscape" setting or the "Sports" setting or even the "P" setting for your film or digital camera, whether it is an SLR or a simple point and shoot or "prosumer" digital/film camera. You will learn how YOU—not the camera—can control the final image.
Our venue for this Safari is the FDR Memorial, with its statuary and waterfalls providing excellent opportunities to experiment with narrow and wide depth of field, slow and fast shutter priorities, and the effect of wide angle, normal, and telephoto lenses on depth of field.
Bring your camera, tripod, and ALL your lenses for this very helpful primer on the proper use of your camera.Meet at Visitor Center/Bookstore of the FDR Memorial between Ohio Drive and Independence Ave SW.
Fee: $69 per person.
Filter Frolic: Filters and White Balance
Next Safari: 07/27/2008
2:30 pm - 5:00 pm
WITHOUT using Photoshop, how do you erase all the moving cars and people from your street scene? How do you get the yellows and greens out of your indoor pictures? How do you make the blue sky bluer and the white clouds whiter? It can all be done inside your camera when you take the picture IF you know what you are doing with filters! But which filters do digital or film cameras really NEED?
This indoor/outdoor photo Safari, taught by architectural photographer E. David Luria, will teach film and digital SLR owners how, why, where and when to use neutral density, graduated and color correcting filters, such as the circular polarizer, the warming filter, tungsten and fluorescent filters for color photography, and yellow and red cloud-enhancing filters for black and white photography. We will also go inside the Renwick Gallery for interior photography without flash and review the built-in filtration systems of digital cameras known as "white balance" settings.Meet at The Renwick Gallery at 17th and Pennsylvania Ave NW.
Fee: $79 per person.
Food and Product Photography: Making It Look Good
Next Safari: 10/14/2008
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Not everyone can afford high end camera equipment, but you can still produce beautiful and interesting shots, especially with tips from professional photographer Bob Blanken who will help budding food and product photographers try their hand at capturing the colors and textures of various dishes and items that you may wish to advertise for sale on EBay.
The evening will start with a discussion on what makes a good picture and examples of such. Afterwards, you'll be let loose in front of various studio light setups and you'll begin to snap away as he gives you pointers on where to focus, offer suggestions as to what type of lighting and light boxes would bring out the texture of the food, how to use reflectors to improve the lighting. You will observe and learn as we photograph food prepared by a caterer, Eric and Company
There will be a variety of food and backgrounds to work with as we design, prepare and shoot. You'll be amazed at the quality images you can achieve with the various impromptu setups. For those shooting with a Digital SLR or a 35mm camera, please bring all of your lenses. Everyone should bring a tripod and any products you wish to advertise for sale. We will be using Lowell continuous halogen lights or studio strobes.
Students should bring camera, lenses and a light meter (If owned), or an 18% medium gray card for getting correct exposures.
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society.Meet at Bob Blanken Studio at 6604 Persimmon Tree Rd, Bethesda MD.
Fee: $89 per person. Limit 8 students.
Photo: Laurie Sennott.Informal Indoor Portraiture (Intermediate Level)
Next Safari: 07/26/2008
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
For the more advanced amateur who wishes to do good portrait photography, Washington Photo Safari offers a workshop on the principles of good indoor portrait lighting and posing with professional studio lighting equipment and backdrops, taught by professional portrait photographer Bob Blanken at his studio in Bethesda, MD.
If you want to learn how to use strobe lighting and professional backdrops or set up a studio in your home to photograph your children, or your friends and colleagues in their homes or offices with a portable mini-studio, or if you want to become a part-time portrait photographer in your neighborhood, come join us for a half-day intermediate-level session on how to:
- pose children and adults indoors in natural window light
- use bounce and swivel flash units and professional strobes and reflectors to achieve fill lighting
- select and hang professional backdrops with portable frames
- determine correct exposure and lighting on the face through use of hand-held exposure meter
- achieve a pose or composition that best reflects the subject's personality or interest
- place more light on one side of the face (main) and less light on the other (fill)
- select lenses for SLR portrait work that blur the background
- determine pricing for your informal portrait photography services
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society.
Note: Attendance at Informal Indoor Portraiture Beginner Level (or equivalent experience) is required for admission to this class.Meet at Bob Blanken Studio, 6604 Persimmon Tree Road, Bethesda MD 20817.
Fee: $89 per person.
Introduction to Studio Lighting for Portraiture
Next Safari: 08/09/2008
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
This advanced workshop includes such topics as:
• Mastering Multiple Lighting Setups
• Main, hair, background, accents and fills
• Softboxes vs pan reflectors
• Glamour Lighting
• Profile lighting
• Metering
• Posing
• Hands
• Clothing consultations
• Developing your style
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society. Note: Attendance at Informal Indoor Portraiture Intermediate Level (or equivalent experience) is required for admission to this class.Meet at Bob Blanken Studio, 6604 Persimmon Tree Road, Bethesda MD 20817.
Fee: $89 per person.
Longwood Gardens and Delaware At Holiday Time!
Next Safari: 12/12/2008
All DayJoin us for two-day photographic exploration of beautiful Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA and picturesque location in Old New Castle, DE. Participate in an immersive photography and learning experience framed by beautiful holiday displays in this safari led by professional portrait and wedding photographer Bob Blanken. Offered December 12-14, 2008.
Itinerary:
Friday, December 12: Arrival in Wilmington
Arrive at the beautiful and historic Hotel Dupont in at 11th and Market Streets, Wilmington DE by
7:30pm. (get directions)
8:00pm - Evening meeting with instructor Bob Blanken.
Saturday December 13: Longwood GardensLongwood Gardens is the country’s premier horticultural showplace including a glass enclosed gardens covering over 195,668 square feet of luscious flowers, trees, and floral displays located only 20 minutes west of Wilmington, DE. Renowned for its flower displays, Longwood offers the opportunity for macro photography as well as large scenes., majestic trees, photogenic water displays and opulent architecture. The spectacular conservatories, gardens, woodlands and meadows are spread over 1,000 acres. The many outdoor gardens include an Italian water garden, rose garden, and a topiary garden. At sunset the famous light show provides fabulous images to be captured.
For more information on Longwood Gardens, go to longwoodgardens.org
Participants will depart Hotel Dupont by carpool to Longwood Gardens at 8:15am. The Safari begins in Longwood's main Conservatory Hall promptly at 9am.
Lunch – included in your registration - will be provided in the Longwood Gardens Terrace Restaurant. The group departs for the hotel at 6:30pm.
At Longwood Gardens you will learn more about:
Backgrounds Depth of field
Exposure Fill light
Garden environment posing Macro photography
Night time photography Ring lights
Separation
White Balance
The evening is open for dinner on your own with class participants.
Optional—meeting with the instructor to review the day's accomplishments over dinner, or going out on your own to shoot the interior of the Hotel Dupont itself or the Wilmington skyline at night.
Sunday December 14: Old New Castle DEThe next morning, after checking out of the hotel, the group drives to historic Old New Castle where the buildings will be seasonally decorated. Special arrangements have been made to visit and photograph Amstel House, the Old Library, and the historic New Castle Court House Museum. These facilities are allowing WPS participants the opportunity to photograph their historic interiors.
At these historic houses you will learn more about:
Architectural photography
Interior photography
Balancing indoor and outdoor light
White balance settings
Lunch - included in your registration - will be provided at the restored Arsenal Restaurant. Following lunch, the class will complete with a review and discussion.Arrangements have been made to stay at the Hotel Dupont, for $99 per night plus tax. This is a special rate to enable WPS participants to stay at this extraordinary hotel. Paid registrants will be given a special code to access this rate.
Fee of $380/person includes transportation to/from Longwood and entrance fees and lunch both Saturday and Sunday, but it does not include hotel accommodations. Non-photographer spouses/friends welcome to attend for fee of $100/person to cover meals and transportation.
Outdoor Informal Portraiture - Intermediate Level
Next Safari: 09/20/2008
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
If you already have experience in portrait photography and are ready to move up to the next level, this safari will give you some advanced techniques in lighting and posing your subjects. Special emphasis will be on mastering the science portion of photography so you, the photographer, can be natural and relaxed. This photo Safari, taught by professional portrait photographer Bob Blanken, will use the wonderful settings available at Brookside Gardens, MD for an instructional intermediate-level workshop that will have you:
(Beginners level course a pre-requisite for this program.)
- Exploring exposure alternatives with off camera fill flash and reflectors
- Creating drama
- Distinguishing how framing in the camera improves the background
- Using shade and sun placement to your advantage
- Expand the practice of posing individuals, couples and groups with ease and confidence
- Using the sun as a main, fill or accent light
- Composing your photograph like a pro
- Having even more fun
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society. (required for admission to Intermediate Level Outdoor Portraiture Safari)Meet at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD, 20902. (map)
Fee: $89 per person.
Photo: Bob BlankenOutdoor Informal Portraiture - Intermediate Level
Next Safari: 08/16/2008
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
(Beginners level course a pre-requisite for this program.)
- Exploring exposure alternatives with off camera fill flash and reflectors
- Creating drama
- Distinguishing how framing in the camera improves the background
- Using shade and sun placement to your advantage
- Expand the practice of posing individuals, couples and groups with ease and confidence
- Using the sun as a main, fill or accent light
- Composing your photograph like a pro
- Having even more fun
Bob Blanken is past president of The Professional Photographers Society of Greater Washington and the Maryland Professional Photographers Association. His photographs and albums have won numerous awards. He is VP of Education for the Greater Washington, DC Chapter of International Special Events Society. (required for admission to Intermediate Level Outdoor Portraiture Safari)Meet at Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton MD, 20902. (map)
Fee: $89 per person.
Photo: Bob BlankenPhotography As A Second Career Workshop
Next Safari: 10/18/2008
2:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Photography is a profession that can NOT be easily outsourced to other countries. Why? Because you have to be HERE to take the picture!
With careful planning while you keep your day job, you CAN turn your hobby and your love of photography into a lucrative profession. Many people facing retirement, reduced pensions or job layoffs have successfully become full-time or part-time photographers, earning significant income with their photo skills. This popular Washington Photo Safari workshop, taught by a person who’s been there, will explore ways to make a successful transition into photography as a profession. It will look at such options as shooting for stock, events, weddings, child portraits, sports, architecture, real estate, restaurants, food, pets, sailboats, landscapes, and lawyers. Participants will also be encouraged to explore areas of photography with which they are NOT familiar as possible options for career work.
The workshop will discuss such topics as: how do you get educated in photography? Once you get to be a GOOD photographer, how can you market your skills? How do clients find out about you? How do you build a business that supports yourself and your family in the style to which you have become accustomed? What kind of investment do you need in equipment? How do you set prices for your work? Where can you go for further training in photography while holding down your day job? How do you get published? How do you build a photo portfolio? How do you build a resume in a whole new career of photography, where nobody knows your name? Who are the potential clients in your own neighborhood and community? Which areas of photography have the greatest income potential?
The workshop will be taught by Washington Photo Safari founder and director E. David Luria, a professional architectural photographer who took up his hobby and made it his profession after being laid off from his job as a non-profit organization executive in Washington DC. Mr. Luria, a Paris-trained member of the American Society of Media Photographers, has had his images appear in 100 publications and on 30 magazine covers. His Washington Photo Safaris have trained several thousand people in the techniques of travel, digital, pet, nature and landscape photography.Meet at the Party Room of Brandywine Apts., 4545 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington DC 20008.
Fee: $84 per person.
