Photography Walk

"Get Your Glow on—Garden Photography with a Romantic Glowing Style"
Mary Louise Ravese, Bella Vista Photography

  • Tuesday, May 24, 2022 – 7:00 pm–8:30 pm – Meets Online
  • Thursday, May 26, 2022 – 9:30 am–12:30 pm

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Gardens provide great subjects for those who like a romantic, painterly, soft-glow look to their photographs. In this two-session photo walk, Mary Louise will discuss two approaches to achieving this look: 1) using a specialty Lenbaby Velvet lens 2) using a regular lens together with a multiple exposure soft glow shooting technique.

In the first session on Tuesday, May 24, which will be held online, Mary Louise will explain the key principles behind the two approaches and her step-by-step approach to each. In the second in-person session on Thursday, May 26, participants will join Mary Louise at Duke University's Sarah P. Duke Gardens where she'll guide them in hands-on photography in the garden using the two approaches.

Note: This program meets online on Tuesday, May 24 and in person at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Thursday, May 26.

garden scenes with glow effect

What to Bring

This program is suitable for photographers that use traditional cameras (DSLR and mirrorless). The program is suitable for intermediate to advanced photographers familiar with shooting in aperture priority or manual mode.Please bring the following:

  • Suitable for traditional cameras (DSLR and mirrorless)
  • A tripod, preferably one with independent leg movement and ball head
  • Extra camera battery (recommended)
  • Extra memory card (optional)
  • For the Lensbaby Velvet approach:
    • Lensbaby Velvet 56mm or 85mm https://lensbaby.com/pages/velvet
      The Velvet 56 would be the best choice for APS-C sensor cameras.
      (other Lensbaby lenses will not be covered in this class)
    • These lenses can be rented for Canon, Nikon or Sony cameras from Lens Rentals. Based in Tennessee, they can ship to your home. Mirrorless users may have to get the DSLR version and pair with an adapter, if a mirrorless version is not available for rent. Use this referral link for $25 off your first rental https://share.lensrentals.com/x/bmUgJZ. If you decide you like the lens, they offer the option for you to buy the lens at the end of your rental.
    • Note: using this lens is greatly simplified if you are using a camera with the manual focus—focus peaking feature
  • For the multiple exposure soft glow technique:
    • Camera with multiple exposures in camera feature (need to combine 2 exposures for this technique)
    • Zoom or prime lens in the 18–85 mm range (zoom is preferable since where you can stand is limited)
  • Camera remote control (optional)
  • Circular polarizer filter (optional)
  • Foam knee pad or stadium seat cushion to kneel on (optional)
  • Notepaper and pencil/pen
  • Bring a snack, bottled water
  • Bagged lunch for a picnic in the garden after the shoot (optional)

Mary Louise Ravese

About Mary Louise Ravese

Mary Louise Ravese specializes in fine art nature and travel photography from locations across the world. Her photographs are in private, university, and corporate collections in over 40 states and are exhibited nationally. She is the owner and principle photographer for Bella Vista Photography, and has a resident artist studio at 311 Gallery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Mary Louise is a regular speaker and competition judge for photography clubs in multiple states. She is an experienced photography instructor who has trained hundreds of amateur photographers. She enjoys teaching on a wide range of topics related to nature, travel, and creative photography, and can help with both the technical and aesthetic aspects of picture making. Mary Louise leads classes and workshops at a variety of locations across the United States and abroad. For more information visit her Web site at https://shop.bellavistaphotography.com.
Cost
$80.00 members, $100.00 nonmembers.
Registration
Advance registration is required. Please register online using our registration e-store. Registration is limited to eight people and is considered complete when payment is received.
Cancellation
Program cancellations can be made up to two weeks prior to the program's start date. No refunds will be made after this time. A 15% cancellation fee applies.
Location
Online on Tuesday, May 24 and at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Thursday, May 26.
Directions
Directions will be provided to registered participants the week of the event.
Parking
Parking is available at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens for a fee.
Questions
Please write jcraprograms@ncsu.edu for more information about this program.