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Updates from Yellowstone: π Aurora E-book Release & Workshop News
Published 2 months agoΒ β’Β 6 min read
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Greetings from Yellowstone!
We're currently between workshops, having just concluded our Yellowstone Night and Day workshop last week with a wonderful group. It was thrilling to introduce night photography to our participants while also showcasing Yellowstone's daytime beauty during mornings and evenings - a unique aspect of this workshop. We had nearly perfect weather, and although we encountered some smoky skies, the wind fortunately kept most of it at bay during our night sessions. The workshop was further enhanced by a couple of foggy mornings and beautiful light throughout.
August found us back home in Golden, diligently preparing for our upcoming four-month road trip. I (Jennifer) took the opportunity to release a free e-book, chronicling the magical night we spent photographing Yellowstone landscapes under the aurora in May. You can find a link below to download it.
We're now gearing up for our Yellowstone small scenes workshop this week. Afterwards, we'll be gradually making our way to the Oregon coast. We've just had two last-minute cancellations for our previously filled Oregon coast workshop next month. If you're interested in joining us, there are now two openings available!
As autumn approaches, signs of the changing season are slowly emerging. We hope you have exciting photography plans to capture this beautiful transition! Our own itinerary is still very fluid, as wildfires across the west have necessitated some adjustments to our original plans.
Until next time, happy photographing!
Warmly, David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick
A Night Under a Yellowstone Aurora
This May, Jennifer and I witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event: the most powerful solar storm in 500 years, painting Yellowstone's sky with an extraordinary aurora display. Capturing this rare phenomenon was truly unforgettable.
To share this awe-inspiring experience, Jennifer has crafted a stunning free ebook. It features 28 breathtaking images and recounts the story of that magical night.
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Don't miss out! Download your copy now from Jennifer's website using the link below. For future gems like this, be sure to subscribe to her newsletter.β
Discover how to bring out the best in your nature photos with David's latest tutorial on Raw sharpening in Lightroom. Learn two simple yet powerful methods to reduce image softness without introducing unwanted artifacts.
We were thrilled to receive so many insightful questions for our new "Field Questions" section last month. Your enthusiasm and curiosity are what make our photography community so vibrant and engaging.
Here are the questions we've addressed this month:
Angie asks: "I've been trying to capture the Milky Way, but my images always come out too dark or grainy. What camera settings and post-processing techniques do you recommend for clearer night sky shots?"
Mike wonders: "I struggle with balancing exposure in high-contrast landscapes, especially during sunrise and sunset. Any tips for managing bright skies and shadowy foregrounds in a single frame?"
Nathan inquires: "I'm having trouble conveying scale in my wide-angle landscape shots. Do you have any composition tips to help viewers understand the grandeur of a scene?"
Curious about the answers? Click the button below to read our detailed responses to these questions!
We love hearing from you and addressing your photography challenges. Whether you're grappling with technical issues, seeking composition advice, or wondering about processing techniques, we're here to help.
Don't be shy β send us your burning questions for next month's "Field Questions" section. Your question might be the one that helps fellow photographers overcome similar challenges.
This month's game-changer: the Carson 10x Loupe. If you've ever struggled with focusing on stars, this pocket-sized tool is your solution. At just $9, it's an affordable way to ensure tack-sharp night sky images.
The loupe provides 10x magnification of your LCD screen, perfect for critical focus in night photography. It's compact and lightweight, making it a must-have for achieving precise focus in your night photography.
Note: This section contains affiliate links. Your support through these links helps us continue providing valuable content. Thank you!
Lifting All Lenses
Each month, we're excited to share inspiring content from our colleagues and friends in the photography community.
This month, we're featuring Eric Bennett's latest coffee table book. Eric's unwavering commitment to excellence has resulted in a truly remarkable publication. His meticulous attention to detail and passion for perfection shine through in every page. We're thrilled to announce that the finished product has finally arrived, meeting Eric's high standards and exceeding expectations.
We were fortunate to receive an early copy, and we can assure you that it's absolutely stunning. This book is sure to be a captivating conversation starter on your coffee table.
π We're always on the lookout for inspiring, informative, and innovative content in the world of photography. Here's what caught our eye this month:
Building a body of work helps you express your artistic vision more clearly than just showcasing individual images. By developing a focused series, you'll enhance your fulfillment and increase opportunities for sharing and exhibiting your work. Fewer, stronger images are more impactful, allowing you to convey deeper themes and insights.
In the video, Cole shares five techniques to simplify images by focusing on a clear subject and a subdued background. He emphasizes the importance of composition, long exposure, and adjusting exposure levels to reduce distractions. Cole believes that having a strong vision is key to using these techniques effectively.
Generative AI has advanced to the point where it can create images that look as real as photographs, especially with new phone technology. This blurs the line between real and fake images, leading to a decline in trust in photography as an accurate representation of reality. The author believes that soon, the reputation of the photographer will be more important than the photographic illusion itself.
Recent Workshop Highlights
Yellowstone Landscapes and Nightscapes
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This month, we led an unforgettable journey through Yellowstone National Park. Our workshop celebrated nature's grandeur, from vast landscapes to intimate details. Highlights included:
Capturing diverse scenes from sunrise to starlight
Photographing geothermal wonders and small, often overlooked natural compositions
Mastering techniques for grand landscapes, intimate scenes, and milky way photography
Personalized instruction on composition, exposure, and processing
We're excited to share below a selection of images created by our incredibly talented participants during the workshop, accompanied by their testimonials.
Image by Alyson Wasilawski
Image by Denise SaldaΓ±a
"David and Jennifer work so hard to make their workshop first rate. n the field they stayed with us offering ideas, suggestions and help. They checked the weather conditions and planned the areas to visit accordingly. David even had a rainbow app to help us plan the rainbow timing at the waterfall! The daily processing workshops were detailed, inspiring, and helpful. I enjoyed this photography workshop and highly recommend it." βDenise
Image by Keith Lisk
Image by Vathana Sivanesan
"This was hands down the best photography workshop Iβve been on. David and Jennifer know how to balance both the technical and creative aspects of photography. They are extremely encouraging and check in on you during shooting sessions just the right amount. I learned so many things well beyond what I expected. This workshop helped me step up my game big time. Stop reading reviews and just sign up already!" βVathana
Image by Ted Koelsch
Image by Keith Lisk
Image by Ted Koelsch
Image by Edmund Prescottano
Image by Bill Bomberry
Image by Alyson Wasilawski
Image by Edmund Prescottano
Join us next year
Good news! Our 2025 Yellowstone workshop still has spots available. Don't miss this opportunity to capture the park's beauty in all its forms.
π‘ Pro Tip: September in Yellowstone offers a perfect blend of fall colors, dark night skies, and cooler temperatures that often create magical morning fog. It's ideal for capturing expansive landscapes, intimate natural details, and ethereal misty scenes!
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