Arches & Canyonlands National Parks Photography Workshop
Moab, Utah
October 3rd - 8th, 2022
Biennial Workshop - Next one held October 2024
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 is geared for the intermediate to advanced photographer. However, beginners with a working knowledge of their camera can gain a lot of experience and instruction. Each participant is assisted at their level. We focus on helping participants create the most appealing compositions of each location we visit. We also delve into extensive discussions on equipment, exposure, metering, filters and personal tips. This is a workshop environment, the instructor is present to aid in the field and teach his techniques for landscape photography. If you're an advanced photographer he is happy to help or stay out of the way. Additionally, Andy will be available to help participants use Photoshop to process images during some of the midday down time.

Arches National Park Photography Workshop

Arches and Canyonlands National Park, Moab, UT. Moab Photography Workshop

Arches and Canyonlands Photo Workshop
 Itinerary Outline
The workshop starts on Monday, October 3rd, 2022 at 6:00 PM with an introduction and discussion in the instructor's hotel lobby. We start shooting on the morning of Tuesday, October 4th, 2022. The formal workshop ends after morning shooting on Saturday October 8th, 2022.

Generally, participants can expect to be at a photography location for the start of civil twilight and we'll stay at that location through sunrise. Most days we will go to a late breakfast after the morning shoot. Typically, we will schedule a midday break allowing time to download, nap, discuss Photoshop... For those who want to learn more about post processing there will be informal midday Photoshop assistance. We will provide breakfast bars, and water for the early mornings. For evenings we return to the field and photograph through sunset.

Weather may cause problems at some of our locations therefore we feel participants may benefit by staying past the workshop and photographing a few days on their own.

COST: $1,590.00 per participant. Target number of participants is 8.
Deposit Amount: $300.00 due at time of registration. This deposit becomes non refundable 90 days in advance of the workshop.

Full Payment of the workshop is due 60 days prior to the start of the workshop. If final payment is not received when due, we reserve the right to treat the reservation as canceled, please review the cancellation policy on the registration page.


Arches National Park Photo Workshop.

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.

Canyonlands National Park Photography Workshop Moab, Utah.

More Information

LODGING: Moab is a small town and all hotels are no more than 10 minutes from the Comfort Suites so please select a hotel that makes you feel comfortable. Moab can run out of vacancy, participants need to contact their hotel directly and reserve their room upon registering for the workshop, if not earlier. Even if you have not registered for this workshop but you're considering it, we recommend making hotel reservations.

Instructor's Hotel - October 3rd, 2022 (Check-in) - October 8th, 2022 (Check-out): Comfort Suites, 400 N Main Street, Moab, UT 84532 Phone # 435-259-5455.

TRANSPORTATION: Most people flying to Moab for this workshop will find flying into Grand Junction, Colorado (about 2 hours) to be the best choice, others will find Salt Lake City, Utah (about 4 hours) to be adequate.

Driving Conditions: Driving conditions will consist of mainly paved roads. When possible we prefer that participants car pool with each other to help limit our impact and get to know each other. A standard rental car will be sufficient.

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.

The Fine Print

We do not guarantee the weather. Workshop fee does not include transportation, lodging or meals. In order to keep workshop fees as low as possible we may overbook any given workshop by 1 space. Usually this results in 8 participants, but from time to time we may have 9 participants attending. Photo locations visited may vary year to year. We require an acknowledgment of risks be signed before going into the field. We will send the acknowledgment of risks upon registration, please return it at the start of the workshop. In the event Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. (RMRPI) cancels a workshop due to unforeseen circumstances such as inability to obtain permits, instructor injury, death… Then, RMRPI will refund fees collected by RMRPI for the affected workshop. In the event of a natural disaster, government closure or other happening of this nature that causes a workshop to be canceled, RMRPI may be unable to refund workshop fees. If this happens then funds collected by RMRPI will be applied as credit toward a future workshop of the participant’s choosing. RMRPI will not be held responsible for other expenses (airline tickets, hotel deposits, rental car…) that may be associated with any canceled workshop.
 Arches National Park Photo Workshop

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.

BRING
Flashlight
Tripod
Spare Camera Batteries
Camera Manual
Lots of Memory
Filters
Extra Shoes and Socks
Rain Gear
Hiking Boots
Warm Clothes
Umbrella (just in case)
Oh Yes! Don't Forget the Camera
 Moab Photography Workshop

Arches and Canyonlands Natl Parks Workshop Photo
2020 Arches & Canyonlands Group Photo
(I blew this one and cut Ray off, sorry.)
 Visit our YouTube Channel

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

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Moab, Utah - Photography Workshop

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.