Outdoor Photography Trips
O.A.R.S. offers photography instruction on the following whitewater rafting, hiking and multisport trip:
Yosemite & Tuolumne Hiker, California
6 Days – June 11
Yellowstone /Grand Teton Explorer
6 Days – June 16
Featured Photographer : John Blaustein
John Blaustein is a former original Grand Canyon Dories guide and professional photographer. His 1977 book, The Hidden Canyon: A River Journey, remains one of the most significant collections of photographs of the Grand Canyon from river level.
"After looking at my pictures from the trip (I feel) you can tell a noticeable improvement in their quality after your first lesson. So-so skies were eliminated, bright blue skies were included, reflections off the river were warmer and the dark/light shading of the mornings and evenings were captured so much better. I’m anxious to get a chance to put them together in a DVD. Thanks."
Don Pickel ~York, PA - Main Salmon Photography Trip with John Blaustein
PHOTO TIPS
Adventure photographer Justin Bailie shares a few of the techniques that have earned him a world-wide reputation.
First and foremost, you’re going to want to be able to shoot while on the water and when going through rapids, so unless you are bringing a full-on digital SLR, just GO WITH A WATERPROOF POINT & SHOOT so you can make this possible. Some of them make amazing photos.
When shooting people, DON'T JUST SHOOT POSER SHOTS of people looking at the camera. Wait until something happens. My favorite images from river trips almost always end up being candid images of the people I meet and become close with. These are the ones that bring, at times, tears to my eyes and memories flooding back.
Having A MINI TRIPOD to do low light images sometimes will produce some of the best images of the trip. You can also use the self-timer on your camera to balance it on a rock or something similar, and then take a long exposure without moving the camera and causing blur.
STEP AWAY FROM THE CAMP occasionally and find a view from above. Try to find a spot where you can create an image of the entire scene; show people what it is you are experiencing and where you are.
THINK ABOUT WHAT IT IS ON THE TRIP THAT IS AFFECTING YOU THE MOST. Is it the people, the place, the rapids? Try to “feel” what this is and then think about how you can create an image that can convey that feeling to a viewer that has never been there. This is what makes a successful photo.
Protecting your gear? Eh...don’t worry too much about it. GET THE SHOT. Of course I take great precautions with my gear, but first and foremost I don’t want to miss something. Besides, a little risk just adds to the fun and adventure, right? If I may quote Yvon Chouinard (owner of Patagonia): “For me, when everything goes wrong, that’s when adventure starts.” I love that!
PrintO.A.R.S. Photography Trips
Let the shutter fly!
All O.A.R.S. Photography Trips are appropriate for novices, budding amateurs and professional photographers. These photography-focused adventures provide a supportive and educational environment to practice and improve your photography skills. We put you in some of the West's most scenic locations with access to some of the country's most successful, creative and cutting-edge photographers so that you may unleash your creative potential. The emphasis on all trips is primarily landscape photography, and you will certainly be able to relax and savor your beautiful surroundings.
Photography instruction takes place as you experience the outdoors - on glacial lakes, alongside ancient pictographs and petroglyphs, on wild whitewater, near wildlife's watchful eyes and always under ever-changing light. Unlike formally structured workshops, lessons and discussions will take place throughout your O.A.R.S. trip as time permits. Whether it's photographing early morning light, or discussing various techniques of capturing that light over your first cup of coffee (for those who rise early), there is ample time for both group and one-on-one discussions with the professional photographer.
Want to scramble up a slope for a bird's-eye-view of a river canyon or glacial lake? Investigate a drop of dew on a spring wildflower bloom? Would you like to know how to successfully capture a moonrise over jagged mountain peaks? Our guides and photographer will assist you in achieving the best possible nature photography images.
Participants on a whitewater trip may choose to rotate in and out of a raft with the photographer throughout the day. Working with the raft guides, the group will be able to set up for photography at a few of the bigger rapids, as well as for shooting the landscape of the tiny boats floating beneath the canyon walls.
Our Photographers
Justin Bailie is an Oregon-based adventure, lifestyle and environmental photographer. He regularly works with clients such as Outside, Men’s Journal and Sunset magazines as well as with Mont-Bell and Patagonia. In 2008, Justin began working with O.A.R.S. to document our whitewater rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport adventures. His inspiring images from O.A.R.S. trips in Alaska, Baja, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Grand Canyon, Idaho, Utah & Wyoming appear throughout the O.A.R.S. catalog and website.
www.justinbailie.com
James Kaiser is an award-winning travel writer and photographer. His
guidebooks to national parks have sold over 60,000 copies worldwide. His
book Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide won the Benjamin
Franklin Award for Best Full-Color Travel Guide and the Independent
Publisher Award for Best Travel Guide. He has photographed over a dozen
whitewater rafting trips for the adventure travel company OARS. In 2006
he was a photographer for Yahoo! Sports at the Winter Olympics
in Torino, Italy.
www.jameskaiser.com
