What You'll Learn:

Night Photography is one of the most popular genres of photography, yet it is also one of the most intimidating. Let's make it simple! Everyone leaves this photo tour with a postcard quality image of the Portland skyline. You do not need prior photography experience, but a familiarity with the location of your camera's settings such as f stops, shutter speeds, ISO, white balance and the self timer are helpful.

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We begin the photo tour at the Hawthorne Bridge by Portland Fire and Rescue Station 21. After shooting the bridge and skyline from the upper promenade and the lower level pier, we continue our exploration of the Esplanade to the Tilikum Crossing, USS Blueback submarine and the OSMI building and pier.

 

This photo tour will not do a deep dive into basic camera settings. If you are interested in learning camera basics F-Stops and Shutter Speeds 101 is for you. However, we will discuss the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed and ISO) and how to apply it to night photography. Our focus will be long exposures, light trails, and the starburst effect.  

 

We will review white balance settings for night photography, how to reduce camera shake and focusing at night. Perspective and composition are also covered. Shooting will be done in manual mode. If you are from out of town and want to know the best spots for night photography in Portland, this is a great photo tour for you. 

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At the end of the photo tour, you will be invited to join Portland Photo Tour Forum. This is a Facebook group open only to those who have participated in a Portland Photo Tour and are interested in learning, inspiring and having fun with photography. Tag me and I will give you feedback on your images!
 

Highlights:

Urban landscape photography at night

Long exposures

Using a cable release (or self timer) + tripod

Composition + perspective

Starburst effect

Light trails

Shooting in manual mode 

Metering

Exposing for the highlights

Meeting Location:

Outside the Fire Station at 05 SE Madison Street & The  Eastbank Esplanade (on the waterfront promenade), Portland, OR 97214.  
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Requirements:

DSLR or mirrorless camera

Wide angle lens (16-35mm or similar) and/or a standard lens (24-70mm or similar)

Tripod capable of holding the weight of your camera

Cable release (optional) - can also use self timer.

Capable of walking 1.5 mile carrying your equipment​

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More Info:

Minimum age requirement is 13 for private tours.

Private tours are for 1-2 people. Custom pricing is available for additional time or participants.