Spirit-N-Light Intensive 2015 - Piper Mackay Photography

with

Piper Mackay and Laurie Rubin

November 16 – 21, 2015

The Spirit-N-Light intensive workshop is designed to create stunning imagery with a concentrated focus on dramatic lighting, an element that can be the difference between a snapshot and a great shot. Having a strong focus on one element, with exciting subjects, in an inspiring environment, can have a great impact on learning your craft and quickly elevate your photography. This workshop is an intense schedule of photography in the field, dealing heavily with different qualities of light and composition, followed by constructive group critiques, and post-processing techniques to make your images pop. This is a workshop to improve your skills in creating dynamic photographs, and not just to take snapshots of pretty horses.

This all-inclusive workshop is held on a true working ranch with authentic cowboys and cowgirls; an experience of the romantic American west. Nestled in a valley surrounded by majestic rolling hills, this ranch envelops 20,000 acres in the heart of central California. We will be staying right at the ranch in an upscale rustic style lodge to maximize every minute. The skilled wranglers will run the horses through the majestic landscape, creating unparalleled photographic opportunities for action shots, clouds of dust, galloping through water (unless weather temperatures drop unexpectedly), and silhouettes at sunset. There will be continuous opportunities to photograph all aspects of ranch life including working the cattle, roping, portraits, close-ups, and detail work. The last evening we will gather at the cowboy camp for an authentic cowboy BBQ. During twilight we will photograph the wranglers sitting around the blazing campfire, relaxing, telling stories, and having a cold one; a scene most witness only though an ad on a billboard.

This intensive workshop was created for solid intermediate, semi-pro, and advanced level photographers who understand the basics of photography such as; shutter speed, aperture, depth of field, exposure, rule of thirds, etc. Rather than discussing these basic topics we will be focusing on visual style, advanced digital techniques, manipulating shutter speeds to exaggerate movement, and purposely under and overexposing for creative value. We will work on portraits, learning how to manipulate shadows and natural light, so you can shoot during the harsh light and make every minute in the field count. During midday we will have image reviews, mini lectures on lighting and composition, and a talk on the business of photography. We will take one morning to learn valuable post-processing skills.

The pace of the workshop will be at an advanced level, rising before sunrise to catch the soft hues of light and ending after the glowing gold of the setting sun. However, even a professional gets tired and needs to take some time out, so you can keep up with the pace or take a break sitting out on your porch and soaking in the ambiance of this beautiful ranch. The cozy lounge has comfy leather couches, shelves filled with books, tables to work at, and a traditional stone fireplace. We will meet here to share our stories, review images, discuss photography and be briefed on the next shoot. Our delicious meals will be just across the dirt road at the Parkfield café (included in your workshop fee).

A shorter Spirit-N-Light workshop, for intermediate/hobbyist and beginning photographers, which covers more of the basics of photography, is offered in the spring. Here is the link for information.

This workshop is “all inclusive”. From the time you arrive on Monday afternoon until you depart on Saturday, you will not have to pay for anything aside from alcoholic beverages. All accommodations, meals, wrangler fees, gratuities, model releases, ranch fees, transportation while on the ranch, instruction, critique, and portfolio reviews are included. We will meet at the ranch by 2:00pm on Monday November 16, and depart on Saturday November 21, by noon.

THE COST

The cost of this all-inclusive workshop is $2,495.00, based on double occupancy.

Premium Single rooms are limited. If available the up-charge is $695.00

If a solo guest is willing to share accommodation, as specified on the registration form, we will do our best to match the participant with another guest of the same gender. If we are unable to match a solo guest with a roommate, then the single-room fee will be charged. Most rooms have a loft, so there is one bed in the loft and the other on the main level. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, requesting a Premium Single room, as specified on the registration form, the full single supplement will be charged.

What’s Included

Accommodations
All the 3 meals of the day with mineral water
Ranch Fee
wranglers
model releases
transportation while at the ranch
20 min portfolio review and image review
instruction during all photo shoots

What’s NOT included

Transportation to and from the Ranch
premium spirits (House wine and domestic beer is included)

LOCATION

The ranch is an easy 3-4 hour drive, depending on traffic, from Los Angeles or San Francisco Airports. The closest airport is San Louis Obispo County Regional Airport – http://www.sloairport.com. All three airports have car rental agencies. Transportation is available on the ranch during the workshop, but it is your own responsibility to get yourself to the ranch.

Interested in joining us?

The group size for this workshop is limited to 10 participants. The Spirit-N-Light workshops are very popular and they usually fill quickly. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity then now is the time to register. To secure your spot, please complete the On-line registration form and make the $700.00 non-refundable deposit. Both a completed reservation form and deposit must be completed to confirm a spot.

Deposit and Sign-up

This workshop is SOLD OUT –

click here, to place your name on the wait-list or to be placed on the interest list of the spring Spirit-N-Light

Testimonials and images from past participants

“Piper really knows how to make walking through a field of cow pies at six in the morning fun and exciting. Her energy and instruction during the workshop made it enjoyable and enlightening. I have a much greater appreciation for light and motion now, and even managed to capture some of that magic in my shots.” Dan Trimble -USA

“Piper’s enthusiasm for the subject is very contagious! She inspired us to try new things even though we are experienced photographers, and worked tirelessly to make sure we came home with a wide variety of images.” A fabulous experience!!!! Great opportunity to learn about the beauty of rim light. Lillian Roberts – USA

“I decided to go to this workshop in preparation for the trip to Africa with Piper in August. It was deninatly the right decision. Now I know how to use my camera to be able to catch the dramatic effect of the light on the horses crossing the water. Undoubtedly, this will pay off as we photograph the wildebeests crossing the Masai Mara during the Great Migration.” – Muriel McClellan – USA

If you are looking to move your photography to a different level, the Spirit-N-Light workshop is for you. The variety of location shoots was amazing. Reflections, horses galloping through water, portraits, panning, rim light – we had a chance to practice it all in a relaxed setting. Piper knew what she was doing and it showed. She waited for the light – whether it was hitting a hill at just the right moment or having the sun rise in a valley – we got to experience firsthand what she was talking about. There truly is a spirit in light and I believe all of the participants’ workshop photos reflect that. Piper has designed a memorable learning experience topped off by wonderful hospitality shown by the ranch, fabulous food and bringing together a great group to shoot with. I highly recommend it – Laurie Thomson –CANADA