Please note the following Harold Davis workshop events and opportunities:

•  This week, I am giving a webinar on Thursday, May 23 about post-production in night photography, specifically about how to handle some of the issues that come up in long exposures to make for more exciting images. Here’s the link for registration and more information.
  

  Ghosts of Paris © Harold Davis

• On Sunday, June 2 we are sponsoring a free, unguided shoot in memory of my friend and student Jack Tasoff. Click here for more information about the event.
• There’s only one spot remaining in the Sunday, June 23 full moon Golden Gate workshop. Click here to register. I don’t expect this spot to stay available for long!
• My Photographing Flowers for Transparency workshop is unique, as I am the inventor of many of the techniques you’ll learn. I give the workshop, which covers all aspects of the process from conception, arrangement and photography through post-production, with plenty of time for you to create your own hands-on imagery. I only plan to give this workshop once a year. In December 2013 it will be hosted in Berkeley, CA, and in 2014 I will give the workshop in Germany. Click here for information and registration for the 2013 Photographing Flowers for Transparency workshop.

I have some exciting new events planned for the autumn, and will let you know as these plans materialize.

Here we are after a very satisfying session photographing Monet’s famous gardens at Giverny. The happy but tired group is shown sitting on the steps of Claude Monet’s house. Thanks to Marianne Glosenger for shooting this group portrait. Our guide Valerie is shown on the lower left.

On the steps at Giverny © Marianne Glosenger

Full Moon Golden Gate Workshops in June 2013

I’m pleased to announce two new June sessions of our Full Moon Workshop: Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge Like You Never Have Before.

Saturday June 22 (two spaces available), information and registration: http://www.meetup.com/Harold-Davis/events/110974782/

Sunday June 23 (four spaces available), information and registration: http://www.meetup.com/Harold-Davis/events/110975982/

Golden Gate Moonrise © Harold Davis

What participants have said about previous Harold Davis full moon Golden Gate workshops:

• “The workshop was wonderful!!! Harold is a fantastic teacher and photographer. I love the small group size as it allows everyone to ask questions and get the help they need to learn.”
• “Fun, informative, well organized. I had good time and got some great photos. Harold really knows where to go to get the shots you want.”
• “Very helpful to have the evening planned on where to go and what settings might work.”
• “Very enjoyable and informative session….Shooting the bridge after sunset resulted in spectacular images, as did the reflections of moonlight on the water.”
• “What a great experience! The small group, the individual attention from Harold, the incedible locations, and to top it all off – the most perfect weather anyone could possibly want surrounding the Golden Gate Bridge. The entire event was so well organized and executed.”

Night Photography Webinars

Two new Harold Davis webinars of interest specifically to night photographers, sponsored by Star Circle Academy, are now open for registration.

Thursday April 18, 2013 at 6:30PM PT, Composition in Night Photography, details and registration: http://events.starcircleacademy.com/events/110719152/

This webinar addresses the compositional issues that are unique to night photography with the goal of helping you to create stunning night photos. Topics addressed include:

• Understanding the wide range of possible night photography targets
• Using underexposure to your benefit
• Knowing when “day for night” is right
• Solving “unsolvable” night photography exposure problems
• Using exposure time as an element in creative night photo compositions
• Creating riveting and compelling night photography images

Ancient Music of the Stars © Harold Davis

Thursday May 23, 2013 at 6:30 PM PT, Creative Night Photography Post-Production, details and registration: http://events.starcircleacademy.com/events/110716882/

Full Moon Rising © Harold Davis

Remembering Jack Tasoff

We are sponsoring a free photo shoot in honor of the memory of Jack Tasoff, a member of the Photography with Harold Davis Meetup group, on Sunday June 2, 2013. If you knew Jack, or just want to honor his memory doing something he loved (photographing animals) please consider joining us. Details: http://www.meetup.com/Harold-Davis/events/110726082/. Read more about Jack Tasoff on my blog.

Seeing the Light © Harold Davis

Photographing Flowers for Transparency (two-day workshop)

Master photographer Harold Davis is well-known for his often imitated—but seldom equaled—digital images of luscious transparent and translucent flowers.

In this unique workshop offering master photographer Harold Davis shows the techniques he uses to create his floral masterpieces. Arrangement, composition, photography, post-production will all be covered, as will Harold’s special techniques for shooting on a light box. In response to many requests, this workshop has been expanded to two days to allow participants to fully shoot and post-process their own images under Harold’s guidance. Limited to sixteen participants.

Saturday December 7, 2013 and Sunday December 8, 2013; We have folks coming from all over the country for this workshop here in Berkeley, California, but there are still some spaces left. Registration and info: http://www.meetup.com/Harold-Davis/events/96580162/

Red Poppies © Harold Davis

What folks have said about Harold Davis workshops and events:

•  “A great artist and speaker!”—W. Anglin
•  “Harold is genuine, generous, and gracious – He has a world of knowledge and expertise that he loves to share – his wonderful books show his monumental talents and skill set- his workshops shows the depth of his connecting with others in a very real and personal way.”—P. Borrelli
• “Awesome! He patiently addressed questions from the audience which contained photographers of all levels , molding his answers to the level of understanding for each of us. His presentations covered a wonderful range of technical knowledge as well as emphasizing the need for images to have an emotional quality. The images he shares are breathtaking and he is generous in sharing many facets of how he captures such beauty.”—J. Phillips
• “Not all photographers are good verbal communicators. Harold is someone who can DO and TEACH. A rare combination of talents.”—B. Sawyer
• “Inspiring!”
• “He was very giving of his talents and time. The course was very organized and thorough. Loved it! Learned so much!”—L. Beck
• “Very creative and a marvelous instructor.”—Kay S.

About Harold Davis:  Harold Davis is a professional photographer whose work is widely admired and collected. He is the author of many bestselling photography books. Harold Davis is a Moab printmaking Master. To learn more:

• About Harold Davis
• Bio
• Books
• Interviews, profiles and links
• In the news
• Press releases
• Botanique

Thank you for taking a look at my photography blog! It means a great deal to me, and I greatly appreciate it. Let me take this opportunity to wish you a happy and photographically spectacular 2013!

I also wanted to give you a heads-up regarding my workshops and events that I’ve scheduled so far in 2013. As you may know, most of my workshops fill-up quickly, so if you are interested please register without delay to avoid disappointment.

Negative Space © Harold Davis

Harold Davis 2013 Workshops and Events

• 2013.01.04—2013.01.05: Midwinter Print Fair, hosted by PHOTO, Fine Art Photography in Oakland, CA. Click for more information.
• 2013.01.12—HDR (High Dynamic Range) Bootcamp: Full Day Workshop with Harold Davis. This is a hands-on workshop that lays the foundation for many different kinds of photography.
• 2013.01.26—San Francisco Moonrise Adventure: hands-on workshop with Harold Davis (We have only two spaces left in this workshop, which is limited to five participants and a great place to get individualized photographic tutoring.)
• 2013.01.29—Presenting my work to the San Jose Photoshop Users Group at Adobe HQ; details TK.
• 2013.03.10—2013.03.15—Photograph Wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert (click here for more information) Note: this workshop is full, a waiting list is available.
• 2013.04.28—2013.05.05—Photograph Paris with Harold Davis: Night, Black & White, and Spring Flowers Workshop (We have a few spaces left in this exciting workshop in Paris.)

“He who contemplates the depths of Paris is seized with vertigo. Nothing is more fantastic. Nothing is more tragic. Nothing is more sublime.”—Victor Hugo

• 2013.05.25—Full Moon Workshop: Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge Like You Never Have Before: hands-on adventure with Harold Davis (workshop full, waiting list available)
• 2013.05.26—Full Moon Workshop: Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge Like You Never Have Before (second session): hands-on adventure with Harold Davis
• 2013.06.07—2013.06.09—Monochromatic HDR Masterclass with Harold Davis in the Big Sur Landscape, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, CA. Details TK.
• 2013.08.2—2013.08.05—Dark of the Moon Night & Bristlecone Photography (click here for more information and here for registration). Workshop with co-teachers Steven Christenson and Eric Harness. Note: this workshop is filling up fast.
• 2013.12.07—2013.12.08—Photographing Flowers for Transparency: Two Day Workshop with Harold Davis—a unique opportunity to learn Harold’s techniques, workshop location is Berkeley, California.

Ancient Music of the Stars © Harold Davis

I am asking for feedback on a couple of points. Please drop me an email with your input.

(1) I’m hoping to be able to give one or two free photographic events in the Bay area in 2013—where would you most like to see me lead a free shoot?

(2) Regarding the second half of 2013, what workshop topics and/or destinations would you most like to see me offer?

Based on feedback from Photography with Harold Davis members I am seriously considering (a) Advanced Composition; (b) Taking Your Photography to the Next Level; (c) Flower transparency workshop with more than one day so folks can fully complete their work; (d) Online (website) presentation of photography.

(3) If you could go anywhere in the world with me, where would it be?

(4) What would your level of interest be in a photographic workshop in China?

Very best wishes in photography,

Harold Davis

Extreme Dandelion 2 © Harold Davis

I’ve been asked a great deal about my upcoming workshops. So here’s the current rundown in terms of what’s scheduled through mid-2013.

My workshops take considerable amounts of my creative time and attention. So, while I enjoying teaching workshops very much, I try to keep things interesting and full of adventure by avoiding repetition. Therefore, each workshop is a unique event, although there are certainly some locations and themes that bear revisiting. My point is, if you see a workshop that excites you, then carpe diem—register today!

• 2012.12.01—Photographing Flowers for Transparency: Full Day Workshop with Harold Davis—There are only two spaces left in this workshop
• 2012.12.08—Photographing Waves Workshop with Harold Davis (Point Reyes Field Institute). This workshop is full. Please call (415) 663.1200 x 373 to be placed on the waiting list.
• 2013.01.12—HDR (High Dynamic Range) Bootcamp: Full Day Workshop with Harold Davis. Wonder how Harold gets those results, and about the best digital workflow for you? This workshop, by the author of Creating HDR Photos: The Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Photography (Amphoto/Random House) will answer these questions and open up worlds of creative potential.
• 2013.01.26—San Francisco Moonrise Adventure: hands-on workshop with Harold Davis
• 2013.03.10—2013.03.15—Photograph Wildflowers in the Anza-Borrego Desert—This workshop is under the sponsorship of Point Reyes Field Institute and is limited to 16 participants. Workshop includes accommodations at the Borrego Sorings Resort & Spa; registration will open on 12.01.2012 by calling (415) 663.1200 x 373 or on the Point Reyes Field Institute website.
  

  Red Poppies © Harold Davis

• 2013.04.28—2013.05.05—Photograph Paris with Harold Davis: Night, Black & White, and Spring Flowers Workshop (Only a few spaces left; if you are interested please register today because our travel reservation deadlines are quickly approaching!)
• 2013.05.25—Full Moon Workshop: Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge Like You Never Have Before: hands-on adventure with Harold Davis—one space left in this workshop
• 2013.06.07—2013.06.09—Monochromatic HDR Masterclass with Harold Davis in the Big Sur Landscape, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, CA—workshop dates are subject to confirmation
• 2013.08.2—2013.08.05—Dark of the Moon Night & Bristlecone Photography: workshop hosted at Crooked Creek Research Station near the Patriarch Grove and dates have been confirmed; however, it is not yet open for registration, please contact Point Reyes Field Institute at (415) 663.1200 x 373 for more information.

Harold’s workshops are often sold-out, and fill up quickly. To avoid disappointment, please register early. Feel free to contact Harold Davis if you have any questions about the workshops!

What folks have said about Harold Davis workshops and events:

• “A great artist and speaker!”—W. Anglin
• “Awesome! He patiently addressed questions from the audience which contained photographers of all levels , molding his answers to the level of understanding for each of us. His presentations covered a wonderful range of technical knowledge as well as emphasizing the need for images to have an emotional quality. The images he shares are breathtaking and he is generous in sharing many facets of how he captures such beauty.”—J. Phillips
• “Not all photographers are good verbal communicators. Harold is someone who can DO and TEACH. A rare combination of talents.”—B. Sawyer
• “Inspiring!”
• “He was very giving of his talents and time. The course was very organized and thorough. Loved it! Learned so much!”—L. Beck
• “Very creative and a marvelous instructor.”—Kay S.

Harold Davis Workshops in downtown Berkeley, CA:

Saturday, November 3, 2012: Digital Black & White Masterclass with Harold Davis

If you are interested in black & white photography and would like to take your work to the next level, this is a rare opportunity to perfect your technique and be inspired by a legendary monochromatic digital photographer and teacher! This workshop is primarily intended for serious amateurs and professionals who already have some experience with digital black & white photography.

Click here for information and registration.

Choosing the Path © Harold Davis

Saturday, December 1, 2012:
Photographing Flowers for Transparency: Full Day Workshop with Harold Davis

In this unique workshop offering, master photographer Harold Davis shows the techniques he uses to create his floral masterpieces. Arrangement, composition, photography, post-production will all be covered, as will Harold’s special techniques for shooting on a light box.

Click here for information and registration.

Saturday, January 12, 2013:
HDR (High Dynamic Range) Bootcamp: Full Day Workshop with Harold Davis

In this intensive, full-day workshop, Harold will show you how to shoot for HDR, how to extend dynamic range using multi-RAW processing, using automated HDR software including Photomatix and Nik HDR Efex Pro, and hand HDR processing in Photoshop.

In this workshop Harold reveals the secrets of HDR that you can’t learn anywhere else. With the HDR techniques taught in this workshop your photos will never be the same.

Papaver and Iridaceae © Harold Davis

Besides mastering HDR techniques, and most important of all, Harold will help you develop your own style of HDR photography.

Click here for information and registration.

Center for Photographic Art,
Carmel, CA:

Friday, November 2, 2012:
Creating Natural Images using HDR

This is one of the sessions of the Center for Photographic Art’s well-known Exposure Weekend. I will show how HDR techniques can be used to create unique, subtle, and natural-looking images.

Click here for information and registration.

Point Reyes National Seashore, CA:

Saturday, November 17, 2012: Celebrating Water, Waterdrops and Our Wet World

This presentation is timed to coincide with the publication of Harold Davis’s new book Photographing Waterdrops: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis and benefits Point Reyes National Seashore Association (PRNSA). The presentation will focus on water and consider its relationship to our world. Particular attention will be paid to the tiny, encapsulated worlds of waterdrops. In addition, Harold Davis will discuss the techniques he uses to create macro photographs that are “both a sign and a symbol of all that is still in balance in our world.”

Admission is $10.00 for PRNSA members ($12.00 for non-members). Click here for registration.

Saturday, December 8, 2012: Photographing Waves Workshop

Waves are one of the great forces of nature and photographing them is a joy and a challenge. In this workshop, we will consider the role of patterns in composition and learn how to use short shutter speeds to stop the motion of a wave. We will let the motion of the surf create our images for us. We will start with an orientation that will explain wave photography techniques and then head to the field for at least two magnificent locations to practice these new skills. Then we will head back to the classroom for a review of the photos and a few insider tips.

Click here for registration.

Paris, France–2013 Spring and Autumn Workshops:

April, 2013: Photograph Paris with Harold: Night, Black & White and Spring Flower Photography

Besides shooting Paris at night, we will shoot Monet’s Gardens at Giverny, and work to emulate the monochromatic visions of Paris expressed by Brassai and Atget.

We’ll stay in the arty and luxurious Hotel Lutetia in the Latin Quarter, explore the neighborhoods of Paris, photograph the stairs of Montmartre, shoot the Luxembourg Gardens, and photograph along the banks of the Seine River. There will be ample time for each participant to pursue their own photographic dreams and goals.

We have only a very few places left in this workshop. Click here for workshop summary, detailed itinerary or online registration.

Basilica Mission Delores © Harold Davis

October, 2013: Photograph Paris in the Autumn with Harold Davis

Besides shooting Paris in the autumn and at night, we will work to emulate the monochromatic visions of Paris expressed by Brassai, Atget, and other great photographers. Autumn in Paris is a great time of year to capture the nostalgia of falling leaves and monochromatic patterns. The workshop will include two field trips to capture autumn landscapes near Paris.

Click here for more information or to express interest in the workshop.

Some recent comments about Harold Davis workshops & events:

• “A great artist and speaker!”—W. Anglin
• “Awesome! He patiently addressed questions from the audience which contained photographers of all levels , molding his answers to the level of understanding for each of us. His presentations covered a wonderful range of technical knowledge as well as emphasizing the need for images to have an emotional quality. The images he shares are breathtaking and he is generous in sharing many facets of how he captures such beauty.”—J. Phillips
• “Not all photographers are good verbal communicators. Harold is someone who can DO and TEACH. A rare combination of talents.”—B. Sawyer
• “Inspiring!”
• “He was very giving of his talents and time. The course was very organized and thorough. Loved it! Learned so much!”—L. Beck
• “Very creative and a marvelous instructor.”—Kay S.

Click here for more information about upcoming Harold Davis workshops and events.

About Harold Davis

Harold Davis is an award-winning professional photographer and widely recognized as one of the leading contemporary photographers.

He is the author of more than 30 books, including Creating HDR Photos: The Complete Guide to High Dynamic Range Photography (Amphoto), Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds with Harold Davis (Focal Press), The Photoshop Darkroom 2: Creative Digital Transformations (Focal Press), and The Photoshop Darkroom: Creative Digital Post-Processing (Focal Press).

Harold is the author of the Creative Photography series from Wiley Publishing.

“Harold Davis’s Creative Photography series is a great way to start a photography library”—Daniel Fealko, PhotoFidelity.

The Creative titles include: Creative Landscapes: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), Creative Lighting: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), Creative Portraits: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), Creative Black & White: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), Creative Composition: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), Creative Night: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), Creative Close-Ups: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley). He’s also written a book on the fundamentals of exposure, Light & Exposure for Digital Photographers (O’Reilly Media).

Springtime rain brings flowers—and a sense of renewal and hope. It has been raining here in Berkeley, California all this week. Good for the garden, and good for the parched reservoirs of California. So I am glad of the rain. But still, it is trying weather for the photographer who would rather be outdoors.

Rainy Day Rapture © Harold Davis

Shooting creatively requires thinking outside the box no matter outdoors or indoors, no matter what the weather is like. That’s the point of my workshops: to help you jumpstart your creativity in a community of like-minded photographers. Here’s what I have planned for the remainder of the year!

2012.03.24 (Saturday)—Coming up soon on Saturday, March 24, here in Berkeley, California. In this workshop, I’ll teach my unconventional approach to HDR which informs almost all my work. This is a hands-on workshop, and you’ll leave being able to use HDR as part of your photographic toolchest. There are still a few places left. HDR (High Dynamic Range) Bootcamp with Harold Davis

Are you curious about HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography? Do you want to learn the gamut of techniques for extending dynamic range in your photos? Would you like to unleash the full power of HDR photography but don’t know the “secrets”?

If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes,” then HDR (High Dynamic Range) Bootcamp with Harold Davis is for you!

In this intensive, full-day workshop, Harold will show you how to shoot for HDR, how to extend dynamic range using multi-RAW processing, using automated HDR software including Photomatix and Nik HDR Efex Pro, and hand HDR processing in Photoshop.

In this workshop Harold reveals the secrets of HDR that you can’t learn anywhere else. With the HDR techniques taught in this workshop your photos will never be the same.

Information and registration for the HDR workshop!

Museum at Bodie © Harold Davis

2012.05.05 (Saturday)—Full Moon Workshop: Photograph the Golden Gate Bridge Like You Never Have Before. This workshop is sold out, but a waiting list is available. If enough people sign up for the waiting list I will run the workshop again later in the year.

2012.06.01 (Friday)-2012.06.03 (Sunday)—Macros, Close-Ups and Flower Photography (Point Reyes Institute)

2012.06.09 (Saturday)—Flower Photography Workshop.  This workshop is sold out, but a waiting list is available. If enough people sign up for the waiting list I will run the workshop again later in the year.

2012.08.03 (Friday)-2012.08.06 (Monday)—Tao of Photography Workshop at Green Dragon Temple (Soryu-ji).

Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, also known as Green Dragon Temple (Soryu-ji), is a Buddhist practice center in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition offering training in Zen meditation and ordinary work.

Green Gulch Farm Conference and Retreat Center is located in a beautiful coastal valley just a short drive north of the Golden Gate Bridge, in Marin County, CA. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of National Parkland and the spectacular heart of the Marin Headlands, its organic farm and gardens will provide a serene environment for our workshop. Muir Beach is just a 20-minute walk away, and the surrounding hills offer miles of trails up and down the coast and into nearby Muir Woods National Monument.

In the Tao of Photography workshop we will use the majestic and mystical landscape of the Marin Headlands and the Green Gulch gardens to explore becoming more in touch with the sources of intuition and inspiration in our photography.

Please note: The tuition for this workshop is increasing from the discounted price ($895) to the full price ($995) on March 31, 2012. If you are interested in the workshop I urge you to take advantage of this early-bird special price. Register Now!

Morning in the Hills © Harold Davis

2012.08.17 (Friday)-2012.08.20 (Monday)—Dark of the Moon Night Photography in the Ancient Bristlecone Pines (Point Reyes Institute). Registration is now open for this popular and exciting workshop; please register early as based on past experience this workshop is likely to fill up. Information and registration.

Join award-winning photographer Harold Davis, author of the bestselling Creative Night: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (Wiley), for a once in a lifetime adventure high in the White Mountains of Eastern California. Harold will have the assistance of Steven Christenson, a 2010 Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and co-founder of Star Circle Academy, and Eric Harness, faculty member Star Circle Academy.

The gnarled, ancient, and beautiful Bristlecone Pines are the oldest living things on planet earth—but their isolated location makes photography, particularly at night, logistically difficult. Locations in the White Mountains are among the least light polluted in the continental United States, and a frequent favorite destination of astronomers. The workshop is timed to coincide with the dark phase of the moon to maximize the possibilities of combining star circle photography with imagery of the ancient trees.

Duet of Daffodils 2 © Harold Davis

For 2013 we are trying something new, and taking expressions of interest for a workshop in Paris, France in the spring. The workshop will focus on night photography, black & white, and spring flower photography. Besides shooting Paris at night, we will shoot Monet’s Gardens at Giverny, and work to emulate the monochromatic visions of Paris expressed by Brassai and Atget.

We’ll stay in a quaint but comfortable hotel in the Latin Quarter, explore the neighborhoods of Paris, photograph the stairs of Montmartre, shoot the Luxembourg Gardens, and photograph along the banks of the Seine River.

If you think you might be interested in the workshop, please let us know so we can get you information once the details have been firmed up.

2013.04.28 (Sunday)-2012.05.04 (Saturday)—Photograph Paris with Harold: Night, Black & White and Spring Flower Photography.