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Home > About > Workshops & Classes > Colorado 2015 Nature Photography Workshop
Photography Workshop Alpine Trail Ridge Inn (ATRI) Shoot With a Pro
Details of the schedule will be adjusted as Come spend a fun and exciting weekend in the spectacular Rocky Mountains!
On the field trips you will apply everything you are learning in the splendor of Rocky Mountain
National Park. The last week of September in RMNP is usually the peak of the fall color season when the aspen are at their best. It is also prime elk viewing time as the bulls come down out
of the trees and gather their harems in the grassy meadows of the park for the fall "rut". It is a splendid time of year to be in "Rocky" and a great place to hone your photography skills. You will go home knowing how to create eye-catching images! Read the testimonials (in blue) scattered through the rest of this page! I was so impressed by how many "trade secrets" he freely shared. I couldn't learn as much as I
did in this workshop on my own, if I worked hard for years. - Besma A
Exploration Sessions The exploration sessions on Saturday and Sunday will give you the skills you need to create
exciting images. You will learn what turns boring in beautiful and how to change dull into dynamic. Bring your camera gear to the exploration sessions because you will be using it in practical exercises. Metering - The First Big Step Toward Great Images Depth of Field - The Doorway to Dramatic Images It's all about the Light - How to "read" and work "with" the light to put magic in your images Playing with Time - Creating Images That Your Eyes Can't See From Grand to Intimate - Landscapes Great and Small Wildlife Photography - How to Find, Get Close To, and Photograph Wildlife Petals in the Wind - How to Create Beautiful Flower Images Starry Starry Night - Night and Low Light Photography Simplifying Tricky Situations - It's Only Hard Until You Know How Jim's workshop was incredibly helpful. I learned so much from just one day with him that my photo quality improved that same day! I would definitely recommend his workshop to anyone who needs help improving their photo quality. - Gena B
This is a fun and energetic way to expand your photography skills and explore new photographic possibilities. The field trips are your chance to spend a day (and part of the night) shooting with a select group of photographers with the help and guidance of an accomplished professional photographer. The field trips will reinforce everything you learned in the exploration sessions. We will be at several locations in RMNP. Where we will be and when we will be there will depend on lighting conditions, the weather, and current wildlife locations. You can use your own transportation on the field trips (especially if you need to leave a field trip early) but most participants choose to car pool. At the beginning of all field trips we will meet outside room 151 (map below). Want a sneak peek at our workshop locations? Read the Rocky Mountain National Park section of my Colorado Fall Color Travel Guide. This testimonial will show the effectiveness of combining exploration sessions, photo exercises, and field trips. I just want to say thanks for a great workshop day! I really enjoyed my time and the
information you gave, even though I could only be there for the one day on Saturday. I have had my DSLR camera for a number of years now, always playing with it and trying different
things. I always thought I could just teach myself with photography books and the camera manual and not really need to take a class. I always thought, I have an Art degree, I
understand composition and color - now I just need to learn the tool and thought I could do it myself. But even after reading and re-reading and trying different things, my photos didn't
always do what I wanted. Your sessions helped pull so many aspects of photography together and helped me to see and use my camera in new ways, and helped me understand all those
aspects I was trying to learn about! You also helped me to remember that I can also try things with my photos to make them more artistic and to not be afraid to do that. Thanks for that!
Now I just need to keep practicing! - Travis S
This is an active workshop. To get the most out of the field trips you will need to be able to
walk around at modestly high elevations. We won't be climbing granite peaks and time constraints prevent us from running around at the higher elevations of the park like Trail Ridge
Road, so you won't need to be a mountain climber or have the lungs of an Olympic athlete. You will need to be able to walk up to 1/4 mile to and from your vehicle and there will be very minor
elevation changes (20-30 feet) on the trails. We will not be above 9,500 feet in elevation if you have concerns about altitude sickness.
Movie Nights Depending on the weather and other circumstances (we won't shoot after dark if it is raining, or
if clouds are hiding the stars), you might get to meet and take pictures vicariously with some world class photographers via documentary movies. If you want to go to bed early and skip the movies, you can do that too. I really had no idea how much you could manipulate a camera to get such great images without using Photoshop. I found it amazing! - Melissa D
The Workshop Leader Jim Doty, Jr. has the ideal combination of practical photography experience and teaching skills to provide an inspiring workshop experience that will improve your photography. Jim is a photography instructor with 20 years experience on the adult and University level. He currently teaches photography at The Ohio State University. He has also taught at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in Michigan and Graceland University in Iowa. During his workshops, seminars, and field trips he has worked with hundreds of photographers at all skill levels. He also does one-on-one, "shoot with a pro" sessions for people who want the ultimate in personal guidance. Jim's images can be found in magazines, books, newspapers, calendars, tourist brochures, corporate reports, and on web sites for corporations and not-for-profit organizations. Jim's nature, portrait, event, and commercial work has been published by the National Wildlife Federation, Black & White Magazine, The Ohio State University, Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Laboratory, Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, Graceland University, UNCF (United Negro College Fund), Crowne Plaza Hotels, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Hotels, Best Western Hotels, Hunt's Guide to the Upper Peninsula, Heartland Tours and Travel, Midwest Photo Exchange, Wiley Publishing, Inc., The MichMatist, Yukon Review, Magic 106.3, The Herald, Community of Christ, Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Kirtland Temple Historic Site, KOA Campgrounds, Restoration Voice, Terrapin World Imports, and dozens of other businesses too numerous to list here. Jim is the author of Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies, one of the highest rated photography books at Amazon.com. More information is here. Jim Doty gives the most warm, intense, wonderful photographic digital workshop. He is truly a gift to those who choose to attend. - Win M
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn Website: Alpine Trail Ridge Inn A map and directions are at the bottom of the page. After you have checked in Friday, contact
Bob, the registrar in room 151 (which is on the west end of the building behind the office). We have learned so much more about photography than we ever dreamed existed. Thank you so
much for teaching us so much with such enthusiasm. - Pat D
Early bird special (registration with payment received by August 15) - $300. Registration after August 15 - $350. Registration covers all exploration and field trip sessions, Friday through Sunday. You will need
to pay for your own meals, lodging, and entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park. More about lodging below. Book early. Rooms for the prime time fall season in Estes Park can fill up weeks
in advance. Contact the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn as soon as possible after you register for the workshop. If the workshop is already booked full when you want to register, you can be placed on a priority waiting list in case someone else cancels. To register, send an email to Bob at: seventybob@aol.com. He is the Denver based registrar for this retreat. He will give you payment options to register for the workshop.
I had NO IDEA my camera was capable of so much. - Vickie R
Saturday and Sunday we will break for lunch in the middle of the day and again in between the
exploration sessions and the evening field trips. There are several places to eat near the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn. Most of the meal breaks will be short (an hour or so) to maximize your learning and shooting time. Great Workshop! I can use your material to quickly become a better photographer. - Jim T
Thanks again for a fantastic experience at the workshop. I'm really itching to re-read the book, get the camera out and practice all of these new skills. - Andreas S
Lodging Lodging for workshop participants is at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn. As a sponsor for the workshop they are providing the meeting room at no extra charge which means a significant reduction in the cost of the workshop. The Inn is providing a 10% discount to workshop participants, so be sure and mention you are part of the workshop when you call to book a room. Ask for a room near the workshop meeting room. The earlier you book your room, the closer you will be to the workshop meeting room. There is no restroom in the meeting room, so it is handy to have your room nearby. There is also a restroom you can use near the pool area. If you and a photographer friend want to share a room, you can certainly do that. The Inn is holding a limited number of rooms. Late September is prime time for both fall color and elk viewing in RMNP so rooms in Estes Park book up weeks in advance. Book early. I have stayed at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn for years. They have also hosted a lot of my friends over the years (I send people there all the time). It is one of the top rated hotels on Trip Advisor (it is actually a "motor inn"), their rates are competitive, the rooms are nice, and they are ideally located on the far west side of town so you don't have to fight through hordes of tourists and downtown traffic to get to RMNP. Plus there are several eating options nearby. Jay and Fran (the managers) are super people and they take great care of guests. Staying at the Alpine Trail Ridge Inn also makes it possible to car pool on the field trips. If you happen to get Robert when you call the inn (he works the front desk Thursday, Friday, and Saturday every week) be sure and say hello for me. He is a fine photographer and we always talk shop when I am in town. Website: Alpine Trail Ridge Inn Jim Doty's workshop is excellent. Very down to earth and not so technical to the point of being intimidating. - Steve S
Bring to the Workshop A digital or film camera (*see the important note below) and the manual for your camera. You will be using your camera during the workshop. A tripod if you have one. If you don't, see if you can borrow or rent one. If you are planning on buying a tripod, there is tripod head advice here and tripod (legs) advice here. A notebook or paper to take notes. A small flashlight or headlamp for the evening/night field trips. A red filter for your flashlight
helps maintain your dark adaptation when shooting at night. *Important camera note. To get the most out of this workshop you will need a camera that allows you to manually
control apertures, shutter speeds, and ISO settings. You will need a lens that allows you to turn off autofocus anf
focus manually. Any recent model DLSR (digital single lens reflex), film SLR, or ILC (digital interchangeable lens compact
), will be fine. If you have a full featured point and shoot camera that has the four basic PASM modes (Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority, and Manual) and makes them easy to use, you will do just fine. Your workshop renewed and re-excited my interest in photography. I have some new ideas and ways to "up my game." - Don M
Recommended Companion Book for the Workshop If you have my book Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies, bring it to the workshop. If you don't, you can order it here or you can buy it at the workshop for $35. If you want to buy it at the workshop, let me know a couple of weeks before the workshop so I have enough copies with me. The presentations during the workshop will be page keyed to additional information in the book. You will get more out of the workshop and you can spend less time taking notes. It is out of print, and like other high rated, sought after out of print books, the price has gone
up, not down. New copies now sell for $30 (and up) plus shipping from Amazon's third party sellers. Used prices have been jumping up and down. Either way, when you buy from Amazon's
third party sellers you are protected by Amazon's guarantee. If you are ordering from Amazon, it is a good idea to order 3-4 weeks in advance of the workshop. I will have new copies at the
workshop if you let me know well ahead of time.
Clothing This is an active, "go outside and do things" kind of workshop. You might end up sitting,
kneeling, or laying down on the ground to get the best photo angle so dress accordingly. In late September high country temperatures can range from mild and pleasant to chilly and cold. Bring
a sweater or light jacket for cool evenings and a coat in case it gets really cold. Jim's workshop showed me the way to put my DSLR's features to use and the advantages of
knowing why and how they function. Easy to follow and understand - Gene S
Before The Workshop Go through your camera's manual prior to the workshop so you are well acquainted with the PASM modes (Program, Aperture priority, S hutter priority, and Manual) and learn how to use them. Before the workshop it is especially important to learn how to change apertures, shutter speeds, and ISO settings in the "Manual" exposure mode. Try out the other modes too. If your camera has "mirror lock up", "depth of field preview", or a "live view" mode, be sure you
know how to use them. If your camera has a B (for bulb) mode, learn how to access it and use it (it might be hidden in the camera's menu section).
In some cameras, the Exposure Compensation Scale is always visible inside the viewfinder. In others it is visible on an external LCD if you have that option turned on. With some cameras you have to find it in the menu system to access it or turn it on. The amount of exposure compensation in this illustration is set to +1 (Plus One). Learn how to set yours for anything from -2 to +2. If your camera allows you to set a "custom white balance", check your camera manual and learn how to do that too. If you have Digital Photography Exposure for Dummies, look through chapters 2, 3, and 4 before the workshop.
Alpine Trail Ridge Inn Website: Alpine Trail Ridge Inn If you are coming from the east on U.S. 34 or U.S. 36, they will merge in downtown Estes Park.
When they split, stay on U.S. 36 (which is also CO-66). Just past the light at Mary's Lake Road on the west side of town, you will see the motel on your right. If you are coming from the west on U.S. 34, at Deer Ridge Junction (in RMNP) go straight on U
.S. 36. You will wind down and around and out of the park. About three miles after you leave RMNP, you will see the motel on your left near the traffic light on the far west side of town.
Hi Jim - I can't wait to get to get out into the field and put what I learned into practice. As you say, Happy Shooting! - Becky W
Great enthusiasm, attitude, knowledge, supportive. Great information. - Clare
Shoot With A Pro! Rocky Mountain National Park: Have you ever wanted to shoot one-on-one with a professional
photographer? This is your chance. There is no faster way to "up your game". You learn by shooting with the pro does and also by the suggestions the pro gives you. Spend a half day (5
hours) with Jim in beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park. Dusk and dawn. Sunrise and sunset. Golden aspen leaves. Lakes and streams. Mountains and meadows. All kinds of wildlife. Stars in
the night sky. Moonlit landscapes. This is your chance! Registration: $300 Contact Jim to schedule your preferred time slot at either location. You will receive a full refund
if you cancel by August 28. After August 28 you will receive a refund only if someone else registers to take your time slot. Amazing Workshop - Don't miss the next one. - Bob W
Jeremy took my photography classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts back in the 1990s. I began to read every book about photography that I could get my hands on. I also enrolled in a nature photography class taught by Jim Doty. Jim's class proved incredibly helpful, covering many specific techniques employed by professional photographers that weren't in any of the dozens of books I owned. Jim's class helped me to develop technically, and the results were instantly apparent. - Jeremy Bruskotter Jeremy is now shooting professionally and specializes in large, fine art prints. He has a PhD in natural resources and he teaches in the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University where he combines his love of photography with the natural world. Jeremy and Jim team up each summer to do an outdoor photography weekend for OSU's prestigious Stone Lab at Gibraltar Island, Lake Erie. More information here.
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