San Francisco & Marin Headlands Photography Workshop
Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate photographer, this workshop covers a variety of photography locations sure to teach you more about how to use your camera, how to get better images, and send you home with many new photos to be proud of!
The Golden Gate Bridge is the most recognizable structure in the west, which is why our San Francisco/Marin Headlands workshop begins and ends by photographing this amazing icon. Come spend a day shooting the "City by the Bay" from some of its best vantage points.
We'll start with a brief orientation in the Battery Godfrey parking lot. The afternoon is spent working in a variety of lighting situations and creative compositions at the incredible Battery Godfrey, which also provides more amazing views of the Golden Gate!
The afternoon is spent shooting the city from the Marin Headlands as we make our way to Rodeo Beach, to photograph the sea stacks as the sun goes down! Our last stop is the most breathtaking view of the Golden Gate the area has to offer, and we will make sure everyone comes away with that postcard-perfect image of the Golden Gate glowing over the bay as the city of San Francisco sparkles in the background.
This workshop is one of our most popular, and a perfect opportunity for beginners and intermediate photographers to hone their composition skills, learn about their cameras, and work with a variety of filters to help balance scenes...in an area filled with both natural, and man-made wonders!
Lodging
Although lodging is not included in this workshop, we're happy to recommend a few:
Holiday Inn Express Mill Valley
160 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley CA 94941
(415) 332-5700
Best Western Corte Madera Inn
56 Madera Blvd, Corte Madera, CA 94925
(415) 924-1502
We will be stopping during the workshop for a meal break if you would like to purchase food
What's Included/Not Included
What's Included in Your Workshop:
- Hands-on Instruction by professional photographers
- Water (snacks for extended workshops)
What's not included
- Transportation
- Instructor Gratuities
- Meals during workshop break
Workshop FAQs
What should I expect?
All workshops are designed to help you learn how to take better photographs and offer a complete immersion into digital landscape and/or wildlife photography. You will learn important photography techniques such as how to properly expose a composition, when to use a filter for best effect, and how to understand and adjust camera settings for optimum results.
Class sizes are kept small (approx. 12 students) to afford each participant one-on-one instruction and to maximize individual attention. The Instructor ratio is usually 6 to 1.
All trips require walking, and usually a little hiking, on uneven terrain. You will want to wear the right clothing, footwear, and keep in mind you could get a bit of a workout!
Why only Digital?
Digital photography offers unique opportunities for in-field photography workshops. By reviewing captured images as soon as they happen, we can examine exposure, composition and histograms, and instantly learn what works--and what doesn't.
What should I bring? What is required?
All workshops require a Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera and a tripod. (Note: Filters (Graduated ND and Polarizer) and a shutter release cord are not required, but highly recommended.)
Bring a laptop on workshops 2 days and longer if possible, as we will spend time, when not in the field, reviewing and critiquing images.
It is advised for you to dress in layers, as all workshops are held on location and often temperatures and conditions can change rapidly.
Food and beverages will not be provided, so please bring plenty of water and nourishment.
All students are expected to arrive on-time and to work together as a group to learn, not only from instructors, but also from each other.
What kind, and how much, equipment should I bring?
Bring it all if you can! You never know what you might see. On many workshops we focus on landscape photos, but you never know when wildlife might enter the scene and provide the perfect opportunity to photograph them in their natural habitat. It's always better to go into the field with too much gear, rather than miss an opportunity because of not enough equipment.
Is transportation provided?
Each student is responsible for their own transportation.
Can a non-photographer friend or spouse attend the workshop?
Non-photographer friends and or spouses are welcome to attend but will be liable for their transportation. For more information, please contact the Aperture Academy staff.
Does weather ever alter or cancel events?
Only if conditions pose a safety risk. Often, poor weather can make for dramatic photographic opportunities, so if rain is forecasted, pack a light jacket or rain poncho and bring something to keep your camera dry (a hotel shower cap is ideal).
What happens if I have to cancel?
Because of the limited number of workshops and availability of one-on-one instruction sessions, once we schedule a spot, it won't be available for anyone else, therefore we can not offer a refund unless the cancellation is 90 days before the workshop date. This policy is necessary to assure us that those who sign up are serious about the adventure and will not back out, ruining the opportunity for someone else.
However, there is an exception to every rule. If, for some reason a workshop or one-on-one is cancelled by its instructor, you will be entitled to a refund, or may choose a credit for a different date. [Read our refund policy and other terms here]
Be prepared to take better photographs!
These workshops will help you develop skills, learn techniques and get to know your camera and equipment like never before. As a bonus, you will have a fun time and build friendships while learning to improve your photography technically. The result? You'll be capable of producing photographs as beautiful as any professional.
Safety, Confidence, Being Prepared
Aperture Academy is a professional organization dedicated to safe, quality, positive experiences for our students, and responsible stewardship for the breathtaking locations and beautiful wildlife we enjoy at every workshop.
We work with the United States Department of Interior, the National Park Service and the US Forestry Service to obtain all the proper permits to operate safely, conscientiously and legally. We carry much more than the required minimum of insurance, and our skilled instructors are certified as Wilderness First Responders, in CPR, as well as in the Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics program. And, have we mentioned that each is an accomplished, successful professional photographer?
Every "ApCad" member is dedicated to ensuring our students receive the best care and guidance possible, so each of them have the opportunity to get the most remarkable, enjoyable and enriching photography experience available anywhere in the world.
What else Should I Bring?
- Extra batteries Bring at least 1 or 2 extra batteries. Cold temperatures and long exposures can drain batteries very quickly. There is no worse feeling than arriving at the last spot of the night for sunset and having a dead battery.
- Extra memory cards. Our instructors will show you the benefits of shooting in RAW format, which is a better method for photography, but takes up more space on a card. Having multiple memory cards will be to your benefit.
- Clothing & shoes. Bring layers of clothing you can add if/when temperature and wind conditions change, and they can! And wear good, comfortable walking shoes!
- Lunch, or money for lunch. And snacks. On two and three day workshops, we provide snacks and water. On one day workshops, we stop for lunch at a local food establishment where you can purchase food or eat what you have brought for yourself.
- Your sense of adventure! We want to teach you what it is YOU want to learn, and have you come away with some good images. And, since the nature of outdoor photography means we're subject to weather conditions, which we can't control, sometimes we must be flexible with the itinerary. So, come ready for anything. Because we are dedicated to do everything possible to ensure you're in the best places at the best times to get amazing images.
- Your Thinking Cap! Show up ready, because you're going to learn! Some tips: make sure to read the workshop details before you arrive, so you know what to expect, and what to bring; bring a list of questions you want to ask the instructors; check the weather forecast so you're aware of possible weather changes; and most importantly, show up with a brain that is ready for learning, and we promise we'll fill it up with as much information as you desire!
Workshop Price and Deposit
The workshop fee is $295. Due to the exclusivity of this trip, and the limited number of seats available, refunds are as follows:
- 100% refundable: 90-days (3-months) or greater
- No refund within 90-days or less of the start date
- Seats are transferrable
