The Reef Photo and Video Blue Heron Bridge
Photo Workshops in Palm Beach, Florida
Photo-intensive instruction at an easily accessible, subject-rich location!
Click here for all upcoming photography workshops.
We keep class sizes small to ensure you get the most out of your experience!
Take advantage of one of the finest macro sites in the world, our own Blue Heron Bridge, located in West Palm Beach, FL. This 3 day clinic focuses on macro photography, and there may not be a better setting anywhere to hold this kind of class. The bridge is actually located on the intracoastal waterway, inshore. This protected area has great tidal exchange, protection from two bridge structures, and an island (Phil Foster Park).
A curious octopus—one of the many creatures
you're likely to find while diving Blue Heron Bridge. ©Shen Collazo
The diversity of macro life at the Blue Heron Bridge dive site is unlike anything else in the tropical Atlantic. Unusual critters like seahorses, frogfish, pipefish, sea robins, batfish, stargazers, nudibranchs, and flatworms, are common sightings. A host of juveniles start their lives in this protected area before moving out on the reef. Tropical angelfish, spadefish, barracuda, and jacks are found amongst the bridge pilings. Eagle rays and stingrays feed in the sand flats, and manatees are even seen on occasion.
|
Batfish make excellent models, allowing you to experiment with your lighting. © Shen Collazo |
The seaweed blenny is abundant and a great subject for using close-up wet lens adapters. ©Tim Sullivan |
 Seahorses can be disguised. Our dive guides will help you find them!
© Shen Collazo
|
Male banded Jawfish. Let us help you |
In addition to photo instruction, this class includes a dive guide for every 2-3 divers. Our guides work for local dive operators or in the Reef Photo store, and are expert Blue Heron Critter Finders. Our guests can focus on taking pictures, and we'll lead you from subject to subject. No stress about dragging around a dive flag, navigation, or boat traffic; just relax and take pictures!
Conditions at Blue Heron Bridge are ideally suited
for participants to relax and focus on photography.
We'll begin Thursday night with a very thorough briefing of the site, a slideshow introducing the subject matter you'll find, and some tips for photographing the marine life in the park.
Classroom topics will start with macro camera settings, focus strategies, and exposure tips. Once you've got a grasp on the basics, more advanced lighting, composition, and creative effects can be explored. Our staff uses Adobe Photoshop Lightroom for image cataloging and editing, and a thorough digital workflow introduction is included.
|
|
|
Learn Techniques such as Black Background and Blue background using your camera settings!
Sharing is a big part of this event, and we'll run slide shows for inspiration, critique, or just show and tell in each classroom session.
Lodging:
Lodging and meals are not included. The following hotels are recommended:
**Mention that you are diving with Pura Vida Divers for special perks!**
Singer Island Hotels (walking distance from Pura Vida)
Hilton Singer Island
3700 State Highway 703
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
(561) 848-3888 (ask for the Dive Rate)
Sunshine Shores- Resort Apartments
101 Blossom Ln,
Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
For reservations, please contact Derek LaRosa:
561.844.6194- office
Derek@sunshineshores.com
www.sunshineshores.com
Marriott Singer Island
3800 North Ocean Drive
Singer Island, Florida 33404
(561) 340-1700
Toll-free: 1-877-239-5610
West Palm Beach Hotels (driving distance from Pura Vida)
Marriott Palm Beach Gardens
4000 RCA Blvd,
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
For Diver Rate contact Derrick Steinour
561-630-1335
derrick.steinour@marriott.com
Book Online and use the promo code D21 under special rates and rewards
Best Western Palm Beach Gardens Hotel & Suites
11360 US Hwy 1
Palm Beach Gardens FL 33408
For Reservations call: 561-844-8448
DoubleTree: Palm Beach Gardens
4431 PGA Blvd
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
(561) 622-2260
www.doubletreepalmbeachgardens.com
Holiday Inn Express-Juno Beach
1395 US Highway One
Juno Beach, FL 33436
561-622-4366
Getting Here:
The dive site is around 20 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), and around one hour from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL). If you are flying in from out of town, a rental car will be necessary for transportation between the classroom, dive site, and hotel.
Sample Schedule: Schedule will vary from workshop to workshop, based on tides. See workshop dates for more information.
| Day | Time | Event | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday Evening | 6:00- 8:30 PM | Camera Check, Slideshow, Orientation and Dive Site Briefing, Fort Lauderdale* | |||
| Friday | 08:00 - 5:45 PM | Workshop hours | |||
| 09:00AM - 11:00 AM | Dive (time is approximate) | ||||
| Saturday | 09:00 - 5:45 PM | Workshop hours | |||
| 10:00AM - 12:00 PM | Dive (time is approximate) | ||||
| Sunday | 09:00 - 5:00 PM | Workshop hours | |||
| 11:00AM - 1:00 PM | Dive (time is approximate) |
*Thursday evening orientation, slideshow, and briefing will be held at the Reef Photo & Video Store, Fort Lauderdale. All other classroom sessions will be held close to the dive site.
To provide you with the best experience, this schedule may be modified due to weather, ocean conditions, or other factors. All divers will be required to carry a fishing line cutting device while diving.
Cost:
This 3-day workshop is priced at $450, including instruction, diving, and the following:
What is included:
Workshop fee includes tanks, fills, and weights to be provided by Pura Vida Divers.
We will be using 80 cubic foot aluminum air tanks equipped with yoke valves; if you need DIN valves, please notify us several days before class. Also, please let us know how much lead weight you would like. We will arrange delivery of tanks & weights to you at the dive site.
For any other diving equipment needs, please contact Pura Vida Divers directly and tell them you will be participating in the Reef Photo & Video photography workshop.
We take care of arrangements for the following which are included in your workshop fee (tips not included):
- dive weights, tank rentals, & air fills
- transporting tanks between dive shop and the workshop dives
- dive guides, diver down flags; dive boat when applicable
- classroom facilities
Bring:
- All of your dive gear other than weights & tank (if you need anything else, please pre-arrange for it through Pura Vida Divers.)
- A cutting device (for fishing line) and a compass.
- Laptop with image processing software installed for classroom sessions. Adobe has a free 7-day trial for you.
- Your diver certification card; checking certifications over the internet is time-consuming and not always reliable.
- Your underwater camera gear.
- Memory card(s) for your camera.
Cancellation Policy:
Class sizes are limited and your workshop reservation is secured at the time of payment. We want you to concentrate on improving your underwater photography skills, not worry about arranging dives. Making these workshops as fun and productive as possible involves many contractual obligations on our part, therefore workshop fees can only be refunded if cancelled 14 or more days in advance.
Join us! We have several workshops throughout the year to fit your schedule.