Home > About > Workshops & Classes > Park of the Pines 2018 Nature Photography Workshop
June 11, 2018
Come spend a fun-filled, high energy, action-packed weekend!
*FLEX SCHEDULE Meal Times Saturday and Sunday: 8:00 am, 12:30 pm, 5:00 pm Monday - June 11, 2018 Michigan's Upper Peninsula - 7:00 am - 12:00 midnight *This is a flex schedule. Other than the check in time and first session at 6:00 pm Friday, everything on this schedule is subject to change depending on the weather and shooting conditions. We could start at 6 am instead of 9, or end at midnight instead of 10 pm. One year we were getting ready to head back to the campground at 10 pm when the Northern Lights started. We shot until midnight, got back to the campground at 12:30 am and had snacks and visited in the dining hall until 1 am. We started a little later the next morning. If you don't have to leave for home Sunday evening, you can stay overnight at Park of the Pines Sunday night at no extra charge. If you are staying for the all day field trip Monday you can stay overnight at Park of the Pines Monday night. This is an action-packed, fun-filled, fast-paced weekend. It is the ideal combination of intensive exploration sessions, photo activities right outside the classroom door, and lively field trips where you receive "real time" help and guidance. In the exploration sessions, you will learn the skills and techniques that make the difference between ordinary snapshots and dynamic images. Minutes later you will be outside practicing those steps in a variety of photo activities. On the field trips you will apply everything you are learning in the beauty of Northern Michigan. Best of all, you will go home knowing how to create beautiful, memorable images! To see what this workshop has done for other photographers, 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
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 23 years experience on the adult and University level. He currently teaches photography at The Ohio State University. He also taught at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in Michigan and Graceland University in Iowa. During his classes, 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, Nebraska Magazine, Ohio.com, The Akron Beacon Journal, The Ohio State University, Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Laboratory, Ohio Woodland Stewards Program, San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, The Internet Movie Database (IMDb), UNCF (United Negro College Fund), Hunt's Guide to the Upper Peninsula, Heartland Tours and Travel, Graceland University, 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, Restoration Voice, Terrapin World Imports, Crowne Plaza Hotels, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Hotels, Best Western Hotels, Park of the Pines, KOA Campgrounds, Camp Bountiful, Camp Manitou, and dozens of other businesses and organizations 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.
Capturing the Sunset and Clouds Etched with Light,
Workshop Field Trip, Thorne-Swift Nature Preserve Exploration Sessions The exploration sessions will give you the skills you need to create exciting images. You will learn what turns boring into beautiful. Bring your camera gear to the exploration sessions because you will be using it.
During a break between exploration sessions. You will explore: How Your Digital Camera Works, and Why It Matters 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 Grand to Intimate - Dynamic 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 Closeup Photography - Making Little Things Big In Your Images Starry Starry Night - Night and Low Light Photography Simplifying Tricky Situations - It's Only Hard Until You Know How
Photo activity, Park of the Pines Photo Activities The photo activities reinforce the exploration sessions. One minute you are inside learning new
techniques. The next minute you are right outside the classroom door practicing those techniques. Practicing with camera in hand develops the "muscle memory" that leads to quick
responses for those no second chance, "shoot it or lose it" photo opportunities.
Upper Tahquamenon Falls, one of the destinations for Monday's field trip to Michigan's U.P.
On the field trips you put it all together. It is a fun and energetic time to expand your
photography skills and explore new photographic possibilities. The field trips are your golden opportunity to shooting with a select group of photographers with the help and guidance of an
accomplished professional. Field trips will be at Park of the Pines/Lake Charlevoix, Lake Michigan, and other locations in Northern Michigan. The optional all day field trip Monday will be to locations in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The timing and location of field trips will depend on lighting conditions and the weather.
Workshop Field Trip, Thorne-Swift Nature Preserve
This is an active workshop. To participate in the field trips you will need to be able to walk around in a typical campground setting and walk up and downhill over uneven ground. The main area of the campground is fairly level but you will need to be able to navigate stairs down to the beach. For field trips away from the campground the terrain will be rougher and you will need to be able to walk up to 1/4 mile from your vehicle.
Sunset, Workshop Field Trip, Lake Michigan I can't believe how much I learned the second time around! - Winnie J
Snowy Owl, Northern Michigan. Snowy Owl photography Movie Nights Depending on the weather and other circumstances we might have a movie night. One evening
while it rained we spent time with a world class National Geographic photographer. 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 genetically rare (one birth in every one million frogs) blue-headed green frog,
Jim Doty gives the most warm, intense, wonderful photographic digital workshop. He is truly a gift to those who choose to attend. - Win M
Workshop Field Trip, Thorne-Swift Nature Preserve
Park of the Pines Website: Park of the Pines More about lodging below. A map and directions are at the bottom of the page. Check in Friday
with Winnie, the registrar, and move in. Meet us at the Recreation Building at 6:45 pm. Bring your camera gear and a flashlight. 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
Sunset, Workshop Field Trip, Lake Michigan
REGISTRATION Optional Monday field trip registration fee is $150. If you have been to the workshop before and just want to come for the field trip, arrive Sunday at 5 pm. Join us for Sunday supper, the Sunday evening field trip and the Monday field trip. Registration fee for the field trip only is $150. More Registration Information The weekend is limited to 10 people to maximize your time with Jim. You are tentatively registered when you give us your name. You are officially registered when your payment in full is received. It is not unusual for this workshop to book full and paid registrations get priority over tentative registrations. Registration covers all exploration and field trip sessions, Friday through Sunday, breakfast, lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday, plus lodging at the campground Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night. If you are going on the all day field trip Monday your registration covers the field trip plus breakfast Monday morning and a sack lunch Monday on the road. You are welcome to stay at Park of the Pines Monday night at no extra charge. Registration fees are refunded in full if you cancel by May 7 (minus a $25 handling fee). After May 7 you will receive a refund only if someone else registers to take your place. 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 Winnie at: winnie_bill@hotmail.com. She is the registrar for the weekend. She will give you payment options to register for the workshop.
In search of the perfect close up
I had NO IDEA my camera was capable of so much. - Vickie R
Workshop Field Trip, Thorne-Swift Nature Preserve
Breakfast at Park of the Pines
Meals All meals are in the dining hall next to the lodge. Saturday and Sunday breakfast lunch and dinner will be provided at the campground as part of your registration fee. For the optional Monday field trip breakfast will be at the campground and a sack lunch will provided on the road. When great things are happening an evening field trip can run 3 or 5 hours and we will be gone
all day Monday. Depending on your particular needs, when we are away from Park of the Pines it is a good idea to put some protein bars/energy bars/snacks in your camera bag or backpack and have some water to stay hydrated.
The Dining Hall at "The Park" Great Workshop! I can use your material to quickly become a better photographer. - Jim T
Seney National Wildlife Refuge, one of the destinations Lodging Lodging for workshop participants is in the lodge at Park of the Pines. This is a typical lodge room at Park of the Pines. You will have your own room (unless you request a roommate). Beds are camp bunkbeds but there is plenty of room for a bring-it-yourself inflatable air mattress. Each room has a sink. Bathrooms are down the hall. If a campground setting is not suitable for your personal situation you can make arrangements for your own lodging in nearby Boyne City. If you have questions about lodging, ask Winnie, the registrar for the weekend.
Website: Park of the Pines
Forget-Me-Nots, Workshop Field Trip, Thorne-Swift Nature Preserve
A digital or film camera (*see the important note below) and the manual for your camera. You will be using your camera during the weekend. 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 red headlamp for night shoots. Get the right kind: read this article. A bright flashlight is fine for walking to night time locations but please use a red headlamp at all times when we are shooting at night. A laptop to share your favorite weekend photos on Sunday afternoon. This is a campground with indoor lodging, bathrooms, and showers in the lodge. Bring bedding, a towel, and other personal items. There is also trailer and RV space also. Contact Winnie for details. *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
Point Iroquois Lighthouse, one of the optional destinations 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.
Photo Activity, Park of the Pines.
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 May it can get chilly at night at Park of the Pines. Bring a sweater or light jacket for cool evenings. 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
Picking favorite weekend photos for a group sharing session. 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).
If your camera gives you a choice between seeing the Exposure Compensation Scale inside the viewfinder or on the LCD on back of the camera, it is much faster to use the one inside your viewfinder. With some cameras you have to find it in the menu system to access it or turn it on. Check your manual. 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.
Workshop Field Trip, Lake Michigan.
Park of the Pines Some maps show "Park Street" instead of "Springwater Beach Rd", but the street sign says Springwater Beach Road. Use the Springwater Beach Rd address for your GPS. Website: Park of the Pines Alternate Website: www.parkofthepines.org Park of the Pines is about 4 1/2 miles from downtown Boyne City. Drive north on Boyne City - Charlevois Rd (C-56). Go 2.2 miles past the entrance to Young State Park and turn left (west) at Springwater Beach Road. Drive west on Springwater Beach Road until you see the entrance on your right.
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
Milky Way, Workshop Field Trip, Lake Charlevoix
Workshop Field Trip, Lake Michigan 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 took Jim's photography classes at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts back in the 1990s. He 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 photography skills with his profession. Jeremy and Jim teamed up for a series of outdoor photography weekends for OSU's prestigious Stone Lab at Gibraltar Island, Lake Erie.
Northern Lights, Workshop Field Trip, Lake Michigan
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