New Full Day Class

Landscape photography holds a magical attraction for many of us. It's an opportunity to leave the confines of a big city, re-connect with nature, and capture the mystery and awe of the natural world before it disappears around us.

This special class is an all-day (and I mean all-day) event. We meet at the main entrance of the Starved Rock Lodge in Illinois' largest state park, Starved Rock at 4:45 AM (yes, as in morning). We'll shoot in the first light of morning, come back to the Starved Rock Lodge for classroom instruction and critique of the morning's shoot. Lunch is provided (dinner is not), and then you have a break to rest and nap.

The class resumes in early-afternoon and we have another couple hours of instructor-led classroom instruction. We'll take a short break and then head back out into the park to shoot at dusk and sunset.

This new class combines the "Early Morning Light" with the "Last Light of Day" classes that we've held in the past and adds four hours of classroom time to discuss the issues, tips, and tricks when shooting landscapes and nature.

For those of you who have taken the macro class, this is an excellent time to put those new skills to use.

Topics Covered Include:

• Understanding why we shoot at first and last light
• The difference between sunrise and civilian twilight
  
• Understanding how dynamic range isrealy important at those times of day
• Using wide-angle vs. telephoto lenses
  
• Do's and don'ts of shooting in nature
  
• Why landscape photography is more important now than ever

Day's Agenda:

• 4:45 AM: Meet at lodge's front doors and travel to shooting locale
  
• 5:30 AM: Sunrise and start shooting
• 9:00 AM: Return to lodge and rest
  
• 10:00 AM: Classroom
• Noon: Boxed lunch is served
• 2:00 PM: Classroom
• 4:30 PM: Class adjourned
• 6:30 PM: Meet at lodge's front doors and travel to shooting locale
• 8:19 PM: Sunset
• 8:49 PM: End civilian twilight
  

This class is open to anyone and everyone who is interested in this style of photography. Although there are no pre-requisite classes, it is strongly recommended that you are comfortable using your camera and understand the basics of using your camera.

Accommodations? 

It is strongly recommended that people spend Friday night in Starved Rock. However, instead of booking a block of rooms at the lodge, participants should be (and are) free to choose their own accommodations based on preferences and budget. 

In the Meetup files section, there is a PDF of local hotels. Feel free to contact people who are willing to share hotel rooms.

Required Camera and Gear:

Any camera type will do; digicams, hybrids, dSLRs, etc.

Tripod is strongly recommended

Please be sure to read the Cancellation and Refund Policy . 

Disclaimer:

Starved Rock is a natural park and, as such, hiking and other activities here carries some risk of injury. In the unlikely event that I am injured, I promise to release Rob Domaschuk Photography and Meetup.com from any and all liability.

In other words: I am a grown adult and, if I injure myself, it's my own damned fault and no one elses.