JackPhoto Workshops
Relaxed, real-world learning, outdoors, with Jack Gescheidt.
(And fellow photography & nature fans.)
"This class changed everything....
Jack has an uncanny way of explaining complicated technical concepts in an engaging way
that makes you want to soak it up and ask for more."
(Full Testimonial below.)
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TESTIMONIAL:
"Wow, what an incredible day out in the woods and on the trail with Jack, taking his beginner's photo class. I've had a good digital SLR camera for years but until now had no clear, concise knowledge of how to use it to capture images and moments any better than I can with my iPhone. Books and Youtube videos really did nothing for me, I was still confused on the most basic principles. I had resorted to feeling photography just wasn't for me. This class changed everything.... Jack has an uncanny way of explaining complicated technical concepts in an engaging way that makes you want to soak it up and ask for more.
Not only did he explain so well the technical aspects of photography but he gave such a beautiful lesson of a more philosophical nature on 'how to look, and how to imagine'. For me, that was the biggest Aha moment, when he engaged my creativity so I looked at photo subjects in a different way. Within a few hours I was able to capture images that were way beyond anything I had been able to do before.
Moreover, just the joy of being out there with a 'real' camera with a purpose, to capture beautiful creative images rather than just document whatever I saw with a basic phone camera was thrilling. And just to have funI
I highly encourage anyone with a desire to light up their imagination to take a class with Jack. He is a Zen master. And also one of the nicest, most engaging people you'll ever hang out with. - Sean, March 2020
Upcoming 2022 Workshops
iPhone Workshop in Marin County, CA
Location: TBD
11am-4pm, Sunday, Oct 30th, 2022
Maximize the potential of your iPhone (or Android smartphone) and its amazing built-in camera, the one you usually carry around. Get quickly up to speed on the best after-market app(s) - and learn how to use it wisely!
Learn how to take better, even great, photos of your friends, your kids; in your backyard, in nature, on a road trip, just out ‘n about, literally anywhere. Make your photos will be snappier, sharper, better composed — and more shareable and treasured. You’ll learn its limitations, too.
BONUS:
You'll learn fundamentals and tips to improve your photography using ANY camera: composition, lighting, exposure, and capturing “the moment."
Despite what so many people think, it’s your knowledge and developing your eye for light and composition, not the camera, that consistently creates fine photographs.
• WHEN & WHERE: 11am-4pm in Marin County, CA, Exact location TBD, depending on participants' photo interests.
DON'T KNOW JACK? MEET YOUR HOST & PHOTOGRAPHER
Fun, outdoor outings are led by Jack Gescheidt, professional photographer and founder of The TreeSpirit Project, (aka, "Jack of All Trees”). Jack is a Marin County-based, a professional photographer for over 30 years, and a lifelong nature lover. He makes his images with both iPhones and DSLRs. He is at home with modern digital gear, but has a history and foundation in photographic fundamentals that transcend the tools — making him ideal for teaching regular folks overwhelmed by all the tech.
Meet Jack in VIDEOS on his "TreeSpirit" website: http://www.TreeSpiritProject.com/tv
Jack’s PORTFOLIOS:
• Jack's commercial photographs: JackPhoto.com
• Jack’s environmental fine art TreeSpirit Project: TreeSpiritProject.com
DETAILS:
BRING:
• layers, hat, scarf, in case warm sun gives way to cold, photogenic summer fog
• your iPhone/smartphone fully charged, with charging cable.
THE DAY'S SCHEDULE:
We start by getting you/everyone up to speed on the latest/best app(s). Then we wander/play/photograph. 3) lunch break halfway through, you’ll benefit from a brain break. 4) learn more in the afternoon, including how to use your new app to dramatically, quickly enhance your photos — it's one great advantage smartphones have over even pro cameras (DSLRs, mirrorless systems).
FEE:
• $75 in advance. $95 up to 48-hrs prior, and day of.
• Advance pay via Jack's secure PayPal page: http://www.PayPal.Me/JackGescheidt
(PayPal accepts credit cards without a PayPayl account.)
• Checks accepted. But first email Jack <jack@jackphoto.com> or call Jack’s office landline (no texts): 415-488-42-zero-zero.
other Workshop types
"Real Camera" (DSLR, mirrorless) FIELD TRIPS:
Point Reyes National Seashore lighthouse AND Marin Headlands GG Bridge
10am-4pm, Marin County CA
DATE: Saturday or Sunday TBD
iPhone/Android Workshop @ Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary
Spend a delightful day learning while photographing goats, pigs, sheep & chickens.
10am-3pm, DATE TBD, Sonoma County, CA
Enjoy the best of 2 wonderful worlds: 1) being around loving animals; and 2) photographing them! My iPhone Photography Workshop at a farm animal sanctuary.
Meet "Poppy the Pixie Goat" (actually a Pygmy goat, pictured above) got a 2nd chance at life at Goatlandia farm animal sanctuary in Santa Rosa, CA. Goatlandia paid for veterinary care that saved her life. Now, Poppy is a happy, people-friendly, affectionate, 3-legged animal ambassador. She's even a celebrity with her own Instagram account — @poppythepixiegoat
FOR ANIMAL LOVERS, this is the ultimate fun way to LEARN TO MAKE BETTER iPhone PHOTOS while hangin’ with Poppy and dozens of other loving, gentle goats, pigs, sheep, chickens who’ve “lived and gone to Heaven” at Goatlandia.
ENJOY 5 HOURS with them all, from 10-3pm, on a Saturday or Sunday, DATE TBD, while learning:
• all about iPhone photography; apps, advantages & limitations
• lots of tips & tricks to make your phone photos pop!
• pro techniques which apply to image-making with any camera
FEE INCLUDES A DELICIOUS VEGAN LUNCH, prepared by the restaurateur who just happens — lucky us! — to run Goatlandia.
SEE MORE farm animals PHOTOS from this workshop.
$125 fee includes: Goatlandia sanctuary admission, and buffet lunch.
Only space for 10 people, so you'll get 1-on-1 instruction, and we don't all crowd the critters.
To reserve a space, pre-pay on Jack's PayPal page: http://www.PayPal.Me/JackGescheidt
Your iPhone snapshots can become creative photographs!
In one single fun session, your iPhone (or Android) photos will improve dramatically: sharper, snappier, better composed, and more treasured.
Maximize the potential of your iPhone’s handy little camera — the one you usually have with you! I’ll bring you up to speed on the best after-market iPhone apps - and show you how to make iPhone photos confidentally and wisely! Learn to exploit the iPhone's potential, and avoid its limitations.
Plus, you'll learn photographic fundamentals — composition, lighting, exposure, and “the moment." This knowledge is more important than any camera; it's why a pro with a phone makes better photos than an amateur with a DSLR.
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Such a splendid day with you Jack. We both learned so much and so deeply appreciate you taking so much time with us and sharing your expertise, you are such a great teacher and it was so lovely just to hang out with you. WORKSHOP TYPES
DSLR Photography Workshop
EXACT SF Bay Area LOCATION TBA
Imagine having a professional photographer — Jack Gescheidt — over your shoulder all day as you photograph in constantly different and changing environments. Someone you can ask all those pesky camera/photo questions that can stymie you in the moment. Well, ask away! Jack will work with you, hence the small group, all day in the field — answering all your questions and giving you tips to improve your photos you never thought to ask.
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Each outing is a full, rich day filled with great photographic subjects which may include scenic views, people, the SF bay, boats, the SF skyline, and whatever creatures we may encounter in nature. It's the perfect, enganging way to practice seeing and making images in constantly changing environments while getting individual attention. With plenty of time to get any and all stray photo-related questions answered, and practicing what you learn.
Reserve your place - click here!
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ABOUT JACKPHOTO WORKSHOPS Workshops are small (usually 4-8 students), so you'll receive individual attention and get answers to all your questions as they arise. Quickly learn how to operate your camera effectively. Think about what you're doing, and why, before you do it — the open "secret" to consistently making more compelling photographs! Introductory Level workshops cover all camera basics with emphasis on learning: depth of field, the choices and effects of shutter speeds and aperture (f-stop) values, the components of a compelling photograph, with lots of hands-on practice. Have all your questions answered by a pro with over 20 years experience (that's me), as you're learning. For most people, this kind of in-person, real-world, hands-on, personalized teaching and learning is far superior to books and online tutorials. Intermediate Level workshops: you know camera basics (shutter speeds, aperture, ISO, manual settings), but want to hone your skills, more understand and exploit depth-of-field, and then learn more about seeing, finding, and working with light, composition, and subjects.
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TravelImagine having a professional photographer — Jack — over your shoulder all day as you photograph in constantly different and changing environments. Someone you can ask all those pesky camera/photo questions that can stymie you in the moment. Well, ask away! Because the group is small, Jack will work with you, individually, during your day in the field, answering all your questions and giving you tips to improve your photos, including many you'd never even know to ask. It's the ideal way to increase your ability to understand and operate your camera, practice seeing subject matter and thinking about light, and making images in constantly changing environments while getting individual attention. Plus time to get all your questions answered, and practicing what you learn as you go. 
Gone to the DogsLearn how to capture your devoted furred friend who is always around yet often hard to get a great photo of. BYOD—Bring Your Own Dog (if you have one)—and quickly improve your dog (and cat and animal) photography skills. Everyone who BYODs will come away with a good photo of his pooch. Just some of the topics Jack covers:
PeopleThis workshop focuses on making better photographs of people, one of the most engaging, varied, fun and challenging subjects for the photographer. Making images of people is great fun if you enjoy being around them and, if you don't, I'll question why you'd want to take this class. :-) Topics include the basics of camera operation, as all workshops do, but then we focus on: • working/playing with your emotional, unpredictable, uncontrollable human subjects: • how to get what you want, while being open to getting what you didn't plan or couldn't imagine, and how to hang out on the line between those two; • LIGHT on the human face; what works and why; how to create it, work with what is, or find/create what you need — and being creative on the fly (available light, not studio strobes) 
NatureFor people who, like me, are simply, inexplicably, in love the natural world and all its varied, wondrous non-human critters. So you like photographing it, and them. "Photograph what you love," is some of the simplest, best advice I was given decades ago as I turned pro. We'll spend the day away from cities and towns (and most people), to explore a beautiful setting in Marin County or the SF Bay Area. Learn to "see the light" and make the best of existing light when you're in a beautiful, natural setting, and how to create with a camera what you feel with your emotions. Not all of nature's beauty is easily recorded at all times, yet there are always ways (tips, tricks, post-capture processes) to make a compelling photographs even on days or times of day when you might think to pack it in until more typically reliably photogenic sunrise and sunset. |
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