ADIRONDACK WINTERSCAPES
January 25 - 28, 2026
Lake Placid, NY
After a phenomenal workshop last winter, we're back to the Olympic region — with its High Peaks, snowy woodlands and
ice-bound waters. Also with new field lessons and instructional presentations to creatively showcase this winter wonderland.
Winter in the Adirondacks is a magical time and the Lake Placid-Saranac Lake-Tupper Lake region has a special northern charm. There are dramatic snow-covered mountains and pristine forests. The numerous lakes, ponds and waterways ice over with intricate formations. Even small snowfalls create winter wonderlands. Snow quiets and simplifies the landscape, accentuating lines and form. Portraying it artistically in photographs requires special attention to composition, exposure and processing. Through both field lessons and indoor instructional sessions, Mark will share the art of seeing winter’s beauty and demonstrate field and processing techniques for creating compelling winter images. With the emphasis on “shooting & processing”, we’ll photograph a variety of locations, during the day and at night, and take time to process and share our images. The Lake Placid area affords views to Whiteface Mountain and the McKenzie and Stephenson Ranges, Mt Marcy, Algonquin Mt, Mt Joe. And it's close to the Saranac Lakes Wild Forest and St Regis Wilderness. Come explore the special beauty of winter in the North Country!
Field lessons will emphasize attention to detail, with tips and techniques on:
-
reading and shooting the light
-
seeing from different vantagepoints
-
fine tuning compositions
-
determining proper exposure
-
achieving critical focus
-
working with your range of lenses for creative effect
-
using the LCD screen and histogram to refine compositions, check exposures and confirm focus
Mark will give indoor instructional presentations on:
-
winter weather & the Art of Seeing
-
extreme snow & ice
-
the compositional benefits of open water
-
winter patterns
-
using exposure to create mood
-
shooting winter’s color and tonal palettes for creative effect
-
multiple exposure blending for expanding exposure latitude and resolution: layer masks, panoramas and HDR’s
-
focus stacking to maximize depth of field
Mark will also cover efficient digital workflow and optimization in Lightroom, Camera Raw & Photoshop. He will demonstrate the non-destructive digital workflow he uses to optimize images:
-
applying global adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop for white balance, tonality, contrast and color control, highlight and shadow control
-
noise reduction and pre-sharpening
-
making local adjustments using Lightroom's Masks to control contrast, color and tonality
-
selective dodging and burning
-
working with layers
Camera Skills Needed
All skill levels are welcome. Users of all types of cameras may attend. However, digital SLR cameras are preferred for their ability to provide immediate feedback and instant access to the images. Without one, you will not be able to take full advantage of the indoor sessions in this workshop.
Description of skill levels - click here.
Computer Skills Needed
A basic understanding of digital workflow and some working knowledge of Lightroom, Photoshop or other image editing software will be helpful.
Other Considerations
Though locations visited during this workshop are readily accessible, some moderate hiking in snow may be required. Participants must be in good physical shape and able to climb and descend moderate inclines. Though not necessary, feel free to bring snowshoes or cross-country skis to access snow-covered forests.
As with all outdoor pursuits, some risk is inherent; all participants will be required to sign a waiver prior to the workshop.
Group Size
10 participants maximum
Registration Fees
$950 tuition only.
Deposit of $250 required at time of registration. Deadline for early registration is December 1, 2025.
Click here for information on discounts that may be available.
Details
Dates and Times
The program begins Sunday, January 25th at 5:00 pm and ends Wednesday, January 28th at noon.
Where to Meet
Participants will gather at the Hampton Inn and Suites at 801 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, NY.
Lodging
Lodging is the responsibility of the participant and is not included in the registration fee. The Hampton Inn and Suites, (518) 523-9500. is holding a number of rooms for this workshop at a discounted rate until December 27th. After that, rooms will be available at their standard rates based on availability. For the discounted pricing, be sure to mention you are attending the Adirondack Photography Institute's workshop.
Meals
Meals are not included with the workshop tuition and are the responsibility of each individual. Mark will work with the group to organize meal times and locations.
Getting to the Event
The two nearest airports are Syracuse Hancock International (SYR) and Albany International (ALB). Rental cars are available at both locations.
Transportation During the Event
Participants’ vehicles will be used for transportation during field trips. Note that the instructor is not allowed to provide transportation for participants duing the event.
What To Bring
Mark has provided additional information regarding your needs for this program. Click here to view or download that information. Please contact Mark Bowie directly with questions: mbowiephoto@gmail.com or 413-442-9125.