Crater Lake and the Oregon Coast

Bandon, OR 97411, USA

RL
Rock Light Photo
  • Email address verified
9 reviews
Aug 1 - 7, 2024
Group size: 1 - 8
Crater Lake and the Oregon Coast
Bandon, OR 97411, USA

Rock Light Photo
  • Email address verified
9 reviews

Aug 1 - 7, 2024
Group size: 1 - 8

About this trip

Workshop Overview


I try to offer a new workshop every year to give my regular workshop participants some variety, as well as new challenges.


For 2024, this new workshop will be in two different locations.  We will spend 3 1/2 days and 3 nights along the Southern Oregon coast in Bandon Beach, OR (Aug 1-4), and then drive up some 7,000 feet (hitting at least one waterfall along the way) to Crater Lake National Park (Aug 4-7), where we will stay 3 nights in national park lodging.


During this action packed week, we will shoot sunsets and sunrises amidst the sea stacks along the Pacific Ocean, as well as some Milky Way photography as weather allows, and at least one of Oregon's famous lighthouses.  Similarly, we will shoot sunrises and sunsets from the rim of Crater Lake, capture a couple of beautiful Oregon waterfalls, and avail ourselves of the very dark night skies (Class 1 Bortle!)in Crater Lake for some astrophotography. 

About the workshop leader

Colin is an award-winning photographer who has spent the past several years exploring the red rock Canyonlands of Southern Utah and the mountains of Colorado.  He has been leading workshops and tours across the country for several years as the founder of Rock Light Photo Tours.  He is a certified and insured photography travel guide in Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Rocky Mountain national parks. 

Field lessons include

- Determining proper exposure - Capturing great images in challenging lighting conditions 

- Analyzing a scene for compositional options 

- Using filters to improve artistic results 

- Capturing the Milky Way with your digital camera
- Techniques and gadgets for better Milky Way photography
- Making your sunrise & sunset images pop

- Using long exposures to capture waterfalls and the ocean waves and tides

Classroom sessions

- Adobe Lightroom workflow for getting the most from your images
- Post processing for Milky Way photography
- Creating composite night images with layer masking

- Stitching panoramic images
- Converting color digital photos into black and white images

Other Considerations

Skills Needed:
All skill levels are welcome.  Participants who have a good working knowledge of their cameras, and basic understanding of digital workflow and knowledge or exposure to Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom will get the most from this workshop. 

Physical Demands:
Though locations visited during this workshop are readily accessible, the hilly terrain requires some moderate hiking (typically less than 3 miles round trip). Participants MUST be in good physical shape and able to climb and descend moderate to steep inclines. They should wear sturdy boots and use caution on slippery and rocky slopes.  As this workshop involves astrophotography, we will sometimes be shooting late at night, sometimes into the wee hours of morning.  The ability to nap to catch up on sleep during the middle of the day (or on a rain day), is a plus!  I will try not to run everyone too ragged.


Group Size:
Maximum 8 photographers.  Note: This workshop usually sells out quickly!

Workshop details

Registration fee:  $1425 per person, plus room fees for our 3 nights in Crater Lake (ranging from $570-$900 for 3 nights/room)
Deposit to reserve a date: $600-$750 depending on housing options


Dates and Times
Workshop begins Thursday, Aug 1st at 4pm, and ends Wednesday, Aug 7th, at 11am.

At least one rental property in Bandon will be available the night of July 31st if you wish to arrive early.

Non-photographer/tag-along rate: $700 - for a spouse/partner/friend who wants to come along, eat meals with the group, and travel to some of our shooting locations.  Note there is a double occupancy rate for the lodging options at the vacation rental properties in Bandon.


Where to Meet
Participants will gather and be based at the Sunset & Surf rental house across the street from Face Rock State Scenic Area.   Directions and details will be sent well in advance of the workshop.

Lodging Options

This is a bit complicated, since there are two different locations for this workshop.


Crater Lake is in the middle of nowhere (did I mention Bortle 1 skies?).  As such, there's really not a lodging option that is not in the park within a hour of most of our shooting locations, which leaves us with two national park lodging options.  I have gone ahead and reserved several options both in the Crater Lake Lodge (right on the rim), and in Mazama Cabins (about 15 minutes away, but cheaper).  These are really hard to come by, as they release dates 365 dys in advance, and most rooms for our dates are already booked.


Crater Lake Housing Options:  (Aug 4-7)

    Registration Fee + king bed lodge bedroom (up to 2 people) = $2325 

    Registration Fee + 2 queen lodge bedroom (up to 2 people) = $2325 

    Registration Fee + 2 queen cabins bedroom (up to 2 people) = $1995 

All Crater Lake rooms have private bathrooms.  The lodge is right on the rim.  The cabins are in Mazama village (about 7mi/15 min from the rim)


Note - the packages available to reserve the workshop include one of the above options, but NOT housing for Bandon Beach (you'll be asked about that later).  There is an option for no accommodations, which is for people sharing a room with someone who has booked a room already.  If you want to stick around Crater Lake longer, please let me know when you book, and I can try to extend your room, but no guarantees, as most of these rooms are not available.


Bandon Beach - Aug 1-4 (plus an option for the night of July 31) 

We will be in two vacation rental properties in Bandon Beach and Bandon, Oregon.  Both will have easy access to the beach, and will be less than 2 miles from old town Bandon.  One of the two properties will be the home base for the workshop All Sunset & Surf @ Face Rock), giving us a place to  gather for classroom sessions, a kitchen to use for meals, and a chance  to mingle with and learn from your fellow photographers.  Prices shown do not include local taxes.  


    Private bedroom (King bed, pvt bath : $175/night -$195/night dbl occ. - 1 of 3  avail)

    Private Bedroom (King bed, shared bath: $150/night - $175/nt dbl occ. - 0 of 1 avail)

    Private bedroom (Queen bed, shared bath: $140/night - 0 of 1 avail)

    Private bedroom (full bed, shared bath: $120/night - 1 of 1 avail)


Please be sure to request one of the lodging options above when booking if desired.  Payment taken separately.  contact colin@Lightandphoto.com with questions. 

Yes - it is OK to book your own hotel/motel nearby if you prefer.

What to Bring!

  What to bring:

  • ·         A digital SLR or mirrorless camera capable of manual exposure settings.  
  • ·         Plan to bring all of your lenses, from 14mm to 200mm(full frame equiv.) or even longer if you want to shoot some shore birds, as the variety of daytime locations will put all your gear to work! (beaches, sea stacks clifftop coastal views, tide pools, waterfalls, sand dunes, epic sunrises and sunsets)  A wide angle lens (somewhere in the 14mm to 35mm range) capable of an aperture of f/2.8 or lower is best for capturing the Milky Way.  Consider renting a lens if you don’t own one.
  • ·         A sturdy tripod 
  • ·         Circlular polarizer filters and ND filters.  A circular polarizer filter can be a useful tool for controlling glare and reflections for the wet sand on the coast and Crater Lake. ND filters and grad ND filters are great for making waterfalls silky, darkening brights skies, and coastal loveliness.  NOTE: Colin is a rep for NiSi Filters, which makes an excellent circular polarizer filter, and he can get you a 15% discount off retail prices.  https://nisiopticsusa.com/shop/nisi-circular-filters/round-cpl-circular-polarizer-filter/ti-enhanced-cpl/
  • ·         Hiking boots or other sturdy shoes: while the hikes to locations we will visit will be fairly short (typically less than 1-3 miles round trip) a good set of sturdy hiking boots is good for protecting the ankles on rocky trails and slippery rocks. Hiking poles are useful for navigating tricky slopes.
  •           Shoes for shooting on the coast - the Pacific Ocean is not warm, but plan on getting your feet wet.  I plan to bring a pair of sandals I can get wet, waterproof high-rise hiking boots, and a pair of low rise shoes as well.
  • ·         Lots of clothing layers – Oregon weather can be finicky, and temps can be chilly at night and early in the morning, especially in the fog, and much warmer during the day.  Crater Lake is at 7,000', so plan for everything from 40s to 80s.  Both Bandon houses have washers & dryers, so you don't need to pack 7-8 days of clothes.  A good rain layer is going to be essential.
  • ·         A headlamp, preferably with a red light setting, to participate in optional night photo sessions.  A dimmable headlamp is a bonus.
  • ·         A laptop computer, ideally loaded with Adobe Lightroom Classic, or whatever other programs you use to process images to best take advantage of the Lightroom workflow instructional session.  Cables and devices necessary to download your images from camera to laptop.

What’s included

  • Crater Lake lodging
    differs by package chose upon checkout
  • Photography instruction
    classroom and on-site instruction on capturing the Milky Way and processing your images.

What’s not included

  • Airfare
    Medford, OR (MFR) and Eugene, OR (EUG) are both regional airports served by major carriers. Both have direct flights from Denver on United.
  • Transportation
    We will carpool as possible, but access to a vehicle while you are in town is suggested. If you wish to share a rental car, I will try to align folks by airport arrival, etc.
  • meals
    We will eat some meals as a group at restaurants in Bandon and Crater Lake, but all meals are the responsibility of the participant
  • Bandon lodging
    Housing options in Bandon are available as an add-on

Available Packages

Mazama Village Cabin - 2 queens

A cabin with two queen beds and a private bathroom in Mazama Village Campground & Cabins, only 7 miles (15-20 min) from the Crater Lake Rim (and the lodge).  Up to 2 persons may share (if you are signing up for 2 people, make sure you select the ' no lodging' option for the 2nd person if you plan to share a cabin.)  


3 nights at $190/night (Aug 4-7)  


Full price includes workshop registration and all applicable taxes.  (Bandon Beach accommodations are separate)  

$1,995
Deposit:$700
Crater Lake Lodge - King bedroom

A room with a king bed and a private bathroom in the Crater Lake Lodge, right on the rim of Crater Lake!  up to 2 persons (if you are signing up for 2 people, make sure you select the ' no lodging' option for the 2nd person if you plan to share a room.


3 nights at $300/night (Aug 4-7)


Full price includes workshop registration and all applicable taxes.  (Bandon accommodations are separate)  

$2,325
Deposit:$750
Crater Lake Lodge - 2 queens

A room with two queen beds and a private bathroom in the Crater Lake Lodge, right on the rim of Crater Lake!  Up to 2 persons may share (if you are signing up for 2 people, make sure you select the ' no lodging' option for the 2nd person if you plan to share a room.)

3 nights at $300/night (Aug 4-7)

Full price includes workshop registration and all applicable taxes.  (Bandon Beach accommodations are separate) 

$2,325
Deposit:$750
Crater Lake Lodge - 1 Queen

A room with two queen beds and a private bathroom in the Crater Lake Lodge, right on the rim of Crater Lake!  Up to 2 persons may share (if you are signing up for 2 people, make sure you select the ' no lodging' option for the 2nd person if you plan to share a room.)  


3 nights at $290/night (Aug 4-7)  


Full price includes workshop registration and all applicable taxes.  (Bandon Beach accommodations are separate)  

$2,295
Deposit:$700
No Lake lodging needed - reg. fee only.

Choose this option for a participant who will be sharing a room with another participant who has already paid for their room.  


Full price includes workshop registration and all applicable taxes.  (Bandon Beach accommodations are separate)   

$1,425
Deposit:$450
Non-participant tag-a-long

For a non-photographer spouse/friend/colleague/fellow traveler who wants to join in group meals, carpools, and visit some of our shooting locations during the week.  Yes, they can take cell phone shots, but generally no photo instruction given.

$700
Deposit:$250
Half workshop - Bandon only Aug 1-4

Join for only the first half of the workshop in Bandon, OR Aug 1-4.  Does not include housing.

$750


Itinerary

Bandon Beach, OR
Bandon Beach & Oregon Coast

August 1 -4 


3 Days and 3 nights on the Oregon Coast based in Bandon Beach.  We will shoot sunrises, sunsets, seascapes, the Milky Way, and coastal fog, weather permitting.  Our home base will be right across the street from the Face Rock Weyside, where we will be able to walk directly down to one of the most spectacular beaches (photographically speaking) on the entire West Coast!  We will explore and photograph up and down the coast, perhaps including a nearby waterfall, picturesque harbors, and at least one of Oregon's famed lighthouses.

Your Organizer


RL
Rock Light Photo
9 reviews
Professional photographer Colin D. Young offers 4-6 multi-day immersive photography workshops in various locations generally centered around U.S. National parks, with an emphasis on the national parks of Colorado and Utah. He is a certified and insured photo tour guide in Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon and Rocky Mountain National Parks.

Reviews

It was a good trip. Colin was very good at leading us to locations most apt to having the best color. I look forward to joining him on future photo tours.
By bill r for San Juans Fall Color Photo Workshop on Oct 17, 2024
I had a great workshop with Colin in the San Juan Mountains. He knows the area so well and is a great instructor for photographers of all levels.
By Marcus S for San Juans Fall Color Photo Workshop on Oct 09, 2024
This is my third workshop with Rock Light Photo tours and likely won't be my last! Colin was joined by Byran Haile (another excellent Moab photographer) on this workshop, and what a great combo it was! We were taken to remote locations where the skies were super dark and the conditions were perfect. Getting to these locations was also super fun! There was ample downtime during the day to process images or go for walks in and around Moab, or into Arches NP. Colin was on hand each day for assistance with Lightroom or Photoshop editing. I feel lucky to have joined the first Moab: Secrets of the Night Sky workshop and I hope it becomes a regular on the Rock Light Photography's website. Robin K.
By Robin K for Moab Secrets of the Night Sky on Sep 18, 2024
This was my first workshop with Colin (Rock Light Photo), and it was absolutely fantastic. Loved that we got to stay in an AirBnB as a group when available, it afforded many opportunities to collaborate and learn from the other workshop attendees as well as from Colin. We had some weather struggles on this trip, particularly on the coast, but Colin helped us expand our skillsets and pushed us to see the beauty available regardless. Crater Lake is unreal, and staying in the park maximized our opportunities for beautiful sights, including some lovely nights under the Milky Way, which was visible to the naked eye. Colin did a great job scouting locations for us in advance, so we were able to maximize the night sky. I am definitely already making plans to attend, potentially one more trip in 2024, and definitely at least one in 2025. Thank you Colin, this trip was a treasure.
By Bradley P for Crater Lake and the Oregon Coast on Aug 18, 2024
This was my third trip with Colin and arguably the most interesting given the diversity of locations, experiences and camaraderie of the course participants. The weather on the coast only partially cooperated, yet Colin was able to ensure the team stayed engaged and active, no easy feat when we were looking for images of the Milky Way and sunlit sea-stacks. As we moved to Crater Lake looking for Milky Way opportunities during unpredictable wildfires, fog and smoke, Colin came through finding opportunities where a normal instructor might have tossed in the towel. Colin's creative use of AirB&B houses and National Park Lodging allowed for multiple interactions amongst the participants and encouraging impromptu discussions and "sharing sessions" As an instructor Colin is a natural teacher as he can quickly assess the students' needs, skills and personality traits allowing for high degree of personal attention in a group setting. This is not something that typically comes naturally, yet it appeared to be quite natural for Colin. I eagerly look forward to my fourth course (I have already secured my spouse's permission for trips in 2025 and 2026 - Did I mention Iceland???? LoL) with Colin (and Niki) in 2025! As a final thought, for those looking for a genuine bargain, Colin's courses are extraordinary and under priced. Justin
By justin D for Crater Lake and the Oregon Coast on Aug 17, 2024
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References

QD
I have been out with Collin for quiet a few times to capture the moments of nature with cameras. I enjoyed all of the trips. The beauty and grandeur of those places often captured my mind, as I was capturing their images. Photography is about capture the right light at right moments and right places. Colin is a career professional light expert, and has a keen sense and splendid knowledge about light. He helped almost every participant in his workshops to get high quality images. I have about 50 years of experience in photography, and I still learn something new in each Colin’s workshop. I plan to attend more Collin’s workshops.
By Quan D on 18 Dec, 2023
JB
I attended Colin's Arches and Canyonlands workshop in March of 2023 and it was a fantastic experience. Colin knew the area well and took us to all the best spots at the right times. He was friendly and personable and I would recommend him to anyone interested in landscape photography. Our group had photographers with greatly varying levels of skill and experience and Colin was excellent at meeting their often different needs. This was my first time doing a photography workshop but it definitely won't be my last.
By Jerry B on 04 Dec, 2023
My first workshop with Rock Light Photo hooked me! The trip was well-organized, well-planned, had good fellow guests, and solid leadership from Colin Young. There was a strong sense of camaraderie and fun, heightened by most of us staying in the same rental house. We visited a lot of sites in Bryce Canyon, and since I'd never been, it was really eye-opening and fun. Colin organized things well, but not too much, and was responsive to the group's varying skill levels and energy. I've done several more photo workshops with Rock Light Photo in different places and consistently enjoyed myself, learned a lot about many aspects of photography, and gotten great images. I'd strongly recommend Rock Light Photo for photographers with a range of experience - you'll also have fun, grow as an artist, and create great photos.
By D H on 02 Nov, 2023