Free Zoom Sessions 2026: Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. EST

June 17: Wildlife Photography

July 8: Nature Photography for Beginners

August 19: Wild Alaska

October 14: Fine-Tune Your Nature Photography

November 18: Wild America

December 16: Year in Review

Please see below for program descriptions.

Please fill out the form below to register. We’ll email you the Zoom link and send a reminder before the session.

Landscape Photography
This program covers practical techniques to help take your landscape photography to the next level. You’ll see real examples through before-and-after images, along with discussions on depth of field, shutter speed, and composition to help your photos stand out. It also breaks down how to read light and use it more effectively in the field.

You’ll learn how to make the most of changing conditions like fog, rainbows, and storms, along with approaches for photographing water, including lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and the ocean.

A large portion of the program focuses on handling contrast and difficult light. It’s common to end up with a well-exposed foreground and a blown-out sky, or the opposite. We’ll walk through ways to manage that and how to use contrast creatively. The program also covers gear decisions, including what’s worth investing in, which filters to use, and when to use them.

There’s also a demo of useful mobile apps and software for planning shoots, including tools that predict the Milky Way, sunrise and sunset, tides, and the direction of light.

Wildlife Photography
This program covers practical techniques to help take your wildlife photography to the next level. You’ll see real examples through before-and-after images, along with discussions on depth of field, shutter speed, and composition to help your photos stand out. It also breaks down how to work with light and use it more effectively in the field.

You’ll learn about key gear choices, including tripods, ballheads, gimbal heads, long lenses, blinds, and window mounts, and what’s actually worth investing in.

Planning plays a big role in wildlife photography, so the program also looks at how to find the right locations at the right time of year. It covers ways to get closer to your subject, techniques for photographing birds in flight, and some of the most common mistakes to avoid. Just as important, it touches on understanding animal behavior, basic biology, and the ethics that come with photographing wildlife.

Night Photography Tools and Techniques (Milky Way and Aurora)

Night photography adds a whole new dimension to your portfolio. This program focuses on how to compose, shoot, and focus in low light, along with practical techniques to help you get consistent results after dark. You will learn how to dial in proper exposure and work through the challenges that come with nighttime conditions.

It also covers key gear and tools, including camera setups, intervalometers, time-lapse techniques, and ways to reduce flicker, along with a few post-processing tips in Adobe Lightroom.

Planning is a big part of success at night. Using common mobile apps and websites, you will learn how to predict the path of the Milky Way and understand when and where to be in the field. The program also looks at ideal timing throughout the year and during the night for photographing both the Milky Way and the aurora.

Alaska: Wild America Series
Alaska is one of the top destinations for nature photography, but it’s not the easiest place to plan a trip. Remote locations, shifting weather, and logistics all play a role, and a thoughtful approach makes a big difference.

This program blends practical photo techniques with real-world planning. It covers how to work in unpredictable conditions, along with approaches for photographing glaciers, wildlife, and the aurora. You’ll also get guidance on bear safety and where to find strong opportunities for viewing and photographing them.

It also looks at the different seasons and how to experience Alaska by boat, plane, and car, helping you understand what each option offers.

At its core, this program is a look at what makes Alaska such a powerful place to photograph, from its wildlife to its landscapes, shaped by years of returning to the region.

Nature Photography for Beginners

If you're new to nature photography, this lecture is designed just for you. We'll guide you through essential topics to kickstart your journey into capturing the beauty of the natural world. From understanding how to begin and what equipment to invest in, to mastering the intricacies of exposure settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, we'll cover all the fundamentals. You'll learn how to interpret histograms for better exposure control, select the right lenses for different scenarios, and maintain sharpness and focus in your images. Additionally, we will explore different shooting modes like AV, TV, Manual, and Auto, as well as the pros and cons of shooting in Raw, JPEG, or TIFF formats. Understanding white balance settings and the differences between mirrorless and DSLR cameras will also be addressed. Plus, we'll discuss the importance of tripods and basic equipment, the principles of composition, and how to develop your unique photographic style.

Fine-Tuning Your Nature Photography

This program aims to enhance your nature photography by emphasizing the importance of going the extra mile. Covering topics such as planning for seasonal events, identifying favorite locations, mastering exposure techniques, utilizing resources like calendars, maps, and digital tools, as well as adapting to various weather conditions, this lecture will equip you with essential skills. Additionally, we'll explore tips for optimizing lighting, understanding wildlife behavior, navigating exposure modes, and employing effective focusing strategies.

Wild America

In this program, we'll unveil the top destinations across North America for landscape, wildlife, and night photography. Learn how to meticulously plan your trips using calendars, maps, online resources, and mobile apps to maximize your photographic opportunities. Discover the optimal times of year to visit each location, along with essential tips for planning your itinerary, including what to look for and what to avoid. Gain insights into nearby hidden gems and receive suggestions for exploring multiple locations in one trip.

Call or email for inquiries:
john@sphotography.com
(508) 736-1167