John Batdorff Photography

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Chicago Photography Workshop

Join us for an all day Chicago photography workshop dedicated to improving your skills and photographing  Chicago's most iconic locations. We meet in Lincoln Park at Cafe Brauer to start our day. There we get to know each other while we go over our day’s itinerary. Then we head out into the park to get a gorgeous shot of the Chicago skyline. We will practice bracketing and discuss techniques of landscape photography.

The Chicago Photography workshop begins in Lincoln Park where we capture a beautiful scene of skyline.

The Chicago Photography workshop begins in Lincoln Park where we capture a beautiful skyline.

 

Lincoln Park Nature Walk

People's Gas Pavilion in Lincoln Park.

 

Everyone photo workshop participant learns how to effectively create sunburst

Every photography workshop participant learns how to effectively create a sunburst.

 

john batdorff providing instruction

Photography workshops help reinforce what you already know while learning new techniques along the way. We teach in the field so you can see the results of using different settings. Here the group is learning about different meter settings and how to use them.

As we walk Chicago, we take portraits of faces that strike us and talk about tips and tricks for street photography. After we cover low-light action photography at the Lincoln Park Zoo, metering modes, black and white photography, bracketing for HDR, Macro photography, and other techniques, we will grab lunch and then make our way downtown to the famous Millennium Park. I know everyone probably has a photo of the “Bean,” but we’ll discuss some new techniques for getting a unique image in downtown Chicago. We also work on architectural photography downtown by photographing Chicago's historic buildings.

The Wrigley building overlooking the Chicago River

The Wrigley building overlooking the Chicago River

 

Chicago street patterns

Finding patterns and unique perspectives is always fun during the photo workshop.

 

Maggie Daley Park Bridge

A Chicago Photography workshop participant photographs the bridge connecting Maggie Daley Park to Millennium Park.

 

Millennium Park Gardens, Chicago Photography Workshop

Lurie Gardens at Millennium Park Chicago.

Interested in street photography? Then a Chicago photo workshop is a great way to get started. You can try out some new skills and even gauge your interest. John provides tips on how he approaches street photography in an urban setting.

Resting in Laurie Gardens

Interested in Street Photography? We cover the basics during the Chicago photography workshop.

 

Always interesting street photography downtown Chicago

There is always interesting street photography downtown Chicago.

 

A man dances in the reflections of Crown Fountain

A man dances in the reflections of Crowne Fountain.

 

Chicago Crown Fountains, Chicago Photography Workshop, Millennium Park

Chicago Crowne Fountain.

 

Chicago Photography Workshop participants

The day will begin at 9:00am, and finish up around 4:00pm, so you’ll definitely get a full day’s worth of fun and photography. Staci will be with me to ensure that I get one-on-one time with each of you. All levels of photographers are welcome, as are native Chicagoans and visitors alike. I like to keep this Chicago photography workshop fun and flexible because when you’re in the Windy City, you never know what you’ll see!

GEAR:
Bring your camera, lenses, including a wide angle if possible, any filters if you have them, and comfortable walking shoes as we do a lot of walking, at least several miles. You will also want sunscreen, water, a hat if it's sunny, and appropriate warm gear if it's forecast to be cold or windy. Down by the lake the temperature can be cooler than other areas of the city, so you'll want to come prepared. Feel free to contact us with any questions on what to bring. We do not recommend a tripod as you'll be moving most of the day and it's too much to carry.

John and Staci your host

John and Staci will be your hosts for a day of fun and photography. Special thanks to Pedro for taking this picture.

We will email you the week before to the workshop to give final details and check in to give updates on the weather. We go ahead with the workshop in any weather so long as you or your gear are not in danger. For example, unseasonable cold, wind, or foggy misty weather won't stop us! But, if we do have to cancel due to dangerous weather or any circumstances out of our control, we will first attempt to reschedule with you. If rescheduling is not possible, we will offer a refund. If you need to cancel, you must do so 14 days ahead of time or forfeit your registration fee.

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Date:
TBA

Cost: $300.00

Group Size: 7

Dates: TBA

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Lauri Novak
Lauri Novak

John has a way of making you feel comfortable and unafraid to ask questions. The laid back style of the workshop gives participants the opportunity to work on individual styles and skills. John makes a point of contacting you prior to the workshop so he can tailor his mentoring / teaching to each individual, that is priceless and so much more personal and effective than sitting in a classroom listening to someone lecture. He takes you out and shows you, works with you and helps you become a better photographer. My photography has already benefited from just one day in a workshop with John and I’ve already signed up for another!

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Sheldon Gottlieb
Sheldon Gottlieb

I HIGHLY recommend John Batdorff to photographers at all levels. I consider myself a serious amateur and signed up for John’s individual one-on-one mentoring program. John far exceeded my expectations. Because of John, I am much happier with my images, both with the subject matter and how the images ultimately turned out.

John helped me significantly improve every aspect of my photography: what to shoot, how to shoot, where to shoot, post processing in Lightroom (color and black and white) and how to make the best use of my equipment.

John was instrumental in helping me set up a personal photography website. Not only did he give me excellent advice, he connected me to a web design firm that designed a site that has received numerous compliments.

I have also gone out with John on a few night photo excursions. After my website was in place, I realized that most of my night photographs were from the excursions with John.

If that is not enough, John has written a number of excellent photography books, especially on street photography and black and white photography. The books are very well written, practical and easy to understand, and cover everything from equipment selection to post processing.

John is extremely talented, both in the field and in the digital darkroom. He is also a very nice person and very encouraging. He is a pleasure to work with.

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Ken Krebs
Ken Krebs

I have participated in John’s photo workshop to Death Valley and it was fabulous. John, Staci and Staci’s dad, the van driver and all round #1 helper, made the trip a once in a life time experience. They made sure we were in the right spots at the right time for some wonderful images. The instruction during the shoot and after was terrific. I am also going with John to New Orleans April, 2015. If ever in Chicago stop by John’s studio and see some beautiful images and partake in stimulating conversation. I have also been with John on a night shoot around Chicago. Wonderful city with great opportunities for unique images. I also downloaded John’s books – “Black and White from Snapshots to Great Shots”, “Plug in with NIK”, “Street Photography” and also have his paperback book “Travel and Street Photography from Snapshots to Great Shots.
I guess you could say I am a big fan of this wonderful photographer, teacher and person. You can’t go wrong with a workshop he leads or a book he writes.

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Tom Dolan
Thomas Dolan Photography

I have taken many one day photography classes and John Batdorff's Day and Night workshops are the best. They are the ideal combination of instruction and interesting photo settings. The extremely low student to teacher ratio really facilitates learning and allows photographers at all levels to gain new knowledge. I highly recommend them.

John Batdorff Photography

1902 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 773-293-6548

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