West Coast Flight Workshops
Orange County, California
July, 2010

Join world-class bird photographers Jim Neiger and Doug Brown in July, 2010 for two workshops focusing on birds in flight.  Jim pioneered the hand held technique for photographing birds in flight and BirdPhotographers.Net avian moderator Doug Brown has photographed birds extensively along the Southern California coast; he knows all of the best locations to capture incredible images.  They have teamed up to focus on teaching you how to photograph birds in flight plus a whole lot more.  This first of its kind workshop on the west coast is not to be missed!   

Jim and Doug have selected the area around Huntington Beach, California for its incredible number and variety of birds, not to mention the great weather!  In July, Terns will number in the tens of thousands, and there should be no fewer than five different species (Elegant, Forster's, Caspian, Royal, and Least).  Black Skimmers, Pelicans, Egrets, Herons, and Gulls will all be plentiful.  There will also be opportunities to photograph more challenging subjects such as raptors, Kingfishers, and shorebirds.  The mix of large and small birds flying at a range of speeds from very slow to lightning fast will allow photographers of all experience levels to find subjects that they are comfortable with while practicing their freshly learned skills.

The nonstop action combined with individualized instruction will help you to master the hand held long lens technique favored by both Jim and Doug.  Manual exposure for birds in flight will also be emphasized.  There will be a four hour class on the first day, followed by morning and afternoon sessions in the field for each of the next three days.

As an added feature, you will have the opportunity to hone your Lightroom and Photoshop skills with Jim and Doug during the free time in between field sessions.

Each of the workshops will be limited to twelve participants; with two expert instructors available, everyone will receive plenty of personalized instruction both in the field and the classroom. 

 
Elegant Tern Head Shake
Image copyright © 2010 Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Sample Image Gallery

Forster's Tern Flight
Image copyright © 2010 Doug Brown

Sample Image Gallery

Black Skimmer Skimming for Fish
Image copyright © 2010 Jim Neiger/Flight School Photography

Sample Image Gallery

Black-necked Stilt
Image copyright © 2010 Doug Brown

Sample Image Gallery

Workshop Dates:

Workshop WCF-1:  July 10-13, 2010

Workshop WCF-2:  July 14-17, 2010

Workshop Cost and payment:
The cost of each workshop is $1250 per person.  Each workshop includes a half day formal classroom instruction session, a morning photography session, and an afternoon photography session, each day.  The photography sessions include personalized instruction in the field.  A $625 non-refundable deposit is required for the workshops. The remaining $625 is due 45 days before the start date of the workshop.  If you are unable to attend the workshop after paying the balance, the balance payment will be refunded ONLY if your spot can be filled on short notice from the waiting list.  All workshop payments must be made by check or money order.  Credit cards are not accepted.
 

Please make checks payable to Doug Brown and send them to:
Doug Brown
13705 Elena Gallegos Pl. NE
Albuquerque, NM  87111

Participant Requirements:

Participants should have working knowledge of how to create a properly exposed image, a telephoto lens of 400mm or more (300mm with a teleconverter is acceptable), and be physically capable of holding their camera and lens up to their eye in shooting position for at least 10 seconds.  Participants must also have a vehicle to travel to and from the photography locations.
 

Contact Information:
Flight School Photography, Inc.
Jim Neiger
550 Basin Drive
Kissimmee, FL 34744-4804

Cell phone: (407) 247-5200
Website: http://www.flightschoolphotography.com
Email: jimn@cfl.rr.com

Doug Brown
Phone: 505-750-7080
Website: http://web.me.com/dlb
Email: DLB@me.com

Jim or Doug will be happy to provide you with any additional information you may need.