Wildlife photography workshop · Central Park
Birds & wildlife of Central Park
Sat, Oct 10 or Sat, Oct 31, 2026 · 1:00–3:30 pm · Hallett Nature Sanctuary
Oct 10 · Up to 10 photographers · Oct 31 · Up to 10 photographers
Fall migration pours through Central Park. We spend an afternoon in the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, a four-acre woodland in the park’s southeast corner, finding birds and animals, getting close without disturbing them, and getting them sharp.
- 2.5 hours
- Any camera with a telephoto
- All skill levels
- Up to 10 per date
- 30+Years in photography
- 2M+Copies of Stunning Digital Photography sold
- 1.6MYouTube subscribers
- 10Photographers max, per date
The afternoon
1:00–3:30 pm, inside the Hallett Nature Sanctuary
1:00 pm
Camera settings
Before we head out, Tony helps you set up your camera for sharp, in-focus subjects. He’s reviewed and taught every camera out there, so bring whatever you have.
1:10 pm
Bird songs and the Merlin app
We often hear songbirds before we see them. The art and science of songbird calls, and a demo of the free Merlin Bird ID app.
1:45 pm
Shutter speed
The most important setting for wildlife. You’ll adjust it constantly for the animal’s motion, the light and how steady you can hold the lens.
2:00 pm
Camera height
Shooting from your subject’s eye level makes it look more powerful and separates it from the background. Tony demonstrates.
2:30 pm
Teleconverters and extension tubes
Extension tubes let you focus on animals that come closer than your lens can focus, which happens a lot in Central Park. Teleconverters bring distant subjects closer. When to use each.
3:00 pm
Zooms vs. primes
Each has its advantages. Tony brings his 600mm f/4 to show what a big prime can do, and its real disadvantages.
Until 3:30
Keep shooting
Times are approximate. We shoot as much as possible, and Tony slips the lessons in while we wait for the wildlife to come to us.
Shot at past workshops
By Tony, in Central Park, with the group
Your instructor
One instructor, up to 10 photographers
Tony Northrup
Photographer, author and teacher
More than 30 years in photography. Author of Stunning Digital Photography, with more than 2 million copies sold, and host of a YouTube channel with 1.6 million subscribers.
About TonyWhere we meet
Hallett Nature Sanctuary, Central Park
At the sanctuary entrance near the park’s southeast corner, a short walk from the 59th St / Fifth Ave subway stops. Tony emails the exact spot and a map the day before, and he’s at the entrance from 1:00 to 1:15 before the group walks in.
Open in Google MapsQuestions
Is it right for my skill level?
Yes. All skill levels are welcome, with any camera. Tony checks everyone’s settings before we head out and keeps checking all afternoon.
What camera equipment should I bring?
A camera with a telephoto lens. Zooms are generally more useful than primes: the perfect lens is a 200–800mm zoom, but a 70–200 or 75–300 gets great results. The wildlife in Central Park is so comfortable around people that Tony often gets great shots with his iPhone’s telephoto.
Which date should I pick?
Both afternoons are during fall migration. Earlier in October tends to bring more migrating songbirds; late October brings sparrows, kinglets and the park’s year-round residents. If you can, come to both.
Where exactly do we meet?
At the entrance to the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, near the southeast corner of Central Park. Tony emails the exact meeting spot and a map the day before.
What if it rains?
We shoot in light rain. If heavy rain closes the sanctuary, you can switch to another date or get a full refund.
Is it a lot of walking?
No. The sanctuary is small, with woodland paths and a few steps. We move slowly and stop often to wait for the animals.
Sat, Oct 10 or Sat, Oct 31 · 1:00–3:30 pm · Central Park
Two Saturdays. Ten spots each.
An afternoon of fall migration in the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, with Tony at your side for every shot.
Oct 10 · Up to 10 photographers · Oct 31 · Up to 10 photographers
Can’t make either date? Join the list and hear about the next one first.