The Birds of Summer
Shorebird Breeding Season on Nickerson Beach, NY
Join me in Long Island, New York for an instructional photo safari where you will master the art of bird photography. During this safari, we’ll photograph the shorebirds at one of New York’s can’t miss locations: Nickerson Beach on Long Island. In the summer, the terns, oystercatchers and black skimmer chicks will be hatching, providing us with numerous opportunities to photograph these birds and their babies. You’ll be able to capture intimate close-ups along with flight shots as the birds circle above us and go out to sea to fish. Returning from our shooting sessions, I will teach you my secrets for processing and managing bird photos so that you’ll get the best possible results from your images.
When: July 28-31, 2025
Workshop Style: Instructional Photo Safari | Maximize shooting opportunities while receiving both field and computer (workflow & processing) instruction.
Workshop Fee: $1499 per participant
Experience Level: Beginner to advanced*
You are expected to know the basics of autofocus and metering for your camera.
Recommended Gear
- Mirrorless camera or DSLR
- Telephoto zoom lens with at least 400mm of equivalent focal length (depending on your system). Examples include Nikon 100-400mm, Nikon 180-600mm, Sigma 150-600mm, Olympus 100-400mm or similar.
General Itinerary
- Day 1: Orientation and technical setup workshop, followed by an evening warm-up shoot
- Days 2-3: Field photography at one or more of the shooting locations in the mornings and afternoons. Mid-day post-processing workshops and image review sessions.
- Day 4: Morning field shoot followed by evening group image review session and farewell dinner.
- Day 5: Check out and depart for home
What’s Included
- Pre-workshop online webinar Q&A session with Jason Odell
- Hands-on field instruction and photography sessions
- How to set up your camera to capture stunning images of birds in flight
- Exposure and autofocus settings
- Camera support techniques
- Classroom Topics
- Workflow for wildlife photography
- Processing the wildlife image
- Sharpening and noise reduction techniques using modern AI-based software
- Image review and critique
Not Included
- Meals
- Lodging
- Transportation to the field sites
Nearest Airports: New York Kennedy (JFK)/ NY LaGuardia (LGA)
Recommended Hotel: Ramada by Wyndham Rockville Center
