Oregon is a diverse state and although many people know the coast well, few people get to experience what central Oregon has to offer. Extending from southern Canada down to Northern California, the Cascade Mountain range splits Oregon into two very different worlds. Waterfalls carve their way through the lush green forest in the mountains while the beautiful high desert and ranch lands greet the eastern slopes. The Cascades are part of the Pacific Ocean's ring of fire, which is the most active volcanic area in the continental United States. We will see evidence of past eruptions as we traverse part of a sixty-five square mile lava field.

Heading east out of the Cascades we will photograph some of Oregon's best-kept photographic secrets, including Smith Rock and the incredible Painted Hills of John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Visiting the painted hills is like stepping foot onto another planet. Beautiful bands of red, yellow, and gold sediment swirl along hills that resemble mars more than earth.

This workshop is based out of the wonderfully quaint town of Sisters Oregon, about half an hour north of Bend. From here, we'll spend our mornings and evenings photographing diverse landscapes including waterfalls, lakes, rivers, lava beds, and more. No matter what your photographic interest is, this workshop offers something for everybody. There will be opportunities to shoot vast landscapes as well as intricate details and abstract shots. Join us for an unforgettable photographic adventure through the different worlds of Central Oregon.

Orientation - We will meet for a workshop orientation the evening before the workshop begins at 8 pm. This will be a good chance for everyone to meet and get to know one another before our early start the next morning.

The Central Oregon region is very diverse, offering a wide array of photographic opportunities. Weather conditions often play a factor in where we shoot and dictate the schedule of the workshop. Below is a sample itinerary of how the workshop is conducted.

Day 1 - We'll start our photographic adventure with a sunrise shoot at an incredible alpine lake. On calm days, we'll catch stunning reflections of volcanic peaks. Once the sun has risen, we'll make the best of the early morning light. For the second portion of the day, we'll make our way over the McKenzie Pass to photograph the Dee Wright observatory and another central Oregon gem of a lake.

Day 2 – The following morning we'll head over to Sahalie and Koosah falls in the Willamette National Forest. First, Sahalie Falls is a mass of churning white water plunging 100 feet over a natural lava dam. This beautiful waterfall can be seen in the Disney movie Homeward Bound. The teal-colored water of the McKenzie River is a sight to see in itself! From Sahalie falls we'll take a hike downriver to shoot the equally amazing Koosah Falls. After sunrise, we’ll head over to Fish Lake to practice a little still-life photography in a blacksmith shop. After taking a break we’ll do a little bit of post-processing and then head out for sunset where we’ll revisit one of the lakes from the previous day.

Day 3 – For the last morning of the trip, we’ll photograph one more lake for sunrise before heading back to the hotel and concluding the workshop.

Lodging and meals are not included. We suggest that you stay at the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge.

Centrally located in Oregon, this Sisters hotel offers friendly and attentive service, gorgeous old growth Ponderosa Pine trees and lots of wildlife, including llamas, deer and over 48 species of birds. The Ponderosa Lodge is nestled in the pine trees in the magical western town of Sisters, Oregon. Close to shopping, skiing, golf, horseback riding, snowmobiling, fly fishing, and much more.

We will take a mid-day break each day to allow for lunch and rest. There are many restaurants available for lunch and dinner in town.

Recommended Camera Gear

• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera (Full frame preferred but crop sensor will be fine)
• A wide angle lens starting at 16-18mm. (If you have a crop sensor you need 16-18mm equivalency. If you're unsure what this means please email us!)
• We recommend a 70-200 or 100-400.
• Be sure to bring your shutter release cord or intervalometer (Ideally a corded model that plugs in as remotes are notoriously problematic.)
• A sturdy tripod that will allow you to adjust for horizontal as well as vertical compositions.
• Extra Memory. Ideally you should have at least four memory cards of 16gb or greater.
• Extra battery + your charger. Long exposure night photography will consume more power than you may be used to.
• Filters. Optional but if you have them, bring them. A polarizer and graduated neutral density filter is a great tool to have along just in case.
• Your laptop, and a good camera backpack. if you are bringing your laptop and would like to back-up your cards, be sure to bring a memory card reader and an external hard drive.

Meet our master instructors and learn what qualifies them to give you a great experience during your workshops! While you're joining us, you will receive comprehensive digital photography instruction and tutoring by our team of award-winning photographers.

Brian Rueb has been photographing for the better part of 21 years. Combining a degree in photography and a degree in art, he has worked the two together to create powerful and dynamic landscape images. His love and passion for photography is evident in each and every image he shoots. In addition to his passion for art,Brian has a passion for education and has spent almost 21 years teaching art and photography in the public high school system. During that time he has developed an art and photography program that has seen numerous students win awards and go on to major in the profession. His goal is not only to be great himself, but to instill that knowledge and passion into his students.

In addition to being an internationally recognized photographer, Brian also writes for several websites sharing his interesting often comical adventures into the wilderness in search of new images, and has released a book depicting his two month adventure around the country of Iceland titled Me, Myself, and Iceland. Brian is a volunteer in Lassen Volcanic National Park and working on a five year project compiling images for a book on the park and its changes throughout the seasons.

Rueb's work has appeared in numerous magazines including Shutterbug and Photographers Forum. His work has won numerous awards and merit at the Local, State, National, and International levels.

Brian currently resides in Northern California with his wife, two boys, and two dogs.

My name is Mike Wardynski, AKA Nature Mike.

I’m a landscape and travel photographer based out of Oakland California. Although the city is where I live, nature is where I feel at home. Growing up in rural Michigan, I had the desire to travel and document my adventure along the way.

After graduating with a broadcasting degree and realizing I was a much better photographer than musician, I packed up my van and headed out west to a little park known as Yosemite. There I would spend the next three and a half years working in the wilderness department for The Yosemite Conservancy. It was during those years that I deliberately made the decision to dive headfirst into the photographic rabbit hole for good. While working in the park, I spent much of my time lugging camera gear around the high country and hanging out with my friends at the Ansel Adams Gallery.

I currently reside in the SF Bay Area where I work as a photography instructor. My travels have given me the opportunity to photograph the erupting Kiluaea volcano from air, as well as document dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. I’ve witnessed unbelievable light unfold before me and in an instant disappear. Those are the moments that I live for. I love sharing my passion for photography and nature with others and I’m grateful for the path that has lead me here.

The workshop price is $1,795. Due to the exclusivity of this trip, and the limited number of seats available, refunds are as follows:

• 100% refundable: 150 days (five months) or greater
• No refund within 150 days or less of the start date
• Seats are transferrable

The workshop/tour price includes:

• Professional photography instruction
• Post-processing session

The workshop/tour price DOES NOT include:

• Transportation
• Food
• Alcoholic beverages
• Instructor gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Lodging

• 4-Day Central Oregon Workshop - Jul 15, 2022
• 4-Day Central Oregon Workshop - Jul 25 & 29, 2019