If you play guitar and take pictures (as I do) - and want to have a blast playing and photographing, this event is for you!

I am planning a summer 2016 photo & music retreat in Woodstock, New York. It's not like one of my standard photo workshops – where there is lots of photo instruction and processing time. Rather, the three-day weekend will focus on sharing music and photo ideas . . . while we are taking photographs and jammin'.

Videos with my friend/photographer/musician Chuck Pierce:
Samba Pa Ti
Summertime

Some of my fun music videos:
One Minute with My Martin
Landscapes & Seascapes
From Boring to Beautiful Chords
Developing Your Creative Vision

Screen Shot 2014-09-23 at 8.30.34 AM copy 2.png

And speaking of Creative Vision, I'll be giving a seminar on that topic based around my new book, Creative Visualization for Photographers. I actually talk about how music relates to photography in the book.

From the publisher: "The difference between seeing and looking is essential—much like the difference, in music, between hearing and listening. In Creative Visualization, professional photographer, photo educator and photo instructor Rick Sammon presents his proven methodology for creative digital photography. His signature inspiring and motivating approach opens creative avenues for photographers in a variety of genres.

"With easy-to-follow examples, Sammon shows you how simple changes—with visualization, composition, post-processing, and more—can mean the difference between a snapshot and a great shot. This book, illustrated with more than 300 of Rick’s photographs, includes invaluable information about exposure, composition, subject choice, lighting, mood, and depth."

Shoot me an email if you'd like to get on the mailing list for this awesome event. I think the event will be popular, but I don't think you'll hear on the news: "The New York State Thruway is Closed, Man!"

That's Chuck Pierce playing with me after one of my seminars. He'll be at the Woodstock event - and you will be blown away by his talent!

Keep shooting and strumming,
Rick

P.S. Woodstock, the 1969 rock event, which I attended (I think), was actually not held in Woodstock. :-)

Above: You do not need all this gear for a workshop. It's a shot of the gear I took on an extended African safari.

"What's the best camera bag for the workshop?" "How about lenses?" "Is there a lot of walking or hiking?"

I get asked those questions in advance of my workshops. Here are my recos for my 2015 photo workshops.

For all workshops:
• Bring your tripod and laptop - and your enthusiasm for making great photographs!
• Pack hiking boots or hiking shoes, whichever is more comfortable.
• I travel as light as possible. I often have one camera on a Black Rapid strap and a lens/acessory in my photo vest - as illustrated in the Provence photo by Diane Eubanks below. My 70-200mm lens is on my camera; my 24-105mm lens is in a pocket. My backpack was on the shore, in sight.
• Roller bags are not recommend for on-site shooting. Some folks roll their gear onto the plane and then switch - on site - to a backpack or shoulder bag (shipped empty or stuffed with clothes in checked luggage).

Of course, workshop participants are welcome to bring all their gear with them for each shoot. In the image below, taken by Hal Schmitt, I have just two lenses (second one is in my tote). All the other photographers have lots of gear in their backpacks.

Speaking of traveling light, I talk about "The One Lens Shoot" and "What If You've Only Got One Shot?" in my new Master Landscape & Seascape Photography on-line class. Save $10 with this code: landscapes.

Shippensburg, PA
Bag: Shoulder bag. No hiking. Mostly in one or two locations.
Lenses: Wide-angle zoom and medium telephoto zoom.
Other: Speedlite.

Fossil Rim, Texas
Bag: Shoulder bag or backpack. No hiking. We'll be photographing from safari vehicles.
Lenses: Mid-range zoom and long telephotos lenses, say up to 400mm.
Other: Speedlite.

Oregon Coast
Bag: Backpack. We'll be walking around most of the day at each location. The coast is usually a few minutes from your car. Some slippery rocks and slopes.
Lenses: Wide-angle and extreme wide-angle lenses, say a 14mm.
Other: NEOS overshoes, ND filter, head-mounted flashlight.

Casper, Wyoming
Bag: Backpack. We'll be moving from location to location. Cars will be nearby.
Lenses: Fast lenses, as you'll be photographing indoors at the Wonder Bar. Mid-range zoom and long telephotos lenses, say up to 400mm.
Other: ND filter, head-mounted flashlight, speedlite.

Provence
Bag: Backpack. We'll be walking around at each location. Cars will be nearby.
Lenses: NEOS overshoes, wide-angle zoom and telephoto zoom, say up to 200mm.

Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Bag: Backpack or shoulder pack. Easy walks to locations. Cars are nearby.
Lenses: Wide-angle zoom and telephoto zoom, say up to 200mm.
Other: ND filter, head-mounted flashlight, speedlite.

Iceland
Bag: Backpack. We'll be walking around most of the day at each location. Bus will be nearby.
Lenses: Wide-angle zoom and telephoto zoom, say up to 200mm. For night shooting, you may want a fast wide-angle lens.
Other: NEOS overshoes, ND filter, head-mounted flashlight. Warm clothes.

Atlanta, GA
Bag: Backpack. We'll be walking around Old Car City (open fields) and around the Railway Museum. Cars will be nearby.
Lenses: Speedlite, wide-angle zoom and telephoto zoom, say up to 200mm.

Bosque del Apache, NM
Bag: Backpack. We'll be walking to the shooting spots, which are not more than 5-10 minutes from our cars.
Lenses: Mid-range zoom and long telephotos lenses, say up to 400mm, or even longer. For night shooting, you may want a fast wide-angle lens.
Other: Head-mounted flashlight. Warm everything: gloves, hat and coat.

If you are looking to get new gear, my friends at Adorama have a wide selection to fit your needs and budget. You can borrow lenses from borrowlenses.com.

Click here to order NEOS.

Shoot me an email if you are booked on a workshop and have more gear or logistic questions.Of course, a follow-up email to all workshop participants includes more detailed info.

New to my workshops? Check out my new Master Landscape & Seascape Photography on-line class! Save $10 with this code: landscapes.