OCULUS WORKSHOPS
RICKETTS GLEN
SPRING 2025
Majestic Falls
WORKSHOP IS FULL
Ozone Falls Along Glen Leigh, Falls Trail
Truly a magical place - a Photographer's Playground. Ricketts Glen Falls Loop is considered by many to be the single best waterfall hike in the eastern United States. It's a favorite of mine for shooting waterfalls, which is why I keep going back. It's a challenging but rewarding experience, and you're sure to capture all the essence through your lens.
Both glens offer adventurous hikes with abundant swaths of nature's geological power & beauty. From the moment you reach the first fall, the trail ahead continues to deliver on incredibly beautiful cascades, falls, & geology.
If you enjoy photographing intimate scenes and stories within stories, you'll find plenty of opportunities among the abounding ferns, shale, sandstone, & siltstone, as well as hidden cascades just off the path.
This workshop is a great way to immerse yourself in the art of long exposure photography while encountering superb waterfalls, one after the next, all while experiencing an awesome trailhead along the way. You'll make moving compositions as you discover your inner creativity from the rush of excitement that Ricketts Glen Offers.
In addition to field instruction, Sam & I are offering additional classroom time on this workshop (see itinerary section below) to focus and spend more time working on your images and constructive feedback. This is one workshop you're not going to want to miss.
DATES
May 29th - June 1st , 2025
(Thursday -Sunday)
TUITION
$ 649.00
LOCATION
Holiday Inn Wilkes Barre - East Mountain 600 Wildflower Drive At Route 115, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
CLASS SIZE
10 STUDENTS
Course Outline:
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Learn photographic skills that will improve your photography.
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Composition and technique for photographing waterfalls.
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Best camera settings for your vision - a diverse approach to waterfall photography.
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Filter use, ND's & CPL, long exposure, which lens is right for this scene?
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Ecological Photography: What am I trying to say? What am I feeling?
Included with Tuition:
Instructional classroom time for Lightroom editing, Photoshop, & Luminar Neo. A discussion on filters and composition will be held prior to shooting the falls.
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A group Zoom Session 1 week before the workshop.
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2 days of shooting on the Falls Trail covering 21 falls and 1 bonus fall off trail.
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Locations include both glens; Ganoga Glen (10 Falls), Glen Leigh (8 Falls), and 3 falls south of the confluence of Waters Meet.
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Small workshop limited to 10 participants with 2 instructors - Sam, & Mark.
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Q&A during the duration of the workshop for all things Photography.
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Post-Workshop Image Sharing
TUITION - $ 649.00
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
All levels are welcome and we'll spend as much time with you as possible considering each participant's needs. However, having some photography knowledge and experience is recommended. Email us if you have any questions.
Some Things to Consider:
This workshop welcomes all photographers, although bringing a Mirrorless, or DSLR camera is highly recommended to get the most out of the workshop. You are welcomed to use an iPhone if that's your main camera.
Computer Skills and Editing Software:
Classroom time we will be teaching and covering post-processing techniques and workflow. Both Sam, & I use multiple software platforms, but our primary program is Adobe Lightroom. Basic skills for editing your photos is necessary, and having a working knowledge of Lightroom basics would be beneficial, but not necessary. Camera RAW, & other editors are welcomed.
Activity Level:
Moderate to strenuous, with slippery/wet conditions, uneven terrain, and steep trail sections. WARNING: To hike the Falls Trail, you should be in good physical condition, & wear sturdy boots. NOTE: Sandals & Flip Flops are not allowed on the Trail per PA Dept. of Conservation & Resources DCNR.
That said, we begin early (after sunrise), and will spend a full day on the trail photographing. We will be taking breaks during the day or as needed. Outdoor adventures do have some risk, all participants will be required to sign a waiver.
Intimate Scenes, Sam Carr
READY TO CREATE IMAGES LIKE THESE?
A RICKETTS GLEN SHORT STORY
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ITINERERY AND MORE
Getting There
The park is 30 miles north of Bloomsburg on PA 487. Note: We will be meeting at the hotel, not the park.
Hotel
Holiday Inn Wilkes Barre - East Mountain, an IHG Hotel
600 Wildflower Drive At Route 115, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 US
1 888 HOLIDAY (1 888 465 4329)
Additional Motel Info Here.
Two Ways To Book Your Stay
Book by phone or Online with our special link & discount.
Call (888) 465-4329 and use Phone Code OPW when booking.
Checking In: Thursday, May 29th - Checking Out: Sun, June 1st.
Book online with our special link which will auto-populate the hotel and workshop dates. Just pick your room style and book!
https://tinyurl.com/OculusPhotographyWorkshop
Date and Time
The photography workshop starts late Thursday afternoon, May 29th, 2025, and ends Sunday at noon, June 1st, 2025.
Lodging and Meals
Lodging and meals are not included in the registration fee. Meals are the responsibility of each participant. We recommend booking your room at the Holiday Inn Wilkes Barre - East Mountain (see above). We will generally meet in the lobby to begin our day.
Itinerary
Day 1, Thursday
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Meet & Greet at the Holiday Inn Wilkes Barre Hotel.
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An introductory classroom session with tips & techniques on photographing waterfalls.
Day 2, Friday
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Morning Photography field trip to Ricketts Glen.
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Photograph incredibly beautiful waterfalls along Kitchen Creek.
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Photograph all the waterfalls along one of the two glens
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Midday break. NOTE: We will take smaller breaks throughout the day on the trail. Once in the glen, it's not a simple matter of returning to the parking lot, so we will be packing-in lunch, water, and snacks.
Day 3, Saturday
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Same as Day 2, but for the other glen with the remaining waterfalls.
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Bonus Classroom time after returning to the hotel.
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Image Critique and/or constructive feedback
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Image Post-Processing Time
Note: Itinerary is flexible for how many waterfalls we cover each day, there are several ways to navigate the Falls Trail and Highland Trail and several Falls can be included/accessed on either day. This may vary due to our progress, time and/or other unforeseen circumstances. Our goal is to make the best use of our time and visit all 21 waterfalls.
Day 4, Sunday
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Morning meet in conference room, photo editing and sharing, wrap-up.
Weather
This is a great time of year to visit Ricketts Glen. The falls should be running strong, and the crowds aren't as busy as the summer season. Additionally, we'll be among the first entering the trails when its much quieter and the light is better.
What to Bring
We'll have a download to our master list of clothing, gear, and other recommendations for this workshop. Feel free to contact us for any additional questions or concerns.
What about Drones?
Unfortunately, drones aren't allowed at Ricketts Glen State Park.
We would ask that you follow the rules of the Pennsylvania DCNR, and respect our reputation as well.
Sedimentary rocks - Sandstone & Shale can be found all along the Falls Trail
Ganoga Falls, Ganoga Glen
TUITION - $ 649.00
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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Lodging and meals
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Transportation to, and during the workshop
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Airfare
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Trip insurance
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Any additional excursions
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Upon cancellation of the class due to any circumstances beyond our control, OPW will offer a full refund.
No refund within 30 days of workshop.
More than 30 days from beginning of the workshop a 50% refund and a 50% credit to a future workshop if the workshop does not fill to capacity. If the workshop fills to capacity then a refund less a 10% handling and transaction fee.
Weather can make, or impair opportunities when photographing outdoors. While a little rain hasn't stopped us before, we can't promise optimal conditions i.e. burner sunrise/sunsets, photogenic clouds, night sky visibility, etc. but consider this:
Some of the most dramatic photographs are captured under inclement weather!
We don't offer refunds for inclement weather, or weather events that may hinder our attempts to safely photograph when on location. We do however, make every effort to safely conduct the class, and offer alternative photo opportunities during the class when weather disrupts our plans.
If you have further questions regarding payment and workshop details, please contact us:
Dramatic imagery during unpleasant weather, Sam Carr
READY FOR AN ADVENTURE?
Photograph Amazing Waterfalls
Learn to make more meaningful photographs
Discover new post-processing techniques
Have a ton of fun with other like-minded photogs
Make awesome memories and experiences
Along the Falls Trail of the Ganoga Glen, Ricketts Glen
Oculus Workshops, All Rights Reserved 2025
Sam Carr, Mark Houde
Ricketts Glenn Waiting List
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Missed out on a seat? We're sorry. You can join our waiting list and if there's a cancellation we'll contact you in the order in which your request was submitted.