On June 8, 2018, my husband, Ken, and I drove from Los Angeles to Oceano, CA to attend Luis Escobar’s first ever photography class. We arrived knowing only how to point and click our iPhone Xs. We knew we needed to gain more skill as photographers, as we are runners and frequently find ourselves running with iconic runners in iconic places, like Katherine Switzer’s #261Fearless Team Niagara Falls 2018 and #261runsboston.
Luis’s powerful 2-day course thoroughly covered all of the essential camera skills: Exposure, including shutter speed, aperture, ISO sensor sensitivity and metering light, as well as depth of field, focal length, focus, color temperature and elements of a powerful image. Handouts, discussions, presentations, practical experience, interactions with other students and fabulous settings were of the highest quality and proved priceless. The fourteen students included iconic ultra runners, gifted photographers, race photographers and directors, and world-renowned travelers and photographers. The price of admission was an amazing bargain – worth every cent and more.
Since my husband and I were unable to book the Pacific Dunes Ranch & RV Resort, 1205 Silver Spur Place, Oceano, CA 93445, where the class was being held, we reserved the Plaza Hotel, 444 Pier Ave., Oceano, CA 93445. We checked in on Friday afternoon, June 8, 2018. The hotel was within a couple of blocks of the beach and within a few yards of a park with a lake full of waterfowl. It was a pleasant, quiet, clean, small room with that special feeling of staying at the beach.
On the morning of June 9, 2018, we drove to the Pacific Dunes Ranch to check out the digs before the class. We had the good fortune of spying Luis Escobar walking along the road. Luis invited us to walk with him to the dunes, only a block away. We were in for a treat beyond our imagination. We spent some quality and rare time with Luis that morning gazing at the pristine, ethereal dunes.
The class began later that day. Luis is a gifted, humble, patient photography coach for newbies like my husband and me, as well as a respected and trusted instructor for talented photographers like Tyler Tomasello.
We spent the early afternoon wrapping our minds around how to get that special shot. We then left the classroom and set out on our own to employ the lessons we just learned. Luis kindly lent my husband and me his cameras. The students, armed with cameras and a mission, set out like scouts, scouring the ranch for that perfect shot.
I found myself alone walking down a flowered trail. I was applying Luis’s techniques on a beautiful, yellow-flowered bush, when, to my amazement, a glorious butterfly flew right into my view and landed. I was mesmerized, feeling as if it was a visit from my Dad. The butterfly remained, slowly furling and unfurling its wings, right in front of me. Out of all the places on the ranch, it landed there. I was with it for the rest of the session. It never left. I finally, reluctantly returned to the classroom. It was still there.
That evening, Luis presented us with the most amazing gift of the opportunity to photograph a magnificent rider and horse in the surf at sunset. The venue was exquisite. The photos shot at this magical scene superb. It could not have been more perfect.
The next day, June 10, 2018, we walked together, single-file, to the awaiting dunes, silently showing off their glory at sunrise. Again, the students attacked this rare opportunity to capture this unparalleled scene, fanning out, committed warriors on a calling. Even a newbie like me would have had a hard time failing to capture a beautiful photo of this magnificent display on this magnificent morning. The photos Luis and the students later shared on social media stunned and dazzled those who were blessed with the good fortune of having seen them.
That afternoon, we debriefed, exhausted and still glowing from the unrivaled sunset and sunrise we experienced together and captured forever. This was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. I will always treasure it.
Our next adventure promises to surpass even this magical time. Luis Escobar is hosting Adventure Photography Tour of Costa Rica, Sunday, November 11, 2018 – Sunday, November 18, 2018. Please do not miss this exquisite opportunity to join us! Visit #allwedoisphoto.
Keep Questing!