Online Program
Adventures Online: Outdoor Photography: Landscape, Wildlife and Nature
Program No. 25190RJ
Explore the great outdoors through the lens of a camera! Join expert Mason Marsh for a three-day online course in photographing wildlife and natural wonders.
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We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
800-454-5768
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Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person
Mar 17 - Mar 19, 2025
This date is available to book as a private experience for your group!
3 days
1
Landscape Focus
From the comfort of your own home.
2
Wildlife Focus
From the comfort of your own home.
3
Nature Focus
From the comfort of your own home.
At a Glance
Do you want to take your photography skills to the next level? Are you fascinated by nature and wildlife and capturing them through the camera? If so, join photography expert Mason Marsh for a three-day online course that teaches you about the skills and techniques that will enable you to take compelling images of the natural world. Each day, explore a specific genre of outdoor photography through engaging lectures, practical lessons and homework assignments that will reinforce your learning and inspire you to grow technically and creatively. Daily lessons will cover planning, gear considerations, location safety and subject appreciation, as well as offer time for reflection through group discussions.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Take a deeper dive into the realm of photographing the great outdoors, including natural landscapes and wildlife.
- Add to your skillset during informative lectures and homework opportunities that allow you to practice as you learn about three different genres: Landscape, Wildlife and Nature.
- Enjoy opportunities to apply what you’ve learned and inspire further practice through group discussions and homework assignments.
General Notes
You’ll enjoy 2-3 hours of daily instruction, discussion and/or field trips, which includes sufficient breaks throughout the program. This online program is through Zoom, an easy-to-use web video service that includes closed captioning. All you need is an Internet connection and your computer. We’ll provide a how-to guide to make sure you’ll have a hassle-free experience. This session is offered live only and will not be available on demand. Please review the daily itinerary for start and end times to ensure you won’t miss a minute of this live experience. All times are listed in the EASTERN time zone. If you live in a different time zone, please adjust your schedule accordingly.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Mason Marsh
Mason Marsh is a photographer, educator and guide in Portland, Oregon. His passion for lifelong learning comes from decades of teaching in museums, on tall ships and in classrooms. He has developed and led numerous highly rated Road Scholar workshops on a variety of topics, including photography programs in the Pacific Northwest. His photographs have been published worldwide but he believes that his work is ever evolving and that he has much to learn. His photographs can be seen at www.masonmarsh.com.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Mason Marsh
View biography
Mason Marsh is a photographer, educator and guide in Portland, Oregon. His passion for lifelong learning comes from decades of teaching in museums, on tall ships and in classrooms. He has developed and led numerous highly rated Road Scholar workshops on a variety of topics, including photography programs in the Pacific Northwest. His photographs have been published worldwide but he believes that his work is ever evolving and that he has much to learn. His photographs can be seen at www.masonmarsh.com.
Suggested Reading List
(4 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Adventures Online: Outdoor Photography: Landscape, Wildlife and Nature
Program Number: 25190
The Art, Science and Craft of Great Landscape Photography, 2nd Ed.
ISBN 9781681985657
Dusk to Dawn, 2nd Ed
ISBN 9798888140512
Capture the Magic
ISBN 9781937538354
Galen Rowell’s Inner Game of Outdoor Photography
ISBN 9780393338089
Day
1
Landscape Focus
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Activity Note
Today’s session will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Afternoon:
1:00 p.m.: Orientation and Introduction (30 minutes). 1:30 p.m.: Lesson – What Makes Great Landscape Photos Great? (30 minutes). Using several examples of remarkable landscape photos, we’ll explore how mood, unusual subject matter, and composition combine to create memorable landscape images. 2:00 p.m.: Lesson – Mood is Good (20 minutes). Understanding the role atmosphere, weather, light angle, color and exposure play in compelling landscape images is key to utilizing these factors in your landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes. 2:20 p.m.: Break (15 minutes). 2:35 p.m.: Lesson – Subject Matter Matters (20 minutes). Just like great ingredients make wonderful meals, incredible subject matter is critical for great landscape images. We’ll dive into planning, geography, and weather forecasting skills we’ll use to locate the best content. 2:55 p.m.: Lesson – Compose for Effect (20 minutes). How you select and arrange your landscape subjects is a key component in the impact of your images. We’ll explore techniques and tricks we can use to create creative and compelling compositions. 3:15 p.m.: Lesson – Gear Up for the Outdoors (30 minutes). Practical advice on the best photographic equipment, packs, and clothing for outdoor photography adventures. 3:45 p.m.: Wrap-up and Homework Assignment (15 minutes).
Day
2
Wildlife Focus
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Activity Note
Today’s session will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Afternoon:
1:00 p.m.: Homework Review and Questions (30 minutes). 1:30 p.m.: Lesson – What Makes Great Wildlife Photos Great? (30 minutes). Using several examples of remarkable wildlife images, we’ll explore the roles focus, composition, environment, charm, and connection play in the creation of memorable images. 2:00 p.m.: Lesson – Focus or a Distinct Lack Thereof (20 minutes). Wildlife images often rely on precise focusing and shallow fields of focus to achieve impact. We’ll explore the settings, techniques, and technology behind spot-on focus. 2:20 p.m.: Break (15 minutes). 2:35 p.m.: Lesson – Compose to Flatter (20 minutes). There are many ways to arrange your wildlife subject matter in the frame. In this lesson, we’ll explore how to compose images that flatter our subjects and focus the viewer. 2:55 p.m.: Lesson – Habitat, Humor, and the Art of Connections (20 minutes). Understanding wildlife habitat, behavior, and charm will unlock greater images. We’ll discuss respectful capture techniques for wild creatures in their natural world. 3:15 p.m.: Lesson – Gear Up for Capturing Wild Things (30 minutes). Practical advice on the best photographic equipment, clothing, and practices for safely capturing images of wildlife. 3:45 p.m.: Wrap-up and Homework Assignment (15 minutes).
Day
3
Nature Focus
Location:
From the comfort of your own home.
Activity Note
Today’s session will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Afternoon:
1:00 p.m.: Homework Review and Questions (30 minutes). 1:30 p.m.: Lesson – Meteorology and You (30 minutes). The weather is always a factor in outdoor photography. We’ll learn how to analyze weather forecasts to identify photographic opportunities and mitigate risk. 2:00 p.m.: Lesson – Flora the Explora (20 minutes). Plants, mushrooms, and other non-fauna living things make for great photo subjects. We’ll learn about close-up photography techniques that will yield great images without damaging the natural world. 2:20 p.m.: Break (15 minutes). 2:35 p.m.: Lesson – Abstraction Distractions (20 minutes). Nature is busting at the seams with interesting patterns. We’ll discuss abstract photo techniques and how to find incredible compositions in the wildest of places. 2:55 p.m.: Lesson – Astrophotography (50 minutes). Making incredible images of the night sky is one of the most difficult challenges in photography. We’ll explore techniques for capturing amazing images in the dark. 3:45 p.m.: Wrap-up (15 minutes). This concludes our program.
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