A Natural Eye: The Expressive Landscape—Big Sur, California
with Eddie Soloway
December 2 – 7, 2025
Course Description
Eddie Soloway takes his popular Natural Eye workshop on the road to Big Sur, California, south of Carmel. The rugged beauty of this coast has captivated such icons as Ansel Adams and Edward Weston, and generations of nature and photography lovers. Inspiration is found everywhere—from mountain streams cascading through redwood groves, to wild beaches, to gloriously lit sunsets. If you love the outdoors yet find that your photographs keep looking like pretty postcards, join Eddie as he helps you see the natural world with fresh eyes, moving into the world of abstractions, reflections, layers, and movement, and then deeper into the realm of concepts and imagination. “A Natural Eye” immerses you in creative ideas for making fresh images in the camera, practical insights into how to get what you see into a finished photograph, in-the-field sessions, and a chance to review your efforts. Eddie also schedules one-on-one meetings with each participant.
Our adventure begins at 5:30 pm Tuesday evening with an orientation and a presentation on “Pursuing Your Passion in Photography.” The workshop concludes at 10:00 am on Sunday. Complete details of what to bring, where to meet, and how to prepare, will be sent a month before.
At the end of the workshop, you find yourself focused less on objects and things, and more on the magic of moments and the essence of places. You stop chasing the light and learn to enjoy the fine art of wandering. You learn that if you hear more and touch more, you will photograph with more sensitivity. In a world distracted by cameras, pixels, and software, spend a week building your vision.
Additional Information
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
What You Should Know:
This workshop is open to all photographers with a working knowledge of their camera, whether a DSLR, mirrorless, or a camera phone. If you wish to participate in image reviews, you will need to bring a laptop or tablet, and a working knowledge of the digital workflow. This would include the ability to download your images to your laptop or tablet, make selections, size, name, and transfer images to the class computer.
Special Notes:
Indoor sessions will be held in the conference center at the Big Sur Lodge. Upon registration you will be sent information on the group’s room block to secure a room at the Lodge.
Out of courtesy for registered participants, friends and spouses traveling with participants may not attend workshop meetings and events.
Activity Level:
To get the most from your workshop experience, participants should be in good physical (mobility, stamina) and mental health. You must be able to carry your own photographic and personal gear at all times for up to a mile or two a day, both on campus and on location. You are responsible for being open and honest about your physical fitness, and we reserve the right to remove you from the workshop if we find your fitness to be less than that which you have described.
Policies:
View Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies for Pop-up workshops.
CANCELLATION TERMS: SFW’s decision to run or cancel this Big Sur workshop with Eddie Soloway is made no later than 75 days prior to the start date. Please contact us to check the status of your workshop before making non-refundable travel plans.
The balance for this workshop is due no later than 60 days prior to start date. If you need to cancel your registration, please make note of the following terms for the Big Sur workshop:
- Withdrawal more than 60 days prior to the start date of your workshop, SFW will refund all payments made, less a cancellation fee equal to 50% of the deposit.
- Withdrawal 60 or fewer days prior to the start date of your workshop will result in no refund.
Accommodations:
Upon registration you will be sent information on the group’s room block to secure a room at the Big Sur Lodge (bigsurlodge.com).
Package Price INFO:
$1,695.00 includes workshop sessions and one group dinner. Travel to, from, and during the experience, lodging, and additional meals are not included.
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about
Eddie Soloway is a photographer, teacher, and storyteller committed to opening our eyes to the natural world. He has taught photography and creativity for leading photographic institutions and schools around the world. He is the founder of Taproot, an online creative gathering. As an educator, Eddie has received the Excellence in Photographic Teaching Award from CENTER and been named one of America’s best photography workshop teachers by Photo District News.
A popular workshop instructor, Eddie is also part of our Mentorship Program »
Website: eddiesoloway.com
Instagram: @eddiesoloway
