Free outdoor photography workshop offered for National Forest Week

For National Forest Week (July 10-16, 2023), the Black Hills National Forest will be offering an Outdoor Photography Workshop on Saturday, July 15 from 1-5 p.m. at the Pactola Visitor Center and surrounding reservoir. 

The Forest is teaming up with Forest Recreation Management (FRM) to host this free educational event. Photographer Marty DeWitt is conducting the workshop and has been involved with photography for nearly 50 years. 

His main interests are nature, wildlife and landscapes and he occasionally shoots portraits, weddings and special events.

For the upcoming Outdoor Photography Workshop, participants will learn the basics of exposure, lighting, composition and be introduced to different types of equipment used for nature photography.

The first portion will be a classroom presentation using Marty’s images to illustrate the different concepts. The group will then hit the trails to practice what they have learned on a photo scavenger hunt.

Marty’s career included working for state parks in Vermont and South Dakota. His images have appeared in many issues of the South Dakota “Conservation Digest” and other Game, Fish and Parks publications and websites. 

He has also had photos published by the Rails to Trails Conservancy, L.L. Bean website, numerous calendars, local tourism guides, multi-media and theatrical productions, newspapers and CD and cassette tape covers. Marty is a long-time member (and current president) of the Sioux Falls Camera Club and has won many awards for his images on both the local and regional level.

In his retirement, Marty can be found teaching photo classes and leading workshops around the state.

For those interested, later in the evening, Marty will also conduct a Night Sky Photography Session at the Pactola Campground, where participants will learn the basics of night sky and Milky Way photography, with a bit of light painting.

For planning purposes, registration is required and should be made before Thursday, July 13 by contacting Bradley Block, Recreation Program Manager, at (605) 673-9200 or [email protected].

Participants will need to provide their own camera and related equipment. Participants should also dress for the weather conditions and be prepared for some field experiences in various areas near the Pactola Reservoir.

Hiking boots or sturdy shoes are recommended, along with sun protection such as wearing sunscreen or a ball cap. Furthermore, participants are also encouraged to bring their own water and snacks for the afternoon.

Thanks to our friends at the National Forest Foundation, National Forest Week is being celebrated across the country to attract attention to the 193-million-acre National Forest System and all the benefits it provides to the public. A photography contest is being held for interested photographers and the general public, and images can be submitted through National Forest Week Photo Contest. Three categories are available: Landscape, Recreation, and Youth Photographer.

For more information related to National Forest Week and upcoming programs and activities, please visit https://www.nationalforests.org/our-forests/national-forest-week.