Mystic Forests, Rugged Shores
Landscape Photography Workshop
Brookings, Oregon
Mystic Forests, Rugged Shores in Southern Oregon
Step into the breathtaking landscapes of the southern Oregon coast and the towering Redwoods of northern California. This workshop takes you to some of the most iconic and picturesque locations in the region, offering endless opportunities to capture the rugged coastline and the mystical beauty of the ancient forests.
Photograph dramatic seascapes where rugged cliffs meet the Pacific Ocean, and explore the towering Redwoods as they stand tall against the misty sky. From the intricate details of forest flora to the grandeur of coastal vistas, this workshop offers a diverse range of subjects and settings for your photography.
This experience combines the thrill of capturing the southern Oregon coast’s untamed shores with the ethereal beauty of the Redwoods, inviting you to see these landscapes in a new, creative light. Whether you’re an experienced photographer or just beginning, this workshop will inspire and elevate your craft. Join us and experience the magic of Oregon’s coast and California’s Redwood forests.
Vision & Goals
This workshop is designed to inspire and elevate photographers of all skill levels by honing their ability to capture the enchanting beauty of Oregon’s rugged coastline and the towering Redwoods of northern California. With hands-on guidance and expert instruction, you’ll refine your technical and creative skills while exploring these iconic landscapes. Whether you’re building on existing techniques or learning new approaches, this workshop focuses on expanding your capabilities and taking your photography to the next level.
In addition to skill-building, you'll have the chance to connect with fellow photographers, creating a supportive community that shares your passion for capturing nature's wonders.
Creative Exploration
Composition: Learn the fundamentals of framing your shots to create visually striking and well-balanced images, whether capturing sweeping landscapes or intimate details.
Visual Flow: Master the techniques to naturally guide the viewer's eye through your photographs, creating a harmonious and engaging experience.
Visual Storytelling: Elevate your storytelling abilities through photography, transforming each image into a compelling narrative of the landscape’s beauty and your journey through it.
Knowledge Expansion
Master Techniques and Processes: Unlock the best practices for capturing iconic scenes, including blue hour photography, exposure blending, and focal length techniques tailored for landscape shots.
Advanced Editing Skills: Take your post-processing skills to the next level with tools such as Lightroom, Photoshop, Helicon Focus, and Starry Landscape Stacker, perfecting your workflow to enhance image quality.
Enhanced Image Quality: Learn the power of techniques like image stacking, exposure bracketing, and applying color theory to produce vivid, sharp, and emotionally resonant photographs.
Quality Outputs
Stunning Portfolios: Leave the workshop with a portfolio of stunning images, capturing both the grandeur of Glacier National Park and the night sky, that you can proudly showcase.
Ongoing Resources and Support: Receive resources and continuous support beyond the workshop, helping you refine your skills and maintain your creative momentum.
Engagement and Community
Interactive and Enjoyable Learning: Engage in hands-on learning with real-time feedback, while fueling your passion for photography and deepening your connection to the natural world.
Supportive and Collaborative Network: Become part of a collaborative community of like-minded photographers, sharing ideas, techniques, and a lasting network of fellow photography enthusiasts.
Locations & Itinerary
Locations
Specific locations will be shared with workshop participants and may adjust based on weather and/or other factors but we will generally be visiting these locations in this Workshop:
Samual H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
Redwoods National Park
Redwood State Park
Prairie Creek Redwood State Park
Fern Canyon
Gold Bluffs Beach
Elk Meadow
Itinerary
Pre-Workshop Zoom
We'll have a Zoom session to introduce ourselves, go over essential gear and key camera settings to familiarize you before the workshop, review the itinerary, and cover all the important logistics for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Day 1
Arrive in Brookings, Oregon. Check in to lodging, settle in and discuss logistics for evening.
5-6pm head out for afternoon/evening locations
Day 2 - 3
4am - 4:30am - Head out for Sunrise Locations
10am - 1:30pm - Free time. A great time to rest up and review images from previous sessions.
2pm - 3pm - Post Processing discussions / image critiques
5pm - 6pm - Head out for afternoon/evening locations until ~10pm depending on location.
Day 4
4am - 4:30am - Head out for Sunrise Locations
10am - Group Breakfast and good byes.
Meet Your Guide
Justin Northcraft is an adventurer, photographer, and content creator deeply immersed in the realms of landscape, aerial, lifestyle, and astrophotography. A dedicated creative professional since 2006, Justin currently calls Utah home, drawing endless inspiration from its diverse and breathtaking landscapes. His pursuit of visually compelling content is driven by a commitment to uniqueness and originality.
In addition to his creative endeavors, Justin is passionate about education and fostering lasting relationships with his workshop clients. He believes in the power of sharing knowledge and experiences, creating a collaborative and enriching environment where everyone can grow and thrive. Join Justin on a journey of exploration and learning, and elevate your photography skills while building meaningful connections within a community of like-minded enthusiasts.
Logistics
Location: Brookings, Oregon
Nearest Airports:
Del Norte County Regional Airport (CEC): Located in Crescent City, California, about a 40-minute drive to Brookings.
Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR): Located in Medford, Oregon, approximately a 2.5-hour drive.
Eugene Airport (EUG): About a 4-hour drive from Brookings.
Lodging: Is included and will be shared with participants closer to the workshop. Options for single and double occupancy are available.
Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Brookings, Oregon, and the workshop locations. We encourage participants to carpool, and we’ll help coordinate carpooling options before the workshop.
Difficulty
This workshop is rated Moderate. We’ll be hiking 1-3 miles a day, with an elevation gain of around 500 feet. The terrain may include uneven paths and gentle uphill climbs, but these hikes are manageable with a steady pace.
Participants will need to carry their photography gear along with water, snacks, and sun protection. Staying hydrated is crucial, so bring 2-3 liters of water. The effort will be well worth it, rewarding you with incredible photography opportunities and memorable experiences!
Workshop Pricing & Registration
Once you register for the workshop, you will receive additional emails for collecting additional registration information, workshop logistics, and our liability waiver.
Please note that workshop schedules may be subject to change or rescheduling due to unexpected circumstances, including adverse weather conditions or other unforeseen events. For additional information related to changes in schedules, cancelations and other important information please see our Workshop Policies.
Important Items:
- If selecting the deposit, the remainder of the balance will be due 90 Days prior to the workshop.
- Trip Insurance is NOT included as part of this purchase, it is highly recommended that you purchase trip insurance through a 3rd party to protect your investment.
What’s Included:
4 Days and 3 Nights of adventure and learning
Lodging
Expert guidance and instruction In field
Dedicated and recorded post processing session
Access to my personal collection of equipment including Sony camera’s, E-Mount lenses, star trackers, filters and other miscellaneous equipment
Special use photography location permits
Group breakfast on the last day
What’s Not Included:
Airfare and Transportation
Meals & Drinks
Personal Items
Trip Insurance (Highly recommended)
Instructor Gratuities
Testimonials
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"This was an amazing class! Thank you for helping me learn what settings work best and how to locate different areas of the night sky to photograph! I look forward to honing my skills in the future!"
Jason H.
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"Justin is very knowledgeable in all aspects of photography and post-processing. He listens to the participants to make sure all questions are answered. Justin made some suggestions on composition but also allowed each photographer to seek their own image."
Eric T.
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"As a newbie to astrophotography, I felt pretty overwhelmed, but this workshop made it all simple and fun. Justin's energy and clear, step-by-step guidance were great. I left knowing my camera settings, how to handle light pollution, and some cool editing tricks. Plus, hanging out with the other participants made it an awesome experience!"
Michael B.
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"Fantastic experience all the way around! Justin is incredibly knowledgeable and extremely patient. I learned so much in just a few hours. This workshop completely opened up my eyes to new photographic opportunities! "
Jacqueline P.
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"Not only did I learn the concepts/techniques for astrophotography, Justin and my fellow photographers were able to help me problem solve my issues with obtaining sharp images by problem solving the focus settings on my camera. I look forward to taking more classes. Thanks for a great class in a beautiful setting."
Doug B.
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"I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop! I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in photographing the night sky."
Richard A.
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"This workshop was an eye-opener for astrophotography. The hands-on session under the stars was magical, and the editing tips were super helpful. I now feel more confident capturing and editing amazing night sky photos."
Lisa K.
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"This was my first workshop with Justin and my first time at capturing milky way photos. Justin was very informative and I learned a lot about astro photography"
Shannon A.
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"Loved the experience and especially the tips and tricks. I left feeling confident in my ability to experiment and my ability to handle my camera & settings. The workshop made me hungry to go out and take more star photos!!"
Ada T.
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"I had a very enjoyable evening learning astrophotography. Justin did a great job working with each of the attendees on a personal basis. I came away with a greater understanding and excitement for astrophotography. I highly recommend Justin."
Tom R.
Recommended Camera Gear:
DSLR/Mirrorless Camera
Lens Focal Lengths Ranging from 14mm to 200mm. A 24-70 being very versatile in this location.
Misc Accessories: Tripod, Batteries, Memory Cards, Intervalometer
Laptop & External Storage
Recommended Personal Gear:
Comfortable clothing & footwear
Backpack capable of carrying your camera gear, 2 liters of water and snacks.
Weather conditions can vary greatly this time of year, seeing warmer temps as well as evenings close to or below freezing with significant wind and potential for rain. Being prepared and having layers and options for a variety of conditions is best.
Frequently Asked Questions
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DSLR/Mirrorless Camera: An essential for capturing high-quality images.
Lenses: A range of focal lengths is recommended. I typically carry and use lenses from 15mm to 200mm.
Tripod: Essential for steady long-exposure shots.
Remote Shutter Release/ Intervalometer: Useful for reducing camera shake during long exposures and required for exposures longer than 30 seconds.
Fully Charged Camera Batteries: To ensure sufficient power for the workshop duration.
Memory Cards: Extra memory cards are beneficial for capturing ample shots.
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Laptop and Storage: Highly recommended for the included post processing sessions. It is also good practice to backup your images on multiple storage devices during workshops. Storage devices can fail, backing up your images will ensure if one does you're not loosing your content.
Headlamp: Headlamp with red light to reduce eye strain during the workshop
Comfortable Clothing and Footwear: Dress for weather conditions and comfort.
Notebook and Pen: For jotting down tips and techniques during the workshop.
Smartphone or Tablet: If using stargazing apps, a fully charged device may be helpful.
Water and Snacks: Stay hydrated and energized during the workshop.goes here
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No prior photography experience is necessary; our workshops cater to all levels, from beginners to experienced photographers.
Each workshop typically has individuals new to photography, astrophotography and those that are full time photographers looking to advance specific skills.
This provides a wealth of knowledge, support and frequently develops friendships that last beyond the workshop.
If you feel your experience level is too low or high, please reach out!
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Easy: Minimal physical effort. Short walks on mostly flat terrain with easy access to photography locations. Suitable for most fitness levels and no special gear required.
Example: Locations are near parking lots or require less than 1 mile of easy hiking.Moderate: Moderate effort required. Includes some uneven terrain, short hikes (1-3 miles) with minimal elevation gain. Participants should be comfortable walking on varied surfaces.
Example: Short hikes on well-defined trails with occasional rough or rocky areas.Challenging: Increased physical effort. Longer hikes (3-6 miles) on uneven or rocky terrain, with moderate elevation gain. Participants should be in good physical condition and able to carry their own gear.
Example: Trails may involve steep sections or rocky paths, with extended periods on foot.Strenuous: High level of physical exertion required. Hikes over 6 miles, often on steep, rugged, or high-altitude terrain. Participants must have good fitness and be comfortable carrying gear for extended periods.
Example: Backcountry hikes or remote locations with significant elevation gain or rough trails.
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While I do my best to control the weather, it doesn't always listen.
In the event of adverse weather, the workshop will continue so long as the concepts can be taught. This may impact the workshop duration, location and or date.
My focus is ensuring the best experience while keeping safety in mind. Please see our Workshop Policies page for more information.
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While the workshops are tailored for registered participants, exceptions can be possible but could include additional fees as many of the locations we visit require permits and insurance for the workshop.
If you are looking to bring someone with you, please reach out before the workshop.
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How many participants are typically in a workshop?
The number of participants may vary based on the workshop type. Generally, we aim for smaller groups to provide individual attention.
What are the physical demands of the workshop?
Our workshops can involve moderate hiking or walking. Please check the workshop description for specific physical ratings.
Are accommodation and travel included in the workshop fee?
Travel and accommodation details vary for each workshop.
What is the cancellation policy?
Our cancellation policy is detailed on our Workshop Policies page.
How do I reserve my spot in the workshop?
Reserving your spot can be done by registering online or contacting us directly. A deposit or full payment is generally required to secure your spot depending on the workshop type.
Do I need specific software for post-processing?
It is beneficial to have access to photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop for post-processing, but it's not mandatory. While my processes use Adobe products, the concepts can be applied in other programs.
Will I receive any printed materials or notes?
Some workshops may provide printed materials, notes or recorded virtual session; however, most information will be shared verbally and or digitally.
Is transportation provided to workshop locations?
Transportation details will be specified in the workshop description. Participants need to arrange their transportation.
Is there an age requirement for the workshops?
Our workshops are generally geared for participants 18+. If you are or would like to bring a minor please contact us before booking.
Are there any discounts available for returning participants?
Returning participants might qualify for discounts or exclusive offers. Contact us for specific details.
Will I have internet access during the workshop?
Internet access might be limited or unavailable in certain locations. We recommend informing family or friends about the potential communication gaps.
Is there any follow-up support or resources provided after the workshop?
We offer post-workshop resources, including helpful tips, a dedicated community, forum, and Q&A sessions for participants.