Photography 2008
Please check back frequently for updates
Last Updated May 9, 2008 - Call 247-2457 to book

Download PDF of 2008 workshops (PDF)

Payment can be made by checque to Science & Art, 6255-72nd St. N.W. Calgary, AB T3B 3V9
Please include your name, phone number and email address - I will email you a confirmation or
via PayPal - also see Gift Certificates for any workshop or private training below. Also see payment method at the bottom of the page for variable amounts.

Links to Science & Art Photography Workshops on this Page
1 Day Photoshop workshops   Photography workshop for Beginners (Updated)
2 Day Advanced photoshop Workshops   Great Bear Rainforest (See pictures )
Spring Wildflower photography workshop   Gift Certificates ($249 - apply to workshop/ private training)
Weekend Nature & Digital workshops    Private Instruction availalbe anytime ($65\hr )

News: Robert Berdan wins Y2Y Category in this years Banff International Photo competition with his picture of a swift fox and the Grand Prize in CPAWS 2007 annual photo-competition with his photo of Eagle in Snowstorn (see front page slide show and 2nd place in the category People in Nature with his picture "Another Day in Paradise").

Award winning photo of Swift Fox by R. Berdan featured on National Geographic's Web site.

Free Digital Photographers Checklist "How to prepare for a day of shooting in the field" - Download PDF

The Checklist guides you through the things you should check the day before a shoot, and another checklist guides through your digital camera settings on the day you are shooting in the field. If you have comments or suggestions about how I can improve this guide - I would love to hear from you.

CPAWS photo contest winners October 2006

October 21, 2006 - Calgary Parks and Wilderness Photo Contest - Science & Art workshop participants take 8 out of 14 photography awards. From Left to Right: Robert Berdan, Peter Dettling, Steven Fagan, Simone Tomasi, Jim Catley - absent Michael Wieser. October 21, 2007 Robert wins grand prize and 2nd place in people in nature. Brandon Berdan won 2nd prize in the Under 15 category. Simone Tomasi and Mike Wieser also win first prize again in their categories..


 

One Day Hands Photoshop I $249 + GST

July 19, (5 spots), October 4, (5 spots), Nov 15, (5 spots)

View Workshop Manual manual PDF

This one day Photoshop workshop in Science & Art's studio, runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and covers a variety of topics including: How to calibrate your monitor, selection of equipment and printers, a basic digital workflow - how to open, adjust, repair and color correct your images for printing on inkjet printers.You will also learn how to convert to BW, sharpen, color correct and extract images to change their background, repair your photos, add neutral density graduated filters to your images, use the shadow highlight took and stitch images into a panorama. For details see the PDF notes above.

The workshop includes a 65 page color manual, a CD with images, tutorials and plugins for photoshop. All participants will have the opportunity to work on their own images and make an 8.5 x 11 inch print. The workshop is suitable for beginners to advanced level of photographers. All participants will have use of a computer workstation with scanner and printer with photoshop CS2 and CS3 on each computer. Lunch is also provided. You will learn more in this one day digital workshop then in any other similar program I know of - you do not have to have any previous photoshop experience though previous experience using a computer is strongly recommended.

Robert has more then 15 years experience with Adobe photoshop using it with both photography and graphic design - he has been teaching more than 25 years. This digital workshops is limited to 5 persons max.

To Learn more about Robert's Advanced Photoshop course click here:


 

NEW - Two Day Hands On Digital Darkroom Workshop -
Advanced Photoshop for Photographers
$349 + GST (2 spots left) - Textbook is optional Cost $60.00
December 6, 2008


This two day Photoshop Workshop is for folks that already know photoshop basics (have taken previous photoshop courses, or have taken my one day photoshop workshop). The workshop will go from 9:00 am Saturday until 4:30 pm, and then again on Sunday 10:00 until 5:00 pm. Lunch will be provided on both days - croissants, pop, tea and\or coffee. The workshop will go into advanced topics including: Conversion to BW , simulating infrared, toning images, blending images, using masks, creating panoramas, RAW workflow, digital orton, edge effects, using actions, presets, converting images to paintings etc. Some notes will be provided along with a CD of tutorials, actions and plug-ins. Participants will have use of slide scanner, flatbed scanners and digital printer (Epson 2000p or 7600) - Photoshop CS or CS2, CS3 and computers with 19-24 inch monitors. The workshop is limited to 4 - requires payment before hand and sorry there are NO refunds if you can not make it. If you must miss the workshop due to extenuating circumstances credit will be provided for the next workshop or credit towards one of my other workshops. There is a recommended text book - Jack Davis & Ben Willmore (2004) “How to Wow Photoshop for Photography.” Peach Pit Press, Berkley, CA ISBN 0-321-22799-9 Cost $57.99 CDN - latest edition.. I recommend participants purchase this book before hand or I can purchase the book for you for an additional $60.00. The book Includes CD with tutorial files and it is one of the best photoshop books on the Market. (Students that have already taken my advanced course at SAIT would not benefit from this course - unless they want a review).

To Learn more about Robert's Advanced Photoshop course click here:

Some of the Hands on Topics Included in the Workshop

- Color Correction 7 methods
- Image Repair & Tonal Rescue
- Color Resuscitation
- Unifying Skin Tone Color
- Red eye removal
- Working with RAW files

- Convert Color to BW with color
- Sepia toning, Duotones
- Antique Coloring
- Selective Coloring of BW

-- Handol

- Density Gradient styles
- Color Gradient styles
- Depth of Field masks
- Using Picture package
- Creating Web Galleries
- Contact Sheets
- Create a CD Cover or Postcard
- Blending images
- PDF slide presentations
- BW infrared imaging

- Creating Custom Actions
- Custom masking
- Digital Orton procedure
- Sky replacing
- Soft edge framing
- Canvas edge framing
- Turning a photo into a painting

- Expanding Dynamic Range
- High Dynamic Range images


Spring Wildflower Photography Workshop $249 + GST
All Day Saturday June 14 2008
plus Friday June 6, 7:30-10:00 pm and Wed June 18, 7:30-10 pm
Max of 12 (6 spots left)



Download Free Wildflower Workshop Notes (PDF)

This workshop includes two evenings from 7:30 -10 pm (dates to be determined) and a full day shooting on Saturday June 14 - 6:00 am to about 6 pm. The workshop involves short very easy hikes to locations rich in wildflowers and is suitable for all level of photographers. On the last session participants are asked to bring 10 of their best images for critique. The workshop is led by Robert Berdan. This is one of our most popular workshops and recommend you book early if you do not want to be disappointed. Limited to 12. There will also be opportunities to photograph landscapes and some wildlife. This workshop is suitable for all level of photographers.

Combined Nature Photography & Photoshop Workshop - $349 + GST

April 26 & 27 (2 spots )

This weekend workshop includes a full day of shooting on Saturday and a full day in the studio processing and preparing your digital images for printing. The Wed night before there is slide show, orientation and equipment discussion in my studio. I will take you into the field and help you learn to use a digital camera, compose and take better pictures. On Sunday we will process your digital images using Adobe photoshop in order to make several digital prints. This workshop requires that participants have a digital camera and will cover a basic digital workflow, how to color correct and repair digital images. This workshop is suitable for anyone that would like to learn more about their digital camera and how to use it to photograph mountain landscapes and wildlife and then prepare their images for printing. Suitable for beginners to intermediate level of photographers. Instructor Robert Berdan. If you have a group of 2-3 participants I also offer this workshop privately at dates that may be more suitable for you. Transportation is included from my studio to and from shooting locations in Kananaskis. You will also receive a 65 page manual on photoshop and lunch is provided on the second day. This a chance for you to join a professional nature photographer in the field.


Join Robert Berdan on the Great Bear Rainforest Trip for 10 days
aboard the Columbia III in 2008 - See photos from 2007 in Gallery IV

Dates: Sept 7-17 , 2008 Cost $4300 per person (Max 10)
http://www.mothershipadventures.com/Bear-intro.htm

I invite you to join me on the Columbia III mothership to kayak and take photographs in the Great Bear Rainforest, British columbia for 10 days.. This area is rich in wildlife both on land and in the sea. We will explore and photograph quite coves, islands and the rainforest. We may see Orca Killer whales, Grizzly bears, Black bears, white spirit bear, the elusive wolf and a variety of birds. Trip size limited to 10 participants. The trips are all inclusive from the point of departure - Bela Bela. Information on getting there: http://www.mothershipadventures.com/direction.htm#Beardir Robert will provide guidance on photographic techniques and will provide all participants with a professional photo CD of photos from the trip with participants for personal use. Contact the crew to make arrangements please tell them you found out about it from this web site.

http://www.mothershipadventures.com/Columbia.htm
http://www.mothershipadventures.com/Spec-intro.htm#phototour

View Gallery I Gallery II Gallery III and Gallery IV

Also view the wildlife birds and intimatescapes galleries for other shots taken on this trip.
The trip includes two professional kayak guides, photo guide, Gourmet Cook and of course the Captain.



One Day Beginner Photography Workshop

Saturday, May 18, 2008 - Lmited to 3 (2 spots left), Saturday, July 26th
- $249 + GST (if you purchased a gift certificate it qualifies for this workshop with no additional fee)

This workshop is aimed at new photographers that may have recently purchased or acquired a camera - any kind of camera from compact, to SLR - film or digital. The workshop includes a short field trip. There will be a 2 hr presentation between 10 am and 12, lunch and then 4 hours photographing in the field shooting with your camera. The location of the shoot will depend on weather conditions. We will cover camera basics, apertures, shutter, focal length, filters, photo accessories, composition, lighting - the emphasis will be on outdoor photography, landscapes, closeups and wildlife i.e. nature photography. We will also cover fill flash for people photography outdoors.. This workshop is appropriate for anyone 13 years to 100. There are no prerequisites other than an interest in becoming a better photographer. Participants should bring their cameras, manuals, questions and a few images (5-10) they have taken for feed back and critique.

 


 

Private Instruction and Guided Tours by the Hour or Day

Rob Berdan on left with a group of photographers on a private tour

Special 15 hours of Instruction Package $499 + GST
Get instruction in photography, photoshop & web design

 

I love photography and I love to teach and I have been doing both for more then 25 years. I have taught at University of Alberta, Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the Calgary Science Centre. I have taught private workshops for more then 20 years and many of my students have come back more then once or twice to take additional workshops. I am happy to teach any level of photographic skills and have had many award winning professional photographers take my workshops (e.g. Dr. Wayne Lynch, George Webber, Halle Flygare, and Peter Dettling).

Whether you use a point and shoot camera, Digital SLR, medium format or large format camera - I can help you take better pictures or master technical skills involving almost any aspect of digital or nature photography. If you are more interested in portraiture and commercial photography I recommend my associate Rinus Borgsteede who has 45 years experience in the business (www.rinusphoto.com). If you just purchased a new camera and would like a few hours of instruction or you would like me to take you to some special places in Alberta or BC to take pictures - I am available by the hour $65\hr. If you have a small group 2-4 folks we can arrange for private workshop, if you have a larger group I can organize a private workshop depending on your needs.

You can book a few hours in my studio or in the field or a combination thereof at a time that is convenient for you. I am also developing a correspondence course that I can offer training to individuals that can not travel to Calgary. I also teach a wide range or web development and computer programming courses at SAIT (see list here) and would be happy to teach these to anyone interested including how to build your own web site with a photo-gallery. If you are interested in private instruction please call me or visit me to discuss your interests and aspirations. I don't charge anything to come over and discuss what you might like to learn and there is no obligation. Phone (403) 247-2457 or email rberdan@scienceandart.org

Call me at 247-2457 to discuss what you might have in mind and I will gladly provide you with a quote.

 

Workshop Cancellation Policy

Refunds: Due to the limited number of positions available in my workshops I do not offer refunds if you can not make it. If you are not able to make a workshop due to reasons outside your control we offer you the ability to transfer to one of our other workshops of equivalent value. We will even hold a spot for you the following year. We offer several workshops through out the year in all seasons and may be able to arrange for a individual private lesson if you are not able to make it to a scheduled workshop.

 


 

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE $249 + GST

I have had many requests where a friend, spouse or family member has asked me whether or not I offer a gift certificate for taking one of our workshops. The answer is YES we do, you can purchase a gift certificate which is good for up to 2 years in duration for $249 + GST. The gift certificate can be used for any of our workshops that cost this amount, you can specify a specific workshop or you can leave it open so the person receiving the gift can sign up for which ever particular workshop they like. Alternatively, the Gift certificate can be used for private instruction for up to 4 hours at a time that is convenient for them. If you are interested in purchasing a gift certificate please give me a call at 247-2457 and I will provide a custom certificate for you. Please note the participant must still register for a specific workshop and if the workshop is already full they will need to select another workshop at another time - hence the workshop certificate is valid for 2 years. Private training can be arranged almost anytime of year.
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Science & Art Multimedia Gift Certificate - Purchase Online with Credit Card


Photography Workshops General Information

Note about workshops: Anyone of the age of 13 and over (ages 13-17 require parents consent) is welcome to join us on our workshops. You don't need a fancy camera or tripod though we recommend a tripod if you have one. I have a few tripods so can lend a couple out. In regard to equipment if you are considering purchasing you may wish to wait for the first meeting and get our advice before doing so. If you wish to try out a certain type of filter or lens (Nikon mount) I would be happy to let you try one of mine during the workshop. If you don't have a camera - I can even borrow you one (though my policy is if you lose, break or drop it you bought it). In general our workshops are designed for almost anyone between the ages of 13 and 100 so long as you are capable of walking short distances at a very easy pace. All participants in the field workshops will be required to sign a liability waiver that is standard for anyone participating at any kind of outdoor activity. If you have any questions about any of our workshops feel free to email or call Robert Berdan at 403 247-2457 in Calgary.


Science & Art Studio - Workshop lecture and slide presentation.

Payment for private training, guiding or other services can be made through Paypal for the agreed amount using your credit card. Paypal cart indicates this is a donation, this is not a donation, it's only a method to allow some customers to pay for services not included below or for amounts different then those indicated below. If appropriate please add 5% GST.

 

 

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