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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Workshop Preparation

Being properly prepared for a landscape photography workshop will help ensure you'll have a good time and that the workshop will be a success. 


Below, you'll find general guidance on how to prepare for your Shutter Nonsense photography workshop. We cover a variety of topics, including recommendations for camera gear and knowledge, what clothing to pack, fitness, and more to help you arrive fully prepared.


This guide is tailored to our Shutter Nonsense workshops but can also be used as a general starting point for your own outings and trips. 


A more specific prep guide for most of our workshops will be sent well before they begin, accounting for any unique conditions or other factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Preparing for your Shutter Nonsense photography workshop

Camera gear

Although a common refrain in photography is "gear doesn't matter," it certainly plays an important role when attending workshops, especially when traveling to a location you're not able to visit regularly. Below you'll find our basic recommendations for camera gear and other items. 


We'll send out a more extensive packing list PDF and a checklist file for PhotoPack Pro (the app Michael has developed to help photographers be better prepared) via email before the start of every Shutter Nonsense workshop you attend.


Required gear and equipment:


  • Camera

  • Lenses (typically wide, midrange, and telephoto)*

  • Tripod

  • Memory cards (including backups in case of failure)

  • Batteries (including extras)

  • Battery charger

  • Camera bag/backpack

  • Lens cleaning cloth

  • Lens blower

  • Camera manual (downloaded PDF on your phone)

  • Water bottle

  • Headlamp


* Don't worry if you don't own all the listed lenses; bring your favorites or you may consider renting a lens for the workshop. Lensrentals is one of the most popular online photography rental services, or your local camera stores may offer rentals.


Recommended gear and equipment:


  • Second/backup camera body**

  • Camera/lens rain cover(s)

  • Bag/backpack rain cover

  • Filters (neutral-density and circular polarizer)***

  • Camera strap

  • Remote shutter trigger (wired or wireless)

  • Hiking poles

  • Laptop

  • Memory card reader

  • External SSD storage


** If you don't own a second camera body, we strongly recommend renting one for multi-day workshops that require travel.

*** If you don't own any filters and are considering a purchase, we recommend placing a priority on buying a circular polarizer first. 


Although wildlife photography is not the focus of our workshops, we will make every effort to safely photograph any we may encounter. Accordingly, if you have a long lens (70-200mm, 100-400mm, 100-500mm, or comparable) you may want to bring it. We personally enjoy using longer lenses for general landscape and nature photography, as well, so we recommend bringing them regardless.


If you have any questions or concerns about what to bring, please email us at help@shutternonsense.com as soon as possible so we can provide additional guidance.

Camera Settings

Understanding how to enable and change basic settings on your camera will help you get the most ouf ot a workshop. By having a basic understanding of your camera you'll be ready to use those settings during our time together, allowing us to spend more time working on composition, recognizing and working with different types of light, and expanding your creative vision.


Knowing how to set your camera to manual mode and understanding how to adjust your exposure through shutter speed, aperture, and ISO - and how each of those plays a part in how you capture a scene - is a great place to start.


Beyond those exposure controls, below are the key camera settings we suggest you familiarize yourself with, or set, prior to attending our workshop:


  • Enable the histogram while in live view (if your camera is capable)

  • Set your camera to photograph in RAW or RAW+JPG

  • Set your camera to single-point focus mode

  • Know how to enable Auto Exposure Bracketing

  • Know how to enable the countdown timer or exposure delay

  • Enable Back Button Focus (optional but recommended)


We'll also review these settings during our workshop kickoff meeting, and we'll be ready to provide assistance as needed when we're out in the field, too.

Weather considerations

Inclement weather conditions can make for some of the best landscape photography opportunities, so we tend to photograph in anything besides torrential downpours or otherwise unsafe conditions. 


We've already provided recommendations for gear to pack to help protect your camera gear; please review the section for clothing (below) to ensure you're comfortable and safe if we do encounter such conditions.

Clothing

A critical part of being prepared for shooting in challenging weather conditions, or simply conditions you may not be used to, is having the right clothing with you.


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


General clothing and footwear recommendations:


  • Base layers (uppers and lowers)

  • Long pants (with moisture resistance)

  • Shorts

  • Midweight layers (fleece)

  • Outer shell for wind/rain protection

  • Sturdy hiking boots or shoes

  • Hiking socks (multiple pairs in case feet get wet)

  • Gloves

  • Hat

  • Sun protection (clothing and/or sunscreen)

Fitness

Most of our workshops that you attend require some amount of hiking. Most often, we stick to trails that are relatively easy with moderate grades, but some steeper climbs may be required to reach specific locations during any given workshop. 


We'll often be hiking on unpaved trails (gravel or dirt) which may be uneven due to ruts, rocks, roots, or other obstacles. Not only is the right footwear important: your overall fitness is, too.


Depending on your day-to-day activity level, we recommend you start conditioning yourself at least 2-4 weeks before the start of your workshop, focusing on walking 1-2 miles and on improving your balance. That said, we are not doctors so please reach out to your healthcare provider for appropriate, individualized guidance before you begin any new exercise routine.


Specific fitness requirements are provided on each workshop's informational page so that you can take that into consideration prior to registering.

Wildlife safety

Wildlife is part of the experience in many of the places we lead workshops. Even animals that appear calm or accustomed to people should be given plenty of space. We recommend reviewing the National Park Service’s wildlife safety guidelines, along with the specific guidance provided for each of our workshops.


A few important reminders:


  1. Maintain your distance: Follow local wildlife-viewing requirements and use a longer lens rather than approaching for a closer photograph. If an animal changes its behavior because of your presence, give it more space.

  2. Never feed or attract wildlife: Do not offer food, use bait, or attempt to draw an animal closer for a photograph.

  3. Secure food and scented items: Follow local storage requirements for food, trash, and other attractants. Use designated wildlife-resistant containers where required, and never leave food unattended.

  4. Stay aware: Look beyond your viewfinder and remain alert to nearby animals. Never follow, crowd, or block an animal’s path.

  5. Follow local encounter guidance: The appropriate response depends on the animal and situation. Review the workshop’s location-specific information and follow our directions at all times.

  6. Lead by example: Do the right thing and set an example for others. It is likely we'll witness other people not respecting wildlife or following safety guidelines. We will always do the right thing.


We will prioritize wildlife welfare and everyone’s safety over getting a photograph. If wildlife activity makes a location unsafe, we will adjust our plans. No photo is worth putting yourself or wildlife at risk.

Responsible nature photography

We adhere to the Nature First Photography Principles when practicing nature photography. As photographers, we can influence many others that visit these areas and we believe it is important to lead by example.


The number one rule to remember is that we will always prioritize the well-being of nature first and obey the posted regulations and signs of the areas we visit.


We strongly encourage you to review all 7 of the principles and become advocates for them: 


Nature First Photography


We also follow the Leave No Trace principles:


Leave No Trace

Additional resources

If you want to go a bit deeper in preparing for time outdoors with your camera, on your own or during one of our workshops, we've put together the following list of resources that you may find helpful. Topics range from practical tips for hiking to taking a more contemplative, creative approach to your photography.


General resources:



Our free Shutter Nonsense learning guides and podcast episodes:


Questions?

There is a lot of information here! Again, don't hesitate to email us at help@shutternonsense.com if you have any questions or if it seems we’ve left something out. We regularly update this page based on the most common questions we receive. 


We're really looking forward to working with you. You're going to love exploring nature with us, you'll make new friends, and you'll have fun while improving your photography skills!

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