The Art of Seeing: A Weekend of Creative Photography with Charles Needle

Throughout the weekend, Charles will guide you through the technical aspects of photography, as well as various artistic/creative techniques that allow you to craft expressive, poetic images. Topics focused on impressionistic techniques include:

• How to use your camera as a “paintbrush"
• In-camera multiple-exposure techniques (including his “Multiple-Exposure Monet” technique, which he invented)
• Soft-glow montage; composite montage
• Long-exposure techniques
• Alternative post-processing options
• And using various apps to accomplish the same using nothing more than your smartphone.

Charles will also focus on creative macro photography. He will provide field demonstrations to share tips and techniques for capturing artistic floral close-ups, suggested camera equipment and accessories unique to macro, effective lighting techniques, mastering artistic compositions and learning how to see abstracts.

Through slide-illustrated lectures, field demos, one-on-one instruction, and supportive group image evaluations, join Charles to add a new level of creativity to your photographic work!

Additional Details

The workshop begins Friday evening, April 24, 2026 at 6:00pm, then meets all day Saturday, April 25, and concludes by 5:00pm on Sunday, April 26.

Workshop includes field shoots and classroom sessions, which will meet at the November Lodge at Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center. Additional information will be sent to participants.

All skill levels and camera formats welcome. Participants must be comfortable using their camera equipment and have basic proficiency in post-capture image editing software, such as Lightroom, Photoshop or Snapseed for image assignments.

Tuition

$495 CVPS members (Not a member? Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society – Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park)

Fee does not include lodging, meals, or transportation.

Limit: 14 participants

Instructor Information

Charles Needle is an award-winning, Colorado-based fine art photographer, author, speaker and workshop leader with a unique eye for design and artistic interpretation. In 2024, Charles made the shortlist for the Close-up Photographer of the Year international contest. In 2018 and 2021, he earned honorable mentions in the Macro and Visual FX categories of the prestigious Annual International Mobile Photography Awards Contest.

Charles has authored three cutting-edge instructional books: Tiny Worlds: Creative Macro Photography Skills, Impressionistic Photography: A Field Guide to Using Your Camera as a Paintbrush, and Creative Macro Photography: Professional Tips & Techniques. An accomplished teacher with international workshops in the United Kingdom, Monet's Garden, Keukenhof Gardens, and The Butchart Gardens, Charles is a North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Showcase Award winner for 18 years in a row.

His photographs have been published widely and are in private and public collections. To learn more about Charles' work, visit Charles Needle Photography.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

We rely on your attendance to make important arrangements, so if for any reason you need to withdraw, refunds will be made according to the following guidelines:

• Cancellations received 75 or more days prior to the workshop will receive a refund of the paid fee minus a $100 cancellation fee.
• Cancellations received 74 or fewer days prior to the event will not receive a refund unless you find someone to fill your spot. In that case, you will receive a refund of the paid fee minus a $100 cancellation fee.
• In the event a workshop is cancelled by CVPS, all monies will be refunded. Every effort is made not to cancel an event, but we reserve the right to do so and we are not responsible for any losses you may incur due to a cancellation.

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Host or Publisher Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park