More Than A Photo Tour... We Are A Learning Adventure.
James Neihouse Photography Workshops
An Adventure In Learning
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in looking with new eyes.”
It all started when...
James Neihouse Photography Workshops are a location based photography learning experience, led by world renowned photographer, cinematographer and educator James Neihouse, ASC. Apart from his image making expertise, James brings decades of experience as an educator to the programs. He has trained more than 150 astronauts and cosmonauts to shoot IMAX films in space, and has taught media arts at the university level. James is also a regular instructor at the American Society of Cinematographers Master Classes and a regular mentor to emerging cinematographers.
These workshops offer an unparalleled photographic learning experience to photographers of all levels.
Astronaut Terry Virts lines up a shot from the cupola of the International Space Station.
“James Neihouse was able to take me from amateur photographer to Hollywood cinematographer. He shared his decades of experience with me, both in terms of technical skills, and most importantly creativity, to help me understand the mechanics of photography”
“Working with James has sharpened my skills and confidences as a photographer. Looking back at the images I had taken prior to meeting James and comparing them to ones taken now, I am amazed at how far I’ve grown in just a few months.
I am truly thankful for the expertise and guidance that James has to offer.”
“James is an excellent teacher. We took photographs at Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island, FL. With his help I was able to get great photographs of roseate spoonbills, many types of herons, ducks, coots, anhingas, and alligators.”
Through a combination of field photography excursions, “classroom” reviews, critiques, and personal interaction with other attendees, the workshop participants will develop their artistic and photographic talents, while honing their technique.
Creating, exploring and learning are at the center of our programs. By keeping the student/instructor ratio small, a maximum of 6:1, allows us to concentrate on the student’s needs and objectives.
Discovering your vision, determining what the image is intended to say while conveying the emotion of the moment, are all a part of our hands-on programs.
We are not only about bringing home amazing images, we’re about giving you an incredible adventure, while providing you with knowledge and techniques that will help you continue to grow as a photographer.
It’s about art, expressing your vision with a camera, because being technically perfect does not make a photograph great.
“There’s nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept. ”
Never Stop Learning
Workshop participants receive lifetime mentoring through our Light Warriors page, an exclusive access platform for alumni of the James Neihouse Photography Workshops. A forum for the sharing of ideas, questions and comments regarding all things photographic.
We offer three different workshop experiences:
Discovery – Two to six day programs designed for all levels of experience, held within the US.
Endeavour – For the intermediate to advanced level photographer, these four day workshops will combine field shooting with classroom experience on photo processing.
Challenger – These workshops, for the more adventurous, are longer programs held in more exotic and remote locations around the world.
(Our workshop names are an homage to the US Space Shuttles, which were named after historic research and exploration vessels.)
“One must from time to time attempt things that are beyond one’s capacity.”
What You Can Expect:
Professional, one on one photographic instruction on par with your level of experience
Minimum of 8 hours per day of in-field shooting and instruction
Class sizes limited to four students to insure personal attention
Positive, interactive and fun learning environment
Opportunity to stretch your creative wings, while pushing your artistic boundaries
Topics Covered:
Discovering new ways of "seeing"
Analyzing the light
Translating your artistic vision into enduring images
Elements of Composition – Line, Shape, Texture, Pattern, Color, Space, Balance
Lens Selection to further your vision
Creating dimensionality, perspective, and depth
Image Composition to control your viewers’ attention
Exposure Triangle – ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed
Artistic Use of Depth Of Field
Using Filters for Better Image Control
Creative Color & White Balance
Understanding Metering and Histograms to fine tune exposure
High Dynamic Range and Long Exposure Image Capture
Focus Stacking
Principles of Ethical Field Practices
Shot Planning, Using Tech to help you be in the right place at the right time
It is the goal of James Neihouse Photography Workshops to insure you get the most out of your workshop experience. We are dedicated to making your workshop experience educational, while having a fun time and a great adventure.
“Look deep into nature, and you will understand everything better”
A photographer frames up a shot, taking advantage of the beautiful early morning light at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park, California. February, 2018
Other Stuff:
Air Travel:
Airfare is NOT provided as part of the workshop fee. The airport most convenient to the workshop location will be mentioned in the course description. In many cases the closest airport will be a regional facility.
Ground Transportation:
With most of our workshops, ground transportation will be provided from the workshop hotel to and from the shoot locations. In many cases we will also provide transportation from and to the local airport on the first/last day of the workshop, so in those cases there will be no need for your own transportation. We do this to keep the group together and minimize the amount of vehicles at the shoot locations.
Hotel Accommodations:
In general, hotel accommodations are part of the workshop fee, there are exceptions and you should check the workshop description carefully. When provided all accommodations are SINGLE OCCUPANCY. After registration you will receive information on the workshop base hotel and booking codes. We strive to pick quality, comfortable lodging that fits with the logistics of the workshop. Most of time the hotels will be 3 star or better.
Meals:
Meals are NOT provided as part of the workshop fee. There will be occasions where a boxed meal will be provided when it will not be practical to leave the photo session location. Water, soft drinks and light snacks will be provided when we are in the field.
We care about nature and the natural environment, and strive to conduct our programs with minimal environmental impact, that's why we are members of the North American Nature Photography Association, and everyone at James Neihouse Photography Workshops is certified through the national Leave No Trace program.