Bruce Peninsula Wildflower Workshop - great results!

Just finished hosting my annual "Wildflowers of the Bruce Peninsula" photo workshop in the Tobermory area. Several species of orchids were in peak condition, making for a great weekend and the participants filling their memory cards with fantastic photos! We focused on practical field techniques for creating dramatic wildflower photos. The overcast, drizzly conditions were perfect for rich color saturation!

A huge thanks to Richard, Dave, Steve, Barb and my co-leader Ian "Mr. Nikon" Brooks for making it a fun and productive weekend!


Photo 1(above): Showy (Queen) Lady's Slipper, Bruce Peninsula.
Techs: Canon EOS 5D mark II, 70-200/4 IS lens & 25mm extension tube; lighting controlled by 1 diffusor overhead and two gold-toned side reflectors. Exposure: ISO 400, 1/250s @ f/10


Photo 2 (above): Spotted Coralroot orchid (closeup of tiny individual flower) in Bruce Peninsula National Park. This is the first time I've shot this species... very exciting! Thanks to Ian for sharing his expert flash technique with the group. Techs:  Canon EOS 5D mark II, 100mm 2.8 macro & 25mm extension tube; 580EX flash off camera triggered with Pocket Wizards and diffused through an umbrella. Exposure: ISO 640, 1/30s @ f/16


Photo 3 (above): Ian photographing the Spotted Coralroot.
I carry a Canon G11 point & shoot everywhere with me to capture candid shots or photos that illustrate technique. The articulating screen made it easy for me to hold the camera up to the flower (without being too close to trample the surroundings) and still compose the photo with the LCD screen.


Photo 4 (above): It was raining so hard this morning when we left the hotel, there were ducks in the parking lot!!! Thankfully the rain subsided so we could get shooting.


Photo 5 (above): Richard sets a new fashion trend for photographers - actually storing the shower cap on his head when not using it to protect his camera from the drizzle!


Photo 6 (above): Our group after a fantastic farewell lunch at "A Mermaid's Secret" cafe - the best place to  eat in Tobermory.

A great Bruce Peninsula landscape photo workshop

I just finished hosting a weekend landscape photography workshop on the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. The weather was incredible and the participants were great to work with! A huge thanks to Judy-Ann C, Sterling G, Lisa D, David T ("Sherpa"), Richard M, Dave & Barb B, Craig B (assistant) and David G for joining along!

During the weekend we visited some of the most scenic locations on the Georgian Bay shoreline to focus on practical field techniques in landscape photography. I don't photograph much during the workshops because I'm busy helping other people shoot, but I couldn't resist a quick image of this co-operative Herring Gull posing in the foreground with Niagara Escarpment cliffs behind.



Thanks to my assistant Craig - an excellent photographer and founder of http://www.canonrumors.com/ - for capturing the following photos of our workshop in action.

Cliffs & Caves: Bruce Peninsula Photo Workshop

Photo: Halfway Log Dump in Bruce Peninsula National Park
[image taken during previous workshop]

Photo Workshop Announcement
Cliffs and Caves: The Bruce Peninsula Landscape
September 12-13, 2009

Join Ethan on the Bruce Peninsula for some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada. Learn pro tips and techniques for making dramatic landscape photos.

Click here for more information or to register.

Book now to ensure a spot, this workshop is expected to fill quickly!