Compose the Coast – The Art of Seeing
April 8, 2027 - April 11, 2027
| $1,895A Photography Workshop on the Art of Seeing
Join me in this adventure to compose the coast – the art of seeing. Ocean vistas don’t compose themselves. Neither do tide pools, fog banks or the way morning light rakes across the basalt rocks at low tide – but with the right eye, they become the strongest images you’ve ever made
This workshop is built around one idea: composition is craft, not luck. Over 3 1/2 days 
on the Oregon Coast, we’ll work the beaches, headlands and hidden coves from Yachats to Newport, chasing the light and working to build our creative vision and artistic craft. We’ll learn to read a scene the way a painter reads a canvas: leading lines carved by receding waves, the rhythm of repeating rock formations, negative space, foreground-to-background depth, visual inventories, balance, symmetry, etc, all while evaluating the light and deciding on the right exact moment to press the shutter button
On this workshop, you’ll learn to…
- Read a scene before you raise your camera – finding lines, layers, balance and space that can guide the eye
- Using of foreground, mid ground and background intentionally, not by accident
- Understand the concepts of visual weight and the visual hierarchy to construct a composition
- Patience and slowing down, reworking a single composition until it’s RIGHT, not just “good enough”
What we’ll do…
- Be out and on location during the best light
- Have a wide variety of locations and subject matter to inspire us creatively
- Personalized in-field instruction on seeing and composing compelling images
- Spend time reviewing images and learning from our efforts to refine and improve our photographs
Bring your gear, your curiosity, and boots that don’t mind sand. Leave with a portfolio of images — and an eye that sees compositions everywhere. You’ll shoot at golden hour and blue hour, work through hands-on critique sessions, and leave with not just a stronger portfolio, but a sharper eye — one that keeps working long after the workshop ends.
Who is this workshop for?
- All levels of photographers!
- No matter where you are at on your photography journey, there is always room for learning and growth. I will meet you at your level and teach how to an appropriate level for you, no matter if you are a beginner or an expert.
- This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to get better, do better, learn and grow as a creative person!
Small group. Big coastline. No shortcuts on craft.
Fitness Level: Easy to moderate
Most locations are an easy walk from the car. We may traverse uneven, rocky ground and driftwood.
Logistics
You can fly in directly to Portland or Eugene Oregon. We will be based in Yachats Oregon, which puts us in a prime location for many of the locations we will visit. We will travel each day from the hotel to our locations and return at various times for rest and/or image reviews. More information will be sent to you after registration.
| What’s Included | What’s Not Included |
|---|---|
| • Expert guiding | • Travel to/from workshop location and during workshop |
| • In-field photographic instruction | • Lodging |
| • Classroom instruction | • Meals |
| • Post workshop syllabus and support | |
| • New friends and a great time! |
