NAPA MUSTARD BLOOM, No CAL COAST & MORE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

We will meet at 7pm at the Fairfield Inn (American Canyon, CA--see lodging information below) to review itineraries, workshop goals , travel etc for about an hour. we will begin our workshop at sunrise on Thursday morning.
 
Mark's Twain once said,  "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." The opposite goes for winter in Northern California! It's always a great time to be in this area but here in mid January its a welcome respite from the cold and winter going on in much of the rest of the country.

 Mid- January in the Napa Valley and northern California is simply wonderful....and  a great destination and opportunity to make some beautiful images a truly glorious area! The grape vines begin to develop throughout the spring and summer months. Is the time for mustard in the Napa Valley!  The precious ground is cultivated by planting mustard between the grape vines, rows. When turned into the ground the mustard plants, add the necessary ingredients to make the grape vines flourish. During the off-season, while their grapes gently sleep the Napa Valley glows with the brilliant yellows of wild mustard. Wineries use these mustard plants as a natural way of controlling nematodes, or little worms that will destroy grape vines. The mustard plants grow in-between the rows of the grape vines. 
This time of year in the beautiful Napa Valley, the vineyards are bare, the tourists are few. Peaceful and beautiful! I can almost smell the dirt!
 
These golden blooming mustard plants makes for great photography. The mild winters in the area also provide wonderful weather effects. Fog and mist that enhances the beauty are common. And saturates the colors of the landscape.
 
Other locations that we will visit and photography include photographically points of interest in San Francisco, Point Reyes National Seashore, and many locations and small towns and back roads in Northern California and on Northern California Coastline….  

I have done this workshop many times while living in this area for 10 years, and l really miss & love the area. It will be great coming back. I am very familiar with all of the so we’ll be able to make the best use of our time.
After meeting on Wednesday night ( Fairfield Inn, near Napa California---info to be sent out upon registration) we will be in the field shooting all day Thursday, Friday, Saturday and until noon on Sunday. (Affording you the ability to get home Sunday night!) (
We will photograph in the Napa Valley, specific areas north and south of the Golden Gate as well as some city locations in San Francisco proper ( i.e. Ft. Point etc). We will spend time in the Marin Headlands and Golden Gate National Scenic Area, Pt. Reyes National Seashore as well as Pigeon Point lighthouse, Pebble Beach (not the golf course—but the State Park!) and more during the  workshop 
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LODGING INFORMATION:
 
WED & THURSDAY evenings we will stay at the Fairfield Inn in American Canyon, Ca  3822 Broadway, American Canyon, CA  707-643-3800 
rate about 125.00.
 
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sfoac-fairfield-inn-and-suites-napa-american-canyon
 
 
 
FRIDAY EVENING: --- I would like us to stay at the EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL 101 McInnis Pkwy, San Rafael, Cal. 415-499-9222  rate about 125.00
 
http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SFORFES/index.do;jsessionid=BDB427FE9018EEF82565BD69F3F04EC8.etc64?xch=1033172379,LfGRTQSZpFnSwKlxfs2JLmgvy8W9s10hDGyDjh21ShKcY9w1dR02!-384971519!1317065369668&
 
 

SATURDAY EVENING---Coast side Inn, Half Moon Bay, California   650-726-3400      http://www.coastsideinn.com/    rate about 120.00-130.00 per night

 
 
Evenings will consist of informal sessions to discuss information on photographing in the area, critique sessions of your work shot during the workshop as well as general photography information.

As with all our workshops, this is primarily a field workshop. We do not sit in a classroom during the daytime. We are out shooting & learning about photography in the field, not behind a desk. However, it is critical as well as being very informative, to take time to review your work, and discuss important aspects of making quality photographs. We will do this on 2-3 occasions, primarily in the evenings.
Choice locations have been determined by many years of shooting in the Northern California
 
WHAT WILL WE BE WORKING ON?
 
We will take our time, and look for the inner beauty to capture in our photography. We’ll use the combination of the seasonal color along with water, rock formations, forests etc, to create some wonderful images while honing our photographic skills. We will discuss how patterns and foregrounds are part of the photographic process. We will stress simplicity and use all aspects, including Depth of Field, proper exposure and more to improve your overall photography as well as come away with some wonderful images.
 
What the shooting locations all have in common and what you can expect from this workshop:
 
1)  We will work on both Landscape and close-up photography. I use the word close-up since I believe you do not need a macro lens to take high quality close up images of objects.
2)  We will visit many of the areas that offer many photographic opportunities.
3)   We will make time to review and talk about our images, as a learning process during the workshop
 
 
What we will be working on
 
1)      Improving your photography skills within these “hands-on” workshops
2)      Composition, exposure and essential elements needed to make a great photograph and to bring out the story within the image
3)      Use of color combinations, how to use color make the image stronger
4)      Other techniques including, learning about how tonalities, negative space, balance, framing, emotional impact and flaws affect your images.
5)      Seeing an image, working a scene, making the image a strong image
6)      Choosing the look of the final image in the field, not after the fact. Taking an image knowing how you will be processing.

A TYPICAL DAY:
 
 Though a typical day from sunrise to sunset can exceed 10 hours. , I can guarantee that the day will pass very quickly. We will be spending much of our time in the field making images and discussing many aspects of photography and applying this knowledge right there, in one of the most beautiful areas on earth.
  
In addition to all the technical information we will discuss, we will spend a good bit of time discussing some non-technical aspects of photography that makes one able to put his or her mind in the right zone to achieve what all set out for. This is a much-overlooked aspect of photography.
 
 During this weekend (unless there is absolutely NO sunrise), we’ll be leaving in predesignated places each morning. We’ll try and car pool as much as possible.
 
 We will pick up snacks for lunch on Thursday, Friday& Saturday,
 
 Keeping some snacks around during the day is necessary. Also staying hydrated is also important. There are ample facilities in most areas we will be photographing in... We do make times for meals. However, we are here to make the best of the light and conditions, not for dine dining!
 
 
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
 
1)     You really need to get a good nights rest after dinner each evening. We’ll finish up about 9:30PM. I know it’s tempting to want to look at images, etc but it’s along day.
 
2)     Again…..We all are here for photography. Not fine dining… (There is not a lot of it anyhow) and relaxation.
 
                                          Breakfast—right after sunrise 7:30-8:15am then off to the next location
                                          Lunch—on the fly---snacks picked up on the road or after breakfast
                                           Dinner—Time TBD---after sunset and getting back to the motel.
 
3)    The goal is to get back to our rooms by about 10PM or so, to get some much needed rest.
 
1)     Bathroom facilities---- All areas have facilities. We are not out in the wilderness in this area!
  
2)     TRANSPORTATION – There will be enough cars that I hope we can car pool as much as possible You’ll be given explicate driving instructions just in case.
 
3)     MOBILE PHONE SERVICE-- Usually pretty good
 
THE BOTTOM LINE:
 
Weather you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, you will have great time and gain valuable information that will aid in improving your overall photography, while capturing some of the most notable and unique areas available.
 
WEATHER. As the workshop time approaches, I will provide you with up to date weather information, as best as I can. Please check your local weather and be prepared. I use AccuWeather www.accuweather.com and have found them to be very accurate and up to date. Temperatures should be in the mid 60’s to low 50’s.
 
Even if we get some rain or showers, remember, Ansel Adams once said “Bad weather makes for good photography.

 
 
 
If you wish more info please contact me: jack@jackgrahamphoto.com .
All registrations receive before 1/1/2012 will receive a 10% discount