Participate in photography instruction at Algonquin Park, a premier location within our comprehensive selection of Hudson Valley photography destinations that feature outstanding opportunities for compelling imagery.
Algonquin Park, now recognized as a National Historic Registry site, presents a photographer's paradise regardless of the time of year. April conditions remain unpredictable; you might encounter delicate spring flowers or find snow covering the landscape, yet both scenarios provide worthwhile subjects for photography.
Your DPA instructor will guide you in framing scenic landscape compositions featuring small, cascading waterfall features. These waterfalls represent remnants of the location's industrial heritage when the park operated as a gunpowder manufacturing facility, complete with deteriorating metal tracks that once transported heavy containers bearing raw manufacturing materials between stone buildings. These containers previously held sulfur, sodium nitrate, and charcoal used in gunpowder production. Sulfur, imported from Iran as far back as the 1800s, produced a pungent odor; you can photograph the aged circular stone structure that served as the cleaning station where workers would cleanse themselves following their difficult labor shifts. During peak production periods, perhaps during the American Civil War era, the facility produced approximately 49 tons of gunpowder.)
The weathered stone buildings no longer contain the gears and mechanical equipment that comprised the innovative machinery for gunpowder manufacturing. (This historical equipment is currently housed in Delaware within the Dupont Museum.) Now, after two centuries, these crumbling stone buildings offer fascinating photographic subjects that document the Hudson Valley's industrial history. (These stone structures were engineered with special reinforcement to contain explosions, which unfortunately caused multiple worker casualties over the years, though the construction design generally directed force upward rather than outward.)
Your DPA instructor will assist you in practicing shutter speed priority mode with the small waterfall subjects to capture sharp detail of water movement at a single instant, or conversely, to create a smooth, impressionistic depiction of flowing water in continuous motion. Alternatively, concentrate on panoramic landscapes presenting either snow or vegetation, depending on seasonal conditions. Prepare to observe demonstrations from your DPA instructor showcasing multiple composition methods to expand your creative toolkit, including leading lines, negative space, rule of thirds, layering, and additional accessible techniques. Upon completing the outdoor photography session, you will possess at minimum 10 composition strategies for future reference in all subsequent photography work, supporting your development of a distinctive personal photographic voice.
For portrait photography sessions, photograph a moment in the daily life of an area resident you might observe walking near the circular stone structure for an authentic photographic detail, capturing your narrative, perhaps with a canine companion retrieving toys.
Designated Meeting Location: Frank's Pizza, 154 S Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550
Bring your DSLR or any other camera you currently use, a completely fully-charged battery, and all portable equipment you can manage. Dress appropriately for weather conditions, wear supportive walking shoes, and carry water for hydration.
Each Composition in the Field session starts with preparatory instruction from one of our accomplished instructors, then you and fellow participants walk through one of numerous photogenic locations (spanning the 20+ cities in DPA programming). Subjects include street photography possibilities, magnificent architectural interiors, open-air markets, zoos and wildlife areas, scenic landscapes, and additional settings, with photographic examples included in our collections. Our reference photographs represent a combination of student and instructor work created across varied locations throughout the United States and Canada.
You will thoroughly enjoy the three-hour experience, master strategic image capture, leave with more compelling photographs, and develop essential skills to increase photographic quality in future endeavors, whether during travel, at personal events, or throughout ordinary life.
Please note that if circumstances beyond our control, such as inclement weather, require class cancellation, we will collaborate with you to schedule an alternative session. Should you need to cancel and require a different date, contact our office. If you do not provide at least 3 days' notice before your scheduled class, a $25 rescheduling fee will apply.
