Dates: July 25 - 29, 2027
Location: Canaan Valley & New River Gorge, WV
Cost: 2,495.00
Limited: 8 Participants
"Imagine photographing familiar Appalachian landscapes transformed into glowing white forests, dramatic black skies, and luminous waterfalls unlike anything the human eye can see. West Virginia is one of the finest places in North America to experience the extraordinary creative possibilities of infrared photography."
West Virginia is one of the most rewarding places in the country for infrared photography. Its dense hardwood forests, rugged mountains, historic farms, waterfalls, and deep river gorges create an incredible diversity of subjects that are transformed through the infrared spectrum. Throughout this immersive workshop, we'll photograph some of the state's most iconic and photogenic locations, including the highlands of Canaan Valley, Dolly Sods, Blackwater Falls State Park, and the Monongahela National Forest before spending two nights exploring the spectacular New River Gorge. Along the way we'll capture sweeping mountain vistas, dramatic waterfalls and rushing streams, quiet woodland scenes, historic barns, weathered Appalachian homesteads, forgotten country roads, and countless details that take on an entirely new life in infrared.
More than simply learning how to use an infrared camera, this workshop is about learning to see the landscape differently. I'll guide you through every aspect of successful infrared photography—from recognizing subjects that translate beautifully into the infrared spectrum to composing compelling images, understanding how light behaves, and processing your files into stunning black-and-white or creative false-color photographs. Whether you're creating ethereal forest scenes beneath glowing white canopies, photographing dramatic skies over the New River Gorge, or isolating the timeless character of Appalachian barns and mountain communities, you'll leave with an exceptional portfolio and a completely new creative perspective that will influence every aspect of your photography.
Workshop Highlights
- Explore some of West Virginia's most spectacular landscapes, including Dolly Sods Wilderness, Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls State Park, the Monongahela National Forest, and New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
- Spend two nights photographing the dramatic cliffs, forests, rivers, and overlooks of the New River Gorge, one of America's newest national parks.
- Photograph an incredible variety of subjects, including waterfalls, mountain vistas, hardwood forests, quiet streams, historic barns, weathered Appalachian homesteads, rustic churches, and forgotten backroads.
- Learn how to identify scenes that excel in infrared photography and develop a completely new way of seeing light, contrast, and composition.
- In-depth field instruction covering exposure, composition, infrared-specific techniques, lens considerations, filters, and working with changing light.
- Comprehensive post-processing instruction for both classic black-and-white infrared images and striking false-color conversions.
- Small group experience with plenty of one-on-one instruction in the field and during image review sessions.
- Ideal for both photographers using a dedicated infrared camera and those working with infrared filters.
- Discover how infrared photography can transform ordinary summer landscapes into extraordinary fine art imagery.
- Return home with a distinctive portfolio unlike anything produced with conventional color photography.
Workshop Logistics
Our workshop begins on Sunday afternoon in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, where we'll meet at our hotel for introductions and a welcome presentation titled The Unseen Landscape. During this engaging classroom session, I'll introduce the creative concepts behind infrared photography, discuss equipment and camera settings, explain what makes a compelling infrared subject, and prepare you for the week ahead. Following the presentation, we'll head into the field for our first afternoon photography session.
On Monday, we'll spend the entire day exploring the remarkable landscapes surrounding Canaan Valley and the Monongahela National Forest. Our itinerary includes locations such as Dolly Sods Wilderness, Blackwater Falls, scenic canyon overlooks, waterfalls, quiet woodland interiors, mountain streams, and a collection of historic Appalachian barns, farms, and rustic structures. Throughout the day, instruction will focus on composition, light, subject selection, and learning to recognize scenes that truly come alive in infrared.
Tuesday begins with an 8:00 AM classroom session dedicated to processing infrared photographs. I'll demonstrate my complete workflow for creating both dramatic black-and-white and creative false-color images, followed by plenty of time for questions. After checking out of the hotel, we'll begin our journey south toward New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, photographing a variety of waterfalls, scenic overlooks, forests, and rural Appalachian landscapes along the way. We plan to arrive at our hotel in the New River Gorge area by approximately 5:00 PM, before heading back into the field for an evening session at one of the park's spectacular overlooks.
Our final full day is dedicated to exploring the incredible photographic diversity of the New River Gorge region. We'll photograph waterfalls, dramatic overlooks, river vistas, dense forests, historic barns, and rustic Appalachian farmsteads, taking advantage of changing light throughout the day. During the afternoon, we'll return to the hotel for our final classroom session featuring image critiques, processing techniques, and a discussion of how to continue your infrared journey long after the workshop ends.
On our final morning, we'll conclude the workshop with a sunrise session at the magnificent Sandstone Falls, one of West Virginia's most iconic waterfall landscapes. The workshop officially concludes following the morning photography session, with participants free to depart by 10:00 AM, making it easy to begin the drive home or continue exploring the Mountain State.
Traveling to West Virginia
Participants should plan to arrive in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, on Sunday afternoon before our 2:00 PM workshop orientation and classroom session. The workshop concludes after our morning photography session at Sandstone Falls on Thursday, no later than 10:00 AM.
The closest major airports are:
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) – Approximately 3.5 hours from Canaan Valley and often the best combination of flight options and pricing.
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Approximately 3 hours from Canaan Valley and an excellent choice for participants traveling from the East Coast.
- Charleston West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) – Approximately 2 hours from our final destination near New River Gorge, making it a convenient option for those planning to fly home immediately after the workshop.
A rental vehicle is highly recommended. Participants should plan to drive themselves throughout the workshop, as we will be traveling between numerous photography locations each day before relocating from Canaan Valley to the New River Gorge on Tuesday. Carpooling is encouraged whenever practical to reduce the number of vehicles at our shooting locations.
Roads throughout the workshop are paved or well-maintained gravel roads suitable for any passenger vehicle. No high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle is required.
Additional lodging recommendations, our meeting hotel, packing suggestions, and a detailed equipment list will be emailed to all registered participants approximately 60 days prior to the workshop.
Infrared Equipment
This workshop is designed primarily for photographers using dedicated infrared cameras (590nm, 665nm, 720nm, 830nm, etc.).
Photographers using screw-on infrared filters are also welcome, although a converted camera offers a much more enjoyable shooting experience.
If you're considering purchasing or converting a camera before the workshop, I'm happy to provide recommendations.
What's Included
- Professional photographic instruction in the field.
- Three in-depth classroom sessions covering infrared capture, creative vision, processing techniques, and image critiques.
- My presentation, The Unseen Landscape, introducing the art and philosophy of infrared photography.
- Comprehensive instruction on infrared composition, exposure, light, subject selection, and camera technique.
- Step-by-step post-processing instruction for both black-and-white and false-color infrared images.
- Individual image review and personalized one-on-one guidance throughout the workshop.
- A detailed pre-workshop information packet, including recommended gear, clothing, travel information, and preparation tips.
- Small group experience designed to maximize personal instruction and time in the field.
