Exploring Macro, Focus Bracketing & Focus Stacking Techniques with Artists Peggy Fischer and Leann Kucerik

KPPA merited f:stop

August 7-9, 2026

3 p.m. Check-in at Kirch Haus

438 North Main Street

WaKeeney, KS 67672

20 Mins From Cedar Bluffs Lake

Photo by Peggy Fischer

Photo by Leann Kucherik

Join us for an interactive packed weekend exploring macro photography along with powerful techniques like focus bracketing and focus stacking. Through hands-on practice, you'll learn camera setup, lighting, and creative ways to capture tack-sharp images of tiny subjects—no macro lens required.

Lodging: Local hotels available or stay with us as a group! Limited space. Beds will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those who complete their registration payment first.

Kansas Professional Photographers Association is proud to offer you a class in which you will be awarded 1- PPA Merit for your attendance.

Friday, August 7th, 2026

3 - 4:30 p.m. arrive / settle in

4:30 - 7 p.m. Class (2.5 hrs)

7 p.m. - ???? Pizza and Hospitality

Saturday, August 8th, 2026

6 - 8:30 a.m. Class / Early-Bird Photo shoot (2.5 hrs)

8:30 - 9 a.m. Breakfast

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Class (3.5 hrs)

12:30 - 2 p.m. Lunch

2 - 7 p.m. Class (5 hrs)

7 p.m. - Dinner / Hospitality

Sunday, August 9th, 2026

8 - 9:30 a.m. - Class Wrap-up (1.5 hrs)

10 a.m. - Check out

Cost: Discounted Member Rate

$130 - KPPA or PPA Members

About Kirch Haus

Stunning historic church has been converted into a lovely place to stay. Beautiful stained glass windows, electric fireplace, cathedral ceiling, open floor plan and many original pieces have been repurposed for your delight. There is a full kitchen, breakfast nook, and a dining area with seating for 12 at a long dining room table. Full finished basement makes this a great place for large gatherings. Sleeps up to 15 with no extra charge for guests up to 17. Want to bring your own bed? Feel free to bring an air mattress or cot!

5 Bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 1 Double Futon
Bedroom 2 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3 King Bed
Bedroom 3 Queen Bed
Bedroom 4 Double Bed
Bedroom 5 Twin Bunk Bed
3 Bathrooms, 1 Half Bathroom

Photo by Leann Kucherik

https://www.travelks.com/listing/kirch-haus-(church-house)/47958/

Daily Park Car Passes $5

Daily Senior Park Car Pass $3.25

Photo by Leann Kucherik

What you'll learn

Whether you love photographing bugs, mushrooms, leaves, flowers, weeds, or any other tiny details, we’ll discover just how fascinating the small world around us can be.

During this workshop we will cover:

Camera setup for macro photography
Lighting techniques for close-up subjects
Capturing sharp and compelling macro images
Creative approaches to photographing small subjects
What Focus Bracketing is and how it works
How to capture images using Focus Bracketing (does not have to be a macro image)
Focus stacking - via Lightroom/Photoshop and a third party software

No macro lens? No worries!

You can still participate and get great results. Bring the lens you think you’d like to use and experiment with. The techniques we’ll be learning will work with any image, not just macro.

We’ll be diving into powerful techniques such as Focus Bracketing and Focus Stacking. These methods allow photographers to combine multiple images to create photographs that are tack sharp from front to back - a technique widely used by landscape and commercial photographers.

This class is designed to be interactive, relaxed, and hands-on. We believe the best way to learn photography is by doing, so be prepared to experiment, try new techniques, and capture lots of images.

Come join us for a weekend to learn, share, play, and have FUN with photography!

Meals and some timelines may change slightly as we get closer to date. Also will have members sign up to bring items for meals, snacks and drinks at a later date.