Nature Photography Workshop + Guided Bird Walk

Join Fairmount Park Conservancy and Troy Bynum from TB Wildlife Photography LLC for a nature photography workshop and guided bird walk on Saturday, August 3 from 1:00-3:30 PM.

We’ll start out with an indoor workshop where participants will unlock the secrets of digital photography by delving into the essentials of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Participants will explore exposure compensation, auto-focus, metering, and more, while mastering important terminology and troubleshooting techniques. This workshop cultivates the skills needed to capture images with your unique artistic flair and is perfect for beginners and seasoned photographers alike. By the end, you’ll confidently use manual settings to photograph wildlife and diverse subjects, applicable across various camera types – DSLR, mirrorless, bridge, and superzoom.

After the indoor workshop, Troy will lead participants on a guided bird walk near Concourse Lake in West Fairmount Park. Concourse Lake was officially dedicated as a Philadelphia Native Plant Park in 2012. With 142 native trees and 503 native shrubs, the area will serve as the perfect backdrop for spotting birds while also putting into practice newly learned nature photography skills.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Troy Bynum, owner of TB Wildlife Photography LLC, is not only an enthusiastic birder but also a passionate wildlife photographer from Philadelphia, PA. Troy’s work focuses on capturing and showcasing the remarkable colors, intricate patterns, and rich textures that are abundant throughout the natural world. In his work, Troy draws attention to the oftentimes overlooked naturally occurring beauty found in the wild. Troy is on a mission to accentuate and celebrate the inherent magnificence of nature.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Please bring your camera*, your camera’s user manual (if you have it), a notepad, and binoculars if you’d like. *Phones can also be used. Troy will have some binoculars on-hand for those who may need them.
• We will begin with the photography workshop (roughly 1.5 hours) followed by the hike (roughly one hour).
• The hike is roughly 1.5 miles in length over a combination of flat sidewalks and grassy areas.
• Since part of this program is held outdoors, please dress according to weather conditions and wear good hiking shoes (boots/sneakers).
• Please bring your own water and snack (drinking water is not available in the park).
• There are bathrooms available during the indoor portion; however, there are no nearby bathrooms when out on the hike.
• Please wear/bring sunscreen and bug spray.

PARKING/GETTING THERE: There is plenty of free parking available in the park. As always, never leave valuables in your car! If traveling by public transit, the nearest stop is at Belmont Ave and Belmont Mansion/Fairmount Park Drive – a half-mile walk from the start. The closest Indego bike station is at Parkside and Belmont Ave – also a half-mile walk from the start.