Sept 30, 2023: Nikon Z8/Z9 New York City 1-Day/Night Masterclass with Steve Simon

Nikon Z8/Z9 NYC Workshop Details

What difference can a day make? The difference can be profound when it comes to your photographic proficiency and portfolio. The Nikon Z9 Mirrorless Flagship Camera broke new ground by removing technical barriers for getting the five-star images most photographers pre-visualize getting. The Nikon Z8 does the same, but its lower price and smaller footprint makes the technology more accessible.

In this combination Bootcamp and Workshop, Steve Simon takes you around one of the world's most photogenic cities to use and learn the most powerful features of your Nikon Z8/Z9. It will be the most amazing Satur-day/night in New York City.  We have created an ambitious schedule designed to maximize both the learning experience and your ability to create a unique and powerful portfolio of imagery from the most visual New York City locations. 

This workshop includes the Nikon Z8/Z9 Online 5-Hour Bootcamp (offered monthly)where Steve provides all the settings and set-up cards to instantly populate your Z8/Z9 menus. He then explains in detail all relevant features and functions of these remarkable cameras. By taking the online course we can hit the ground running when we meet in New York.

To maximize our time, before you even get to New York there is an introductory lecture via Zoom where Steve meets with each participant for introductions, to share work and talk about what to expect to get the most out of our New York City shoot when you arrive on location.

Some of the settings to enhance your speed of response include back button autofocus, a Hybrid AF set up bank, Auto ISO, Easy Exposure Compensation, specific frame rate and playback options along with best practices designed to simplify your process and build muscle memory so the technical fades to the background and you increase your success rate. 

An Intensive & Transformational Shooting Experience

This intimate 3-day weekend masterclass (limited to just 6 students) is designed to maximize both the Z9 learning experience and your ability to create a unique and beautiful portfolio of images from New York. 

We will visit the International Center of Photography. 

We will explore some of the best photo opportunities designed to utilize Z8/Z9 features like pre and post burst, hybrid front and AF-ON focus with subject/eye detect, function button recall as well as night shooting with Starlight mode. 

Once in New York, we have our meet, greet and brief lecture at Our Venue:

 NYC Seminar & Conference Center -  71 West 23rd Street Suite 901 (northeast corner of 23rd Street & 6th Avenue-Make sure you have ID!) Close to the F-Train, Flat Iron Building and Adorama/B&H so it’s a great location, you can be just about anywhere in the city in a very short time. Not only are there great coffee, eating and drinking places close-by, but the shooting possibilities are fantastic as well.

We then hit the streets, by an ice-breaking photo-walk. Locations may include: Oculus, Times Square, High Line Park, Harlem, Fifth Avenue & 57 Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy and the Lower East Side, Union Square, Washington Square Park, Ground Zero, Hudson Yards.

After shooting in and around the Hudson Yards, as well as taking in the unique and new view of the city at The Edge, we head to our special dinner location Electric Lemon, a true New York City culinary event. The atmosphere is stunning; food is absolutely delicious and it’s quiet enough for great conversation.

"Electric Lemon, a seasonal American restaurant, celebrates the passionate farmers, growers and artisans of the Mid-Atlantic, transforming their pristine products into clean, conscious cuisine that puts flavor at the forefront. Offering stunning views from the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel, located within New York City's Hudson Yards, Electric Lemon's sleek, expansive dining room and serene al fresco terrace make up the ideal multi-use, day-to-night setting. 

Steve has scouted locations to work out a final detailed itinerary to balance the street and urban work we pursue specifically to stretch the feature set of the Z8/Z9. Though the schedule may seem packed, woven into the program is down time to relax, edit your work and percolate on your New York & Nikon camera experience.

We have curated this tour to alter between spectacular indoor iconic New York photo opportunities like The Metropolitain Museum of Art and The Oculus with the usual vibrant, visually rich places and neighborhoods New York is famous for. Night shooting will also figure prominently in our coverage. New Yorker Steve Simon will take you to these and other hidden gems.

Shooting locations may include: Hudson Yards, Oculus, Times Square, High Line Park, Harlem, Fifth Avenue & 57 Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy and the Lower East Side, Union Square, Washington Square Park, Queens, Coney Island and other parts of Brooklyn.

Post Workshop Mentorship

After our in-person experience we will schedule a post-workshop Zoom Class for a final lecture and critique as well as a discussion of our experience with the Z8/Z9. New York City is fairly easy to navigate but you will be doing a lot of walking so keep that in mind!

Street Philosophies

Steve will help and encourage you to find your own unique vision through assignments created to get you past photographic fears and cliches to capturing lyrical, poetic and decisive moments that communicate the energy of the city. You’ll learn about the “rhythm of place” and you will discuss the laws and ethics of street photography as well as dealing with difficult situations that might pop up.

You will define a strategy for capturing the rich daily life of people with your Nikon Z8/Z9, overcoming fears and shyness, approaching strangers, framing, juxtaposition, layering your compositions, letting the image come to you and whether color or black and white best suits your vision. And you will have fun!

Itinerary To Come...

Testimonials

Gary Niederpruem, Chicago

“What a fabulous experience. I learned more about photography in one week than I had in 5 years. Steve is very knowledgable about the technical side as well as composition. He is very patient, gives excellent feedback and will work one on one with you on any photography subject you want. I asked him for help on night photography and at 10 PM he was out on the streets of Havana with me with step by step instructions on how to take the shot. 5 star plus rating!!”

Anna Blanco, New York City

“Best workshop I’ve ever taken! Steve is not only a great photographer, he is also a terrific teacher. He is patient and very hands- on. In some workshops the instructor sends students out to shoot after a short lecture–Steve goes out with his students, coaching them throughout the process. His course is well organized and covers diverse topics. He is funny and engaging and generous with his time and knowledge. I had SO MUCH fun and am ready to sign up for the next one. Highly recommended!”

Anne Dunford, Ithaca, New York

"My week in Steve’s Street Shooting workshop challenged me tremendously. There’s nothing like taking your work apart and putting it back together with new vision to make you a better photographer. If you take this workshop, I guarantee you will see the world differently at the end."

Paul Lavergne, San Juan, PR

"Steve’s passion for photography is contagious and his teaching abilities and knowledge extraordinary! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in photography."

Chapman Solomon, Mountain View, CA

“Participating in the NYC Street Photography Workshop was an enriching and exhilarating experience. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone to improve my skills. Steve’s curriculum and hands on approach offered me an opportunity to learn new techniques, add some creativity and visualize subject matter from another perspective. Each day presented abundant photo opportunities, resulting with the capture of some amazing images, exceeding my greatest expectations.”

Stephen Sholl, New York City

"Not only is Steve a great photographer, he is also a caring, compassionate person as well. He is constantly trying to help participants achieve their photographic goals in a gentle, caring, and sincere manner. Sadly, the critiques of my work were very helpful. Steve was right-on in terms of his suggestions to better my work. The totality of the workshop was terrific, primarily because the parts were all excellent as well. Choice of shooting locations, image reviews, suggestions, videos shown, and galleries visited were all great. Steve also promoted wonderful interactions among the participants. The venue was perfect for the workshop. We could spread out, leave our things there, use the facilities, and eat the goodies provided. You know you’re in good hands with Steve! An outstanding workshop!"

Steve Lavelle, London

"This is an outstanding workshop, led by a world-class photographer. It is impossible to spend time in a room with Steve Simon and not be inspired to get out there and make great images …I had high expectations and you exceeded them…Steve is very personable, articulate and passionate about photography, very welcoming with a warm, engaging personality. Steve’s style is outstanding. I knew of Steve from the TWiP podcast and would have attended if he was talking about how to watch paint dry…”

Oscar Piñeyro, Dallas

"I just spent the last three days with Steve Simon, What a wonderful experience, the best time spent in a workshop ever. Steve is a perfectionist, every presentation not only had spectacular photography but also the perfect music to enhance the mood, a roller coaster of emotions. He cannot hide his journalistic background every single image tells a story. His technique is flawless; his teaching patience unparalleled. I am eager to start a new chapter of my photography applying what Steve taught me in the last few days."