One Recipe
Multiple Destinations
Welcome to our workshops page, where inspiration meets opportunity! To be able to fully exploit the art of the possible in nature photography a fundamental mindset change is required. We simply need to change the Lens through which we view the art of the possible. Unexpectedly that catalyst will be finding the sweet spot of our individual camera’s ISO capabilities. Not Out Of Camera but After Authentic Nature Editing. In determining that we will rethink and rewrite the art of the possible in every genre of nature photography and we will have a lot of fun exploring the unthinkable.
Wow, 2024—it was a game-changer! While my photography hit new heights, the real highlight was a humbling wake-up call on my 101st Chobe safari. Despite clients using cutting-edge gear, their results weren’t matching our early standards. This inspired me to rethink how I teach, leading to a simplified, joy-filled Nature Photography Model that makes professional-level skills achievable in days, not years.
But here’s the twist: my real measure of success has always been my client’s growth. Seeing them improve and thrive has been my North Star, and I’ve poured my heart into sharing every ounce of knowledge I have. Cue the ego pop. During my 101st safari on the Chobe River—yes, my 101st!—I got a wake-up call.
Quantum advancements in Digital Workflow, Editing, and Upscaling Software should reinvent our perception of the “Art of the Possible” in the genre of Nature Photography. Please look carefully at the example below. Here, we have an original Raw photograph cropped out at only 1 million pixels from a small Micro 4:3 sensor, and exported as 1 million pixels. But what if one wants to make a large print for display? What about upscaling the photograph from 1 to 221,000,000 pixels—without any artefacts, loss in quality or losing the authentic natural history value of our photographs?
The Power of Pixels - The "Pixel Debate" is Finally Over
So why is it that you cannot see the difference between one and 221 million pixels? The most obvious explanation is that both the results were downsized for display. The other interesting fact to note is that a healthy human brain and eye combination can only distinguish up to around 15 million pixels. So no need then to buy an 8K (32 Million) resolution television!
Liberating News for Photographers
Now, please stop and contemplate the profound implications of what you are seeing above. The fundamental mind shift required is that we should no longer consider the quality of a digital photographic file as it exits the camera but rather after it has been edited. What it simply means is that every camera sensor in every camera bag is good enough for professional photography. Now, just think about this—never buy a new camera to get better image quality. Rather use AI editing software to edit and upscale to perfection. I am so confident about the implications of this “Eureka Moment” that I will offer my Workshops and Mentorship Support Program with a money-back guarantee. (See below).
Get Your Money-Back Guarantee
At the heart of my commitment to your growth as a nature photographer lies a simple yet powerful promise: a money-back guarantee that reflects my unwavering dedication to delivering measurable results. I take responsibility for your results!
Before you quickly scroll past the idea of this money-back guarantee, please take a moment to consider the following. You get your money back, but I do not get a product in return that can simply be sold to the next willing buyer. If we ever reach a point where I have not delivered on my commitment to help you leapfrog your nature photography and editing results, I still do not get a product back that can simply be resold. The time, effort, and money I have invested in our journey together would be lost down a big black hole. I trust this illustrates the seriousness of my commitment to you.
Ts & Cs
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If you want to qualify for the first-time client money-back guarantees on any of my workshops or Mentorship programs, I will request that you send me a selection of your best photographs as edited JPEGs, regardless of your preferred focus in Nature Photography.
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After evaluating your portfolio, I will conduct a 30-minute Zoom session to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your work. If I determine that your portfolio is already at a high standard and unlikely to benefit significantly from the workshop or program, I will communicate this upfront.
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We will establish and agree upon specific criteria to assess your progress during the workshop or mentorship program.
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Full trust and cooperation with my guidance on photography, workflow, and editing are essential prerequisites.
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This guarantee applies only if the workshop or mentorship program takes place as planned.
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If your results do not significantly leapfrog your portfolio, I will provide a full refund.
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"Thank you Lou for living up to your guarantee of totally transforming my photography and making the whole experience fun from taking the shot to editing. I am excited."~ Steph Vermeulen
Get Your Moneyback Guarantee
If you are serious about signing up for any of the available workshops;
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Select at least 20 of your best-edited nature photographs.
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Save them in full-resolution JPEG format.
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WeTransfer all files to me at lou@seeingbeyondtheobvious.com
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I will set up a 30-minute Zoom feedback session.
Reinventing Workflow, Editing and Nature Photography
This high-intensity four nights five five-day workshop consists of two theoretical sessions, eight practical photography sessions and three practical workflow editing upscaling sessions. Expect to work hard!
In the workshops you will learn to:
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To "See Beyond the Obvious".
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Reinvent photography and editing skills.
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Dramatically reduce the learning curve.
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Maximise your camera’s capabilities.
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Rediscover the joy and have lots more fun!
Achieve: Master Maximum Shutter Speeds for Capturing Speed and Depth
When you can nail extreme action in the same location
Extend your skills to nailing small bird action
Photographing larger bird action is a breeze
Now, Let Us Shoot Depth and Speed
Please put on the handbrake now. The traditional landscape photographer's approach is to see detail, shoot extreme depths, and think of composition (1). With the Sedona landscape (2), upscaling has been added—from iPhone 13 Max’s 12-million-pixel JPG file to a hefty 481 million pixels! Now we crank up shutter speeds all the time, from a very moderate 1/2500 sec (African Fish Eagle (3)) up to the max of 1/8000 sec in the DSLR world (African Jacana Chick (4)), until we can max out the shutter speed capabilities of our mirrorless cameras. What to do with all that shutter speed apart from freezing motion? Learn to add progressively more depth of field while retaining ample shutter speed (5-9).
Hover over the images to navigate the story.
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"If you cannot explain it to a six-year-old child you do not know it yourself”. ~ Albert Einstein
Ethan Blofield, 11yo
Peter-Kersey Blofield, 13yo
John Mostert, Oldest Mentee, 86yo
“Thank you Lou for opening my eyes further and to “Seeing Beyond The Obvious”. I am now shooting at much higher ISO’s to capture those special unscripted moments at vastly higher shutter speeds.
You have taken me out of my comfort zone in terms of “safe” camera settings and by doing this I am capturing images at these higher ISO settings on my Sony A1, than I previously thought possible.”
Neal Cooper - Multiple international award-winning photographer Sony A1 shooter.
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