David Akoubian
Bear Woods Photography is the photography of David Akoubian. David resides in the mountains of North Georgia with his wife Evelyn. He has been a photographer since 1972, but his career in photography started in 1992. David learned his craft originally as a painter and from his father. Early in his career traveled with, learned from and taught beside some of the masters of nature photography including John Shaw, Art Wolfe, Galen Rowell, Bryan Peterson, Pat O'Hara, and Rod Planck. David has been teaching photography since 1994 in the classroom and leading workshops around the United States. His focus remains on the Southeastern United States, where he calls home, but does workshops and lectures all around the United States, and Iceland.
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David's clients have included, but are not limited to Coca Cola, PNC Bank, Tamron, Sirui, Lensbaby, The Nature Conservancy, and Gibbs Gardens. His photographs and articles have appeared in publications such as Nature Photographer, Audubon Magazine, Blue Ridge Country, Birder's World, Outdoor Photographer, Backpacker Magazine, and many local publications. His work his appeared in several feature books in addition to instructional guides on scenic locations. David works with several organizations volunteering his photography among them, Angels on Horseback and the Mountain Conservation Trust of Georgia. David is a Tamron Image Master, a Kase Filter Ambassador, and a f-stop Gear Ambassador.
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David's Seminars & Workshops
THUR 1:00 - 2:30 P.M.
So You Want to go to Iceland
Classroom Seminar
Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S
Ticket Price: $35
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No People: 30
Description: Iceland, the land of fire and ice, and one of the most desired locations to visit and photograph. Join David as he discusses how to prepare for and travel in this incredible country. David has visited and lead more than 10 tours in Iceland and has learned what works and doesn’t work. David will discuss what the different seasons offer in the way of scenic images as well as wildlife opportunities. Iceland is becoming more popular with the birding community and David will discuss his favorite locations and opportunities for maximizing your trip. Although you can do the trip on your own, David will discuss the importance of choosing a guide or a tour. Iceland has a “Ring” road that sets up for a great overview of the island, but many opportunities are off the beaten path or “Ring”. Come and be inspired to visit Iceland by learning of all the opportunities and seeing inspiring images as well.
Suggested Gear List: N/A​
FRI 7:00 - 10:00 A.M.
Beyond Bird Portraits at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Field Workshop
Meeting Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, 999 Anastasia Blvd.
Price: $100 + Annual Photo Pass
Photo Pass can be ordered here
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No People: 12
Description: In this session at the Alligator Farm David will demonstrate bird photography beyond simply making a portrait. Capturing a moment, a decisive moment, of a bird’s activity whether it be flying in, interacting with its mate, or feeding its young. The goal is to do more than simply capture a portrait of a bird. David will try to emphasize taking the image to the next level, to tell a story of the bird’s life. Each bird behaves very differently and taking a moment to study the activity before deciding on what story needs to be told. David likes to call this capturing a memory of a moment as it enhances the photographer’s interaction with the birds. David hopes to get the photographer to not only walk away with a great image, but to walk away with an experience.
Suggested Gear List: Medium to long telephoto lens, a monopod is suggested if handholding is difficult for the photographer.
FRI 1:00 - 2:30 P.M.
Choosing the Right Gear and the Right Settings for Your Photography
Classroom Seminar
Meeting Location: Celebration Hall at St. Anastasia, 5205 A1A S
Ticket Price: $35
Difficulty Level: All Levels
Max No People: 30
Description: We all see images and have a few questions. What did they use for that image, and how did they make it? Photography is an individual process for each person, and you should always make decisions on what you buy and how you shoot for your liking. In this class David will address the basics and options for each photographer. David will discuss things like physical capabilities of the photographer, budget constraints, and special considerations of traveling with that gear. Once the gear is purchased decisions on settings need to be made. David will discuss the 3 basic parts of creating an image, shutter speed, aperture (depth of field), and ISO (light sensitivity). David will discuss when to use what settings for desired outcomes, and how to work around some issues one part creates in the overall image. Even though a lot of this seems very basic, even experienced photographers struggle with the process, this will hopefully help to put your mind at ease and help you enjoy your photography more.
Suggested Gear List: Participants are recommended to bring their gear for specific questions.
SAT 6:15 - 8:30 A.M.
Sunrise Stride: Photographing Horses on the Beach at Sunrise
Field Workshop
Meeting Location: Frank B. Butler County Park EAST, 5860 A1A S.
Price: $125
Difficulty Level: Photographer needs a basic understanding of shutter speeds and how to change them on their cameras.
Max No People: 12
Description: Join Professional Wildlife and Nature Photographer, David Akoubian, to photograph the horses on the beach. David will guide you through the settings going to from less light to bright, or bright to dark, depending on the time of day. David will discuss how light can change the mood of the image and alter the image’s final look. In lower light we will do motion images with slower shutter speeds, and in the brighter light we will do high shutter speeds with stop action as the horses run through the surf. David will also talk about doing portraits of the models as they let their horses take a much needed rest break. Photographing the horses is always a highlight, and David will help to capture images to create memories of the event.
Suggested Gear List: Camera with strap, medium to short telephoto lens, preferably a zoom lens.
SUN 6:15 - 8:30 A.M.
Photographing the Historic St. Augustine Lighthouse
Field Workshop
Meeting Location: St. Augustine Lighthouse, 100 Red Cox Dr.
Price: $125
Difficulty Level: All Levels *Physical level moderate to difficult if the photographer would like to climb to the top of the Lighthouse for sunrise.
Max No People: 10
Description: Join Professional Wildlife and Nature Photographer, David Akoubian, for a sunrise at the Historic St. Augustine Lighthouse. David will lead those who desire up to the top for sunrise. As we climb up and down, there are a lot of great images of the stairs and the abstract patterns they create. Once we return to solid ground there are lots of images of the Lighthouse to be made with the early morning light. The surrounding grounds also offer lots of images, and historic information to capture as well. The Lighthouse is beautiful to see, and a great way to start a day!
Suggested Gear List: Wide angle lens for images up close, telephoto lens if the photographer desires to capture sunrising on the horizon. A small travel tripod is recommended for images in the Lighthouse and the area around it. A bottle of water is recommended to hydrate after the climb.
Select Gallery of David's Images
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