OM Mentorship Program - Part 2
What to expect
The Mastering Fieldcraft Mentorship Program - Part 2 is focused on mastering fieldcraft. Fieldcraft is one of the most important skills nature photographers need to develop but it is very seldom discussed. My definition of fieldcraft is the art and science of approaching a subject or scene.
So often we fail to capture images of a subject because we don't know how to approach a subject, we don't know how to anticipate the best location for a shot, we don't take in all of our surroundings and prepare our exposure in advance, we don't know how to photograph from small boats, big boats, safari vehicles, on foot, or on our belly.
Would you like to feel confident approaching a wildlife subject? Would you like to know how to position yourself for the best bird in flight images? Would you like to stop being frustrated with blurry images when photographing from a small boat in rough seas? Would like to know how to plan and execute a night sky shot with a wonderful foreground? Would you like to photograph in the snow and have the confidence that every exposure will be perfect? Would you like to know how to adjust your autofocus for wildlife in thick brush versus the open?
Then the Mastering Fieldcraft Mentorship Program is just the ticket for you!
Sessions
Session One
Introduction to Fieldcraft
This session will introduce you to the concept and practice of fieldcraft. We will take an in-depth exploration at the formula for nature photography success. You will get an introduction to fieldcraft for wildlife, macro, landscape, and night sky photography. Finally, you will be introduced to different genres of photography within those four broad genres of photography.
Session Two
The Art & Science of Natural Light
Photography is all about the light! It can make or break your image! You will be introduced to the Circadian Rhythm of Natural Light and how to photograph within each realm. We will take in-depth consideration of front, side, back, and overhead light. But beyond that, you will learn how to chase specific types of light! Some of the most spectacular light has to be chased, it isn't predictable!
Session Three
The Relationship of Fieldcraft & Equipment
Session three helps you know how to choose the right lens for the situation, how to master depth of field, when and how to use tripods and monopods, choosing clothing and related accessories, the relationship between flash and fieldcraft, using apps to plan your shots, and what gear to keep in your car!
Session Four
Photographing on Foot, Vehicles, Boats, & Blinds
Session four will explore tips, techniques, and knowledge for photographing on foot, from a vehicle whether personal or group, large boats, small boats, and blinds. We will also discuss backyard bird setups.
Session Five
Reading Nature's Signs - Part One
Session five begins a journey through nature and how to read it to assist in capturing visually compelling images. We will examine the impact of wind (both good and bad), how to photograph in the rain, fog, snow and extreme cold, rain, dew, at night, in the heat, the tropics, and dealing with atmospheric haze.
Session Six
Reading Nature's Signs - Part Two
Session six continues our learning about reading nature! We will consider photographing in the four seasons, as well as, understanding micro seasons. We will consider photographing storms, lightning, clouds, and the moon and sun.
Session Seven
Habitat, Landscapes & Photography
Session seven takes on a journey around the globe exploring various habitats and how to photograph them and subjects within them. Photographing along a rocky coast and photographing along a sandy beach is dramatically different. Photographing in mountains and along a river is very different. What are micro-habitats and how do they help us find subjects? Finally, tips on photographing in national parks, wildlife refuges, and wildlife in cities will round out this session.
Session Eight
Fieldcraft for Landscape Photography - Part One
Session eight is the beginning of our exploration of landscape photography and how to approach a wide variety of landscape scenes. You will learn how to select foreground elements, use long exposures for creative purposes, how to photograph sunrise and sunset, and understanding rules of composition. We will also learn how to use remote shutters, intervalometers, and filters.
Session Nine
Fieldcraft for Landscape Photography - Part Two
Session nine expands on our exploration of landscape photography fieldcraft by considering horizons, panoramic and HDR images, the challenge of intimate landscapes, pre-visualization, and changing your perspective. We will also explore the role of patience and fair weather.
Session Ten
Fieldcraft for Bird Photography
Session ten considers factors such as bird molt, seasonal and geographic distribution, habitat, bird in flight, the use of ProCapture, using bird calls to attract subjects, and photographing large, small and breeding birds.
Session Eleven
Fieldcraft for Bird Photography - Family or Genus
Session eleven will explore all the major families or genuses of birds within the United States and Canada and how to use fieldcraft to photograph them.
Session Twelve
Fieldcraft for Mammal Photography - Part One
Session twelve considers the challenges of photographing mammals. How do we capture mammal behavior? What does the body language of mammals teach us about what may occur? We will consider how to anticipate a shot instead of reacting in the moment? What about photographing the rut, babies, and capturing environmental portraits?
Session Thirteen
Fieldcraft for Mammal Photography - Part Two
Session thirteen will take us into understanding mammal behavior by families and genus so we are better equipped to capture visually compelling images of mammals!
Session Fourteen
Photographing Flocks & Herds
Session fourteen is a unique journey into photographing flocks and herds! What are the key differences in capturing visually compelling images of groups of animals or birds versus single subjects? Learn how to capture images that make you stare!
Session Fifteen
Fieldcraft for Macro Photography - Part One
Session fifteen is our entrance into the world of the smallest subjects. Finding subjects is a challenge for many photographers and we explore how to find them, how to approach them, how to deal with problem insects, and dealing with compositional challenges. We will also learn how to decide if we should use diffused flash, natural light, or supplemental light.
Session Sixteen
Fieldcraft for Macro Photography - Part Two
Session sixteen continues our understanding of macro fieldcraft by considering how to photograph different groups of insect, reptiles, and amphibians. We also discuss the challenge of venomous snakes and insects and how to properly photograph them.
Session Seventeen
Reading Nature's Signs - Part One
Session seventeen, our final session, takes into the dark hours of night for milky way, star trail, and other types of night time photography. The challenge of photographing in the dark presents an entirely new set of challenges that must be considered.