Varina Patel

Owner/Landscape Photographer

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Tom Healy

I used both Hyperlocal Distance techniques (for playa shots) and fast shutter techniques (for crashing surf) that I learned from The Ultimate Landscape Course. It was very helpful.

Tom Healy
Portland, Oregon

Passionate hobbyists should follow Jay and Varina Patel

Passionate hobbyists interested in learning the technical aspects of photography in a simple and understanding way should follow Jay and Varina Patel.
Jaikumar Menon
Mumbai, India

Sue Atkinson

I have been trying to understand Hyperfocal Distance since I first picked up a camera about a year ago. I have had several people explain it to me, but I never understood it as well as I do after watching your tutorials. They are so clear and easy to understand.

Sue Atkinson
Western Australia

Derek

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.

Derek
San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Sara Ghedina

I wanted to say thank you, I’ve been watching some of the videos tutorials you made teaching about different camera lenses and they are absolutely great. I especially like the case studies that let you actually see how things work in practice while you explain them.

Sara Ghedina
San Francisco, California

Franco Ameli

Thank you! Hyperfocal Distance for Landscape Photography was great video course. Very interesting and useful.

Franco Ameli
Genoa, Italy

Vikram Jayaraman

Having Jay and Varina as instructors opens up a totally new perspective to Landscape photography.

Vikram Jayaraman
San Jose, California

In Sharp Focus Webinar very good

In Sharp Focus Webinar very good. Sometimes it felt like drinking from a firehouse, but good information.

Kendrick Neubecker
Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Very informative and well presented

In Sharp Focus Webinar was very informative and well presented.

Gavin Stuart
Chatham, Ontario, Canada

Tom Healy

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.

Tom Healy
Portland, Oregon

Mastering Simplification in Nature Photography

Learn to organize & simplify your nature photography compositions to create images with strong visual impact with Jay & Varina Patel.
$39.95
Cover for Nature Photography Tutorial about Composition

Creating Impact with Nature Photography

Learn to go beyond the basic rules to build stronger nature photography compositions with visual impact with Jay & Varina Patel.
$39.95
Creative Photography with Shutter Speed Tutorial Cover

Creative Photography with Shutter Speed

Learn to use shutter speed to go beyond your own expectations as you visualize & capture expressive photos with our creative photography tutorial.
$39.95
Cover for Hyperfocal Distance for Landscape Photography Rev. 3

Hyperfocal Distance for Landscape Photography

Feel confident using hyperfocal distance for landscape photography to get in close with a wide angle lens and get everything in sharp focus.
$39.95
Cover for Creative Photography Tutorial using Aperture Setting by Jay & Varina Patel

Creative Photography with Aperture

Learn to use your aperture setting with our creative photography tutorial and fill your portfolio with original, imaginative and expressive images.
$39.95
Telephoto Lenses for Nature Photography Cover by Varina Patel

Telephoto Lenses for Nature Photography

Learn to freeze motion, eliminate blur, catch wildlife in action, be creative, and capture awe-inspiring photos with your telephoto lenses.
$39.95
Creative Photography with Lensbaby Tutorial Cover

Creative Photography with Lensbaby

Experiment... take risks... break the rules... make mistakes... have fun... and capture striking photos with Lensbaby.
$39.95
Essential Photography Filters Cover

Essential Photography Filters

How to create stunning images using photography filters... when to use them, why we carry them, and when it's best to put them away.
$39.95

Vibrant Colors in Nature Photography

Learn to make the most of your camera settings, gear, and creative decisions to capture the rich, vibrant colors you see in nature.
$39.95

Illuminated Course

Mastering light in landscape photography and coming way with brilliant photos, no matter what.
$39.95
Macro Photography Lenses Cover

Macro Photography Lenses

Learn to overcome the big challenges of shooting small subjects with your macro photography lens.
$39.95
In Sharp Focus Tutorial Cover

Nature Photography In Sharp Focus

Learn how to handle difficult focusing situations… discover the best practices and camera settings for sharp focus… and find out how you can get creative with focus, too!
$39.95
Wide Angle Lens Video Course Cover

Wide Angle Lenses

Make the most of your wide angle lens to capture grand vistas with incredible depth and detail.
$39.95
Landscape Photography Tutorial - Getting it Right in Camera V1 Cover

Getting it Right in Camera

Go beyond technical skills and capture stunning photos right in camera—regardless of the conditions.
$39.95
Exposure Bracketing Tutorial for Landscape Photography Cover

Bracketing Exposed

Push beyond the limitations of your camera, and gain control of your highlights and shadows with this complete guide to exposure bracketing for high dynamic range photography.
$39.95
Photography Histogram Tutorial Cover

Histograms Exposed

No more guesswork… no more hoping for the best… no more poorly exposed photographs. It’s time to take control of your camera.
$39.95

Mastering Manual Exposure in Nature Photography

Put your knowledge of the exposure triangle into practice. Learn to manually expose your photograph using your camera’s spot meter.
$39.95

How to create Tiny Planets in Photoshop

A step-by-step Photoshop tutorials that walks you though the process of creating creating tiny planets from panoramic photos.
April 18, 2013/by Varina Patel

Should I Major in Art in College?

As a kid who dreamed of being a photographer and a parent who knows that art business is tough Varina will tries to answer this question.
March 21, 2013/by Varina Patel

Light and Layers

Akaka falls is located just North of Hilo on the Big Island…
February 28, 2013/by Varina Patel

Color or Monochrome?

When I decide to convert an image to monotone, it's usually because…
February 19, 2013/by Varina Patel

Light Matters

Pay attention to the light. Maybe you think light isn't very important in this shot. But I'll argue that light is critically important to this photograph.
February 4, 2013/by Varina Patel

Do I like my Graphics Tablet?

When people see me working, they invariably ask if I like my Wacom Graphics Tablet. The answer is HECK, YES! I absolutely love my tablet.
January 22, 2013/by Varina Patel

Photoshop Blending Modes: Lighten

This is a composite shot I took several years ago in Death…
December 13, 2012/by Varina Patel

From Living Room to Studio – Here’s How We Do It

For those rare occasional studio portraits, it’s great to be able convert your living room into a studio in less than 10 minutes.
September 13, 2012/by Varina Patel

Teaching our Kids to Shoot

Teaching photography to kids is tons of fun. They pick up on…
May 31, 2012/by Varina Patel

Photographing People in Nature

When we do portrait work, we rarely set up our studio and…
March 29, 2012/by Varina Patel
Landscape photography from Wanka, New Zealand

Do the composition rules matter?

Compositional rules might make a photo more appealing, and it’s important to know the rules. But, aren’t all rules meant to be broken?
March 22, 2012/by Varina Patel

Leading Lines

I love using leading lines in my photos. They serve to lead the…
March 1, 2012/by Varina Patel
Portrait of Varina Patel

There is nothing more remarkable to me than the power of nature. It is both cataclysmic and subtle. Slow and continuous erosion by water and wind can create landscapes every bit as astonishing as those shaped by catastrophic events – and minuscule details can be as breathtaking as grand vistas that stretch from one horizon to the other. Nature is incredibly diverse. Burning desert sands and mossy riverbanks… Brilliant sunbeams and fading alpenglow… Silent snowfall and raging summer storms… Each offers a unique opportunity. I am irresistibly drawn to the challenge of finding my next photograph, and mastering the skills required to capture it effectively.