Pennhurst Asylum Photo Trek - SOLD OUT! Contact us for possible opening
2022-04-09 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Pennhurst Asylum, 250 Commonwealth Dr, Spring City, PA, 19475, United States
Pennhurst was an institution for mentally and physically disabled individuals of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Constructed and opened in 1908 as a state school for the mentally and physically disabled, Pennhurst’s property was vast, covering 120 acres. Created to house over 10,000 patients, Pennhurst was one of the largest institutions of its kind in Pennsylvania. It was devoted strictly to the care, treatment and education of the disabled. Originally named Pennhurst Home for the Feeble Minded and Epileptic, it finally was just called Pennhurst State School.
After a decade of controversy, it closed on December 9, 1987. Pennhurst fell into complete ruin as the complex was shut down. Buildings were abandoned as they were, with patient’s clothes and belongings strewn about. Furniture, cabinets and medical equipment were left to decay as if someone had just got up and walked out the front door. This is the place that will eventually resurrect into one of the most studied properties in the ghost hunter media, and will become an amazing haunted attraction. The history is as fascinating as it is sad.
Join us as we photographically explore this remarkable and erie place! We will have access to the Mayflower building AND, the newly reopened Devon building! As time allows, we will also be taken on a guided tour of the safer parts of the grounds.
A brief history will be given at the start of the tour, then we will be free to photographically explore. The group will work through the two different buildings together, but will have more than enough room so as not to interfere with other participant’s images.
An overview and instruction will be given on creative composition, exposure, flash, HDR photography, light painting and more, enabling you to be fully prepared and able to come away with creative images that truly capture the essence of the place.
A mandatory pre-trek Zoom class will take place a few days prior to the event to answer any questions, get everyone inspired, acquainted and comfortable with recommended settings, gear and what to expect throughout the day.
A full list of details will be emailed several weeks prior to the event. This workshop is suitable for all levels of photo enthusiasts, but being familiar with the settings on your camera is highly recommended. You will be shooting in many areas with low light levels, therefore it is important to be familiar with the operations of your camera. Anyone who is concerned about their level of understanding of their gear should consider scheduling a private lesson with Valerie prior to the event.
Physically, you need to be able to be on your feet and move up and down several flights of stairs for up to five hours. The buildings are not heated or air conditioned, and are in a state of arrested decay. You will be walking through areas of dirt, dust, and some potential hazards, etc. Liability waivers will need to be signed for both Pennhurst and Valerie A Hoffman Photography.
Workshop fee includes instruction before and during the workshop, tour and access to the buildings and grounds-as permitted by Pennhurst.

Gruber Wagon Works Photo Trek
2022-06-25 09:30 - 13:30
The Gruber Wagon Works survives as one of the most complete examples of an integrated rural manufactory of its kind in the nation. Erected in 1882 by Franklin H. Gruber, the wagon works evolved from a single craftsman shop, having a variety of specialized hand tools, into a family-operated business which employed up to 20 men who utilized mass-production methods. Unlike a modern assembly process, wagon parts were transported back and forth between various rooms in order to complete a segment of the work.
Wagon wheels were constructed in the bench shop, and wooden parts of the wagon were made from patterns in the wood shop. Wheels were “tired” and wagons were “ironed” and assembled in the blacksmith shop. The distinctive striping and scrollwork were applied by hand in the paint shop.
During the winter of 1976-77, the Gruber Wagon Works was moved by the Army Corps of Engineers from its original location near Mt. Pleasant. In 1978, the Gruber Wagon Works was designated as a National Historical Landmark by the United States Government, commemorating its historic significance as an industry from a bygone era of American craftsman.
Join us for a fantastic photography workshop in this amazing place! We will have private access to the Wagon Works for 4 hours! Come early and explore the other buildings which make up the Berks Heritage Center. This includes the Wertz’s Covered Bridge, a hidden cemetery with 100 year old tombstones, the very colorful Der Distelfink statue and more!
You’ll have fun photographing and exploring two full floors of vintage wagons and all the tools and textiles that went along with working on them. There is a great collection of vintage wheels, tools, paint cans, work benches and much more! You’ll learn to create more compelling compositions, work with contrasty light, use exposure bracketing to create a series of images that can later be merged into HDR or Hi Dynamic Range images. Some models offer this feature in-camera , so we can work on gaining a better understanding of that feature, as well. This is a great opportunity to learn in a fun and friendly environment!
Ticket fee includes a pre-trek Zoom class, private access to the Wagon Works, instruction throughout the workshop, follow up and access to our private Facebook group.
Workshop is great for all levels of photo enthusiasts! An email will be sent prior to the event with details on the pre-trek Zoom class, what to bring and what to expect. This is a smaller venue, so registration will be kept to a smaller number. So don’t wait-register today!

Abandoned Historic Pump House In Northern New Jersey
2022-08-06 10:00 - 14:00
A peculiar pump house rests in a discrete setting along the Delaware River in Phillipsburg, New Jersey.

In 1885, the People’s Water Company incorporated and designed a system that pumped water from wells and into a raised reservoir. The pump house in Phillipsburg was the source of this People’s Water Company system.
The pump house’s reinforced concrete housing holds a remarkable 51-foot tall water pumping apparatus, also known as Big Alice. Big Alice is a 300-horse power, vertical, triple-expansion, coal-fired, steam-powered engine manufactured by Allis Chalmers of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At the peak of pump house operations, Big Alice pushed 6 million gallons of water each day from its wells to a reservoir on nearby Marble Mountain as it served the Phillipsburg community.
The pumping station was operational until 1969, when a new well system of submerged electric pumps went operational…

The pump house is now under the caring hands of the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center. The heritage center also utilizes the pump house as a storage facility , and what is stored within the walls is an unexpected wealth of fascinating artifacts, especially to an urban explorer’s eye. Inside and outside the pump house are mostly New Jersey transportation-related signs, lampposts, spare parts, rail sections, and vehicles, retained for a future Heritage Center museum.

While the pump house stood for decades like a silent reminder of Phillipsburg’s industrial past, in 2018, the Friends of the New Jersey Transportation Heritage Center completed the restoration of the steam-powered engine. The triple-expansion steam engine now asserts operational status and is the largest working standing steam engine in North America. (history and description of the pump house was taken from Cindy Vasko’s book, “Abandoned Northern New Jersey”, Homage To Lost Dreams. Used with the author’s permission. Follow her on Instagram:@cindyvasko_photography. I highly recommend all of her many abandoned series of books!)

Join me as we make a trip back in time, with private access to photographically explore this amazing pump house and property. 4 hours will fly by as you find unique compositions of Big Alice, and all of the amazing artifacts scattered about. There is also an abandoned bus, and house on the property that are open to be carefully explored. Registration number will be kept small to allow the opportunity for participants to get images without other people in their shots.

Instruction will be given during a pre-trek class(via Zoom), and throughout the extent of the workshop, on composition, exposure, overcoming the lighting challenges, gear and more. An image review of participant images will follow shortly after the Trek.
Registration all includes participation in a private Facebook group where you will be able to see other participant’s images and continue the learning process in a fun and friendly community.

Complete details will be email prior to the event

Abandoned JW Cooper School Photo Trek-SOLD OUT!
2022-10-08 10:00 - 14:00 | JW Cooper Community Center, United States
The J.W. Cooper school, located in the coal mining town of Shenandoah, PA, was built in 1918. In the 1920s and 1930s, Shenandoah had a population of approximately 30,000 residents. Before opening as the Shenandoah High School, it was commandeered during the Spanish flu epidemic and used as a temporary hospital and morgue, since the local hospital was overrun by the large number of victims. In May of 1919, the building was dedicated as the “new Shenandoah High School. It was later renamed the J.W. Cooper High School after the School’s first principal. The school later became an elementary school prior to its closing in 1994. There have been several owners since that time, with little work happening to restore the structure. In the late 2000s, a local business owner stepped in to try to save this historic building that was once the home to tens of thousands of students. The new owner immediately got to work removing tons of trash and making the structure safe to enter. His goal is to use the building as a mixed use facility for local businesses, and revive the theatre to once again hold performances. A portion of the registration fee will go towards helping in the restoration effort.

The Cooper school is currently in a state of arrested decay. The gymnasium, with hoops and basketballs and old wooden floor is a neat place to photograph, as are the many school rooms with memorabilia scattered about. The decaying pool area is an interesting place to explore and photograph, as are the many side rooms that contain theatre props, desks, books and more. The auditorium is by far the coolest place to creatively explore, with the stage and most of the seats still in tact. The room takes on an eerie green glow from the light bouncing about from the unlit ceiling and walls. There is also a balcony to give even more opportunities for a truly unique abandoned photography adventure.

The school has 4 floors and is not handicap accessible. You will be wandering through areas covered in various states of dirt and debris. Caution will need to be taken as you explore. We will have 4 hours to wander the property. A brief tour will be given at the start, which will also detail any areas that may be unsafe or off limits. Participants must adhere to any and all instructions given by the owner.

This will be a 3 part workshop. Part one will be an informational Zoom class on either October 5th. The trek itself will run from 10am-2pm. Following will be an hour long editing class held via Zoom. More details will be given through email a few weeks prior to the event.

A minimum number of participants is needed to run this event. If for some reason we would need to cancel, money will be put towards a future event.

Transportation to JW Cooper School is not included. We will meet at the school.

Flemings Pumpkin Run Full day of Photo Fun!!!
2022-11-05
Nestled on the edge of the Pine Barrens in New Jersey, is an awesome junk yard full of vintage automobiles, memorabilia, an old diner, dinosaurs and more! Sadly, Flemings has been closed to photographers and workshops due to past destruction of property. I had the privilege of spending a few hours touring the place while in the area-and immediately fell in love with the rows and rows and acres and acres of rusty, abandoned – yet very photogenic things.

Thankfully, Flemings puts on a wonderful event that grows year after year-and this is our opportunity to to wander the place and photograph all this salvage yard holds. The Flemings Pumpkin Run is an all day event, running from 8-4pm. Harry Fleming, the owner, describes the event as “a gathering of enthusiasts from all aspects of mechanical machinery. The vehicles range from, but not limited to, Antiques, Classics, Street Rods, Lead Sleds, Rat Rods, Muscle cars, Motorcycles, Military, and Vintage Race cars. Hit & Miss Engines, Steam and Gas powered tractors, Farm Equipment, and Semis can be seen. Other attractions include a restored diner & sawmill, replica gas & train station, along with two vintage race car museums.” Sounds like an awesome event to me!

Setting this up as a Photo Walk, which means that I will be photographing as well as assisting participants as we wander the grounds in search of creative images. A presentation will be given via Zoom prior to the event to give a brief tour of the salvage yard and what you can expect. We will discuss gear choice, and creative composition, exposure settings and more! You can wander around as part of the group, or move about on your own, and meet up with the group throughout the day. Vendors will be there to keep us nourished, although, the lines can be quite long.

Transportation, lodging, food and entrance fee of approximately $10 not included in photo walk price

Pennhurst Asylum Photo Trek-Multiple Buildings!! -
2022-11-12 12:00 - 16:00 | Pennhurst Asylum, 250 Commonwealth Dr, Spring City, PA, 19475, United States
Pennhurst was an institution for mentally and physically disabled individuals of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Constructed and opened in 1908 as a state school for the mentally and physically disabled, Pennhurst’s property was vast, covering 120 acres. Created to house over 10,000 patients, Pennhurst was one of the largest institutions of its kind in Pennsylvania. It was devoted strictly to the care, treatment and education of the disabled. Originally named Pennhurst Home for the Feeble Minded and Epileptic, it finally was just called Pennhurst State School.
After a decade of controversy, it closed on December 9, 1987. Pennhurst fell into complete ruin as the complex was shut down. Buildings were abandoned as they were, with patient’s clothes and belongings strewn about. Furniture, cabinets and medical equipment were left to decay as if someone had just got up and walked out the front door. This is the place that will eventually resurrect into one of the most studied properties in the ghost hunter media, and will become an amazing haunted attraction. The history is as fascinating as it is sad.
Join us as we photographically explore this remarkable and erie place! We will have access to the Mayflower building and the newly reopened Devon building! 3 buildings are now open to tour and photograph, but due to time constraints, we will focus on these two, as they offer the most photographic opportunities!!! .
A brief history will be given at the start of the tour, then we will be free to photographically explore. The group will work through the two different buildings together, but will have more than enough room so as not to interfere with other participant’s images.
An overview and instruction will be given on creative composition, exposure, flash, HDR photography, light painting and more, enabling you to be fully prepared and able to come away with creative images that truly capture the essence of the place.
A mandatory pre-trek Zoom class will take place a few days prior to the event to answer any questions, get everyone inspired, acquainted and comfortable with recommended settings, gear and what to expect throughout the day.
A full list of details will be emailed several weeks prior to the event. This workshop is suitable for all levels of photo enthusiasts, but being familiar with the settings on your camera is highly recommended. You will be shooting in many areas with low light levels, therefore it is important to be familiar with the operations of your camera. Anyone who is concerned about their level of understanding of their gear should consider scheduling a private lesson with Valerie prior to the event.
Physically, you need to be able to be on your feet and move up and down several flights of stairs for up to five hours. The buildings are not heated or air conditioned, and are in a state of arrested decay. You will be walking through areas of dirt, dust, and some potential hazards, etc. Liability waivers will need to be signed for both Pennhurst and Valerie A Hoffman Photography.
Workshop fee includes instruction before and during the workshop, tour and access to the buildings and grounds-as permitted by Pennhurst. Also included is an image review via zoom following the trek, and access to our private FB group, where you will be able to see what others in the group photographed, share your own and receive feedback on images. A great way to continue the learning process! Alumni from the April trek should contact me directly for a discounted rate.
Pennhurst is located at: 250 Commonwealth Dr, Spring City, PA 19475

Longwood Christmas Photo Trek
2022-12-13 16:00 - 20:00
Longwood Gardens is spectacular in any season, but it is transformed into a magical place during the holiday season. With more than 400,000 twinkling lights strung on nearly 40 miles of wire, this is a photographer’s paradise, and it has become an annual photo trek favorite. Join us as we make amazing images worthy of creating your own holiday cards and gifts!
We will meet at 4pm to ensure we are inside before the worst of the evening traffic, and to be set up and in place as the sun sets and the magic begins. We will continue photographing during the “Blue Hour”, which allows for more dramatic images. We will photograph the amazing light displays outside throughout the grounds, until the need for hot chocolate takes over. We will then take a short break indoors to warm back up, let our cameras begin acclimating to the warmer indoor temperatures, review our images, then head over to the conservatory to capture the beauty and glow on the inside, as time allows.
Tripods are not allowed inside at this time, so this will be a great time to get comfortable with photographing at high ISOs and perfect your hand-holding skills in low light.
This workshop is for beginners and more advanced photo enthusiasts. No special gear is required beyond a DSLR, camera strap and tripod(for outside). A Star filter would be helpful for creative affects of the lights. Fast Lenses, with apertures such as f/2.8 or 1.8 will be a huge benefit in the conservatory.
Instruction will be given on shooting in full manual exposure, how to properly meter and photograph in low light-both outdoors and indoors, lens choice and why it matters; creative composition; HDR or High Dynamic Range Photography; and more!
This event is being scheduled on a week night to avoid the large weekend crowds. You should plan on arriving at least one half hour prior to workshop start time to allow for traffic and parking. Please plan your schedules accordingly.
Admission to Longwood is NOT included, as most attendees either are-or choose to become members of the gardens. More details to follow several weeks prior to the event.
Upon registration you should immediately go online and reserve a timed ticket. A minimum of participants is needed to run this event. In case of hazardous weather, the trek will take place on Thursday December 15, 2022. The workshop will take place in light rain or snow.

Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania Photo Trek
2022-12-17 10:00 - 14:00
Located in Strasburg, near Lancaster, PA, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania houses one of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world. Devoted to preserving and interpreting the broad impact of railroad development on society, the Museum displays over 100 locomotives and cars from the mid-19th and 20th centuries, including the priceless Pennsylvania Railroad Historical Collection.
This is a fantastic place to explore and shoot images with wonderful historic settings as backdrops to the amazing collection of trains. From wide angle to telephoto and macro images, the creative possibilities are endless! This is an especially great place to practice HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography.
We will have a pre-trek class via Zoom to get ready for the trek. During the class and throughout the event, instruction will be given on composition, how to best expose for the variations in light and color balance, lens choices and more. There will also be tons of tips given on how to approach your subjects to compose your images with depth and creativity. Join us for a fun morning of photography that is designed for beginners and those more advanced.
In addition, participants will have the opportunity to photograph the Strasburg RR cars decorated for the holidays, and potentially photograph them in action!
Admission to the museum is included in the cost of the trek!
Also included in the cost is a post trek image review via Zoom, and membership in our private Facebook group, where you can continue the learning while becoming part of a great group of photographers!
More details will be sent via email a few weeks prior to the even.

AACA Museum Photo Trek_postponed
2023-01-14 10:00 - 14:00 | AACA museum, 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
The AACA – or Antique Automobile Club of America Museum is a one-of-a-kind journey of discovery and entertainment. As you make your way through the museum, you’ll discover a number of vintage automobiles in unique scenes and settings. From old bikes and buses to motorcycles and cars, everywhere you look is a piece of nostalgia. The AACA Museum has been named “Reader’s Choice for Best Museum” and “Best Tourist Attraction” for their innovative and ever-changing displays.

Join us as we spend a fun morning together, learning to see and compose more creatively, and capture images that you’ll love-whether you are a big automotive fan or not! As we carefully wander through three floors of amazing displays, you will find that the photo opps are limitless! Compositions will range from macro and close up details of car parts-such as emblems, hood ornaments, and chrome-polished grills, to wide angle views and much more! No matter what lens options you have, you will learn how to create compelling and unique images!

Instruction will be given on how to compositionally break down a scene into simple, creative elements. We will focus on how aperture plays a key role in the creative look of the image. We will discuss White Balance, low-light exposures, where to focus and how to get greater depth of focus by focus bracketing and stacking, and more. The museum is also a great place to play around with HDR-High Dynamic Range photography, enabling you to come away with an artsy rendering of your images.
Note: This trek will also includes special access to a building housing many vehicles that are not currently on display in the main museum! A great opportunity!
This workshop is perfect for beginners, as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. A detailed email of what to bring and where to meet will be sent out about a week prior to the trek to help you best prepare. We will also have a Zoom class a few days prior to the event which will give an overview of the museum and potential subjects, give tips on composition and exposure and more.

Located at 161 Museum Drive in Hershey PA. The workshop runs from 9:30am-1:30pm. We will meet at the main entrance to the museum just before 9:30am. In case of inclement weather, we will reschedule to the following Sunday February , 2020, same time.
Entrance fees to the both the main museum and the garage containing vehicles not currently on display are included in the cost of the workshop!

Barry's Car Barn Photo Trek
2023-01-28 09:30 - 13:30
Take a trip down memory lane, and join us as we take a photographic tour through Barry’s Car Barn-an amazing collection of American muscle cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s (and a few others, in there as well). You will also find a wonderful collection of automotive related memorabilia from the same time period. The barn is jam-packed with colorful cars, trucks, motorcycles, gas pumps, signs and so much more. You will run out of energy long before you run out of neat subjects and cool compositions to play with!
Instruction will be given before and during the workshop on how to handle the very contrasty light, the use of exposure compensation and bracketing, how to compose creative images of lines of cars and individual pieces and parts. You’ll focus on color, shapes, lines, patterns and textures. This is a truly fun place to spend a few hours in the warmth learning to become a better and more creative photographer.
Full details will emailed prior to the workshop, as well as during a pre-trek Zoom class, where we will review images from my trip and discuss gear, settings and creative composition. This workshop is well-suited for beginners, as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. We can work with whatever gear you have. This is another fantastic place that you won’t want to miss!
Barry’s Car Barn is located in beautiful Lancaster County, PA. 3504 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA

Tuesdays Together-Setting Up A Fail Proof Back Up System
2023-01-31 19:00 - 20:00
This week we will be discussing how to protect your precious digital files from loss. Most photographers know they need a good system. Many have implemented some things to protect them, but fall short of a preventing a complete loss. These things could come from computer failure, fire, theft, lightning or power surges, accidental damage to hard drives, etc. The start of a new year is a great time to put something so important finally into place!
Join me via Zoom, as we discuss a few simple steps you can take to protect your images-and all your precious files from being lost for good.
There is no charge for this event!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89158470812?pwd=[REDACTED]

Tuesdays Together_Capturing the Wonders of Weather
2023-02-07 19:00 - 20:00
This week’s lesson will be on photographing all the different nuances of weather. We will discuss what to watch out for, when to get out and shoot, where to go, what gear to use and more! Come ready to learn and be inspired!
Many have been asking how to contribute to this endeavor. This week’s session will be open for a donation, which can be made through the CASH app or PayPal, to my email: vahoffman22@gmail.com
Join this weekly gathering where we learn, laugh and hopefully get a good dose of inspiration to improve our understanding of a wide variety of photographic topics. Come in a few minutes early to chat!
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89158470812?pwd=[REDACTED]

Close UP & Macro Photography Workshop_SOLD OUT!!!
2023-02-11 10:00 - 14:00
Tired of sitting around staring out the window at the cold, gray skies, longing for Spring? Me, too, and I have a great way to chase away those winter blues for you!
At Longwood Gardens, winter is anything but cold and dreary! Step inside the warm 4-acre Conservatory. Feel the warmth and breathe in the scents of Spring! Discover vibrant orchids and countless other spring beauties crafted into exquisite arrangements and forms.
Join us as we photographically explore the beauty and intricate delicateness of a wide variety of flowers and plants. We will spend the morning photographing exclusively in the conservatory. The emphasis on this Trek will be all aspects of Macro & Close UP photography. Instruction will be given on recommended gear-but also how to come away with great images with whatever gear you have; white balance, exposure and depth of field, how to find or create a clean background, overcoming focusing challenges with Focus Stacking, dealing with contrasty light, use of fill flash, best practices for close up photography, creative composition, gear challenges and how to properly use your tools, and more! We will also explore how to take your creative possibilities to a new level with Soft-Focus lenses, accessories and In-Camera Double Exposures.
Working with whatever camera gear you have, you will receive hands-on instruction and feedback, as well as learn in a fun and friendly environment. A tripod and close focusing lens are highly recommended for this Trek. A detailed email will be sent about a week prior to the event with everything you will need to know.
To help facilitate the learning process in a way that allows for more in-field shooting, there will be a pre-trek Zoom class the week prior to the workshop. As an added value to help round out your learning from the event, we will have a post-trek image review, also via Zoom. Participants will be able to share images and get feedback during the image review, and as part of our private Facebook group-for our workshop attendees only!
Group size is kept small to give the greatest opportunity for learning. Sells out quickly! Sign up now to secure your spot!
Admission to the gardens is not included in the cost of the workshop. In case of inclement winter weather, we will reschedule for Saturday, February 18th.
Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA 19348

Tuesday Together_Image Review and Editing Tips
2023-02-14 19:00 - 20:00
This week’s event fall on an important holiday. As I know many of you will be occupied doing something special with someone special, I’m making this a free event for those who are available.
During our original Tuesdays Together series during the COVID lockdown, we did several image reviews, and the feedback on them was fantastic. Most photographers capture the best image they know how, and are not sure how they could have improved the image, both out in the field, and then after capture in post processing. Join us as we review several participant images, where we will discuss composition, light, lens and aperture choice, and potential ways to improve your images-both in the field and in post processing.
In appreciate for the support shown to me and my business, I’ll share the love by making this week’s event absolutely free! And the first 5 people that respond to either through the website, email or FB will be invited to share one of their images for the review!
No registration required. Just click the link below to join us via Zoom. Doors open around 6:45pm ET
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89158470812?pwd=[REDACTED]

Tuesdays Together_The Beauty of Black and White
2023-02-21 19:00 - 20:00
I tend to gravitate towards bold color subjects and images, but there are many scenes and subjects that are far better as black and whites than in color. These images tend to be more graphically pleasing and moody. Shooting in/or converting to black and white in post processing reveals lines, shapes, texture and dimension far better than a color image ever could. There are also certain lighting situations that just lend themselves better in black and white.
Understanding when to shoot for black and white, and how to convert a color image and edit to bring out the best is a tool that should be in everyone’s photographic toolbox!
Join us as we discuss what types of scenes and subjects lend themselves to black and white imagery, and then best practices for editing them in Adobe LR. These tips will help no matter what software you use.
Cost is only $5! Session will be recorded and available for you to watch if unable to join us live, and to watch again at a later date!
Zoom link will be sent upon registration

How Well Do You know Your Camera?
2023-02-28 19:00 - 20:00
Very few of us have taken the time to completely learn about all the features, buttons, modes, dials, and options available in our cameras. You can’t imagine the number of times I have heard, “I didn’t know I could do that!” or, “I’m not sure if I have that feature or not” during one of our workshops.
The majority of people learn just enough to make them functional, but little enough to keep them confused or intimidated with their gear. Whether you have a new or older camera, they all can be a bit confusing. It should be everyone’s aim to fully understand your camera, so that can fully take advantage of how to use it as a the creative tool that it is.
Join us this week as I go through a majority of the features, functions, modes, buttons and dials available on most all cameras. We’ll discuss when to use them and why. You may be surprised at what has been hidden only a few clicks away!
This event will be held via Zoom, and cost is only $5. Grab your ticket today. Zoom link will be sent upon registration.
Feel free to share this with your friends!

Understanding Exposure
2023-03-07 19:00 - 20:30
This week we will dive into all aspects of exposure-what it is and what affects it, what is the Exposure Triangle and how to know what settings to use when, what is a correct exposure vs a creatively correct exposure and more!
There will be time to ask questions during and after presentation. Take the mystery out of getting perfect exposures every time! Join us!

Understanding The Histogram and How Your Camera's Meter Works For Perfect Exposures Every Time!
2023-03-14 19:00 - 20:30
Getting well-exposed images should not be an accident or every-now-and-then thing, but be a series of simple steps and settings to use every time you compose an image. In this class, participants will gain a greater understanding of how their camera’s meter actually works, what types of subjects and lighting conditions might “fool” the meter, how to get a perfect exposure nearly 100% of the time and more! We will spend time discussing and demystifying the camera’s histogram, and learn why it is an essential ingredient to every image. Join us for this foundational discussion on one of the most important things every photographer needs to understand.

Agricultural & Industrial Museum Photo Trek
2023-03-18 10:00 - 14:00 | agricultural and industrial museum, 217 W Princess St, York, PA, United States
Learn about York County’s vast contributions to the progress of agriculture and industry. Housed in a former factory complex, the York, PA museum features two floors with over 20 exhibits highlighting 300 years of transportation, agriculture and the development of manufacturing and industry.
Step into a 1916 trolley car or sit in the seat of a 1940 train switcher engine in the Transportation Gallery. Explore the Local Industry Galleries to try your hand at using rotary phones operated by a 1930s switchboard. Discover what it’s like to milk a dairy cow in the Agricultural Gallery and check out the working 3-story grist mill during your visit. You will also be able to enjoy exhibits on pottery making, casket manufacturing, wallpaper creation, pianos and organs, as well as the York Plan, which was York’s industrial contribution to World War II. Before leaving, do not miss the Hall of Giants Gallery to see a 72-ton A-frame ammonia compressor used for producing ice in the early 1900s. (from their website)
The A & I Museum is a fantastic place to visit and photograph! This 3-part workshop is for photographers of all skill levels. We will begin with a pre-trek Zoom session which will cover everything you need to know during the workshop. We will review images, exposure settings, camera gear and more! During the event, instruction will be given on finding unique subjects, and how to expose your images in such a challenging environment. We will review many other camera settings and techniques, with an emphasis on how to compose images in a more creative and compelling way. With a huge variety of subjects to focus on, the museum holds opportunities to come away with unique truly unique images of planes, trolleys, automobiles, industrial machinery and so much more! This is also a great place to work on creating artistic HDR-or High Dynamic Range images.
A wide angle lens, mid range telephoto, lens hoods and tripod are about all the gear you need to bring. I’ll help you create amazing images with whatever gear you have. To best help you prepare, a detailed email with zoom links and information will be sent to all participants a week to 10 days prior to the event. There will also be a post-trek image review held via Zoom the following week, to review images together and give further tips on creative post processing
Cost of admission to the museum is included in the registration fee. Transportation to and from the event is not included. We will meet at the main entrance a few minutes prior to the event start time. Workshop will run 10am – 2pm. Join as we explore another treasure in Southeast PA!
The Agricultural & Industrial Museum is located at: 217 W Princess St, York, PA 17401

Understanding Aperture and How To Use It Creatively
2023-03-21 19:00 - 20:30
In this week’s Foundations of Photography lesson, we discuss what is arguably the most important component of the Exposure Triangle-aperture. We will discuss how aperture affects depth of field and the aesthetic mood of the image, best choices for different shooting situations, limitations and considerations and more! Join us for a greater understanding of this critical aspect of your camera’s exposure settings.

Understanding Shutter Speed and How To Use It Creatively
2023-03-28 19:00 - 20:30
This week’s lesson deals with another foundational element of photography, and key component of the Exposure Triangle. We will take the mystery out of when to choose shutter speeds over aperture settings, what is Shutter Priority and when to use it, and best settings for a variety of different scenes and subjects. Join us as we learn to use shutter speeds to create more compelling images!

Understanding Manual Exposure Mode-When, Why, How to Use It With Ease
2023-04-04 19:00 - 20:00
Over the past several weeks, we have been discussing some of the most important and foundational elements of photography. We began with an understanding of what Exposure is and and how to control it. Next we discussed how and why our cameras actually come up with the meter readings they give us, and how to handle the times it gives us an incorrect reading. We also discussed how to read and understand the camera’s histogram. From there we spent two weeks discussing how to know which settings (aperture, shutter speeds and ISO) to used for different scenarios and why. We also went through a bunch of those scenarios showing how to use these settings creatively.
In this lesson, we discuss using manual exposure mode – when, why, how to use it. We’ll talk about the difference between Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and shooting in full manual, and what types of scenes require that you take full control of your camera’s exposure settings. We discuss where the camera’s meter fails, and will once again reference the histogram and what role it plays in getting correct exposures every time.
If you missed any of the previous lessons, you can still feel to join us! If you struggle with understanding exposure and how to set your camera properly, then I encourage you to take the guess work out using your camera and gain the knowledge you need to truly understand key camera settings to give you great results every time. You can still watch the recordings of each session. They are only $10 each. Just contact me (use the “contact”and I’ll get you set right up, so you can catch up with this series!

Understanding Lenses
2023-04-11 19:00 - 20:00
Are you confused about all those numbers on your lenses? Or when to use which one? Or, maybe you’re just getting into photography and you are not sure which lens/lenses will be right for you. Lens choice is probably the most important decision you will make regarding image quality and style-next to the camera body itself. Gaining a strong understanding of lenses could save you a ton of money over time, helping you minimize your gear by only purchasing what you truly need.
Join us this week as we take a deep-dive into all things lenses. We will discuss what all those numbers mean-from the aperture to filter size , to focal length and more. We will talk about the difference between wide angle, mid-range and telephoto lenses, as well as their practical uses. You’ll understand the difference between a “fast” and “slow” lens is-and why it matters.
Once we cover the basics, we will talk about how to use these lenses in a more creative and compelling way. Your lenses are your artistic tool. Learn to use them to their fullest potential!

Intro To Night Sky Photography
2023-04-18 19:00 - 20:00
On our next Tuesdays together session, we will discuss some of the most common things to photograph in the night skies.
We’ll talk about moon phases and best practices to get great shots. We will also discuss photographing stars, star trails and the Milky Way-as the MW Core is now visible again in the early morning sky.
Join us as we discuss what gear you will need (you can get started with just about anything), when to shoot, what settings to use, useful apps for planning and more!
Only $10! Don’t miss it!
If you are unable to join us on Tuesday night, you can still register and I’ll send a copy of the recording and any notes created, so you can go through the info on your own.

Tuesdays Together-Photographing Fireworks
2023-04-25 19:00 - 20:00
One of the best parts of summer and other times of celebration, are the amazing fireworks displays that are often held. Who doesn’t love seeing fireworks? The brilliant colors that light up the night skies can be magical.
Many people try to photographically capture those beautiful bursts with little or no success.
I have been photographing fireworks for decades, and would love to share a variety of tips and techniques with you to help you capture stunning – and creative images of fireworks and similar displays.
Join me as we discuss gear choices, composition, exposure settings and some creative tips and tricks. If time allows, we will also go through a few quick editing tips, as well.

Waterfall Photography Full Day Adventure In the Poconos
2023-05-20 08:00 - 16:00
Pennsylvania is blessed with a ton of beautiful waterfalls! A high concentration of them can be found in the Poconos/Delaware Water Gap area. We will spend the day exploring and photographing as many as we can fit into the day!
The event will begin with a pre-trek zoom class detailing potential shooting locations, gear suggestions, techniques, settings and more. No special gear needed, but a camera that can be controlled manually, a sturdy tripod and circular polarizer are highly recommended. A detailed list of gear suggestions will be emailed prior to the event.
Hands-on instruction will be given throughout the entire day.
Join us as we photograph some of the more accessible, less traveled and picturesque falls in the area.
We will meet at 8:00am-or earlier, to take advantage of the soft, early morning light. Participants can travel on their own or carpool together to locations

Birds, Beach, and Boardwalk - Full Day of Photography At the Jersey Shore
2023-06-10 | Ocean City Welcome Center, 300 W 9th St, Ocean City, PA, 08226, United States
For those who love bird photography, there are few places on the east coast that provide more opportunities to photograph a large variety of species with so little effort. The Rookery at the Ocean City Welcome Center is a fantastic spot for photographing birds in flight, nesting birds, and possibly some babies, too! Species normally found there include great egrets, black-crowned night herons, glossy ibis, white ibis and more.
We will begin early in the morning at the rookery, and spend several hours photographing the birds from a variety of vantage points, both from the bridge above and ground level below. When the group has had their fill, we will take a break and grab a bite to eat. We then have several options available depending on the group preference. We can visit another nearby wildlife refuge for more bird photography-this time potentially including osprey, then wander the boardwalk playing with a bunch of creative compositions and techniques. For those interested in staying the entire day, we will photograph sunset and blue hour from the beach, create long exposure images of the surf and pier, then head to the amusement areas for some creative light painting doing long exposures with the amusement rides.
This will be a full day of fun and photography for all levels of photographers. We can work with whatever gear you have, but to best capture the birds up close, a minimum of 300mm lens is suggested. Telephoto lenses that extend to 400 or 600mm are ideal. If you do not have a long telephoto lens, there are a variety of places that rent them for the day or weekend. More details will be given a few weeks prior to the event. A super wide angle to mid-range lens would work best for the boardwalk and amusement rides.
Full details will be given several weeks prior to the event. This will include lodging suggestions for those that may be traveling from several hours away. If interested in staying overnight, you should secure a hotel as soon as possible
A pre-trek class will take place via Zoom prior to the event to go through all the details for the day. We will review images of what you can expect to see and shoot, and instruction on all techniques to use throughout the day. Participants should be comfortable with their camera and how to change settings such as aperture, shutter speeds, ISO, focus points, etc. Instruction will be given throughout the entirety of the day.
Workshop fee includes admission to our private Facebook group, where you will become part of a friendly and fun community of photo enthusiasts, be able to share images from the day, and interact with not only other participants from this workshop, but those who have participated in past workshops, as well. It is a fantastic way to stay in touch and continue the learning long beyond the event itself. Fee also includes an image review following the workshop. Participants will share 1 or 2 images which we will review together. You will receive helpful feedback on your images, including suggestions you could make to improve the image, as well as editing tips to help bring out the best in your images.
Event is weather-permitting. In case of rain, we will reschedule to Saturday June 17th. Same time
Transportation to Ocean City and meals are not included. We will carpool from our first meeting location as we travel throughout the day.

Pro Cycle Racing at the Velodrome
2023-06-18 17:00 - 21:00
The World Series of Bicycling is the premiere cycling series in the world. For each of the past 40 summers, the Lehigh Valley has been home to the greatest local and international cyclists in the world. In past years, as many as 15 different nations have been represented, and 12 Olympians have taken part in the World Series of Bicycling. Nowhere else in the region can you see that level of competition.

Come enjoy a fun evening learning to capture pro cycle racing at its finest at the Velodrome/Valley Preferred Cycle Center in Trexlertown, PA. We will teach you everything you need to know to come away with great images! You will learn how to capture and freeze motion, use flash creatively, create images using Panning techniques, zoom blurs and more!

We will have “Press Passes” which will allow us to photograph from virtually anywhere around and within the track!

A DSLR or mirrorless camera and zoom in the range of 18-55 or 18-200 is all you need. Lenses that open up to f/2.8 or the 50mm f/ 1.8 will work best in the lower light. Bring any camera with fully charged batteries and lots of memory cards! This event is weather permitting. Events cannot take place in the rain. In the event of bad weather, we will reschedule to another Friday night. (tentatively Aug 26th)

To help you better prepare, there will be a pre-trek class held via Zoom on Wednesday June 14th, from 6:30-7:30pm. The class is mandatory. If you are unable to make the zoom session, it will be recorded and available later that evening.

Registration includes the pre-trek class and entrance to all races for the evening! Also include a post-trek group image review, as well as membership to our private Facebook group to continue the learning as part of a fun and friendly community!

A minimum number of participants is needed to run this workshop.A detailed informational letter will be sent upon registration. There are a limited number of spots available, so don’t wait to sign up!

Valley Preferred Cycling Center, 1151 Mosser Rd, Breinigsville, PA 18031
Rain date: Saturday or Sunday, 15th & 16th

Shooting Sports Like A Pro at The Reading Fightin' Phils!
2023-07-01 18:30 - 22:00 | Reading Phillies
What better way to enjoy summer than spending an evening at a baseball game? And for the photo enthusiast, what better way to enjoy the game than capturing the action like the pros in the press area! We will have special access during the entire game to shoot in the private areas along the first and third base dugouts. We will also be able to shoot from a variety of locations throughout the stadium. Instructors will be there to help you capture the action with whatever gear, and whatever level of photographic knowledge you have.
We will begin with a pre-trek Zoom class a few days prior, to go over all the shooting details and settings you would use to capture the action. This will include specifics on gear choices, exposure settings, best focusing practices, anticipating the action, dealing with tricky lighting-including flicker from stadium lights, and more. This will also include detailed instruction on how to photograph fireworks.
As an added bonus, there will be a spectacular fireworks display after the game that we will photograph from a great location. Don’t miss this fun and fantastic opportunity to capture baseball images like a pro in an absolutely fun environment!
Rain date for this event will be Saturday, July 29th. A detailed informational letter will be sent to participants approximately one week prior to the trek. Note: trek ends after the fireworks display at the end of the game.
Maximum of 6 participants, so don’t wait to register. Event will likely sell out quickly!
Location: First Energy Stadium, 1900 Centre Ave, Reading, PA 19601
