We wanted to take some time to look at our 4th year of operations for Visual Wilderness. In many ways, this has been a defining year and one marked with change in the direction of our business. Here are some of the highlights from 2018…
Awesome Blog Posts
Our contributing photographers continued to create some fantastic blog posts. Below are some of the most popular ones from 2018 (in no particular order).
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Photo Stacking for Night Photography – By Joshua Snow
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6 Ridiculously Simple Tricks for Sunrise Photography – By Chrissy Donadi
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4 Post-Processing Mistakes Made by Beginners – By Anne McKinnell
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A Beginners Guide to Organizing your Photos – By Varina Patel
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Understanding White Balance in Photography – By Lace Andersen
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How to Set White Balance for Wildlife Photography – By Rahul Sachdev
Newsletter and Web App Notifications
We have over 42,000 subscribers for our InFocus newsletter and over 7,000 subscribers get educational content via notifications from Visual Wilderness on their mobile and desktop devices. Not surprisingly, both of these free resources have superb engagement and a worldwide audience. Here is what some of the readers have to say…
InFocus Newsletter is one of the best photography magazines out there. I really get a lot out of it and enjoy reading from beginning to end.
MaryBroke, NSW. Australia
I am thrilled that this weekend I got to put to use what I have learned so far. Thanks Varina for explaining hyper focal distance, it even worked with my little Olympus OMD M5 with the kit 12-50mm lens. Thank you both for explaining how to use layers.
Robert ForristerMakanda, Illinois
The site is a pleasure to view and read, and it’s full of useful and well-presented info. The photos, of course, are a great source of inspiration. We always look forward to receiving our InFocus Nature Photograph Newsletter updates, and we saved each one for future reference.
Tom & SanneNew Smyrna Beach, FL
Hey Josh– I’ve been watching lots of Photoshop tutorials on Lynda. com and I learned so much more from yours! I think they are really wonderful. Even better, I love the fact that I could download the files and watch them over again at my convenience. Thanks a million.
Juli GumbinerCalifornia, USA
I really enjoyed the Behind the Lens course. It is the best of all the courses you’ve made. I own every one of your webinars and courses and this one was as intuitive as any of them.
Frankie LeyroFort Belvoir, VA, USA
Your and Varina’s style of teaching is so amazing. You bring the workshop to my home in lucid and easy to understand style. I have subscribed to many including PPSOP, Lynda…But your team is the best! I have recommended The Complete Ultimate Collection to all my friends.
Sunil UdupaMumbai, India
I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate with you for your
Video Courses, I find them very useful and helpful in order to improve in my favourite hobby.
Tiziano TronoCremona, Italy
I have been an outdoor photographer for 25 years and really enjoy tuning in to Varina and Jay’s tutorials, they are leading the way with their technical knowledge and philosophy on composition, what a refreshing approach in an ever changing industry!
Guy VickersNew Plymouth, New Zealand
This course is exactly what I didn’t realize I’ve been looking for over the past few years: the videos, case studies, raw files, and explanations are what set this so far apart from anything else I’ve found. I have just started the course, but I can confidently say excellent job!
Mark PetryDowningtown, Pennsylvania
Their easy approach, pace, and personalities make the learning process much easier and enjoyable.
Isabel “Bel” MartinsCleveland, Ohio
I finally felt brave enough to tackle processing an album of photos that I had from a workshop I attended. I was astounded by how much I had learned from your videos!!!! I turned out some fantastic images, beyond my expectations! I didn’t think I knew what I was doing but I have learned a lot.
Lynne SaundersCanada
I appreciate your combined abilities to teach me at my level on the photography learning curve.
H.C.”Tex” SchneiderSanta Ana, California
Just finished your Hyperfocal Distance Tutorial and I must commend you on giving a crystal-clear explanation of this tricky subject, and for suggesting a workflow that makes good sense. Many thanks!
Kas StoneNova Scotia, Canada
PERFECT FOR THE BEGINNER AND BEYOND – Brilliant! Your course is perfect for the beginner and beyond. I have used Lightroom for 2-3 years now and this course was a perfect way to reinforce what I already know and to add to my knowledge base. Your teaching manner is clear and enjoyable. Being a former teacher I value those skills – which are not necessarily found in many online courses! I’m looking forward to more that you might offer in the future.
Jean DePue Paschke
I have enjoyed Infocus Newsletter and have learn much that has enhanced my enjoyment and technical skills. Keep up the great work.
RichardChattanooga, TN, USA
I didn’t know Histograms could be so easily manipulated with such awesome results. I purchased this a few weeks, ago, and have viewed all the videos five or six times. Having been a public school teacher for 40+ years before retiring, I know what makes excellent teaching, and you, two, are some of the best instructors I’ve seen in the field of photography. Keep up the great work, and keep adding new additions to your ebooks and videos collections.
Michael KaiserGeorgetown, USA
Visual Wilderness offers outstanding Educational Products quite different from what is on offer in the landscape photography market.
Luciana London, England
There’s always something included in InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter that I can use to improve my photographic creativity. There’s a lot to learn from reading your experiences, both good and bad. This magazine comes to me in an ‘awkward’ format, but I still love the sharing which is written like as though it was made within a family structure.
JackNew Zealand
Thank you for your Hyperfocal Distance Course. That answered and made it so easy to understand what HD is and how and when to use. Perfect.
Bill DomanskyIowa, USA
I thoroughly enjoyed the video courses by Varina and Jay Patel. Their clear presentation style and real life examples of their teaching enabled me to rapidly understand and put into practice what they were teaching. Their style is quite personal as if you were on site with them. Excellent photography in the examples supports the learning experience. Histograms were always a bit of a mystery. Seeing how to use them to improve my “in-camera” results will enable me to get the results I see in the field.
Michael FranklinOttawa, Canada
Essential Filters Course would have saved me from frustrating photos that were a result of using filters wrong or not understanding when and how to use them. Another great tutorial series from Jay & Varina.
I love the relaxed way you tell your stories in InFocus Newsletter, and your wonderful pictures.
GertDenmark
Like all other educational material that you’ve produced, the Essential Filter Course is simply wonderful! You both have the gift for imparting knowledge in a simple and straightforward manner.
Paul PetersBritish Columbia, Canada
Jay and Varina Patel’s Ultimate Landscape Photography Course has been a great resource to help me in my journey towards taking great photos. Their presentations are in the terrific clear, simple, engaging style that they use in their workshops. Their content is comprehensive and includes handy tips and information that I haven’t seen elsewhere on the net.
Simon PattersonWestern Australia
Josh Cripps is hands down one of the leading video tutorial instructors I have come across. For many months I have scoured the internet trying to find someone who could teach me basic, intermediate and advanced techniques in Photoshop. Well spoken, clear and concise instruction, easy to understand and a great sense of humour. Thanks for all your effort in putting these tutorials together Josh, I look forward to all the ones I don’t yet own!
Michelle BarclayCanada
EVERYTHING NOW MAKES SENSE
I had given up on Lightroom due to its complexities, but after seeing Anne’s video course everything now makes sense. The numerous bite-sized video approach helped to get me started again. Anne’s voice is amazingly relaxed & easy on the ear. Lightroom is my go place when I am “cooking” my Raw photos, and now, thanks to the course, my family gets to see the photos I take.
Jenny Reid
VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND – I found Anne’s video course very easy to understand and the way she broke up each component was perfect, as was the flow of work. There was enough information in each component for a beginner like myself without being overwhelming. The pace of the course was very nice too. It gave a very realistic workflow that made sense.
Sharlene Logan
Everything you have taught in your video series has made me a better photographer, editor, and a photo printer. I still have a lot more to learn, but you really helped to set a good beginning foundation for me.
Darrell UruskiBritish Columbia, Canada
You offer an incredible photography learning experience. With two terrific instructors who are great to learn from, and fun to be with, I couldn’t ask for more.
Sharon
I have subscribed to several online magazines. InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter is very easy to read and understand. Because of Chemical poisoning from a career in traditional studio photography, I am finding the articles are helping me regain what I have lost – love of photography again & learning techniques in the digital age of photography. Many thanks for your enthusiasm.
RichardMaddington, Western Australia
Visual Wilderness (InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter) is in the top three photography websites that I follow all the time. Thank you for the high quality work.
RichardCentral PA, USA
I love the easy to follow and understand information that Infocus – Nature Photography Newsletter provide. It’s helped me tremendously as I am constantly trying to improve on the photos I take. Your post processing tips are awesome. Delivery to my email makes it very easy to read, whether I’m in the office or traveling.
MichaelSpokane, WA, USA
GUIDES THE VIEWER ALONG WITHOUT DROWNING IN EXTRANEOUS DETAIL – An excellent primer on Lightroom directed at the novice. Anne’s narrative cuts right to the heart of the program and guides the beginner along by showing how things work without drowning in extraneous detail. Anne is very wise in that she shows how to turn off many of the program’s functions that can overwhelm the novice and, instead, concentrates on those tools and functions that beginners will most likely need and actually use. I highly recommend Anne’s Lightroom Video Course to anyone just starting with Lightroom.
John Canning
Once again, a wonderful course (Getting it Right in Camera) that you have created here, in stunning locations, and by means of your intuitive style of teaching all the concepts and techniques can be properly digested. The case studies provide invaluable insights in how you work your cameras and the thought processes behind creating those wonderful images – easy to follow and replicate for your students.
Frank WeitzerGermany
I am an avid follower of Jay and Varina’s work. Their work really is superb. Their knowledge in the field of landscape photography is impeccable.
DerekSan Francisco Bay Area, CA
As someone who is hopping to build a photography business I am always looking for new tips and tricks to improve my skills and expand my knowledge. I find all the articles inspiring and helpful. Thank you Infocus Nature Photography Newsletter for providing a free tool to help me grow my skills.
JoanWhite Lake, Michigan, USA
In the digital age we live in, photography is not only about capturing the light, but also proper post-processing techniques. Your videos teach such techniques, and show you how to apply them to convert bits of captured light into a beautiful art.
Greg BoratynOrange County, California
Varina is an exceptional teacher (I’ve experienced hundreds over the years and she is among the very best, if not at the top). These case studies are an exceptional complement to the fieldwork teachings where both Varina and Jay excel with their skills and explanations. The Ultimate Landscape Photography Course is a MUST HAVE EXPERIENCE for anyone wanting to get into or improve their skills in this field.
Ron BritManitoba, Canada
Varina – this is EXACTLY what I have been studying these days and you have solved a huge mystery for me with this explanation of hyperfocal distance. I’m going to put your chart in my iPhone so I have it with me when I’m out in the field.
Catherine MartinPalm Desert, California
I really like the interesting articles in the InFocus Newsletter and the variety of tutorials in small bites which have helped me improve my photography.
VeronicaGuildford, UK
I find your website and your InFocus Nature Photography Newsletter issues so inspiring. I have learning so much from you and you push me to want to get better with my photography. Thanks for all you do!
MaiderSpain
And thanks for making such awesome
Videos Courses! These have been a huge help in my photography development. 😉
Jim SchubertGeorgia, USA
I have been using filters for many years and still learned a number of helpful tidbits of information I didn’t already know or hadn’t thought about from the Essential Filters Course. The material is presented in easy-to-digest segments of video that you can sit down and watch all of back-to-back, or if you only have a few minutes you can watch them one at a time. The way the segments are divided makes it easy to go back and find specifics you want to review.
Jennifer WolfCardiff, California
This is great! Been wanting to understand and apply Hyperfocal Distance in my photography.
Elizabeth DizonManila, Philippines
VW Streaming Service
This was the first full year of a streaming service offering for our customers. We have an excellent subscriber retention rate and continue to provide new content throughout the year. In addition, we introduced more than eight new nature photography video tutorials that were available for free for streaming subscribers. Here are the last three video courses…
New Nature Photography Video Tutorials
In 2018, we expanded our video tutorial offering by becoming a multi-vendor marketplace for nature photographers. We now offer video courses from several contributing photographers on all aspects of landscape photography. Here are some of the most popular video courses from this past year…
Our latest video courses were based on fine-tuning your start-to-finish workflow for some of the most important aspects of photography. For example, we created Illuminated & Working with Light which focuses on giving landscape photographers a complete workflow for capturing and processing different types of light.
These video courses, with a razor-sharp focus on different aspects of photography, were our best sellers in 2018.
What is Coming in 2019?
In the first half of 2019, Visual Wilderness celebrates its 5th birthday. Throughout this coming year, we plan to create more in-depth video courses on several aspects of landscape photography. In addition, producing more on-location video courses that feature workshop-style lessons is also part of our 2019 plan.
We also have a few secret projects in works. Psst… keep this last one to yourself.
Happy Holidays from Visual Wilderness Team!!
I could startoff like this – “Seeds of Jay Patel’s appreciation for beautiful places were planted early in his childhood….” but it would get boring really fast. I will just sum it up and say that I am a Landscape and Wilderness Photographer who loves to capture dramatic light. My photographs have been published in various magazines, calendars and advertising materials throughout the world.
Patience is a virtue...unless you are chasing your dreams
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