Preparing for Your Landscape Photography Workshop

Being properly prepared for a landscape photography workshop will contribute to your good time and the success of the workshop for you. This page on how to prepare for your landscape photography workshop covers a variety of topics - from camera gear, to clothing, to fitness to help you be prepared. 

This guide is tailored to my workshops, but still a general guide. A more specific guide for certain workshops will be sent before the workshop - especially for workshops where we might run into unique conditions.

Camera Settings Familiarity 

Understanding how to enable and change basic settings on your camera will help you get the most out of a workshop. That way, we can focus on using those settings to get the best results. 

For example, knowing how to set your camera to manual mode and which dials to turn to adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO will help us get straight to learning more about those settings and how changing them impacts your exposure.

For your specific camera you should know how to adjust the following settings:

  • Set the camera to manual mode and adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

  • Enable the Live View histogram when an available option for the camera. 

  • Configure the self-timer or exposure delay for the camera if you do not have a remote shutter release.

  • Configure your camera to photograph in RAW mode (or RAW+JPG)

Camera Gear - Required

  • Camera 

  • Lenses (typically a wide, mid-range, and telephoto)

  • Tripod

  • Memory Cards

  • Batteries

  • Charger

  • Camera Bag

  • Bring a copy of your camera manual on your phone for easy reference

Camera Gear - Recommended

  • Filters (ND and Circular Polarizer)

  • Camera strap

  • Lens Cleaning Cloth

  • Camera Rain Cover

For Multiday Workshops

  • Backup camera body

  • Laptop

  • Memory Card Reader

  • External SSD drive

Clothing

Inclement weather conditions can make for the best landscape photography, so we tend to photograph in any weather except for absolute downpours (and even then, we may be outside sheltering, waiting for the rain to let up). So clothing-wise it is best to be prepared.

Each person’s tolerance of weather conditions (hot, cold, wet, etc.) can vary, so only you can make the proper clothing choices that are right for you. Expect to be outside for many hours at a time and choose clothing to keep you comfortable. 

This is a basic checklist of items to consider (and often ones that help me be comfortable when out in the elements).

Clothing Considerations

  • Base layers (uppers and lowers)

  • Long pants (with moisture resistance)

  • Shorts

  • Midweight layers (fleece)

  • Outer shell for wind/rain protection

  • Boots (recommend sturdy hiking boots)

  • Hiking Socks (recommend multiple pairs in case feet get wet)

  • Gloves

  • Hat

Nice to Have Gear

  • Bulb Air Blower for impromptu sensor cleaning

  • Walking Stick(s)

  • Headlamp

  • Water Bottle

  • Thermos

Questions about a piece of gear or need recommendations? Don’t hesitate to contact me directly!