2026 Workshops and Private Training
in and around Calgary
October 1, 2026
Past workshop participants and students.
I offer private training in Photoshop, Macrophotography and Photomicrgraphy all year round in my home in Calgary.I continue to pursue photography across Canada but only for my self. I no longer take folks out for wildlife etc as I discontinued by my insurance for taking customers out into the field as of October 1, 2026. I will continue to enjoy photography for myself and my family and will continue to sell my images.
"For most of us, knowledge of our world comes largely through sight, yet we look about with such unseeing eyes that we are partially blind."
Rachel Carson (1907-1964) biologist, writer, conservationist, author of Silent Spring
Peyto Lake Jasper National Park, AB
- snowfall in July
Photography Experience
I have worked with 35 mm, medium format, 4×5 inch large format film cameras, but now use digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs). I primarily use Nikon DSLR with a range of lenses from 8 mm to 600 mm. I have more than five decades of experience, teaching, journalism, portrait, sports, landscape, macro, and photomicrography in research.
My photography has been published in hundreds of magazines, including National Geographic, Canadian Geographic, Photo Life, and many others. My work has earned international recognition, receiving awards from the Banff Centre for Arts, Nikon, National Geographic, Zeiss, Canadian Geographic, and more. I have also explored emerging technologies such as virtual-reality imaging, time-lapse photography, and spherical imaging and drone photography (see the VR gallery on this site). I started with film, had a darkroom for over 20 years and printed colour images from negatives and slides before switching to Digital photography and printing in 2000. I ocassional use a smart phone but my cameras (e.g. Nikon D850) becaise tjeu provided enough resolution to make bil board size images.
Swift fox - 1st Place Winner Wildlife in the Banff International Photo contest.
Workshops:
Full day $599 includes (1-2 people) for a day.
Gift Certificates
For gift certificates - I need to know the name of the person purchasing the certificate and who the person the certificate is for - purchaser and photographers names will be on the certificate. I will send a PDF along with instructions on how to contact me and how to choose a workshop or a private training session. Previous certificates purchased are accepted for any current training session.
Liability Waiver
Participants aged 13-17 can come join you if they are accompanied by a parent or caregiver. If you have questions you can call me at 403-247-2457 in Calgary.
Photography Workshops & Training
Upcoming Private Photography Workshops for 2027
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Photoshop $599 Private sessions - one on one approx 8 hoursPhotoshop course covers basics including colour calibration,work flow, working with RAW files, layers, converting to black and white, sepia and colouring and more. Participants should bring 5-10 images they want to work on in the class - I have print and slide scanners. You can use one of my computers or bring your own laptop PC or Mac. Workshop goes from 8-5 pm with an hour for lunch. The Advanced Photoshop can includes masking, channels, hand colouring, HDR, stacking, Hockney, Oil painting, Orton imagery, sky replacement, AI features etc. You will have time to work on our own images with my help. I have several current versions of Photoshop. I taught Photoshop at SAIT for 25 years and I use Photpshop regularly for Photography and video editing. Bring a US if you haver images or video you would like to edit.
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Photomicrography & Focus Stacking - $599 one on one 8 hoursI am offering a workshop for anyone interested in photomicrography, macrophotography and focus stacking. These workshops can include a pond collecting session outdoors or searching for Tardigrades. Participants can use my cameras and microscopes or they can bring their own microscope and laptop. I can provide free software to capture images on a PC. I have one smart phone adapter. Participants should bring a USB stick or small hard drive to take the pictures they take home with them. Biologists and geologists can bring their own samples to photograph with my equipment.
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Photomicrography of Crystals - all year $599 one on one 8 hoursLearn how to use a microscope and polarizing accessories to photograph micro-crystals. I will also show you how to add tpolarized light on any light microscope. You don't need a microscope or camera but if you have one you welcome to bring it. You are welcome to bring a Nikon or Canon DSLR camera to attach to my microscopes. If you don't own one, you can use my cameras and take your images home on a USB stick, portable hard drive. or I send them home tro you by Wetransfer.com. You will l make slides of a variety of crystals including Vitamin C, Citric acid, Amino acids, Epsom salts, Callus remover, etc. I will also introduce you to retardation wave plates which add colour to some to some crystals.
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Restoring Old photographs - $599 - 8 hours one on oneLearn how to restore old images using Photoshop. I show you how to scan images, photograph and enlarge old photos, fix them up, hand hand colour them. I can also show you how to to remove the backgrounds or change them. I have been restoring old photographs using Adobe Photoshop for over 25 years. You can bring your own old photographs and I will assist you in repairing them and teach you how to do it your self. I have print and slide scanners. |
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Science & Art Multimedia Studio
Some of my microscopes and camera set ups for photomicrography
Gift Certificates
You can purchase a gift certificate for $599 + GST - good for one or two people. The gift certificate can be used toward any of my workshops or a private training session for 8 hours at a time that is convenient for the individual. These gift certificates do not expire - unless I do first. I can email the gift certificate to you as a PDF or the person you specify. I will follow up on your order shortly after you purchase a certificate to ensure you received it. To register for a workshop or private session the individual need only contact me 1-2 weeks before to set up a suitable time or register for a particular workshop. or private session. Questions call me in Calgary at 403 247-2457.
Workshop Policies
TO PAY UNSPECIFIED AMOUNTS AGREED UPON FOR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PLEASE USE THE CART BELOW
If you wish to purchase products or services not covered above you may pay using the Pay Pal button below, type in the amount you owe or wish to pay and fill out the form to process your order. Do not add any taxes.
The cart will show a $00 balance - empty, enter the amount you are paying and fill in the payment method credit card or PayPal. DO NOT ADD 5% GST OR ANY OTHER TAX IT WILL BE ADDED AUTOMATICALLY IF YOU ARE IN CANADA. NO TAX WILL BE ADDED IF PAYMENT IS MADE OUTSIDE CANADA - all amounts are in Canadian dollars.
Authors Biography & Contact Information
Dr. Robert Berdan is a biologist and professional nature photographer living in Calgary, AB specializing in nature, wildlife and science photography. Robert offers photo guiding and private instruction in all aspects of nature photography and Adobe Photoshop training with decades of photography and teaching experience.
Email at: rberdan@scienceandart.org
Web site: www.canadiannaturephotographer.com
Phone: (403) 247-2457 MST 9 am -7 pm