PHOTO WORKSHOP

High Cascade Snowboard Camp, in partnership with SLUSH Magazine and legendary professional snowboard photographer Andy Wright, are proud to present the HCSC Photo Workshop.

ADULT SESSION 2: JUNE 23RD - JUNE 29TH, 2024

AGES 18+

This unique workshop is the only one in the world designed to give you actual hands-on instruction from some of snowboarding’s top photographers in the number one summer snowboarding destination, Mt. Hood, Oregon. Each day you’ll be able to take the lessons you’ve learned in the morning classroom setting to the mountain and practice them while photographing world-class snowboarders, including many professional riders seen in videos and magazines. Each evening we meet back in the classroom and review the days work. This is a very intensive hands-on workshop where you’re essentially guaranteed to elevate your skill level while taking in the equivalent of a college semester (likely much more) of knowledge. While our course focuses on snowboarding, the principals and practices can translate seamlessly to photographing all action sports.

SNOWBOARD SHOOTING-RELATED TOPICS YOU WILL LEARN:

  • Choosing appropriate camera gear and setting it up for shooting action 

  • Composition and angle selections that will separate your work from amateurs

  • Digital workflow for after the shoot including file naming, storage and post-production techniques

  • How to network and create in-roads to a career in action sports shooting

  • Business practices of being a self-employed photographer


IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE WORLD OF SNOWBOARD PHOTOGRAPHY:

  • Classroom lectures and skill building each morning and interactive critiques each evening


  • On-hill action shooting with world-class snowboard talent in one of the most iconic settings in all of snowboarding


  • Exclusive slideshow presentations from each instructor with Q&A session afterwards to reveal the secrets behind the shots

  • Insights to the machinations of action sports world of media


  • Guidance on applying the skills you’re learning here to other fields of photography


The cost of the workshop includes meals, lodging*, and snowboard demo gear. You will need to provide your own camera and lenses, a basic backpack for transport of such gear to/from the mountain, and a laptop computer.

*There is a $400 discount if you want to provide you’re own lodging

WORLD CLASS INSTRUCTORS:

ANDY WRIGHT

One of the longest tenured photographers in the snowboarding industry, Andy began his career shooting film in the mid-90s. As photography shifted to digital, he was on the forefront of this revolution and shot the first-ever digital photo to be used on the cover of a snowboarding publication. His career was defined as a 17-year stint as the senior photographer for snowboarding’s preeminent publication Transworld (RIP). In addition to the editorial work, he shot for nearly every brand and held multi-year positions as brand photographer for Nike, DC, Ride and Nitro. In 2013 he took home top honors  at the The Olympus Pro Photographer Showdown in Whistler, BC amongst a field of shooters from all genres of action sports. He’s been teaching this workshop since 2007.  

@andywrightphoto / andywrightphoto.com

TIM ZIMMERMAN

The staff photographer for Lib Tech and Gnu Snowboard teams for over a decade, Tim Zimmerman has worked extensively with most of the sport’s legendary riders, including Travis Rice, Danny Kass, and Jamie Lynn. Before his joining these brands he was a senior photographer for Snowboarder magazine (RIP). With countless published images, including dozens of iconic covers over years, Zim’s photos have come to shape the look of snowboarding photography for multiple generations. In 2009, he was recognized by the Transworld Business Exposure Meter as the most-published photographer in snowboarding for that season. Beyond his wealth of shooting skill is an unmatched knowledge of post-processing and file management in Adobe Lightroom.

@fotomaxizoomdweebie / timzimmerman.com


DARCY BACHA

 A long-time local of Mt. Hood, Darcy is responsible for the most quintessential action photos taken on  the most photographed mountain in snowboarding and skiing history. His images have landed on covers of around the world, and twice earned him Powder magazine’s Photo of the Year. He served in the roll of senior photographer for Transworld snowboarding magazine for several years before moving onto commercial work in snow, the automotive industry and where he feels most at home — on the river with a fly rod in hand. His mastery of light, both natural and artificial shines in all of these different environments and has earned him a worldwide following for his unmistakable style. 

@bacha.photo / bacha.photo

SPECIAL GUESTS:

BUD FAWCETT

@budfawcett

The godfather of snowboarding photography, Bud was in the trenches documenting the pioneers of snowboarding before many of today’s shooters were even born. He widely responsible for establishing many of the so-called standards that are present in snowboarding photography to this day. Every year he kicks off the workshop with a tour de force of his catalog of iconic images (all shot on film of course). Afterwards there’s Q&A session to hear the stories behind the images that had such an impact on snowboarding. 




PAT BRIDGES

@slushthemagazine

If Snowboarding had a Gandolph, it would most certainly be the long-time editor of Snowboarder Magazine and current founder of Slush Magazine, Pat Bridges. As an industry figure in 4 different decades, Pat has likely hired more photographers than any other individual. He will be blessing us with his presence to provide insights on the snowboarding media landscape past and present, and providing tips on ways to improve you’re value as a photographer away from the camera.

“The High Cascade Photo Workshop is the perfect place for anyone interested in elevating their action sports photos to having a professional quality that stands out in a crowded world of imagery. While our primary focus is on the sport of snowboarding, the skills you will learn here can be applied to any genre of capturing-fast moving and nuanced action. This workshop is unlike any other in that you have the opportunity to apply the lessons learned in morning classroom sessions to actual shooting experience in a world-class snowboarding environment with top level riders. The program has often been compared to getting several semesters worth of learning in a weeks time. We also cover aspects of what it takes to become a professional photographer in the action sports industry for those interested in pursuing that career path.” – Andy Wright                                                                                             

A High cascade photo workshop student

All Digital:

While it’s certainly possible to photograph snowboarding using film, for practical purposes this course is using digital cameras. Equipment does not need to the top of the line, as even an entry level digital camera can be used. Please no camera phones or compact cameras, the bar minimum is a system that accepts interchangeable lenses (DSLR or mirrorless). You will need at least 1 lens for the camera and a laptop computer. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have questions about your gear.

Sunset Shoot:

We dedicate an entire day to teaching you how to shoot action with lighting (aka flashes/strobes) in low-light and after dark. Because the sun doesn’t set until well after the lifts have closed, we apply the days lesson at sunset in the Milepost35 mountain bike park (located on the High Cascade main campus). Here we have exclusive access to world class mountain bike talent in an wooded environment that very much simulates what you would find shooting on the mountain in the winter. We provide the lighting kits that professionals would use in shooting in the darkened setting, regardless of the season or sport. The techniques in lighting up these jumps and freezing the action is nearly identical on what you do if were mid-winter and snowboarders were launching these same hits. It’s proven to be a fantastic way to connect the dots on the lighting skills you learn in the classroom to practical use in the real world. This shoot takes place in the early evening until dark, after we’ve spent the day on the snow, so don’t worry you won’t miss a day of riding! 

high cascade snowboard camp photo workshop campers take photos of Professional snowboarder Dan Liehdahl

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: I am not a great snowboarder (or skier), will that ruin my workshop experience?

A: You don’t need to be an expert rider (or skier) by any means. The terrain to get to the venue we will be shooting in is somewhere between beginner to low intermediate level. Since your board (or skis) are your primary means of transportation on the snow, you should be able to comfortably and confidently get from point A to point B with you camera gear in a backpack. Give us a call if you’re still questioning your ability and we can provide more details on what to expect. 

Q: Can I bring a tablet instead of a laptop.

A: Tablets are fine as long as you have experience getting your photos from your camera and loaded on the tablet.

Q: Do I need a tripod?

A: It is not required and none of the main lessons taught involve use of a tripod, however if you prefer using one or would to have it as another tool in your bag for experimentation, by all means bring it.

Q: How should I dress, is it cold?

A: Generally it’s very warm on the hill and feels very much like July outside. However it’s not totally impossible for it to snow, although very unlikely. The biggest factor is the wind, which can really cool things down, even on a perfectly clear, sunny July day. Pack for spring-skiing-like conditions, including a waterproof snow pants and a light jacket, gloves, goggles and a hat. A face covering is recommended as well, not just for COVID, but to limit sun exposure. 

Q: What lenses will I need?

A: A zoom lens with telephoto capabilities and something on the wider end of the spectrum like a 24mm or smaller. Having these 2 perspectives will enable you to try most of what is being taught in class. Of course, if you have more lenses, bring them as well.  

Q: Where will we be shooting most of our snowboarding photos?

A: We will be shooting at Timberline Resort located on beautiful Mt. Hood. The shooting will go down in a private terrain park, and for the most part it’s just one run to the park in the morning and then we walk around from feature to feature and then ride down to the parking lot at the end of the day. There’s an option to shoot other parts of the mountain, but almost all of the action takes place in the terrain park. 

Q: Who will we be shooting? 

A: In addition to the highly talented High Cascade coaches and staff riding during the session, there is a “Signature Session” that brings in members of team from a major brand. This brand changes every year, so find out who will be present just look under Youth Snowboard Camps for the current year for session 4. Side note, we choose session 4 because it has proven to be best for weather and snow quality. This “secret” is pretty well know amongst most professional snowboarders, who also choose this session to do their summer training and riding. So chances are high that in addition to the Signature Session pros, there will be several other present for you to photograph.

Q: Should I bring my flash kit? 

A: If you have a flash, please bring it, as there will be opportunities to use and we will help you dial it in. For the sunset shoot, we will be providing flash (also called ‘strobes’) for each student to take a turn using, so it’s not necessary to bring your own.

Q: What percentage of my time is on snow as opposed to classroom sessions?

A: Daily schedule is to meet at 8am–10:30am in class. On mountain 11am–3pm Evening class 7pm–9pm

Q: Can we also snowboard while here?

 A: By all means! The number one prerequisite for being a successful snowboard photographer is having a passion for riding. Obviously, you’ll have to limit the number of runs you take in order to get the most out of the photography course, but there is certainly time to get few “media laps” in.

snowboarder oliver dixon snowboarding off a jump at mt. hood

ADULT SESSION 2: JUNE 23RD - JUNE 29TH, 2024

AGES 18+