Are you frustrated that you can’t get the pictures you want, even though you have a good camera?
Do you see the beauty in nature but can’t bring it home in your photos?
Are you thinking that you need to upgrade your gear, or that you just don’t have the eye?
Watch this video – it may give you some very important information!
Please join me for the my Capturing Nature’s Peaceful Beauty Workshop on September 7-9 and allow me to show you that YOU CAN take better photographs with the camera gear you already have.
“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful- an endless prospect of magic and wonder.” ~ Ansel Adams
Sunrise at Clingman’s Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
As I’ve been getting ready to head west, I’ve mentioned my upcoming trip to several people. And they all seem to have one question – how do I find enough information about the places I’m planning on visiting to feel like I know what to expect?Part of the answer is – lots of research. And the rest – is being willing to be flexible and see what happens.
Avalanche Creek, Glacier National Park
West Thumb Lake, Yellowstone National Park
I’ve figured out some great ways to find the information I need for my trips.For any trip – the first place I check are the websites for any National Parks, Wildlife Refuges and National Seashores in the area I’m visiting. This usually gives me the basic information I need. Most of the National Park websites have information about local wildflowers and native plants under the Nature & Science tab in the left hand column.
My next stop is usually Amazon.com. I’ve found all sorts of books about wildflowers and where to find them by searching for “wildflower” and the name of a state or national park. The books not only help me identify the flowers I photograph, but they also often suggest trails or scenic drives where I can find wildflowers.I’ll also usually get a general guide to a park since that will give me an overview of the park and what I can hope to find. I also have the National Geographic Guides to National Parks and State Parks. These two books are invaluable for helping me identify other locations to visit on a trip.
Wild Horse, Roosevelt National Park
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park
And then I start asking questions! Some of my photographer friends are amazing sources of information about places to photograph. I can usually get recommendations on where to stay, where to eat and what are some lesser visited places to photograph from my friends.
I’ll also ask for suggestions on Twitter and Facebook – I’ve got hundreds of connections on each. So pretty much anywhere I’m planning on visiting, someone either lives nearby or has visited recently. My online friends are a wonderful resource.
Pretty much my first stop at any National Park or Wildlife Refuge is the Visitor Center. The Park Rangers always have the most up-to-date information on what’s happening in the park – including letting me know which trails are likely to have the wildflowers I’m looking for.And then from there – I just follow my intuition. Often times I’ll just head out from the hotel in a general direction – and stop where I feel like stopping. If I see a splash of color in a field – I’ll circle back to see what’s in bloom. That’s how I found the Few-Flowered Shooting Stars at Grand Teton National Park last summer.Sometimes I’ll have plans to head to a specific trail – and along the way – a little voice says no – try that trail instead. Or how about heading up this road even though it’s in the opposite direction of where I was planning on going. And without fail, every time I’ve listened to my intuition – I’ve found something wonderful to photograph.
Few-Flowered Shooting Stars, Grand Teton National Park
Everglades National Park
Have there been times when you’ve followed your intuition and found something wonderful to photograph? Did you head up an unexpected trail? Or decide you just had to go out and photograph, even if you were tired? If you have, I’d love to hear about it.
In fact – it is so important to me that you enjoy your photography experiences that I want you to be able to share the workshop with a friend. If you register now – you can bring a friend to the workshop for free! That way you’ll have someone to practice with after the workshop.
The workshop features 3 photo shoots at parks or botanical gardens in the Washington DC area and classroom sessions at my home in Bethesda.
At the Workshop you will . . .
Discover new ways to see nature
Learn to create the photographs you’ve always wanted to create
Capture the beauty you see in your photographs
Have a one-on-one discussion with Patty about your photography
After the workshop . . .
You will be better able to capture what you see in nature in your photographs
You will see the beauty of nature in a whole new way
You will be more confident using your camera to create the photographs you want to create
I just wanted to let you know that I will have a booth at the Gaithersburg Book Festival this Saturday May 19. Held on the grounds of City Hall in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the festival runs from 10 AM – 6 PM. There will be authors of all sorts reading from and sharing information about their books.
