Nature Photography Workshops in Westcliffe, Colorado: Kenneth Wajda's Sunrise Nature/Wildflower Photo Shoot

Sunrise Nature/Wildflower Photo Shoot
with Professional Photographer Kenneth Wajda

Images from a Summer 2005 Solo Photo Shoot - Westcliffe, Colorado
(Weather: Cloudy/Sunny with Rain & Sleet)
Summer Sunrise Nature/Wildlife Photo Shoot in Westcliffe, Colorado
Ducks swimming in Lake DeWeese at dawn, Westcliffe, CO

Rainbow over Lake DeWeese, Westcliffe, CO

A pelican in Lake DeWeese at sunrise, Westcliffe, CO

Indian Paintbrush, Westcliffe, CO

Pronghorn in wildflower field, Westcliffe, CO

Wildflowers, Westcliffe, CO

A photographer works in a field of wildflowers, Westcliffe, CO [READ HER TESTIMONIAL]

Wildflowers in bloom, Westcliffe, CO

A photographer works in a field of wildflowers, Westcliffe, CO

Horses grazing, Westcliffe, CO

Wild Geranium, Westcliffe, Colorado

Storm rising over the Sangre de Cristo Range, Westcliffe, CO

TESTIMONIAL

I went on a Solo Photo Shoot with Kenneth Wajda on a Sunday morning in June. When I left my motel room to meet Ken, at 4:30 a.m., it was raining lightly. During the course of the photo shoot, the rain turned to drizzle, and later, to sleet! The cloud formations were constantly changing, and the landscape colors subtly blended. The weather conditions made it possible to shoot very dramatic, moody-looking landscape photos. Later, the sun came out. In its bright-ness, the appearance of the landscape was completely changed.

Ken knew the best places to go to take pictures at that time of the year, especially considering the weather conditions that we had on that morning. The scenery was beautiful.

Here are some of the things that I learned during the photo shoot:

Although I have enjoyed photography for many years, I had always set my SLR camera on "automatic." Ken taught me how to use the aperture priority setting on my camera, which I had previously assumed was too complicated for me to understand.

Ken convinced me that I needed to mount my camera on a tripod - a good quality tripod, which mine was not, and he gave me several helpful pointers on its use.

Beyond these equipment technicalities, the photo shoot, for me, was especially about light, composition and patience.

Ken demonstrated how to use available light to enhance the quality of my photos. He showed me where to position my camera to take best advantage of the light.

Although I already paid attention to the composition of my photographs, with Ken's examples of using different angles and perspectives, I expect that in the future, I'll be able to make my photos much more interesting.

Ken showed me a lot about patience in nature photography. Patiently waiting for the sun to come up. Patiently waiting for the clouds to lighten, for the clouds to shift. Patiently waiting for the ducks to swim into just the right photogenic position in the lake and in front of our cameras.

And Ken was very patient with me. He answered my questions. He explained the aperture priority setting in several different ways, and I began to understand the concept. As I was learning to use the tripod, I felt so clumsy; it took me a long time to set up for each photo.
Ken waited patiently.

Ken was easygoing and fun to be with. In spite of being wet and cold, I had a good time. I learned a lot more than I had expected to learn. I am sure that Kenneth Wajda's Solo Photo Shoot would be a worthwhile experience for a photographer on any level, beginner to pro.

I can highly recommend the Solo Photo Shoot. This is an opportunity not to be missed!

--Anna, Dallas, Texas

Sunrise Nature/Wildflower Photo Shoot
with Professional Photographer Kenneth Wajda

Cost: $195

NEW: For 2008, all of Kenneth's Photo Shoots
are Solo Shoots and are available
weekends and weekdays.

Info: 303.823.6399

Email: info@kennethwajda.com

Kenneth Wajda genuinely enjoys teaching others about photography. His unique "Sunrise Nature/Wildflower Photo Shoot," held in the beautifully scenic Colorado Rocky Mountains, gives photographers of all levels the opportunity to work right alongside a professional nature photographer. It's a chance to peer through a pro's camera and ask questions while learning how he approaches his subject.

Kenneth is an award-winning photojournalist, travel/nature photographer and author with over 20 years of professional experience. He was a staff photographer at the Trenton Times (NJ) newspaper and a frequent contributor to New Jersey Outdoors magazine before moving to Colorado in 2001.

He now resides in Lyons, Colorado, where he works as a commercial freelance photographer and teaches travel and nature photography.

"This is an actual photo shoot, not a class," Wajda said. "Participants will be taking photographs in the field working right alongside me. I'll assist them, answer their questions and offer tips. I'll thoroughly explain how I approach my subject and why I work the way I do. They will also have the opportunity to look through my camera to see the framing I've chosen."

Past participants have said this is a unique photo shoot that is quite an eye-opener to the realities of professional nature photography.

"It will jump start any photographer's creativity," said Wajda, "especially photographers interested in wildflowers, mountains, lakes, streams and when we're lucky, bighorn sheep, elk and mule deer."

All photographers are required to bring a camera and film to the Sunrise Nature/Wildflower Photo Shoot. Any camera will work, film or digital-even a point and shoot-but Wajda recommends a 35mm SLR and a slow-speed slide film like Fuji Velvia or a 4MP+ Digital SLR. A tripod is strongly recommended as well.

Wajda also strongly suggests participants dress for the weather and bring raingear.

This is a unique opportunity to work with a professional photographer--to experience his approach to nature/wildlife photography first-hand.

"People really learn through this program," Wajda said. "A few weeks back, a woman asked if there's a special filter to make waterfalls have that 'flowing' look. I was able to work the shoot over toward a waterfall where she learned to make that kind of photograph," Wajda said. "It's done with a slow shutter speed. You don't get that from a book or in a classroom."

The cost for the Sunrise Nature/Wildflower Photo Shoot is $195 and Kenneth only offers solo photo shoots at this time. Interested photographers should call to reserve a space: 303.823.6399.

Kenneth is also available for educational presentations to camera clubs and organized groups year-round.

Copyright Notice: All images and text on this page and throughout this website are the copyright property of their creator(s) and may not be copied, reproduced, published or re-transmitted under any circumstances without the written permission of the copyright holder. ©2006, Kenneth Wajda, Lyons, CO. All Rights Reserved.