Bosque del Apache Photography Workshop
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Photography Workshop Overview
Dates
November 16-20, 2022
Locations
Bosque del Apache NWR and surrounding local area
Workshop Level
Advanced-beginner to advanced.
- Experience with DSLR and/or mirrorless camera body
- Use of lenses with 200 mm focal length or longer
- Experience using a tripod
- Familiar (not an expert) with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
Workshop Cost
$895/person + tax. Limited to 7 participants.
Dawn patrol at the Bosque del Apache NWR
Happy Roadrunner with a not-so-happy snake. Bosque del Apache NWR.
“Bathing in the Bosque Light“
Workshop Description
We will begin our workshop Wednesday afternoon, November 16, 2022, at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge photographing the golden hour and sunset. After our evening photo shoot, we will have a group dinner (no-host) in Socorro, New Mexico.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we will start our photography sessions before dawn. Midday, we will have post-processing sessions. Late afternoon and sunset, we will be back at the refuge photographing until dark.
- The workshop is ideally timed to coincide with abundant migratory birds,
- Learn how to photograph the Bosque del Apache from a local full-time professional photographer. I know the Bosque very well and photograph it all year round!
- We will have a special raptor photography session with falcons and hawks — this is the best way to learn how to photograph birds in flight.
Sandhill cranes in the golden light
Bird-in-Flight Photography
- Tripod and hand-held technique.
- Learn how to optimally focus on birds in flight .
- Incorporate the beautiful landscape in your BIF compositions.
Raptor Photography
In addition to Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese the workshop will also focus on raptor photography. The “Bosque” is an excellent habitat for photographing hawks, falcons, harriers, and owls.
- Special Bird-in-Flight (BIF) raptor photography with trained falconry birds.
- Unique opportunity to refine your technique in real time.
- It would take a lifetime in the wild to photograph as many raptors at close range!
- You will be able to improve your focussing, exposure, and composition technique.
- Apply what we learn with falconry birds to photograph wild raptors.
- Practice BIF technique so it becomes second nature to you!
“Locked On: Peregrine Falcon”
“Harris’s Hawk Hunts the Brush“
“Fall Huntress, Northern Harrier over the Bosque del Apache”
Landscape Photography
The Bosque del Apache NWR is one of the best places for landscape photography in the world — independent of the wildlife that visits there.
- Brilliant emotional lighting,
- Mirror-like bodies of water that reflect the sky colors,
- Colorful foliage provides awesome photographic compositions.
You will learn how to take advantage of this beauty and how to creatively integrate wildlife into stunning landscape images.
Classroom Instruction on Post Processing
Interactive hands-on instruction on image post-processing, photographic strategy, and presentation will occur at mid-day in Socorro.
- Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
- Useful third-party plugins
- Learn complete nature photography workflows
Permitted and Ethical Nature Photography
In Light of Nature Photography is permitted under the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), insured, and operates its workshops ethically with the utmost respect for wildlife and the refuge.
“Bosque del Apache Bobcat Stare“
“Silver Sentinels” (1st place in 2015 Bosque del Apache Photo Contest)
Bosque del Apache lit up at sundown
Schedule
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
- 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM “Afternoon/Evening” photoshoot at Bosque del Apache NWR.
- 7:30 PM Group (no-host) dinner in Socorro
Thursday, November 17 – Saturday, November 19, 2022
- 5:30 AM – 10:00 AM Sunrise-morning photography at Bosque del Apache NWR
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Post-processing instruction in Socorro
- 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM Afternoon-evening photography at Bosque del Apache NWR
Sunday, November 20, 2022
- 5:30 AM – 10:00 AM Sunrise-morning photography at Bosque del Apache NWR
- 10:0 AM – 10:30 AM Check out of the hotel (some may wish to stay Sunday night)
- 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Post-processing instruction (at the refuge, weather permitting)
- 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM Afternoon-evening photography at Bosque del Apache NWR
Walking on Gold at the Bosque del Apache NWR
“Up Before Dawn“
American Badger hunts the fields
Required Equipment
- Gloves, warm hat, warm boots, parka
- Thermos with a hot beverage is recommended
- Water bottle, at least 1-quart capacity
- Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle.
- Headlamp, ideally with a red-light option
- DSLR (or mirrorless) camera that you are familiar with
- Lenses:
- 300 mm or longer (prime or zoom)
- zoom lens (e.g. 70-200/300 mm or 100-400 mm)
- wide angle lens (e.g. 16mm – 24 mm, 24-70mm
- A sturdy tripod(s)
- Extra camera batteries with charger (a car charger is recommended)
- Extra memory cards, card reader
- Laptop computer with an external hard drive(s)
Moonrise over the fall colors at the Bosque del Apache
Expected Physical Demands
- Ability to stand outside in cold temperatures for 1-3 hours.
- Ability to carry your photography gear for 200 – 300 meters on occasion.
- The majority of photography locations will be located close to our vehicles.
- Ability to walk short distances and set up photography equipment in the dark (pre-dawn).
- Ability to manipulate photography equipment with cold hands in the morning.
- Restrooms are located around the refuge.
Aplomado Falcon, a favorite of the raptor photography class
Lodging
- Workshop photographers are responsible for making their lodging reservations and paying for their lodging. Please make your reservations early.
- Socorro, New Mexico: Holiday Inn Express. (575)-838-4600
- Check-in date = Wednesday, November 16, 2022
- Check-out date = Sunday, November 20, 2022
- Ask for the discounted rate under the room block for In Light of Nature Photography. Ask for Julie if needed.(1)Please note that often you will find even lower rates at online travel sites, like Hotels. com. Please let me know when you book your lodging.
- More detailed logistics will be sent to registered photographers
Dawn’s early light at the Bosque del Apache NWR
Bald Eagle between the lines of sunrise at the Bosque del Apache
REGISTRATION
Register for the Workshop
