Canyons, Waterfalls & Bluffs: Photographing Starved Rock Country

Join Nick Sinnott & Stephanie Godinez for a weekend of photographing waterfalls, flowers, and landscapes.  On May 2nd & 3rd we will be spending the weekend at THREE State Parks and the surrounding areas teaching landscape techniques. Moderate amount of hiking will occur each day, approximately 2 miles per park. PLEASE NOTE:  This is a rain or shine event, it will not be canceled due to weather.

Schedule of Activities

May 2nd (6:30 AM) – Starved Rock State Park

Please Note: We will be starting just after dawn and finishing up before noon to beat the crowds and get the best light.  You will have the afternoon on your own to do additional hiking or rest up for the evening tour at Buffalo Rock State Park.  We will be visiting the following areas of the park:

• Council Overhang (Caves)
• Ottawa Canyon (Waterfall)
• Kaskaskia Canyon (Waterfall)
• Illinois Canyon (If Virginia Bluebells are in bloom)

May 2nd (5:00 PM) – Buffalo Rock State Park

The park sits atop a dramatic bluff overlooking the Illinois River Valley, providing sweeping vistas that are especially beautiful at sunset. We will capture wildlife such as the park’s resident American bison herd, migrating birds, the unique Native American Effigy Tumuli earth sculptures, wooded trails, river views, and a sandstone canyon. This will be the longest walk of the weekend but it a flat paved/gravel walkway.

May 3rd (6:30 AM) – Matthiessen State Park

Please Note:  We will be starting just after dawn and finishing at around noon to beat the crowds and the get the best light.  This park will be the most strenuous hike of the weekend.  About a 2-mile hike, with well defined paths and lots of stairs. We will be visiting the following areas of the park:

• Lake Falls
• Giant’s Bathtub
• Cascade Falls
• Devil’s Paint Box

May 6th (7:00 PM) – Zoom Editing Session

All participants will be invited to join the online live editing session where Nick & Stephanie will take some of your images and theirs and demonstrate editing techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop.

Equipment List:

• Camera (required)
• Tripod (required)
• Wide angle lens (14mm – 35mm)
• Telephoto Lens (70mm – 200mm)
• Remote or cable release (suggested)
• Neutral Density Filters (strongly suggested)
• Circular Polarizer Filter (CPL Filter) (suggested)
• Head Lamp
• Insect Repellant
• Water Bottle / Snacks
• Water shoes