California Landscape Photography Workshops With Eddie Jongas

Do your photos come out blurry, less sharp, or plain out of focus no matter what you do? Do you always see good images on your camera screen when you’re out shooting, but when you come back to your computer, the photos don’t quite look the same?

I offer one-on-one and group in-field photography classes for those interested in getting their landscape, urban, or creative photography to the next level. All of these problems and more can be solved with learning the basics of photographing landscapes out in the field — with a little help.

Individual workshops are currently offered across the West Coast from Washington to California — including Las Vegas, Morro Bay, Southern California, San Francisco, Sedona (Arizona), Utah, and Colorado in fall. Additional locations available by arrangement.

To book: use the contact form, reach out on Instagram or Facebook, or call 702-781-7871.

What to Expect

In my view, photography is 50% technical skill and 50% creativity. But you need your skills down first — a proper technical foundation you can apply in the field, so you miss fewer opportunities when the sun is setting and your window is closing. The more techniques you have, the more creative you become. Eventually, operating your camera becomes second nature and all you need to think about is finding the next great image.

Every workshop is tailored to your skill level. We cover:

• Camera settings to maximize image quality
• Bracketed shots and HDR technique
• Focus strategies and focus stacking; long-exposure photography for light trails, smooth water, and more
• Lens filters for landscapes
• Composition theory and practice in the field
• Minimizing noise and getting the most from your camera
• Editing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and other software

Workshop Locations

Morro Bay Photography Workshop

I doubt there is anyone else who has shot Morro Bay as much as I have. This used to be my go-to destination for years — only 2.5 hours from where I lived, a drive I’d sometimes make twice a week. I’ve stayed in most hotels in Morro Bay and slept in the back of my car after shooting till 2am, just to be back up at 5am when the first light surfaced. Morro Bay has a very unique weather system, which can make finding the right conditions tricky. But you can always counter that with the sheer number of angles and locations available — the compositions around Morro Rock are almost endless. I’ve created some of my best images here and count this small town as a second home. See my complete Morro Bay guide for more.

Las Vegas Photography Workshop

One thing about Las Vegas I always stand by: this city is only attractive in the dark when all the lights are on. In daytime I don’t even want to be there, to be honest. But something magical happens after sunset. This city transforms into the largest playground ever imagined — and the same is true for photography. I can’t even begin to tell you the number of rooftops I’ve been on in Vegas, from casino towers to parking structures. If you’re looking for cool city shots, Las Vegas has limitless opportunities, and they’re all waiting for you.

California Coast Photography Workshop

The California, Oregon, and Washington coast is so vast you could spend weeks covering just the most famous and iconic destinations. Depending on the season, this workshop focuses primarily on sunsets and shooting the ocean. I’ve been to pretty much every destination along the California shoreline — and depending on weather and season, the workshop can be tailored to exactly what you want to shoot. Weather is always a factor along the coast and changes constantly. Contact me for more information and availability.

Milky Way & Night Photography Workshops

The Milky Way is visible during the summer months, roughly May through October. It’s an extraordinary subject to shoot — but you need genuinely dark skies to do it right. Good locations include the 395 corridor (Mammoth, Lone Pine, Death Valley), Big Sur, the California deserts (Joshua Tree), Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. The main thing is to stay away from light pollution. That said, I’ve shot Milky Way even in Malibu with decent results. This workshop is offered in summer only. Other night photography can be done year-round — once you learn the technique, you can shoot the stars anywhere.

San Francisco & Golden Gate Bridge Photography Workshop

Two major bridges, countless hills, beaches, and one of the most densely built cities on the planet — San Francisco is a photographer’s paradise. You can shoot this city day and night and not run out of subjects for months. Some of the most iconic locations: Pier 7, Painted Ladies, the endless Golden Gate viewpoints, Twin Peaks, Treasure Island, California Street, the cable cars. This workshop is offered year-round and is not heavily dependent on weather or season. Contact me to schedule.

Leavenworth Fall Photography Workshop

If you love fall colors, Leavenworth, WA is where you want to be. We cover the most photogenic locations along Tumwater Canyon as well as other spots for aspen trees in the area. This workshop is offered from the second week of October through mid-November.

What to Bring