Naomi Drew reviews the ‘Masters Program’ Workshop preview presentation
to the Thousand Oaks, CA Camera Group - October 25, 2011

"Definitely a thought-provoking workshop… it was rather an eye opener for me …”

Last night’s workshop presented by Tom Gamache and Van Webster was the least photographic workshop about photography I have ever seen! (in fact it was a preview of their ‘Masters Program’ and ‘Art Light’ Landscape Photography Workshops).

Oh, yes, there were photos, but the key was what makes up a photograph. This means the history of painting … with landscape paintings from the Renaissance and later being used as examples for composition, light, and action. While this may be obvious to a landscape artist, it was rather an eye-opener for me.

One thing that stood out was … that art is planned. Thinking about it, it is. The artist pulls together what they know from experience and theory, and create something … with the elements of composition …  considered before work is begun.

This means … in short …  art emerges, not a lucky accident.

A Family Affair Workshop Qualifies For Class Credit

Barbara Huebel, her poet husband Bob (note the accompanying text) and their son Ryan, a first year photography student, enrolled together in our annual October “Autumn in the Eastern Sierra” 6-day ‘Wandering Around Outdoors’ Field Workshop.

Ryan’s final class project “Shadows of the Past” is an important sampling of his excellent work at just one of the many locations that we visit every year during the workshop - Bodie, CA - the best kept ghost town in the west. Barbara forwarded his work Ryan’s “Finals” project to us and we thought so highly of his work that we wanted to share it with our many friends.

Barbara and Bob Huebel … "We are forever grateful to the instructors, Tom Gamache and Van Webster of ‘Wandering Around Outdoors’ Workshops for changing the way Ryan views life through the lens.”

Thank you Barbara, Bob and Ryan for being with us on one of our favorite workshop adventures. You were wonderful to be with!

Tom and Van

Eighth Annual Photography Workshop in the Santa Monica Mountains this December

Seventh year is a charm for National Park sponsored Santa Monica Mountains 'Masters Program' Workshop

We were blessed with perfect timing for our latest workshop in the Santa Monicas along with a great group of shooters and perfect So Cal autumn color and weather.  We would like to thank photographer Lawana Godwin who, while attending the workshop, wrote a wonderful review including direct comments and reviews by other attending photographers.