Image 1 of 1
Overview
This workshop is co-led with my good friend Mark Denney, whose photography education has helped countless photographers better understand composition, light, and creative decision-making in the field. Having Mark as the primary instructor brings a clear, thoughtful, and highly approachable teaching style to this experience—one that pairs perfectly with the locations and conditions we’ll be working in.
Together, we’ll explore Oregon’s magnificent and often overlooked southern coastline—a stretch defined by rugged cliffs, sea stacks, tidal reflections, and constantly changing conditions. These landscapes invite a slower approach, and we’ll take the time to really work scenes, using the movement of water, shifting light, and strong natural forms to guide the viewer into the frame.
We’ll focus on using water flow around towering sea stacks and coastal monoliths, paying close attention to how natural lead lines and timing can shape the visual flow of an image. Composition will be a central theme throughout the workshop—how to frame intentionally, simplify complex scenes, and use time and motion to help tell a stronger story rather than just freeze a moment.
Over five full days, we’ll travel south along the coast, making stops at iconic locations like Bandon Beach as well as lesser-known gems near Brookings. This stretch of coastline offers an incredible variety of photographic opportunities, including the spectacular Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor. Bring your neutral density filters—we’ll spend time experimenting with long exposures during the day, using motion and shutter speed as creative tools rather than technical requirements. Just as importantly, we’ll slow down, explore, and enjoy the beaches along the way, letting the conditions guide what and how we photograph.
From there, we’ll continue south into the redwoods during peak rhododendron bloom. These forests are truly on another scale, and no matter how many times you’ve seen photographs of them, standing among these trees is something entirely different. We’ll spend two full days photographing the redwoods, working deliberately in the early mornings when spring fog often moves through the forest and soft light filters down through the canopy. When conditions align, shafts of light breaking through the fog can transform the scene into something quiet, dramatic, and fleeting—and we’ll be ready when it happens.
Throughout the workshop, instruction will focus on reading light, working with atmosphere, refining compositions, and making intentional choices in the field. With Mark leading instruction and guidance throughout the workshop, participants will benefit from clear explanations, practical demonstrations, and real-time feedback while shooting. I’ll be there alongside him in the field to support, assist, and work closely with the group as we move through each location.
This workshop is about slowing down, paying attention, and learning how to respond to what the landscape gives you—whether that’s dramatic motion along the coast or quiet, fog-filled moments beneath the redwoods. It’s an opportunity to explore incredible places, deepen your understanding of light and composition, and come away with images that feel considered and meaningful.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic adventure!
Topics we will cover
How to research potential shoot locations
How to read the weather
Learn how to create powerful compositions and bring your artistic vision to life
Visualizing your composition, capturing and guiding the viewer
The use of Neutral Density and ND Graduated filters to enhance and control light.
Basic and Advanced Compositional Techniques
Visual flow: how to identify and use important elements in the frame
The use of filters to enhance and control light. How to “see” and captuer light
Histograms, how to read them, and why they play an important role
Focus Stacking for extreme close-ups, front to back
How to use lens compression and when to use it.
How to blend focal lengths and exposures to maximize Dynamic Range
How to create beautiful Long Exposures to unveil a hidden visual world of intrigue and wonder
Capturing motion, energy, and flow
Macro Photography
Photographing the night sky: Stars, Milky Way, Star Trails, and Time Lapse Photography(one night)
Image Critique and Visual Experience
How to capture and build your Story
Post Processing and Digital Workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop, including third party softwares
Itinerary
Day 1 (half day)
Arrive at the Portland Airport and everyone heads to heads over to the coast to check into Hotel at Cannon Beach. Explore the beach with Long exposures and sea creatures. We will head up for a sunset at Thors Well, before heading South down to Heceta Lighthouse, where we will shoot some early night photography.
Day 2
Up for an amazing sunrise at Cape Arago Lighthouse and the nearby rocky shores. Then we will explore all of my fantastic favorite locations on our way South to visit Bandon Beach. There are many!!
Day 3
Sunset will be at Bandon Beach, exploring its amazing Sea Stacks. We will plan to stay there the night and hit the beach for some amazing Astrophotography along the Sea Stacks. We will most likely be around for Sunrise there as well.
Day 4
Prepare for a full days outing as we head South towards Bookings. Get ready to explore the Natural Arches and several of our favorite hidden beaches and sunset locations. Astrophotography will be on tap, weather depending.
Day 5
Head over to the Redwoods National Forest where we will explore photography under the giant canopy of 1000 year old Redwood Trees
Day 6 (half day)
Wake up early and photograph the Redwoods in the early morning light, and then head towards the Airport in Eugene for the afternoon departure. Anyone who has a late flight out is welcome to join me at Proxy Falls east of Eugene, OR.
TERRAIN
Woodland Trails, Sand, Beachfront, Water. Hiking Boots, Trail Shoes, and Water Shoes are recommended.
ACTIVITY
Easy to Moderate trail walking up to 1 mile
EXPERIENCE
Aspiring to Advanced. Cell Phones are welcome
GROUP SIZE
6 Participants
TEMPERATURES
45-70 degrees. All Season Outerwear is recommended.
HUMIDITY
35-45%
NEAREST MAJOR AIRPORT
What’s Included
Photography instruction with Landscape Photographers Tommy White and Mark Denney
Lightroom and Photoshop Training Seminar
5 Full days of Photography and field Instruction on the coast of Oregon and the Redwood Forests
One on One field guidance in composition, camera settings, recording movement, and how to create depth and visual flow
GPS field guidance and how to use Apps and software to document our locations
Visual interpretation of the landscape. How to find and compose difficult scenes
Limited low sugar snacks and water.
How to use 3rd party programs like TK Actions, Luminar, and Nik
We are fully licensed and permitted in State and National Parks
Guidance and safety throughout the entire trip
What’s not included
Participants should plan to provide their own transportation. Carpooling will be available at your own discretion. Parking will be very limited in certain locations.
Meals during the trip. I will always have drinks and snacks on hand, but plan to travel with your own favorites as well.
Your flight
Lodging - We will provide information for you on Lodging after your registration.
Alcoholic beverages
Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)
Personal Items
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your booking, the Deposit is nonrefundable on all Seasonal and Group Photography Workshops. If the cancellation is less than 90 days, you will receive a full refund minus the deposit and 15% admin fee, when your spot is filled. If the cancellation is more than 90 days, you will receive a full refund minus the deposit when your spot is filled, or, you may move to one other available workshop in the current year (minus a 15% admin fee) in the current calendar year. The remaining balance on the new Workshop is due upon transfer.
If you are booked for a Private Workshop and you need to cancel, you may reschedule your workshop one time within the current calendar year.