FAQ
Here you will find some additional details on questions you may have. Please let us know if you have a question that is not answered here.
Why should I sign up and pay for a landscape photography workshop when there is so much information available on the web and in books?
The late Galen Rowell, one of world's best ever landscape photographers, wrote:"Despite my best attempts to communicate what I know in carefully prepared lectures and these monthly columns [in photography magazines], I've had workshop participants tell me that they learned more by simply watching me in the field for five minutes." In our workshop, you will see instructors do work right in front of you. You will have the opportunity to ask them questions. "Why did you do that?" "What lens and settings are you using for this shot?" "What filter do you recommend for this image?" "How did you compose that shot?" These are the questions that a book, a lecture or a web page tutorial cannot provide answers for in nearly the same way. You will join our instructors in a variety of dramatic photo settings and see how they set up and photograph each shot. They will share with you their techniques, tips and even some of their secrets that set their images apart from the thousands of other landscape photographers. And you will be setting up right beside them allowing you to have hands on experience with what you are learning. Besides that part there is the chance to photo tour the area.
How much photography experience do I need to have for these workshops or tours?
This will depend on where the workshop/tour is and what it will be covering. Don't hesitate to ask us. For example a photo tour where we will be out walking or hiking to amazing places to photograph is going to be most beneficial to you and others if you have a basic understanding of how to operate your camera. This does not mean you need to know what the best settings will be for the scene, that is what we will be there to help you with. What we mean is you will need to know how to change those settings (shutter speed, aperture, etc). There are so many cameras on the market today that even as an instructor it's hard to keep up with them and how they operate. Of course we will always do our best to help out no matter what the question is. On the other side if we are in a presentation or classroom setting then we will focus more on the how to in discussion but you won't need to necessarily have your camera for these portions.
If the tour requires extensive hiking or any backpacking how do I know if I am fit enough physically to participate?
That is a great question. We definitely will ask questions and try to find out more about each client when they sign up for a tour that includes hiking or backpacking. Although we won't be climbing Mt Everest any significant hiking or backpacking will be very physically and mentally stressful in the best case scenario if you are not in good shape. Plus, it could put you and or the rest of the group in a less than desirable situation and not allow the other participants to get the most from the tour. If you are unsure if you will be able to make the hike don't hesitate to ask us. Even if you are not in excellent shape now, if the tour is months away we may be able to provide guidance on what you can do to be in great shape when the tour comes!
How much of a deposit is required to reserve your spot for a workshop? And what are my payment options?
In order for us to hold your spot we ask for $100 deposit. The deposit is only refundable if you cancel a minimum of 60 days in advance of the workshop date and we are able to fill your spot. If you cancel less than 60 days in advance then deposit is not refundable. If you pay for the workshop or photo tour in advance and cancel we will refund all except for the deposit as long as we can fill your spot. The remaining balance is due 30 days prior to the workshop date. We accept check, visa or mastercard for payment. Workshop payments and deposits are fully refundable if we do not meet the minimum number of particpants and need to cancel/move the workshop. See our workshop documents for more details on this topic.
What is the list of essential vs optional equipment to have in order to go on a photo tour?
This is a tough question. Every photographers list will vary some on this answer. Additionally, it really depends on the photo tour and workshop itself and what we are gearing it towards. In general I would say the minimum to get the most from the outing and overall experience is a SLR Camera (digital or film), tripod, remote trigger release, polarizer filter, wide angle lens and a zoom lens. Then goes the optional list from there, which is really never ending! I do not even have all the "optional" things I would say because this to each it's own and their personal style. For example both Kevin and I take graduated neutral density filters out with us always but that may not be essential or required for another photograher.
The liability wavier I signed states Adrian Klein Photography or another Photography Company, not Northwest Photo Tours?
We created this listing of workshops under nwphototours.com since this website URL is more relevant to what we are doing than say the name Adrian Klein Photography. Depending on which photo tour or workshop you signup for it will most likely list the company as Adrian Klein Photography or another photographer or company we might be working with at the time. This website is meant to be a place you will find listings for multiple photographers although most workshops are Adrian Klein and Kevin McNeal.
What if the workshop I want to sign-up for is full?
You can always email us regardless and we can add you to the waiting list. Although cancellations are not common things happen and they do occur from time to time. If we find that there is enough interest and we can fit it into our schedule we might even add another date for that same workshop. Also, you can always consider asking for a one-on-one workshop. Prices are slightly more but this gives more attention to you to learn all that you want and allows for quicker easier travel around the location(s) of the workshop. Do understand that we try to work with one-on-one requests but they are subject availability in our schedules and we cannot always accomodate them.