Workshop Overview - Please read in full
Our outdoor workshops are designed to help those with a Digital SLR camera to get more out of it and to make the types of photos you would like to take. Making the photos that you envision takes time, vision and know-how. Knowing how to use the camera, to find the right light, to compose, to use filters and use a tripod are all key components to every photograph. Vision develops over time.
The basics of photography boils down to three components: light, camera and subject. You must have all three to make a picture. The light in your photos makes it either dull or pop, interesting or blah. The digital SLR camera as we know it now is pretty complex—lots and lots of settings to help (or hinder) making photos. And of course the subject is what you like to take photographs of: people, the sun, moon and stars, pets, landscapes, flowers, architecture, etc. What you want to take photos of determines your interest and passion.
I know several photographers who will wait hours or days for the perfect shot of a Bald Eagle as it passes over a lake to snatch a fish, while others would probably fall asleep in boredom. While others love to set up an entire studio shoot and control every aspect of every frame of the shoot. And others who want to venture out into nature and capture stunning moments as he or she explores areas around the corner or the world. That is what makes photography so appealing: so many choices!! And two people can see the exact same thing and make totally different photographs.
The purpose of my workshops is to help you MAKE a photograph rather than just TAKE one. And you might be asking, “Why the play on words, Mike?”
You make a photo by taking control of the camera, the light and subject. No, I cannot take control of a raging waterfall or a sunset over the ocean, but I can control my angle, my view, the foreground and the background, my composition, depth of field, the light, the time of day and the time of year. It is in this way that I take control. I make the scene fit what I envision (within reason).
In the case of “taking” a photo, this to me is more about a snapshot. You take what you see without trying to control the items mentioned above. You just might be lucky enough to walk to an overlook of a gorgeous scene and take a shot or two and get a wonderful photograph that you love. It does happen. Or it may be that you want to take a “record” shot to post online to show others where you are or have been. It all depends on what you want to do with your camera!
I want you to be able to get far more keepers - the kind you would be proud to hang on your wall. That is my goal!
Again, the purpose of my workshops is to give you control of the technical aspects of your camera and accessories so that you feel confident to MAKE photos and to help you begin to “see” photographic possibilities. My ideal students want to learn how to get better. And better. And better!
Obviously, this is a life long undertaking, and I simply cannot teach you everything you’ll need to know in a half-day or even a 4 day session. I can teach you one or two aspects of a given subject but since this is a hands-on teaching session we work on a couple things at a time. Ideally, then you take this knowledge and practice, applying it to the type of photography you enjoy.
**PLEASE READ: My photography workshops take place in the outdoors. The learning of your camera and gear can be used to make photos of anything, but we will specifically be shooting nature. We will hike, may get wet crossing a stream or get rained on, in hotter months it will be HOT and in cold months it will cold! From flowers to sunsets to rock formations to waterfalls, etc. You’ll need to be comfortable in whatever season walking, hiking, carrying gear, food, snacks and water. You acknowledge that you are physically able to participate in the workshop in which you choose to participate.
Some workshops will have a time after the photography session to critique photos and answer questions. In this case we ask that you bring a laptop or tablet on which to download your photos.
** Cancellation policy:
All monies are non-refundable. If you cancel participation in this workshop your registration fees may be transferred towards registration in Waller Images workshop under certain conditions. Transfer of fees to another workshop is not automatic and is decided solely by Mike Waller of Waller Images as a courtesy. We reserve the right to decide whether to transfer your fees to another workshop or not. You must register for another workshop scheduled one year or less from the starting date of the workshop for which you originally registered. If you need more time we may be able to extend the transfer time beyond 1 year. Participants transferring from another workshop will be registered for this other workshop in excess of the regular number of participants. We can only accept two transfers per workshop. If you decide to attend a higher priced workshop, or if the workshop fee has increased, the difference in cost between the two workshops will be charged to your credit card when you notify us that you want to sign up for this other workshop. A ten percent transfer fee will be applied at the time of transfer. In order to get a transfer credit you can only cancel one workshop, per calendar year. Your registration is guaranteed only when we have payment in full. We reserve the right to change this policy at any time. Workshop fees can only be transferred to another workshop and cannot be used towards purchase of a product such as prints or other. If this workshop is cancelled by us you will receive a full refund. By registering for this workshop you agree to this policy.
**Liability Limitation
Waller Images, Mike and Amy Waller, guides, and cooperating agents aim to provide every participant a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. We act solely as agents for you regarding accommodations, special activities, and travel, by any means, and assume no liability for any act, error, omission, injury, loss, delay, mishap, or damage to persons or property arising from any cause during the course of the workshop or in transit thereto. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances. In the event that we deem it necessary to cancel the workshop we will provide a full refund which the participant(s) acknowledges as full and final settlement. In the event of a workshop cancellation airline tickets, car rentals and hotel reservations associated with participation in this workshop will not be refunded. We recommend you purchase refundable airline tickets and make refundable car and hotel reservations. We also recommend you carry travel and camera equipment insurance.
As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read this form carefully. This liability release will certify that the participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.
Meeting times, meeting places and itinerary are subject to changes dictated by the weather, the road conditions and other imponderable variables that are part of doing landscape photography. You are responsible for being at the meeting place at the designated time and have your photographic equipment with you.
By joining this workshop I acknowledge that I have read the above information concerning responsibility and release Waller Images, Mike Waller, Amy Waller, their guides, instructors and any cooperating agent from any liability. Waller Images, Mike Waller and Amy Waller will assume no liability for injury, illness, or loss of personal property or expenses thereof associated with workshop participation. I also acknowledge that Mike Waller and Amy Waller have the right to refuse service to anyone at anytime and that workshop policies are subject to change at any time.
** Weather policy: In many instances bad weather equals great photographs. However, the safety of all participants is extremely important to us. Due to ever-changing weather, and that weather forecasts can change extremely quickly or simply be inaccurate, we communicate by email or text on the evening before each workshop whether or not a workshop will take place, will be postponed a few hours or will be cancelled. In most cases, we will not cancel a workshop except in the case of lightning, hail, strong tornadic activity is forecast or slippery/wintry conditions that make being outdoors unsafe. If we cancel the workshop, all monies will be refunded.