2012 and 2013 WORKSHOPS
JOIN VERN, THE "PREMIERE" PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE SIERRA NEVADA.
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PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT SUMMER BACK-COUNTRY WORKSHOPS!! Tentative July 24 - 28
SEPT. 29 and 30, meeting the evening of Sept 28, $495
OCT 12, 13, and 14, meeting the evening of Oct 11, $1245
JANUARY 26 and 27 (2013), meeting the evening of Jan. 25, $495
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SPONSORED BY "THE WESTIN MONACHE RESORT"
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The Eastern Sierra is a photographers' paradise. Mount Whitney and the Alabama Hills, the ancient Bristlecone Pines in the White Mountains, and Mono Lake are all close by. The best autumn colors in California are nearby in the canyons between Bridgeport and Bishop. Vern has lived in the area for over thirty years, and has amassed an intimate knowledge of the area and will lead the classes to best locations during each seminar. Classes are designed to provide all photographers (digital and film) with a deep understanding of how to make best use of natural light, composition, and the techniques that Vern uses in his own photography. Vern’s goal is to teach you the difference between "taking a picture" and creating a fine art photograph. Our emphasis is on teaching you the combined techniques of using your camera, settings, and lens selection, to properly to get the shot right whether you are using film or digital capture. We have a full-time photographic assistant available at all times to help you get the most from your investment. The field locations are carefully chosen to provide photographic opportunities matching the lectures of each day. We hope to send you home with a new vision of the natural world as well as being a more capable photographer. Past participants have all mentioned that one of the best features of these workshops is Vern's insightful knowledge of the eastern Sierra. We'll carefully focus on being at these locations, at the right time, set-up and ready to work! Class size is limited to eight students to ensure that each participant can receive individual attention from Vern at every location and at each critique.
The 2012 workshops are based in Mammoth Lakes.
So Join Vern for a beyond-the-basics weekend in an intimate group of only eight students. We'll do up to five separate field sessions to Vern's best locations in the canyons of the Eastern Sierra. Vern is planning on up to three lectures explaining the techniques that he uses for those wonderful fall images. And we'll add time for critiques and helpful hints of your work too! Remember that Vern has lived in the Eastern Sierra for 35 years, and knows exactly where the most spectacular colors are to be found on any given weekend.
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Quotes from previous students:
"I
have attended four workshops over the last three years, all with
well-known photographer-teachers. Vern is the best of the bunch and by
a wide margin. Here's why. First of all, he is the only one who kept
his own gear in his pack, choosing instead to spend his time and energy
on his students. In the other workshops the leaders had their equipment
set up even before the students could do so, with the result that we
felt we were interrupting them if we had questions or problems. Vern
and his very personable and knowledgeable assistant Derrick lavished
personal attention on us, answering all our questions and making
suggestions, as they visited us one by one. Only at the end of the day
did they take a few minutes to do a little shooting of their own, and
even then the students gathered around them to see their compositions,
settings, etc., as they explained exactly what they were doing and why.
When we drove from one shooting site to another, Vern made sure that a
different group of two or three accompanied him each time in his car so
that he could get to know them and give them even more personal
coaching. The classroom sessions took place in his gallery, where we
were surrounded by his stunning work, which he used to illustrate
important principles as he spoke about them. His classroom lectures and
student critiques were wonderful. The handouts and the copies of two
books that he gave us are permanent parts of my photography library.
Personally,
Vern is very warm, friendly, down-to-earth, and extremely accessible,
without a hint of self-importance or heightened ego. His helper Derrick
is made from the same mold. And of course, they really know what they
are doing. They are a terrific team. Perhaps the loudest praise I can
give is this: I will join another of Vern's workshops as soon as I can,
and that is not the case with the others I've been with."
Jack Quintero 2010
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"There are things that no one can teach - You can!
There are places no one knows - You do!
And all that is wrapped in a friendly and effective attitude!
What else can we ask for?
I'll be happy to join future workshop should my travel plans coincide with them.
Thank you very much."
Benny Hanigal 2011
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"To be frank, I was somewhat intimidated before going to
the workshop. I've taken pictures for years,
wanted to do better, and had
never taken a workshop or course. I knew that I'd likely being the neophyte in the
group. I clearly knew the least among my eight classmates, all of whom were
genuinely nice people who shared ideas,opinions and observations. The location,
the Eastern Sierras in autumn, is magnificent. The synergism of the mountains,
lakes, foliage and light are breathtaking. The itinerary which Vern has
developed , early morning and late afternoon photography, and midday classroom
work couldn't be better. The classroom work is both technical and composition.
Most importantly, is the teaching by Vern and Derrick. These two gentlemen have
known each other for over three decades, and work seamlessly , continually
focusing attention on us. Always available for questions, occasionally
prescriptive, and when needed. there to assist, assess, and question what we
were attempting to communicate with our composition. The one: one time was
invaluable, and the critiques of our work were invaluable. Vern and Derrick are two people who have a
passion for landscape photography, do it extremely well, and conveyed enthusiasm to us.
I was amazed at how much I learned . I had hoped to
capture several "really good pictures" over the three days. That was
accomplished , but more importantly, I learned to see better, slow down, start
to learn to compose, and to use light to its
advantage."
Robert Foglio 2011
Spending
a couple of days in the field with Vern was an invaluable experience
for me. I now have a much better understanding of how quickly light
changes and how important it is to catch it - a couple seconds can
change everything. Having Vern stand next to you commenting on the
quality of the light as it changed was a great learning experience for
me. I also found the critiques during the weekend from Vern (and
Derrick) very helpful - seeing how a subtle change in composition can
greatly improve a photo was inspiring. I left the class excited with
new ideas that I hope will translate to creating better photos.
I
also would like to thank Derrick who helped me so many times throughout
the weekend to improve my composition or share photo ideas that I would
have never seen. He is a wealth of information and a huge asset to the
workshop.
Tom Mahieu 2009
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Each
day includes a critique of each students work. The gallery in Mammoth
has a cozy comfortable setting with a Sony 46inch Bravia monitor. We
use Adobe Lightroom
for critiques. You will learn some basic techniques in Lightroom too. This is a great program to present your images, and to
begin the
workflow leading to your final presentation. In many cases, Lightroom
is all you
need.
Cost includes a light breakfast, coffee, snacks and a hearty lunch
while we
attend the day's lecture and then critique our work. Also included is
one group dinner at the Whitebark Restaurant at The Westin. We strongly
suggest that students eat dinner together to share knowledge and
stories about topics not covered during the daytime hours. This helps
to maximize your investment during your stay in Eastern Sierra. We can
assist with overnight accommodations. A 50% deposit confirms your
booking with the balance
due 60 days before the class begins. We do maintain a wait list, so
please inquire about availability. Classes end by 1PM on the last day
so participants have time complete travel home. Returning students will receive a 15% discount on any future workshop!
Overnight E-6 processing is no longer available, but film photographers are more
than welcome to attend. Vern has switched to a Canon 5D Mark II.
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Click here to see what other former students have
mentioned about Vern's classes.
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SPRING WILDFLOWERS IN THE EASTERN SIERRA
Date: May 5 and 6. Meeting the evening of May 4.
May 5 is the evening before the full moon! Perfect timing!
You only need to take Friday afternoon off from work....
3 shooting sessions, one extensive lecture about your camera and basic composition, and a critique on Sunday.
Formats: Digital is best for learning, all other formats welcome!
Cost: $495
Limited to: 8 participants.
AUTUMN SPECTACULAR IN THE EASTERN SIERRA WARMUP!
"Getting the most from your new digital camera!"
Date: September 29 and 30. Meeting the evening of September 28.
Sept. 29 is the evening before the full moon! Perfect timing!
You only need to take Friday afternoon off from work....
3 shooting sessions, one extensive lecture about your camera and basic composition, and a critique on Sunday.
Formats: Digital is best for learning, all other formats welcome!
Cost: $495
Limited to: 8 participants.
AUTUMN SPECTACULAR IN THE EASTERN SIERRA DURING the PEAK COLORS!
"This one is the REAL deal. We talk about the basic and advanced use of your camera in landscape photography. There is a long lecture on Light on the Landsape, composition, image balance, and seeing with "mindfulness".
Date: October 12, 13 , and 14 Meeting the evening of October 11
5 shooting sessions, two extensive lectures. And two critiques on Saturday and Sunday.
Limited to: 8 participants.
Formats: Digital is best for learning, all other formats welcome!
Cost: $1245
Package Cost with lodging at The Westin: $1845
WINTER IN THE OWENS VALLEY - 2013
"Part two of our shorter workshops. We will continue with the long lecture on Light on the Landsape, composition, image balance, and seeing with "mindfulness"
Date: January 26 and 27, 2013. Meeting the evening of Jan. 25.
THIS WORKSHOP WILL BASED IN LONE PINE, CALIFORNIA.
WE WILL BE SHOOTING EXTENSIVELY IN THE ALABAMA HILLS.
LODGING AT THE DOW VILLA HOTEL.
You only need to take Friday afternoon off from work....
3 shooting sessions, one extensive lecture about your camera and basic composition, and a critique on Sunday.
Formats: Digital is best for learning, all other formats welcome!
Cost: $495
Limited to: 8 participants.
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To sign up or ask for more information:
Email: vern@vernclevenger.com
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A 50% deposit confirms your booking with the balance due 60 days before the class begins. We do maintain a wait list, so please inquire about availability.
To sign up or ask for more information:
Email: vern@vernclevenger.com
Phone: 760 934 5100
Vern's Address:
Box 100, PMB 300
220 Sierra Manor Road #4
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Or contact Lacey Behrens to book your package with "The Westin".
Email: Lacey.Behrens@westinmammoth.com
Click here for online booking!
Phone: 760 934 0412
