Seminar Outline
Home Gallery Ordering About the artist Exhibits Photo tips Teaching Feedback Services & More...	The Seminar consists of explanations, demonstrations, and slide show examples of techniques and equipment useful for scenic nature photography. It starts with the basics but covers a lot of ground, so photographers of all skill levels should benefit. The Seminar is geared toward 35 mm film cameras and digital cameras. There will be a break in the middle for lunch. There will be restaurants accessible to the Seminar site; or, if you wish, you may bring your own brown bag lunch. Coffee and water will be provided. We'll draw for door prizes to kick off the afternoon session. All you need to bring to the Seminar is a pen or pencil for taking notes. You are welcome to tape-record the event if you like. Below is an outline of the Seminar topics. The notes distributed at the event will be more complete.   Please e-mail me or telephone me at (301) 809-5857 (1-877-471-6414 toll-free) if you have questions.	VISIT THE GALLERY California Room Southwest Room Midwest Room East Coast Room My Latest Trip Black & White Room

INTRODUCTION

• Keep alive the spirit of play and adventure.
• Good technique is paramount in nature photography . . . but it's not the end, only the means.

TYPES OF CAMERAS

• 35 mm SLR and digital equivalents -- the assumption for this Seminar.
• Rangefinders.
• Medium and large formats.
• APS.
• Features to look for in a camera for nature photography.
  
  

BASIC CAMERA OPERATION

• Loading film.
• Setting all those knobs and dials.
• Reading the light meter.
• A, S, M, and P modes.

APERTURE AND DEPTH OF FIELD

• What is the aperture of a lens?
• What is an f-stop?
• What is depth of field and why do I care?
• How aperture controls depth of field.

SHUTTER SPEED AND MOTION BLUR

• What is the shutter speed?
• How does it affect the look of a photograph?
• When can I hand-hold a camera successfully?

FILM/DIGITAL CHOICE

• Relative merits of slide film, print film, and digital image capture.
• What is film speed?
• How does ISO affect the look of an image?
• Why slides are best for learning new techniques.
• Where to process film.
• Reciprocity failure.
• Pushing film.

EXPOSURE

• What is exposure?
• What is correct exposure?
• Equivalent exposures.
• How to get correct exposure: the exposure triangle.
• Three metering modes and how to use them.
• Metering the light instead of the scene.
• When to depart from the camera's light meter reading.
• The "Sunny-16" guideline.
• Bracketing.
• Establishing your personal ISO ratings.

LENS FOCAL LENGTH

• Focal length and angle of view.
• How focal length can expand or compress the sense of depth in a photograph.
• Focal length and depth of field.
• Good focal lengths for various situations in nature photography.

COMPOSITION GUIDELINES

Rule #1: there are no rules other than this one! But there ARE guidelines....

• Guideline of thirds.
• Simplify.
• Watch for mergers.
• Watch the edges.
• Watch the foreground.
• Watch the background.
• Selecting depth of field.
• Fill the frame.
• Use verticals as well as horizontals.
• Play with unusual viewpoints.
• Work the image.
• Critters: where to focus, catchlights, placement in the frame, shooting height.
• A bag of tricks.

The bottom line: make it pleasing to your eye; bring order to chaos.

LIGHT

• The main qualities of light: hardness, color, and direction.
• Frontlighting, sidelighting, backlighting, toplighting, and silhouettes.
• Modifying what nature gives you: reflectors, diffusers, and fill flash.
• The golden hour at dawn & dusk.
• The magic of twilight.
• Color casts in open shade and deep woods.

FILTERS

• UV & skylight.
• Polarizers.
• Warming filters.
• Split neutral density.
• Enhancing filters.
• The three filters you must have.

FIELD TECHNIQUES

• How to take care of the most important part of your camera system -- YOU.
• What to look for in a lens.
• Zoom lenses vs. prime lenses.
• The tripod -- your most important accessory.
• Non-tripod camera supports.
• Quick release plates.
• Handy widgets.
• Vests, backpacks, & chest packs.
• Cover the viewfinder.
• Equipment care.
• Shooting in the rain.
• Shooting in winter.
• Shooting in the desert or at the beach.
• Shooting amidst the mosquitoes.
• In-camera dupes.
• "f/8 and be there."

MACRO (CLOSE-UP) PHOTOGRAPHY

• What is "macro"?
• Macro lenses.
• Working distance.
• Extension tubes.
• Diopter attachments.
• Reversing rings.
• Stacking lenses.
• Focusing rails.
• Dealing with depth of field.

PHOTO PRINTING & FRAMING

• Image permanence: what does "archival" mean?
• What are the best mat boards?
• Mounting a photograph: good and bad adhesives and techniques.
• Traditional printing options.
• Digital printing options.
• Longevity of prints.

QUESTION & ANSWER PERIOD

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Timothy Edberg / 6511 Homestake Dr. South / Bowie, MD / 20720
(301) 809-5857 / 1-877-471-6414 (toll-free)
www.edbergphoto.com