4th Annual Macro and Close-Up Photography RETREAT (AUG 2027)
Join us for this immersive hands-on photography retreat featuring five OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Macro and Close-Up Nature Photography with dedicated sessions on: in-camera focus stacking, True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology, Woodland Close-Ups, plus additional sessions at the beach and at night for Close-Up, Macro and Nature photography, plus demonstrations, camaraderie, immersion, and more.
This is an “in the field” hands-on macro photography retreat, a complete immersion into Close-Up and macro photography with multiple OM SYSTEM ambassadors (you rotate thru each one). You will demystify camera settings, learn macro lens best practices, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Aug 6-9, 2027 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday).
Friday to Monday, complete immersion into Macro photography.
The workshop is located at the wonderful Little River Photo in North Berwick, ME
36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport.
FYI, there is also a bus from NYC
Retreat Cost (includes 2 lunches, multiple instructional sessions, 2 bonus sessions) $1499
WHO: All skill levels & ages are welcome (17 & under must be accompanied by an adult)
Any camera model is welcome, but for some of the sessions utilizing computational technologies, you will place your SD card into a loaner OM SYSTEM camera.
What: An immersive hands-on macro and close-up photography retreat with multiple OM SYSTEM ambassadors and a low participant-to-instructor ratio
How: Multiple OM SYSTEM ambassador retreat leaders. The Retreat will be run with small groups of participants, and every participant will rotate through each of the sessions (each participant will have each topic/each instructor).
When: Aug 6-9, 2027 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday). All times are Eastern time.
Where: 165 Little River Rd, North Berwick, ME 03906. BOS, Logan Airport in Boston is the closest large airport. The workshop is located in North Berwick, ME — 36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport. There are lots of places to stay: Hotels, motels, Airbnbs, VRBO’s, campgrounds in North Berwick, Rochester (NH), Wells, Ogunquit, See list for some options.
Each participant will rotate through each instructors/topics, plus two bonus sessions.
Chris:
True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, field craft, finding insect subjects
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Chris McGinnis in the field for a hands-on 1:1 macro photography, where you will demystify camera settings, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details
Lisa:
Story, Pareidolia, in-camera focus stacking, best practices for your 60mm and 90mm macro lenses, etc.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Lisa Cuchara will introduce you to the magic of focus stacking, be forewarned, it is addictive as you learn how to create images with detailed f32 looking subjects with f2.8 soft and dreamy non-distracting backgrounds. She will show you how to look for "wonky" subjects, pareidolia, and Wabi Sabi Subjects for story and impact.
Tom
Lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Tom Cuchara will launch your love of daylight live composite and immerse you in the nuances of lightpainting.
Emilie:
Forest Close-ups. Join Emilie Talpin in the Lower Little River for Close-Up photos of lichen, moss, ferns, sori, spores, pollen, pine cones, leaves, flowers, dewdrops, snails & other woodland critters and more!
Learn to slow down to find river and forest subjects and photograph them close up. These images will be created at a narrow aperture, single image, with a macro lens, a flash, and a flash diffuser. All camera systems are welcome for this session!
Steve:
Renaturalizing, Composition for Impact; Beyond the Exposure Triangle
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Steve Morello will discuss in the field techniques to apply the concept of photography as storytelling, giving our images the vocabulary to do just that.
Bonus session 1
One morning with 6 instructors at the beach for Close-Up and Macro Nature photography, Pareidolia, Story, Depth of Field, Focus stacking, etc. Master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Bonus session 2
One evening after dark for Close-Up, Macro, and Nature photography with flash & flash diffusers. Learn to get up close and personal with elusive live subjects, and light them in a pleasing manner with flash macro diffusers.
Pre-Retreat
Live Zoom: go over gear list and logistics, Q&A
Pre-Retreat Zoom teaching sessions
Plus demonstrations, access to loaner equipment, camaraderie, immersion, and more!
Friday
1pm Arrive (Eat lunch before your arrival)
1:30-2:00 Meet & Greet
2-3pm Camera setup (button optimization, settings)
3-6pm Session 1
Dinner on your own, we highly encourage you to eat with your group. Instructors will not be attending this dinner, but it is a great time to get to know your group-mates.
Saturday
7am-9:30am Footbridge beach (all groups)
10:30am-1:30pm Session 2
1:30pm-3:30pm
Camaraderie
Lisa demonstrates Focusing Rail, AK flash diffuser, Platypod, tripod, monopod
Next Group preparations
Lunch (included in the retreat fee)
3:30pm-6:30pm Session 3
7:30pm Dinner Mike's Clam Shack (not included)
Sunday
7am-10am Session 4
10am-12noon
Camaraderie
Next Group preparations
Chris demonstrates Helicon focus stacking software
Lunch (included in retreat fee)
12pm-3pm Session 5
4pm Dinner Reception (included)
7-9pm Optional night session (need a flash, a flash diffuser, and the little battery listed on the gear page to power the LED light inside the diffuser).
Monday
After the Retreat
Participant image sharing
Live post-retreat image review session
Retreat Includes
Pre-retreat Zoom orientation
A Variety of unique sessions
Small groups & rotating instructors/locations
Hands-on instruction concentrating on MACRO photography and computational techniques
Post-retreat image sharing + optional critique
Private Facebook group for Retreat participants only
Two lunches and one dinner, as noted above
Retreat does not include
Travel Insurance.
We understand that life happens and that sometimes unforeseen circumstances may necessitate the need to cancel or reschedule. Unfortunately, we can not offer refunds unless we are able to fill your spot with someone on the waiting list. We can, however, recommend travel insurance to cover your costs if you have to cancel. There are many travel insurance companies available, but one we have had experience with is Travel Guard https://www.travelguard.com, they offer different insurance options, we recommend looking into the choices.
A Note About Flexibility.
Please note that our retreat schedule may shift slightly based on weather, light, or other conditions that help us give you the best photographic experience. We also tailor our instructor team to the size of each group. As registration fills, additional OM SYSTEM Ambassadors or instructors may be added; if a group is smaller, the number of instructors may be adjusted accordingly. Either way, you’ll always receive plenty of personal attention, hands-on guidance, and a supportive learning environment.
4th Annual Macro and Close-Up Photography RETREAT (AUG 2027)
Join us for this immersive hands-on photography retreat featuring five OM SYSTEM ambassadors as workshop leaders. This retreat will focus on Macro and Close-Up Nature Photography with dedicated sessions on: in-camera focus stacking, True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology, Woodland Close-Ups, plus additional sessions at the beach and at night for Close-Up, Macro and Nature photography, plus demonstrations, camaraderie, immersion, and more.
This is an “in the field” hands-on macro photography retreat, a complete immersion into Close-Up and macro photography with multiple OM SYSTEM ambassadors (you rotate thru each one). You will demystify camera settings, learn macro lens best practices, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Aug 6-9, 2027 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday).
Friday to Monday, complete immersion into Macro photography.
The workshop is located at the wonderful Little River Photo in North Berwick, ME
36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport.
FYI, there is also a bus from NYC
Retreat Cost (includes 2 lunches, multiple instructional sessions, 2 bonus sessions) $1499
WHO: All skill levels & ages are welcome (17 & under must be accompanied by an adult)
Any camera model is welcome, but for some of the sessions utilizing computational technologies, you will place your SD card into a loaner OM SYSTEM camera.
What: An immersive hands-on macro and close-up photography retreat with multiple OM SYSTEM ambassadors and a low participant-to-instructor ratio
How: Multiple OM SYSTEM ambassador retreat leaders. The Retreat will be run with small groups of participants, and every participant will rotate through each of the sessions (each participant will have each topic/each instructor).
When: Aug 6-9, 2027 (1pm Friday to 10am Monday). All times are Eastern time.
Where: 165 Little River Rd, North Berwick, ME 03906. BOS, Logan Airport in Boston is the closest large airport. The workshop is located in North Berwick, ME — 36 miles to Portland International (PWM) or 84 miles to Boston, MA (BOS) Boston Logan International Airport. There are lots of places to stay: Hotels, motels, Airbnbs, VRBO’s, campgrounds in North Berwick, Rochester (NH), Wells, Ogunquit, See list for some options.
Each participant will rotate through each instructors/topics, plus two bonus sessions.
Chris:
True 1:1 macro, focus bracketing, field craft, finding insect subjects
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Chris McGinnis in the field for a hands-on 1:1 macro photography, where you will demystify camera settings, learn to get up-close and personal with elusive live subjects, compose captivating scenes, and master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details
Lisa:
Story, Pareidolia, in-camera focus stacking, best practices for your 60mm and 90mm macro lenses, etc.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Lisa Cuchara will introduce you to the magic of focus stacking, be forewarned, it is addictive as you learn how to create images with detailed f32 looking subjects with f2.8 soft and dreamy non-distracting backgrounds. She will show you how to look for "wonky" subjects, pareidolia, and Wabi Sabi Subjects for story and impact.
Tom
Lightpainting using the Live Composite computational technology.
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Tom Cuchara will launch your love of daylight live composite and immerse you in the nuances of lightpainting.
Emilie:
Forest Close-ups. Join Emilie Talpin in the Lower Little River for Close-Up photos of lichen, moss, ferns, sori, spores, pollen, pine cones, leaves, flowers, dewdrops, snails & other woodland critters and more!
Learn to slow down to find river and forest subjects and photograph them close up. These images will be created at a narrow aperture, single image, with a macro lens, a flash, and a flash diffuser. All camera systems are welcome for this session!
Steve:
Renaturalizing, Composition for Impact; Beyond the Exposure Triangle
OM SYSTEM Ambassador Steve Morello will discuss in the field techniques to apply the concept of photography as storytelling, giving our images the vocabulary to do just that.
Bonus session 1
One morning with 6 instructors at the beach for Close-Up and Macro Nature photography, Pareidolia, Story, Depth of Field, Focus stacking, etc. Master depth of field to capture nature's intricate details.
Bonus session 2
One evening after dark for Close-Up, Macro, and Nature photography with flash & flash diffusers. Learn to get up close and personal with elusive live subjects, and light them in a pleasing manner with flash macro diffusers.
Pre-Retreat
Live Zoom: go over gear list and logistics, Q&A
Pre-Retreat Zoom teaching sessions
Plus demonstrations, access to loaner equipment, camaraderie, immersion, and more!
Friday
1pm Arrive (Eat lunch before your arrival)
1:30-2:00 Meet & Greet
2-3pm Camera setup (button optimization, settings)
3-6pm Session 1
Dinner on your own, we highly encourage you to eat with your group. Instructors will not be attending this dinner, but it is a great time to get to know your group-mates.
Saturday
7am-9:30am Footbridge beach (all groups)
10:30am-1:30pm Session 2
1:30pm-3:30pm
Camaraderie
Lisa demonstrates Focusing Rail, AK flash diffuser, Platypod, tripod, monopod
Next Group preparations
Lunch (included in the retreat fee)
3:30pm-6:30pm Session 3
7:30pm Dinner Mike's Clam Shack (not included)
Sunday
7am-10am Session 4
10am-12noon
Camaraderie
Next Group preparations
Chris demonstrates Helicon focus stacking software
Lunch (included in retreat fee)
12pm-3pm Session 5
4pm Dinner Reception (included)
7-9pm Optional night session (need a flash, a flash diffuser, and the little battery listed on the gear page to power the LED light inside the diffuser).
Monday
After the Retreat
Participant image sharing
Live post-retreat image review session
Retreat Includes
Pre-retreat Zoom orientation
A Variety of unique sessions
Small groups & rotating instructors/locations
Hands-on instruction concentrating on MACRO photography and computational techniques
Post-retreat image sharing + optional critique
Private Facebook group for Retreat participants only
Two lunches and one dinner, as noted above
Retreat does not include
Travel Insurance.
We understand that life happens and that sometimes unforeseen circumstances may necessitate the need to cancel or reschedule. Unfortunately, we can not offer refunds unless we are able to fill your spot with someone on the waiting list. We can, however, recommend travel insurance to cover your costs if you have to cancel. There are many travel insurance companies available, but one we have had experience with is Travel Guard https://www.travelguard.com, they offer different insurance options, we recommend looking into the choices.
A Note About Flexibility.
Please note that our retreat schedule may shift slightly based on weather, light, or other conditions that help us give you the best photographic experience. We also tailor our instructor team to the size of each group. As registration fills, additional OM SYSTEM Ambassadors or instructors may be added; if a group is smaller, the number of instructors may be adjusted accordingly. Either way, you’ll always receive plenty of personal attention, hands-on guidance, and a supportive learning environment.
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