Palouse Photography Workshop

The rolling, manicured agricultural fields of eastern Washington tap into some serious “Americana“. This area, often referred to as the “Palouse” is actually an expansive area filled with old farmsteads, dilapidated houses, farm equipment, and often dramatic skies. Come explore the rural landscapes of this scenic region! When you join my Palouse photography workshop, I will help beginning and intermediate photographers create wonderful images of this beautifully unique region. The workshop focuses on producing striking and powerful compositions, as well as telling a story with your photos. There is a strong emphasis on understanding your camera’s settings in order to use them creatively.

Workshop Dates

June 10-13, 2021

Palouse Highlights

lone tree with storm light during Palouse Photo Workshop

Best Season for Color & Light

The Palouse region has sweeping vistas, wildflowers, old and new farms, and plenty of macro opportunities and should have peak greens mixed with freshly harvested earth tones. If we’re lucky, we’ll find golden fields of canola and experience the dappled light this region is famous for.

photographers over Palouse Falls canyon during photo workshop

Small Group Size

Our workshops are kept small and personable. You are sure to get ample time with the instructor over the course of the workshop.

Sunset over Palouse River during a photography workshop

A Focus on Composition

The Palouse region contains a wide variety of subject matter that can be challenging to compose compared to other types of landscape photography. We will focus on how best to compose use wide angle and strong telephoto lenses. We will discuss ideas such as repetition, creating depth, and visual flow during the course of the workshop.

Palouse Photo Workshop Information

Topics Itinerary Pricing Pack List About Us

Palouse Photography Workshop topics include:

• Transforming your artistic vision into memorable photographs
• Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO – their relationship to one another and how to change them for exposure control
• Metering and getting a correct exposure
• Histograms, how to read them, and how to fine-tune exposure
• Creative depth-of-field effects using aperture control
• Capturing motion within your photos using different shutter speeds
• White balance and creative coloration
• Creating perspective, depth, and a sense of “being there” in your photos
• Creating powerful compositions with impact
• Composing to control your viewer’s attention in your photos
• Composition balance, tension, and visual flow
• How to use filters to capture dramatic light or create long-exposure effects
• Shoot planning and how to be at the right place at the right time
• Aspects of post-processing and digital workflow
• Shoot planning and how to be at the right place at the right time

Getting to the workshop

This workshop is based out of Pullman, Washington, and ventures into the vast agricultural fields surrounding Palouse, Colfax, Garfield, Pullman, and more. We will use Pullman as our home base and have rooms reserved at the Hilltop which are included unless you opt out or choose to book elsewhere.

Our Eastern Washington Palouse photography workshop begins on Thursday afternoon where we will go over logistics and introductions before heading out to photograph sunset. Friday and Saturday will be spent photographing from sunrise until sundown with a mid-day break. The workshop wraps after sunrise on Sunday. Our weekend will be spent chasing clouds, photographing the fields, old barns and houses amidst the rolling agricultural lands around Colfax, Palouse, Pullman, and more.

This workshop is organized to take advantage of the best and most interesting locations in the Palouse region of eastern Washington. However, the exact itinerary and places we visit may change depending on the group and weather conditions.

Weather

Eastern Washington in the late spring can have cool and crisp mornings with temperatures in the mid 40s with average highs in the mid to high 70s, and sometimes into the 80s. There can also be a high chance of thunderstorms and high winds.

$1675 per person

Save $135 if you are a returning client or per person when you sign up with a friend (single occupancy). Use code friendPAL
Save $305 per person when you sign up with a friend and share a room. Use code friendPAL2 when paying in full. Otherwise, discount will be applied upon paying final balance.

A $675 deposit is required to reserve your spot with the balance due 60 days prior to the start of the workshop.

What’s Included

Quality, professional, 1-on-1 photography instruction on par with your level as a photographer
Small class size of 5 or less students
3 nights lodging
Shuttle to/from the PUW airport (with prior notice to hotel)
2 full days and 2 half days of In-field shooting and instruction
Snacks throughout the workshop
A fun, positive, interactive learning environment

What’s Not Included

Getting to the workshop in Pullman, WA. The Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport (code PUW) and Spokane International Airport (code GEG) are closest to Pullman
Transportation during the workshop. While students need to provide their own transportation during the workshop we will be carpooling as much as possible
Meals, though the group often eats together throughout the workshop

Cancellation Policy

Please view our cancellation policy here.

Camera Gear

• Interchangeable lens camera: either mirror less or DSLR
• Lenses: Wide and ultra-wide angle lenses are highly recommended as are mid-range, medium telephoto, and possibly macro
• A sturdy tripod
• Circular polarizer and neutral density filters
• Rain fly
• Remote shutter release

Recommended clothing

Most participants will be comfortable with a jacket and hat for the mornings and evenings, and pants and a sweater during the day. For our late night and early morning shoots, we recommend a very warm jacket, hat, and gloves. A wide-brim hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, and a large water bottle will also be indispensable.

Fitness level

This workshop is appropriate for photographers of most fitness levels. We will walk approximately 1-2 miles over the course of the workshop over mostly even terrain. All participants are expected to be able to carry their own camera, personal gear, and water during the workshop.

Spectacular Locations
My workshops combine the very best scenery we can find along with in-depth knowledge of the areas we’re visiting. From the coast to the mountains to the desert, our workshops visit some of the most breathtaking landscapes you can imagine. And with hundreds of hours spent scouting and shooting in each location, I know the best times to visit, the best things to see, and the best shots to get. Plus I’m constantly adding new and exciting locations to our line-up so you can keep expanding your photographic horizons.

1-on-1 Instruction at Your Level
I take a three-tiered approach to my photography instruction: Philosophy. Theory. Technique. This means that no matter what level of photographer you are, you can expect to walk away from a workshop with your head bursting with ideas about how to refine your vision and find your own style, an understanding of camera techniques and composition concepts to springboard your photography, and the actual “How-To” of nailing a shot in the field. And with my relaxed, casual, 1-on-1 approach, you can soak up just the information YOU need to become a better shooter.

Small Class Size
My workshops insure you get ample one-on-one time, and the small group size also helps build camaraderie. Plus, we can go places big photography tours simply can’t.

A “Go Happy or Go Home” Attitude
I believe photography is as much about enjoyment as it is about scoring a keeper for your portfolio. I strive to create a fun and dynamic environment in which you meet other photographers, learn at your own pace, enjoy the beauty of nature, and have a great time while doing it.

I Never Stop Scouting
I’m never content to rest on my laurels. Before and after every workshop, I am scouting, scouting, scouting. Whether it’s to find new and exciting location to shoot or to provide a different view of the old icons, I strive to show you the absolute best places for photography.

Fully Insured and Permitted, Leave-No-Trace Advocates
My workshops are 100% above board, and I obtain all necessary permissions and insurances.

I am also a strong advocate of Leave No Trace (LNT) wilderness ethics. I teach responsible photography practices and never sacrifice the environment for the sake of a photo. My goal is to leave our photography workshop locations in better shape than how we found them.

Testimonials

As for highlights, some of my favorite moments were:

1. The evening at Palouse Falls when all the stars aligned perfectly: Amazing light, beautiful location, and practicing photography with awesome people.

2. Simply having fun exploring a new area with like-minded folks.

3. All the laughs/stories we had during our workshop.

4. Meeting some talented and nice folks from all over the US.

5. Bringing home “inspiration” to continue learning about the photography craft in the future.

Thanks so much Jim and Vinny! I seriously had so much fun with you all on the workshop!

Marco S."Palouse Photography Workshop"

More Photos in My Palouse Gallery

Your Instructors

Jim and Vinny both reside in the Seattle area of the Pacific Northwest. While Jim has recently moved to the area in 2015, Vinny has lived and explored this area his entire life. Working together at Kenmore Camera, Vinny and Jim are teaming up to lead our Palouse workshop. Through a combination of theory, philosophy, examples, and on-the-spot feedback, they help students reach those “a-ha!” moments that take their photography to the next level.

Jim Patterson

Jim Patterson’s first experiences with this area began with a trip in 2014 exploring the area in as much detail as possible. A return trip in 2015 resulted in a successful workshop as the group explored some of the wonders of this area. Each year, the workshop adds new locations as hidden gems reveal themselves with each visit.

Vinny Pickens

Vinny brings an enthusiasm for the outdoors and an extensive knowledge of the outdoors. He has also worked in the camera industry for well over a decade and brings a wealth of technical knowledge along with him in addition to the creative side of photography.