|
Arches
&
Canyonlands National
Parks Photography Workshop
Moab, Utah October 3rd - 8th, 2020 Biennial Workshop - Next one held October 2022 Instructor: Andy Cook Andy will be leading a
photography
workshop to capture the stunning beauty of the American Southwest. Join
us as we photograph the best of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
and Dead
Horse Point State Park.
 This workshop does involve some trail
hiking and elevation gain to arrive at certain shooting locations,
while other shooting
locations will be just beyond the parking lot. The elevation range of
our photography locations is 5,500 to 7,000 ft. The trail hiking may
be deemed vigorous activity or light activity based upon one's
condition.
Trail hiking surfaces and those beyond the parking lot are generally
uneven with trip hazards, hiking boots are recommended.
Our longest trail is about 1.5 miles each way with about 500 feet in elevation gain. One doesn't have to be
in
tip-top shape, but one's enjoyment
will be
enhanced by good health and preparation. Participants should consult
with their
doctor before attending our workshop or venturing to higher elevations.
Proper hydration is a must at higher elevations. Without it one will lose strength, energy and may develop a severe headache. To avoid dehydration one MUST drink beyond one's thirst; drink even though not thirsty. We will provide bottled water in the field, please drink it. Be prepared for possible temperature
extremes and sudden changes in
weather. Be aware that mornings can be very cold. Often
we will be out in darkness before sunrise and after sunset, please
bring a flashlight.
Equipment Recommendations:
Bring all camera
equipment
including
the camera's manual. We recommend having a polarizing filter to
use with some photographs on this workshop. To blur cloud motion on a
bright day, consider bringing a 9 or 10 stop neutral density filter,
this filter can be the screw on type. If bringing this filter, also
bring a cable release. Note: Many variable ND filters have issues with
banding and differential darkening, Andy does not recommend using
variable ND filters. Andy combines images of various
exposures in post processing. Andy will be happy to teach participants
his field and post processing techniques for doing so (requires a cable
release with some cameras).
A lens
range
from 18 mm to 300 mm after the lens multiplication factor is
recommended. However, we think participants should bring their
entire range of lenses. Bring lots of memory, 64 to 128 gig if
downloading and formatting cards for reuse. 32 to 64 gig per day if not
formatting and reusing cards.
One should shoot with a sturdy outdoor tripod that can adjust from standing height without cranking up a center post, to very close to the ground. This type of tripod does not have attachments connecting the legs to the center post; i.e. the legs can move independently. Please use a cable release or know how to work the camera's timer delay to avoid camera shake. Unless your camera has a built-in level, we recommend having a 2 axis flash shoe bubble level, it is the easiest way to make sure photos are level. Please buy these at a reputable dealer; they run about $35.00. Consider bringing a laptop with Photoshop.
To
be as prepared as possible for this workshop, please review the 2
videos, 7 lessons and 10 workshop handouts found at the link below:
Below please find the PDF
handouts recommended for this workshop. One needs to print or download
to a digital device these documents before the workshop from the link
above.
For this workshop we recommend that participants: *Print: Blank Workshop Locations Visited. *Print or download to field digital device: Night Photography Rule of 400. *Print or download to field digital device: CFDER Field Reminder (This is useful to those new to our workshops and/or trying to develop a useful field workflow.) *Print or download to field digital device: Steps to Capture Panorama Photographs (If the tripod is properly set up before shooting, one can take panoramas of the locations we visit.) *Print or download to field digital device: Hyperfocal chart for camera’s LMF. (Unless you already have a depth-of-field app on your smart phone.) *Print or download to digital device: Andy’s Camera Settings (Only if unsure about what the camera’s settings should be.) *Print or download to digital device: Tripod Tips and Techniques (Only if one is new to tripod use or are considering a tripod purchase.) ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® & POST PROCESSING VIDEOS
Series of video lessons teaching post processing for Landscape and Nature Photographers. Excellent for beginners and intermediate users of Adobe Photoshop.
Workshop Effort Scale This
workshop is not among our most or least difficult. It is best described
as on the high side of the middle. Our hike to Delicate Arch is what
places this workshop on the slightly more difficult side of the middle.
To reach Delicate Arch we hike about 1.5 miles, gain about 500 feet in
elevation and face some exposure to heights. The arch is at 4,800 feet
in elevation so most participants feel the effort is more comparable to
gaining 1000 feet in elevation. Because we are often walking or standing
on uneven, sloped rocks this is a workshop where having strong, sure
footing is advised.
"I wanted to thank you
for another excellent workshop, this time in Moab, Utah. Not only was
it a fabulous location, but the experiences I had in photographing
sunrises, sunsets and stars have added so much to my understanding of
photography, both in the field and post-processing... I appreciated the
positive teaching skills you used throughout the week. You encouraged
me to think things through to help develop my own understanding, you
patiently explained things I didn't know, and your genuine warmth and
enthusiasm provided an optimum climate for learning. You understand
that it takes time for people to master new information and you pace
your instruction for each individual. For these reasons, I will
continue to recommend your workshops to people I meet and sign up for
others in the future... Thank you again for a fabulous week."
Susie Litwinetz, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. is authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Arches & Canyonlands National Parks. |
