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 that I’ve explored before so you can get the best shots.
- 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): Sunrise 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 2 (Thursday Night):
Thursday is also our optional night session. After sunset, we’ll meet up and learn to shoot star trails and paint the night with flashlights and other tools. I’ll also bring out a tent, so you can make the classic northwoods night camping shot. Grand Portage photographer Travis Novitsky will join us for the evening session. Travis is a fantastic photographer and his night photography is legendary. Even though the night session is optional, I suspect that everyone will want to come to learn night photography from Travis.
Day 3 (Friday): Morning to sunset
We spend the day in the Lutsen area after photographing Cascade River State Park, and then heading down to several scenic overlooks. We’ll end the day after sunset. For those of you that want to catch some sleep after last night’s night shoot, you can sleep in and meet up at noon for the rest of the day.
Day 4 (Saturday): Sunrise to sunset
This is our Gunflint Trail day. We start the day with a sunrise session on Lake Superior, we head up the Gunflint Trail to photograph the fall color reflecting in scenic lakes and from an easy to reach overlook. We’ll skip the sunset to meet up in the classroom 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. For this demonstration, a laptop with Lightroom is recommended, but you can follow along without it. After you head back to your hotel for the evening, you should select five photos you took during the workshop to share with the class on Sunday.
Day 5 (Sunday): Sunrise to noon with an afternoon feedback session
We start on Lake Superior for the sunrise and after breakfast, we meet up for an image review in the classroom. You’ll share your five images with the classroom. For those that have signed up for the full five days, I will do a one-on-one image review and feedback session during the afternoon and evening. These will be scheduled for 20 minutes and those that have to travel furthest to get home go first.
Fall Color Photography Workshop on Lake Superior Cost
The cost of the workshop is $749 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. About a month before the workshop, you’ll receive the participant packet with a suggestion of clothing and photography gear.
Price: $749 per person
Dates: September 26 to 30, 2012
Max: 12 people
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Lodging Partner
I’m hosting this photography workshop with Aspen Lodge in Grand Marais, MN. Aspen Lodge is on the east side of Grand Marais across the street from one of my favorite restaurants, My Sister’s Place. Aspen Lodge offers views of Artist’s Point, the East Bay and the Coast Guard Station. It has a giant whirlpool spa, a sauna and a pool. It’s within walking distance of downtown.
Call 800-247-6020 to make your room reservations.
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.
One Trackback
[...] 26 to 30, 2012 - Fall Color Lake Superior Photography Workshop in Grand [...]