Great Photography Workshop in Yosemite with Mike Osborne / Ansel Adams Gallery

There is an upcoming photography workshop with retired Yosemite park ranger, Mike Osborne that I am going on. It is a one day workshop this Saturday, November 21st. The title of the workshop is "The River Nobody Knows" and focuses on the beauty of the Merced River and the Granite and water flowing along 140 that most people zip past trying to get to Yosemite.

Normally, I don't write about just any workshop, but I had the opportunity to meet and shoot with Mike last fall while taking a Fall Color workshop with Michael Frye through the Ansel Adams gallery (which was awesome btw!)

Mike is one of Yosemite's hidden gems and I want to get the word out because opportunities like this don't always come around! Mike is just an incredible guy - one of those almost stereotypical park ranger-looking guys you would see and ask questions or directions!! I had a blast shooting with him - his eye for details, composition and the stories about the year are amazing. I know that I couldn't spend a month in the Yosemite back country in the winter with only a pack and a mule!! Mike is very soft spoken and is able to share his techniques and expertise with a wide variety of photographers.

Mike loves the big landscapes but also the small details. You should see some of his pictures of ice crystals on small ponds in the morning. Just breathtaking! Mike has influenced me since I met him last year (My "Water, Light and Textures" series would be a good example!) Mike also loves rocks and rock abstracts that I love (granted with a touch less vibrance :-) Mike was recently featured in the book, "First Light: Five Photographers Explore the Yosemite Wilderness" as well as an updated book he has written called, "Granite, Water, and Light" (I have copies of both!) The links above are to the Yosemite Association where you can purchase the books or better yet, join!

I am hoping to learn and capture some new perspectives this weekend at the workshop. I hope you might also get a chance to sign-up and shoot. It is an inexpensive but priceless opportunity that I am looking forward to. If not, I will be glad to share some of my images! Keep shooting. John

Title for picture taken by John Harrison "Mike Osborne points out the dramatic lighting on the photographer he found in the wild."