During the last week of September, Lake Superior’s north shore explodes into vibrant colors. The maples turn bright red and the birch and aspen turn vibrant yellow. During this Lake Superior photography workshop, we’ll explore the north shore, photograph the fall color and make photos that you’ll proudly hang on your walls.
Photography workshops need to accomplish four things:
- Teach you how to use your camera better.
- Teach you how to see and capture photos better.
- Visit beautiful locations.
- They must be fun.
By combining these aspects, this Fall photography workshop (limited to 12 people) sets up a fun hands-on learning experience in one of the most beautiful parts of Minnesota. For this workshop, we’ll set up our base in Grand Marais and adventure out to nearby locations. We’ll visit scenic overlooks in the Lutsen area to photograph the maples, we’ll head up the Gunflint Trail to photograph the birch and aspen, and we’ll visit other remote and scenic locations. Along the way, you will learn new techniques, improve on old ones and make great photos.
Day 1 (Wednesday): Noon to sunset (optional: sunrise)
The photography workshop officially begins at noon with a slideshow and lecture about camera control, composition and the recommended filters. For participants arriving Tuesday night, an optional sunrise session on Lake Superior is available and highly recommended. After the slideshow, we’ll head out to photograph the area while practicing using polarizers and neutral density filters.
Day 2 (Thursday): Sunrise to sunset
We start with a sunrise on Lake Superior near Grand Marais. I demonstrate the use of split ND grad filters. I have several demo filters for you to try, but I suggest that you purchase these filters if you don’t already own them. Learn more about split ND grad filters in my December Newsletter. Then we’ll visit nearby streams to photograph intimate landscapes. We end the day after sunset.
Day 3 (Friday): Sunrise to sunset
We spend the day in the Lutsen area after photographing the sunrise at Cascade River State Park, and then heading down to several scenic overlooks. We’ll end the day after sunset.
Day 4 (Saturday): Sunrise to sunset
This is our Gunflint Trail day. After an optional sunrise session on Lake Superior, we head up the Gunflint Trail to photograph the fall color.
Day 5 (Sunday): Sunrise to noon (Optional: Image review)
We start on Lake Superior for the sunrise and after breakfast, we’ll meet up for a demonstration of Adobe Lightroom for photo organization and post-processing. Adobe Lightroom is one tool that no photographer should be without, because it does everything we need and reproduces the black and white darkroom in a computer. For this demonstration, a laptop with Lightroom is recommended, but you can follow along without it. Workshop ends at noon. For those that can stay later, I will do an image review and feedback session during the afternoon.
Note: I will schedule one optional night shoot for anyone that is interested. Cross your fingers for northern lights.
Fall Color Photography Workshop on Lake Superior Cost
The cost of the workshop is $995 per person for the instruction fee for the five days. Food, lodging and transportation is separate and up to you to book. Weekends in the fall fill up early, so book your hotel soon. There are also camping options in the area if you like a more rugged experience. After you register, you’ll get a list of preferred lodging suggestions. About a month before the workshop, you’ll receive the participant packet with a suggestion of clothing and photography gear.
Price: $849 per person
Dates: September 26 to 30, 2012
Max: 12 people
Registration and Cancellation Policies
2 Comments
Beautiful imagery. I must say I was ignorant to the fact that the Great Lakes region has such amazing foliage. We Mainers tend to think we have it monopolized. Sounds like a great workshop.
Thanks. The whole Midwest has good fall colors, but I think the combination of maple, birch and aspen on the north shore of Lake Superior is the best in the Midwest.
The Mississippi River valley is also pretty nice.