Jenkins Arboretum
2021-05-08 09:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Jenkins Arboretum, 631 Berwyn Baptist Rd, Devon, PA, 19333, United States
Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is one of eastern Pennsylvania’s great horticultural and environmental assets. As a botanical garden, the Arboretum maintains a collection of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns in a tranquil, naturalistic landscape. In addition, the Arboretum features a diverse collection of rhododendrons and azaleas from around the world. The unique landscape and diverse plant collections provide sanctuary for a variety of birds, insects and other wildlife.

Join us as we capture the beauty of spring blooms in one of the most intimate yet lesser known gardens in the area. Winding wooded paths weave through gorgeous azalea blooms, where the colors will mesmerize you as you capture amazing images. Meeting in the morning will provide the best light to capture the beauty of the landscape. We will focus on the intimate details, as well as the grander view of the gardens, using a variety of techniques. Special attention will be given to composition, exposure and lens choice, as well as how to use different lenses to control perspective and direct the viewer’s eye. We will work with reflectors to help control the light, and other useful accessories. A detailed email will be sent to all participants prior to the trek. Feel free to contact me with any questions prior to the event.

This workshop is for beginners, as well as more advanced enthusiasts. No special equipment is required. Recommended equipment is wide angle to mid range telephoto lens, a macro lens or other close up accessories such as extension tubes. Also polarizers and lens hoods for each lens are highly recommended.

Trek is from 9 am – 12:30 am. Rain date will be Sunday May 9, same time.

Group size will be kept to a smaller than usual size as a COVID precaution. See other COVID policies listed. A minimum number of participants are needed to run this trek. Please register early to secure your spot.

Pennhurst Asylum Photo Trek
2021-05-01 13:30 - 17:30
Pennhurst was an institution for the 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 belonging 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. Join us as we photographically explore this remarkable and eerie place!

We will have access to the Mayflower building and several tunnels, as well as touring the grounds(with guides). A brief history will be given at the start of the tour, then we will be free to photograph in specific areas at our leisure. Instruction will be given throughout the workshop on creative composition, exposure, flash, HDR photography, light painting and more! This will enable you to truly capture the essence of the place.

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 very low light conditions, so a sturdy tripod is a must. Physically, you need to be able to be on your feet and move up and down several flights of stairs for up to four hours. The buildings are not heated or air conditioned, and are in a state of arrested decay. Liability waivers will need to be signed for both Pennhurst and Valerie A Hoffman Photography.

Workshop fee includes Zoom informational instruction prior to the event, tour and access to the building and grounds-as permitted by Pennhurst, and an editing class after the trek. The pre-trek class will cover details of the area, recommended gear, how to properly expose for creative images, creative composition, light painting and more. The post-trek editing class will cover basic and creative edits in AdobeLightroom Classic, and how to edit your bracketed images into cool HDR images using Photomatix Pro. This software is simple to use and gives you the ability to create artistic images with ease. If you do not own this software, a trial version can be downloaded for free, and a discount code will be given during the class for those interested in purchasing it.

Landscape Photography Photo Trek
2021-03-20 10:00 - 13:30 | Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Square, PA, 19348, United States
Usually at this time of year, we have a great macro photography event at Longwood Gardens during their annual Orchid Extravaganza. This year the Orchid Event did not take place for a variety of reasons due to the on-going pandemic. In addition, the new “No Tripods Indoors COVID Policy” would make a macro photography event that much more challenging-if not impossible. BUT, I’m really tired of the cold, gray days of winter, and am ready to focus on spring! I know many of you are right there with me, so… we’re mixing it up a little. Instead of focusing on the intimate tiny details of flowers, we will instead focus on the bigger picture-the amazing overall beauty of the gardens, capturing the grand landscape. INDOORS. In the warmth, surrounded by the beauty of spring flowers.

Instruction will be given on how to best capture beautiful images that include drama and depth. We will discuss the impact aperture choice and depth of field have on your images, how and where to focus within the scene, creative composition, controlling exposure-especially in harsh lighting situations, using filters for greater impact and color depth, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this new opportunity!

Due to COVID policies and out of an abundance of caution, the number of participants will be limited. Also, in order to help facilitate the learning process while social distancing, there will be a pre-trek class held on Zoom, approximately one week prior to the event. During the class we will go through recommended gear and how to properly use it to enhance your images. We will also review a variety of images to help inspire and get your creative juices flowing, while teaching important techniques on lens choice, composition, exposure, depth of field and more. Several creative techniques will also be demonstrated, such as creating great bokeh backgrounds, in camera multiple exposures, zoom bursts, shoot-thrus, exposure bracketing, and more-all without the use of a tripod! This class will be recorded and available to if class date does not coincide with your schedule.

This trek will be great for beginners as well as more advanced photo enthusiasts. A prior understanding of your camera will be helpful, as this will not be a specific lesson on any one camera but on appropriate settings which all cameras that are able to be set manually will have.

Since having Timed Tickets IN ADVANCE is the only way to gain access to the gardens, and due to the limited amount of spots available on this workshop, it is highly recommended that you sign up as soon as possible in order to get your ticket at the time the group will be entering, and to reserve your spot.

Simeone Automotive Museum
2021-03-13 10:00 - 13:30 | Simeone Museum, 6825 Norwitch Drive, Philadelphia, PA, 19153, United States
Located in Philadelphia, PA (near the airport), the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum is one of the world’s greatest collections of racing sports cars. From their website: “Through the theme, “The Spirit of Competition”, we celebrate the history and evolution of these magnificent machines. Assembled over 50 years by Dr. Frederick Simeone, the Museum contains over 65 historically significant cars including Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, Mercedes, Jaguar, Bentley, Porsche, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford and more.”

The museum is an amazing place to photograph-whether you are into cars or not! There are so many creative options! Come break the winter doldrums with us as we explore this hidden gem.

Workshop is geared for beginners and more advanced photo enthusiasts. No special gear is required, except a tripod. Cable release or wireless remote is highly recommended, as well as a circular polarizer and lens hood for each lens.

Historic Lansdowne Theatre
2021-02-20 10:00 - 14:00 | Lansdowne Theatre, 31 N Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, 19050, United States
This workshop will be in two parts. Part 1-an online Zoom class that will detail everything you need to know to prepare for the trek. We will cover gear choices, exposure and exposure bracketing, composition, how to focus in low light, shooting for HDR images, panoramas and more! There will be lots of images for you to view to get you inspired! The Zoom session is scheduled to take place on Thursday January 28th, from 7;30-8:30pm. The class will be recorded for those who are unable to make that date and time. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class

Part 2 – On-location workshop. Will run on February 20th from 10am-2pm. Group will meet in front of the theatre just before 10am.

The Historic Lansdowne Theatre is located at 31 N Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, Delaware County.

Cost is $159, with approximately half of the fee going to the preservation of the theatre through the Historic Lansdowne Theatre Corporation. More details on the theatre can be found here: http://www.lansdownetheater.org/history/history.html

Workshop is limited to 10 people, with more than that expressing interest in attending! Please do not wait to register for this awesome opportunity to photograph in such an amazing architectural gem!

Please note-the building does not have heat.

SOLD OUT - Historic Lansdowne Theatre
2021-02-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Lansdowne Theatre, 31 N Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, 19050, United States
This workshop will be in two parts. Part 1-an online Zoom class that will detail everything you need to know to prepare for the trek. We will cover gear choices, exposure and exposure bracketing, composition, how to focus in low light, shooting for HDR images, panoramas and more! There will be lots of images for you to view to get you inspired! The Zoom session is scheduled to take place on Thursday January 28th, from 7;30-8:30pm. The class will be recorded for those who are unable to make that date and time. A Zoom link will be sent prior to the class

Part 2 – On-location workshop. Will run on February 6th from 10am-2pm. Group will meet in front of the theatre just before 10am.

The Historic Lansdowne Theatre is located at 31 N Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, PA, Delaware County.

Cost is $159, with approximately half of the fee going to the preservation of the theatre through the Historic Lansdowne Theatre Corporation. More details on the theatre can be found here: http://www.lansdownetheater.org/history/history.html

Workshop is limited to 10 people, with more than that expressing interest in attending! Please do not wait to register for this awesome opportunity to photograph in such an amazing architectural gem!

Please note-the building does not have heat.
