Ocean Birds and Sea Critters Photo Workshop
Join us for a truly one-of-a-kind photography workshop on the open seas up to 100 miles offshore in search of an incredible variety of pelagic (ocean going) critters that you simply can't photograph on a 3-hour whale watch tour!
This includes several common and rare species of dolphins, whales, birds, sea turtles, and fish that are only observed once the ocean depths drop off at the edge of the continental shelf. Some examples of what we'd especially love to find include sperm whales, Risso's dolphins, hammerhead sharks, loggerhead sea turtles, shearwaters, storm-petrels, offshore terns, ocean sunfish, and flying fish.
Learn settings and techniques that will help you get the best quality photos you can achieve from a moving vessel.
This is a unique offering specifically for photographers. We have reserved a large chartered fishing vessel with a covered cabin area and seats. As such, there will be far fewer people on the boat than typical pelagic trips, allowing more space to roam around and get the best angles possible. The captain will also be strategizing light and subject for positioning the vessel for great photos.
This is an exclusive photography opportunity you won't find anywhere else!
Topics include:
-Tips for photographing ocean birds and other species
-Being ready for the shot
-Focus settings that work best
-Exposure and camera settings
We will have a pre-workshop Zoom session (on a weekday evening) a week prior to the class to cover tips and settings.
Recommended Gear: DSLR, mirrorless, or superzoom camera. For lenses, the range of 100-500mm or 150-600mm are ideal folcal lengths but also bring something a little wider such as a 50mm for any critters that might swim right up to the boat. 
Consider renting a lens, we recommend Aperturent in DC, use CPC10 for a 10% discount on your rental.
No tripods as they are useless on moving boat and use too much space, monopods could be ok.
Skill Level: You should have knowledge of exposure basics and be comfortable with your camera system. If you’re not at that level yet, please consider our Photo Basics class and/or Fieldwork: Photography Basics class prior to the workshop. You won’t want to use the time at the workshop to learn photo basics or the basic functions of your camera.
Matt and the other instructor will be available in the field with guidance about exposure, composition and techniques but will not be able to cover Photo Basics with you.
Fitness: Participants should be able-bodied enough to move about safely while aboard the boat, including during seas that can be windy, choppy and rough. Participants are expected to be in reasonably good shape such that they have at least average arm/leg strength and decent balance for when seas rock the boat so one can keep their feet planted on deck. If you have questions about the fitness expected, please be in touch. Pelagic trips are not suitable for everyone.
Timing: We start the workshop in the evening and travel out to sea arriving at the best photo spots in the very early morning. We'll spend the entire morning and some of the afternoon capturing seldom seen birds and sea critters.
We depart at 11:30PM on May 31. We'll travel out to sea and will be in position to start photographing at first light (approximately 4:15AM) on June 1. We'll shoot out at sea for sometime as well as while we are heading back to shore. The class concludes on June 1 at approximately 4PM.
Questions can be directed to Marie Joabar at info@capitalphotographycenter.com.
Class limit: up to 20 people with 2 instructors
Modified Cancellation Policy for this workshop.
-A refund or a credit towards another workshop or class (less a $50 processing fee) can be given if cancellation notice is given more than 60 days from the scheduled workshop. - If cancellation notice is given less than 60 days, no refund or credit will be given unless another person fills your spot. If so, we will give a refund or credit less $50. - If there is no cancellation notice, or it is given 60 days or less and no one fills the spot, no refund or credit will be given. - If Capital Photography Center cancels or postpones a workshop due to weather or low enrollment, you can choose a refund (less the 5.5% payment processing fee) or a credit towards a future workshop or class.
Instructor: Matt Felperin
Matt is the Roving Naturalist with NOVA Parks, the regional park system of Northern Virginia. In this role, he leads environmental education and recreation programs such as bird walks and kayak tours for the public.
He views his wildlife photography work as one of the most useful tools to connect people with nature.
Class Cancellation Policy
- A refund or a credit towards another class (less a $20 processing fee) can be given if cancellation notice is given more than 5 business days from the scheduled class.
- If there is no cancellation notice, or it is given 5 business days or less, no refund or credit will be given.
- Please check the name and date of the class carefully. Requests to reschedule a class will incur a $20 processing fee provided notice is given more than 5 business days prior to the class. If request to reschedule is given less than business 5 days prior to the class, no refund or credit will be given.
- If Capital Photography Center cancels or postpones a class due to weather or low enrollment, you can choose a full refund or a credit towards a future class.