The Workshop

Monday, October 12 • Evening
Virtual Instruction
We'll begin with a Zoom session covering composition, camera basics, and practical techniques for getting more out of your camera.

Saturday, October 24 • Morning
Bucks County Photography Outing
We'll spend the morning photographing together during peak fall foliage.

Wednesday, October 28 • Evening
Image Review & Discussion
We'll reconvene to view photographs from the outing and learn from one another in a relaxed, supportive setting.

What You’ll Learn

Composition — Learn to find stronger compositions and look beyond the obvious by simplifying the scene, filling the frame, using leading lines and framing to create depth, exploring reflections and symmetry, and other creative strategies.

Camera Settings — Gain a better understanding of how to use aperture, shutter speed, and ISO creatively to enhance your photographs.

Working with Light — Learn to recognize and make the most of natural light, including how the direction and quality of light can affect mood, depth, and visual interest.

Making the Most of Your Equipment — Explore how different lenses, filters, and a tripod can be used creatively, and learn when these accessories can make a meaningful difference in your photographs.

The Photography Outing

The heart of the workshop is our Saturday morning field session, when we'll put what we've learned into practice while photographing a few of my favorite Bucks County locations during peak fall foliage.

We'll spend over three hours photographing together, with plenty of time for instruction and experimentation. I'll work with each participant to help them apply what they've learned and answer questions along the way. We'll experiment with different composition strategies and learn to make the most of the light and scenery we encounter.

Image Review & Discussion

We'll reconvene to view our photographs from the field session. Participants will have the option of sharing three to five photographs in a relaxed and supportive setting. We'll explore the compositional and creative choices in each image, talk about what makes a photograph successful, and consider alternative approaches. The goal is to learn from one another and come away with new ideas for our own photography.

Workshop Details:

WHAT TO BRING:

You don't need to have all the equipment listed below to participate. The most important thing is to bring a camera you're comfortable using as well as your creativity and curiosity! The items below will help you have a comfortable and enjoyable morning photographing outdoors.

Camera — with a lens attached and ready to use.

Memory card with plenty of free space — it's a good idea to clear or back up your card before the outing.

Fully charged battery — and a spare if you have one. Cold mornings can drain batteries more quickly.

Layers of clothing — late October mornings can be chilly early and noticeably warmer as the sun rises. Layers that you can remove and stow in a bag work well, and light gloves may be helpful.

Comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear — some locations may include canal towpaths, grass or trails that can be damp or muddy. Closed-toe shoes with some grip are recommended.

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT:

If you already have any of the following items, I encourage you to bring them. However, there's no need to purchase anything new specifically for the workshop.

Tripod — particularly useful for low-light photography, landscapes, and long exposures.

Additional lenses — A wide-angle zoom and a telephoto zoom can each be quite useful and open up creative possibilities.

Polarizing filter — useful for reducing glare and enhancing skies and colors.

Neutral density filter — useful if you'd like to experiment with long exposures and effects such as smoothing moving water.

Camera bag or vest — useful for carrying extra lenses, batteries, filters, cards, and other item.

TRANSPORTATION:

To make it easier to move between locations—and to minimize the number of cars at locations with limited parking—we'll travel together during the photography outing. I'll drive with room for three participants, and we'll have one or two additional cars as needed. I may ask one or two participants to help with driving. Most participants will be able to leave their cars at our meeting location while we're out photographing. I'll coordinate the driving arrangements with the group before the outing.

2027 BUCKS COUNTY CALENDAR:

Each participant will receive a 2027 Bucks County calendar featuring 12 of my original photographs as a thank-you for participating in the workshop.

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY:

Full refund for cancellations made by October 10.

Refund minus a $50 cancellation fee for cancellations made after October 10.

The cancellation fee will be waived in cases of significant illness or other extenuating circumstances.

WEATHER & RAIN DATE:

The photography outing will take place outdoors, so we'll keep a close eye on the forecast. If heavy, steady rain is predicted, the October 24 outing will be postponed to Sunday, October 25. I'll make the final decision as early as possible and communicate any change to participants.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP

1. Send me an email.
If you'd like to join the workshop, simply email me at Joshfriedmanphoto@gmail.com and let me know you'd like to register, and how you would prefer to pay. Also, please say a little about your photography experience level.

2. I'll send you payment information.

The cost is $225 per person. You can pay by Venmo, check, or another payment method that's convenient for you. I'll reply with the payment details. The price includes all three parts of the workshop, as well as a 2027 Bucks County calendar featuring 12 of my original photographs.

3. Your spot is confirmed when payment is received.
The workshop is limited to 8 participants. I will send a confirmation email once I receive your payment.

That's all you need to do!

About Josh:

I've had a camera in my hand since I was about seven years old, and photography has been a passion of mine ever since. My work has appeared in local publications including River Towns Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Upper Makefield Magazine, and The Yardley Patch. This fall, I'll be featured in Bucks County Magazine in a story focusing specifically on my autumn photography. I've sold my photography for over 15 years, and my prints are now in homes and offices around the world. I've also led workshops and presentations on composition, HDR (high dynamic range) photography, photography equipment, and Bucks County in autumn—including Bucks County's Beauty and History: A Photographic Tour and a three-part spring workshop at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.