Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes
Updated: Oct 13
June 6th - June 9th, 2027
Details
Workshop begins Sunday, June 6th at 5:00 pm and ends Wednesday, June 9th at noon in Ithaca, NY.
Registration Fees
$999 tuition only. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ithaca for $165/night; please reference the Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes Workshop when making your reservation. For more information and to register, please email me.
Waterfalls all over the place! We’re heading back to one of our favorite places to photograph waterfalls – New York’s Finger Lakes region!
Amongst the rolling hills and panoramic vistas of the glacially-carved Finger Lakes tumble some of the most scenic waterfalls in the country. There are over two hundred named falls, including Taughannock Falls, the highest in New York State. The sheer number and diversity of waterfalls make this region truly special, and the possibilities for unique images are overwhelming. Each waterfall has its own character; some drop like bridal veils, others sluice over ledges, and some, like those in famous Watkins Glen, carve dramatic chasms. In springtime, lime-green beech leaves frame the cascades. Shooting access is ideal; many are along roadsides, others are within a short hike.
Instructors Mark Bowie and I will be your photographic guides. We are expert waterfall and stream photographers who know the region well. We will take you to waterfalls both spectacular and sublime, and provide lots of personalized instruction in the field.
Field lessons will emphasize compositional and artistic considerations, with tips and techniques on:
• the art of photographing waterfalls and streams
• varying shutter speed for optimal water movement and texture
• shooting long exposures for creative effect
• equipment recommendations and use
• reading and shooting the light
• fine-tuning compositions
• creating visual flow, compositional balance and dynamic tension
• achieving critical focus
• using Live View to compose and focus
• using the LCD screen and histogram to refine compositions, check exposures and confirm focus
• using exposure to create mood
• shooting color and tonal palettes for creative effect
• working with your range of lenses
• seeing from different vantage points
• crafting images using patterns, lines and forms
• using filters for artistic long exposures
• multiple exposure blending for expanding exposure latitude and resolution: layer masks, panoramas and HDR’s
• focus stacking to maximize depth of field
During indoor instructional sessions, we’ll cover efficient digital workflow and image optimization in Lightroom, Camera Raw, and Photoshop. We'll also critique participants' images.
Mark and I love sharing the art of photography. Come explore with us as we take your waterfall imagery to new levels.
It’s great to see such vivid enthusiasm for photographing the Finger Lakes waterfalls. With Taughannock Falls and Watkins Glen in mind, the promise of variety—from bridal-veil drops to dramatic chasms—really makes this workshop feel like a memorable way to build a unique portfolio. I also appreciate the practical schedule details and the focus on springtime framing, which should help photographers plan shots with intention. For my own workflow, I’ve found a solid monitor test tool like ColorScreen helpful before heading out.
A black screen background is like a blank canvas for waterfall photography. Just as a black screen removes distractions, focusing attention on key elements, photographers use long exposures to create silky, flowing water against a dark, moody background. This contrast highlights the waterfall's movement, texture, and depth. The black screen effect in editing can also be used to enhance shadows and create dramatic, artistic compositions.https://blackscreen.onl