What we'll see:

Based in Forks, we’ll visit places like Rialto, Ruby, and Second Beach, the Hoh rain forest, Sol Duc Falls and the surrounding forest, Quinault, and Lake Crescent. Our itinerary will be somewhat weather dependent. With any luck, we'll get a bit of rain so that the rain forest will look like, well...a rain forest. Sunsets on the coast can be enhanced by clouds and unsettled weather, so we'll be hoping for a bit of both.

In the field I’ll place the emphasis on using proper technique and craftsmanship behind the camera. We’ll work on getting better close ups and spend time improving your landscape photography, including choosing foregrounds, using hyperfocal focusing and digital focus stacking, and knowing when to use graduated neutral density filters or digital techniques to capture the entire range of light in a scene.

And I’ll be pushing you to look at the world in different ways, try something you’ve not tried before, like long exposures using ND filters, or shooting with a specific purpose or digital darkroom process in mind.

Part of this workshop will be time devoted to critiques and photographic technique. I'll also offer demonstrations in Photoshop and Lightroom and cover  exposure blending, stitched panoramas, and focus blending as part of learning to see the possibilities the world of digital photography offers.

We'll meet at 6 p.m. on the first day in Forks for introductions and an informal orientation. Perhaps we'll even bag a sunset. We'll then start the workshop bright and early on the next morning. The workshop will end after the morning shoot on the last day.

Hiking:

There will be some hiking involved. None of it is strenuous and anybody who can walk a mile or climb stairs should have no problems. The trail to Sol Duc Falls is 3/4 mile one-way. It’s a little up and down but there’s no appreciable elevation gain. There is a similarly long hike if we go to 2nd Beach, which is downhill to the beach, uphill on the way back. We'll also probably make the mile long walk down the length of Rialto Beach.

Lodging and travel:

In Forks, I have a block of rooms at the Pacific Inn. 2027 Rates have yet to be posted but in 2026 they were between $139 and $149, depending on the room type you choose. (Hotel cut-off date is April 1st, 2027)

Upon registration you'll be sent information on making your hotel reservations. May is not typically the busiest time so if you want to arrive early or stay after, there should be no problem in obtaining a room.

Getting there:

If you're flying into Sea-Tac airport allow at least four hours to drive to Forks. More if you plan on stopping for lunch or seeing some of the sites.

If you wish to share a room or a ride, I'll be happy to facilitate communications between participants.

Pricing:

Olympic National Park photo workshop:
$2225 ($2200 if paying by check or Zelle)

Prices do not include lodging, meals, transportation, or trip cancellation insurance.

 

Rod Barbee Photography is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.

 

---