Bandon Beach on the Oregon Coast is amazing. It epitomizes the beauty of the Oregon coast. Home to some of the most iconic sea stacks in the world, Bandon is breathtaking mix of long, sandy stretches and a rugged, rocky shoreline.

In this 4-day immersive workshop, you will get up close and personal with all Bandon has to offer. You will also explore the surrounding coastal area, including the gorgeous Samuel H. Boardman corridor.

Scott Davenport will be your guide through this thoroughly delighting coastline.

What You'll Learn

These are just a few of the things you can look forward to on this workshop:

• Reading a scene to create dynamic, compelling landscape compositions

• How exposure settings affect the appearance and feeling of water in your photos

• How to best focus your camera for landscape photography

• Workflow and post processing techniques to emphasize the story of your photo and realize your creative vision

• And much, much more…

From past experience, the more questions and thirst for knowledge you bring to the workshop, the more you will get out of it. Bring those questions!

What To Bring

Participants receive a detailed workshop handbook with details on what gear and clothing to pack. Here's a summary:

• A camera that is capable of manual mode. Interchangeable lenses are a plus.

• A variety of lenses. If you can pack only one, pack your most versatile lens.

• A sturdy tripod. The coast can get windy.

• A laptop with photo editing software.

• A polarizing filter and neutral density filters.

• A warm, waterproof jacket, hat & gloves, and layers of clothing.

• Sturdy hiking boots that can get wet.

• An open mind and a can-do attitude!

Physical Ability

This workshop will involve some hiking. If you are comfortable walking on uneven ground for 1 to 2 miles, you'll be fine on this workshop. There are some coastal trails and stairways that wind down several hundred feet on steeper inclines, so the hike back up is the tough part. If a location is out of your comfort zone, we'll figure out an alternative.

Photographic Ability

This workshop is for photographers that are serious about improving their craft. All skill levels are welcome. You do not need to be an advanced photographer. You'll get more from the workshop if you already have an understanding of the fundamentals. If you can work comfortably in aperture priority mode and know when it's time to switch to manual/bulb, you are plenty prepared.

What Is Included

• 8 location shoots on the central Oregon Coast

• Daily hands-on coaching and instruction in the field

• Group and personalized post processing instruction

• Photo critiques

• Water and snacks

What Is Not Included

• Transportation to/from Oregon

• Lodging

• Meals

• Travel Insurance

• Anything else not expressly listed

Where is the workshop based?
Workshop headquarters is in Bandon, Oregon near Coquelle Point. There are several lodging options and restaurants in town. Bandon is also well-located for an exploration of Oregon’s southern coastline, including the Samuel H. Boardman corridor. We are within comfortable driving distance of lands of prime photo locations.

Where should I stay?
Some convenient options in Bandon are the Table Rock Motel, the Sunset Motel, and the Bandon Inn. All are just a few minutes drive to workshop headquarters. There are several other lodging choices right in Bandon.

You will book your room on your own, and I provide the workshop meeting space that will serve as our “home base” for our field excursions, class, lab, and yes, snacks!

The workshop runs for 4 full days, November 13th - 16th. I recommend arriving in Bandon the day before on the 12th. Most likely, you’ll want to stay in town the evening of the 16th (unless you like late-night travel :).

What locations will we visit?
We will choose from a pool of possibilities on a daily basis. I have scouted and researched many sites, and we have the luxury of choosing the best location given the shooting conditions each day. Daily weather conditions will play a significant factor in selecting a location. The ocean tides, too.

We will explore Bandon Beach itself more than once. Port Orford, Lone Ranch, Sisters Rock, and the many picturesque pockets within the Samuel H. Boardman corridor are just a few of the places we have to choose from. There are too many to list!

I'm flying in. What airport should I travel to?
The headquarters for the workshop is the town of Bandon, Oregon. The best airport for arrival is Eugene Airport (EUG). Bandon is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Eugene.

Do I need a rental car?
Yes. You are responsible for getting yourself to Bandon. You could Lyft your way there, but it'll be one heck of a fare. And after the workshop, you might want to spend a couple of extra days exploring the Oregon coast yourself. There's just so much to see and photograph!

Is Oregon cold in November?
On average, temperatures at the coast are about 50F/10C. The wind can be strong and in the early mornings and evenings. Layers of clothing are advised, along with a waterproof jacket with a hood. A hat and gloves are also recommended.

What level of fitness do I need?
There aren’t any epic hikes. You do need to be sufficiently fit to walk a mile or two on uneven terrain with your gear. Several of the locations involve steep grades or longer staircases to reach - meaning the hike out is the tougher part!. If you can hike on a steep grade for a 10 to 15-minute clip, you’re in good shape for this workshop. Of course, you’ll never be forced to go somewhere out of your comfort zone. We’ll figure out alternatives if and when called for.

Will we shoot in the rain?
The short answer - yes. The Pacific Northwest gets a lot of rain. It’s to be expected. We won’t shoot in a downpour or if there’s a lightning storm. Conversely, we won’t let a light rain discourage us from reaching a location and being prepared for a shoot. The weather can be fickle. Rain showers can come and go over the course of an hour or two. And that makes for interesting photos! All the photos on this page were taken in the month of November.

What post-processing software do I need?
Anything you are comfortable with using. I am well-versed with Lightroom, ON1 Photo RAW, and Luminar and fluent with Apple Photos and Photoshop. If you don't have any post-processing tools, read this blog post and download a free trial. 

The post-processing focus in the workshop is to teach you why a photo needs adjusting and what should be adjusted to make your photo stronger. The mechanics of how to do that will vary from tool to tool... and it's usually straightforward to figure out once we know why we want to change something in a photo.

Can I bring a spouse or +1?
As you are booking your own lodging (see the ‘Where do I stay’ question), you are welcome to bring your spouse, partner, or +1 on your trip. However, during the workshop events, our purpose is to live and breathe photography. Non-participants cannot join us on our location shoots. Your traveling companions are welcome to join us for meals, unless we are dining en route to location.

Registration

The workshop cost is $1595. That includes personalized instruction (two instructors!), on location guidance, and post processing lessons

A deposit of $495 reserves your space. Per the workshop cancelation policy, deposits are non-refundable. You will be invoiced for the remaining $1100 prior to the workshop. If you need a payment plan, contact me and we'll make arrangements.

Signups within 90 days of the workshop pay the full workshop price at registration time.

Liability

Participants agree to join the workshop at their own risk and must sign a waiver of liability. By its nature, outdoor landscape photography has inherent risks. We’ll never lead you into an area that is unduly dangerous. If at any time during the workshop you don’t feel comfortable, certainly let us know.

Cancellations

Please review the cancellation policy. This policy covers cancellations from both students and the instructor(s) and refund information.

Deposits are non-refundable.