Winter in Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula

2nd Annual Magic Light and Pfeiffer Beach Arch Photo Workshop

          January 11-14, 2011           

Wintertime in Big Sur means magical sunrises and sunsets. Because of the colder temperatures, the summertime marine layer disappears allowing for vibrant sunsets that can last for up to an hour! It also means that the sun has journeyed far enough south to allow for its low rays to provide the magical shaft of light through the famed Pfeiffer Beach Arch! Photographers from around the world journey to Pfeiffer Beach in hopes of seeing this special light. We will have four attempts at capturing it during this workshop! Though the light is present from late-November until late-January, I have seen it at its most intense during this time period (due to the nature of the tides which factor into diffraction of the sun's rays). I have positioned the workshop from Tuesday - Friday to avoid the typical weekend crowds, allowing us more access around the arch. These dates will allow us to experience this area without the usual crunch of tourists as many of the other locations we will be visiting are also popular tourist destinations.

Typically, January is the wettest month on the Peninsula, averaging just over 4 inches of rain. Having said that, most Pacific storms are fast-movers. We will get some tremendous light on either side of the storms if they do arrive. These storms also serve to increase swell activity making wave images more dramatic. When the storms pass, I have seen some incredible skies with cloud formations that catch the color of the rising and setting sun. My motto has always been, "When the tourists are heading in, a nature photographer should be heading out. Wild weather makes for dramatic images!"

This workshop will have an emphasis on field location shooting. It will also include two sessions of Photoshop training and a minimum of two image review sessions. The Photoshop training will include: basic workflow, Levels, Curves, color correction, sharpening, adjusment layers, masks, burning and dodging techniques and RAW conversion. We will also look at software from Nik and HDR processing with Photomatix Pro. I will also introduce Helicon Focus software, which allows for te expansion of depth-of-field.

Also planned is a night of star photography (weather permitting).  I will be assisted in this workshop by Gary Hart.

Places we plan to visit include:

• Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park                
• Point Lobos
• Weston Beach Tide Pools
• Hurricane Point
• Bixby Bridge
• Pfeiffer Beach
• Rocky Point
• Andrew Molera State Park
• Garrapata State Park
• Garrapata Beach
• Point Sur and the Point Sur Lightstation
• Lover's Point
• Monterey Wharf and Harbor

 Cost: $1295.00 includes workshop, three nights lodging at the beautiful Carmel Mission Inn, breakfast for three mornings, and a signed copy of my new book: Refined Vision (see information below). 

Deadline: When workshop fills (limited to 12 participants).

Frequently Asked Questions: Winter Big Sur FAQ's

Lodging/Meals: The workshop will be headquartered at the www.carmelmissioninn.com/  (next to the Barnyard and Crossroads Shopping Centers) Lunch and dinner are extra. Breakfast is included.

Transportation:  We will carpool to shooting locations. Participants are required to have transportation to and from the workshop.   

To view my cancellation policy, please click here: Cancellation Policy

Click here to read WORKSHOP PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

All Workshop Participants will also receive a signed copy of my latest book: Refined Vision - 50 Lessons Designed to Improve Your Digital Landscape Photography                                                               

E-mail me for more information or optional payment methods at don@donsmithphotography.com

My Qualifications

 If you like my style of photography, that would be one reason to take a workshop with me. If you would like to learn more about me, click on the link.

My Qualifications