Close-up & Macro Nature Photography: From Capture to Focus Stacking

Explore the intricate details of the natural world during this hands-on, two-day macro photography workshop. On the first day, participants will explore the equipment and accessories used for close-up and macro photography, including lenses, extension tubes, tripods, focusing rails, lighting, and other essential tools. They will learn how magnification, camera settings, composition, backgrounds, lighting, and depth of field influence successful macro photographs before putting these concepts into practice at a variety of prepared photography stations. On the second day, participants will head into the field to apply these techniques to real-life subjects and changing outdoor conditions, with an emphasis on capturing image sequences for focus stacking. After the field session, they will return to organize and prepare their photographs, learn a complete focus stacking workflow in Adobe Photoshop, align and blend multiple images into a single photograph with extended depth of field, correct common stacking problems, and refine their images into polished final photographs. Participants will leave with a complete field-to-finished workflow for creating highly detailed macro photographs.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING
Participants should bring a camera, macro lens or other close-focusing lens, tripod, fully charged batteries, memory cards, camera manual, laptop computer, card reader or other downloading device, and Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, and Photoshop. Participants should also bring their lunch each day. I will provide a selection of natural subjects and prepared photography stations for the hands-on exercises.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Donald Quintana is an award-winning nature and wildlife photographer, conservation visual storyteller, educator, and international photography tour leader with more than 35 years of experience. His photographs have appeared in National Audubon, Nature’s Best Photography, California Outdoors, Ranger Rick, and numerous other publications. He is passionate about helping photographers develop both their technical abilities and their artistic voice while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Cost: $305 Nonmembers $295 Members
Pre-registration is required. Registration closes: Friday, October 30, 2026
Recommended Ages: 16 and up