Colorado Autumn Photography Workshops

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Autumn in Colorado Photography Workshop
Fall Colors in Southwest Colorado - San Juan Mountains
September 26th - 30th, 2022
September 26th - 30th, 2023
Below is information for 2022, after this workshop passes it will reflect 2023 information.
Instructor: Andy Cook

Colorado rarely fails to leave an impression on the beholder. This is especially true during autumn when hues of yellow, orange and red play across the rugged terrain. Add deep blue skies and white snow-capped peaks and you have the ingredients of every landscape photographers' dreams. Cool crisp mornings, musky autumn scents and elk bugling in the distance complete the assault on one's senses creating the most magical time to photograph Colorado.

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, Andy 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 provide Photoshop instruction/assistance during some of the midday time.

Itinerary Outline:

Participants should check in with Andy, Monday (September 26th, 2022) in the Instructor's Hotel Lobby at 7:00 P.M. for a meeting and introduction.

Instructor Lodging Location: Chipeta Solar Springs Resort, 304 S. Lena, Ridgway, CO 81432. 800-633-5868.

Alternative Lodging Location: Ridgway-Ouray Lodge & Suites, 373 Palomino Trail, Ridgway, CO 81432. 800-368-5444.

Check-in Monday, September 26th; Check-out Saturday, Oct. 1st.

The formal workshop ends after shooting sunset on Friday, September 30th.

Since peak color may extend past our workshop, we feel participants may benefit by staying a few days past the workshop and continue photographing for a few days on their own.

LODGING: We think it is convenient for participants to stay anywhere in Ridgway. Participants need to contact the hotel of their choice and reserve their room upon registering for the workshop. This is a busy season, participants should make hotel reservations as soon as possible.

Generally, participants can expect to be at a shooting location about 6:15 A.M., in advance of morning light (sunrise is about 7:00 A.M.) and we'll stay in the field until it's time for a late breakfast or lunch. We will provide breakfast bars, and water for the early mornings. Typically, we will have a midday break that varies from about 1 hour to several hours, allowing time to download, nap... For those who want to learn more about post processing, Andy will provide Photoshop help during two midday breaks. To receive post processing assistance please bring your laptop with Photoshop installed. In the afternoon we return to the field where we shoot until we are done. We have dinner in a restaurant scheduled for 2 evenings after shooting, one night after shooting we will have a pizza party at the hotel and one evening meal is individual choice.

COST: $1,290.00 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.

VIEW THE REGISTRATION PAGE MasterCard and Visa

This workshop does not involve trail hiking, however, it does involve walking along roads. Walking surfaces are generally uneven. One doesn't have to be in tip-top shape, but one's enjoyment will be enhanced by good health and preparation, hiking boots are recommended. The elevation range of our shooting locations is 7,000 to 12,000 ft. Please consult with your doctor before venturing to higher elevations. We require a waiver (for injuries) be signed before going into the field. We will send the waiver upon registration, please return it at the start of the workshop.

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 their thirst; drink even though not thirsty. We will provide water.

Be prepared for possible temperature extremes and sudden changes in weather. Be aware that mornings and evenings can be very chilly in September; snow is a possibility.

More Information

TRANSPORTATION: Many people flying to Colorado for this workshop will find flying into Grand Junction to be most desirable, others may choose to fly into Montrose, Denver, Durango, Colorado Springs or Pueblo. Ridgway is about 2 hours from Grand Junction and about 5.5 hours from Colorado Springs.

Driving Conditions: During the workshop driving conditions will usually be non 4 wheel drive, dirt roads and paved highways, if it has been a wet season the dirt roads may become muddy and considerable rougher requiring a higher clearance vehicle; SUV. When possible we prefer that participants car pool with each other to help limit our impact and get to know the other participants. Andy will provide hand held radios to communicate while driving. Note: Road conditions vary from year to year so to be safe, SUVs are recommended.

Equipment Recommendations: Bring all camera equipment including the camera's manual. We recommend using a polarizing filter with many photographs on this workshop. 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). To receive post processing assistance please bring your laptop with Photoshop installed.

Colorado Autumn Photography Workshop

A lens range from 28 mm to 400 mm after the lens multiplication factor is recommended. However, we think participants should bring their entire range of lenses, which may include macro capability for close-up work.

We recommend shooting 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 from 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.

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:

Field Lessons and Handouts

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: 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

*Print or download to field digital device: Hyperfocal chart for camera’s LMF. (Unless you already have a depth-of-field app on a 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.

Photoshop Video Instruction

The Fine Print

We do not guarantee the weather or that every location we visit will be at peak during our visit. However, this workshop's time table has been carefully determined to maximize our chances of good color. Note: The colors usually peak in the San Juans during the last week of September and the first few days of October, occasionally mother nature causes the leaves to drop earlier than this time; that is unpredictable and beyond our control. Photo locations visited may vary year to year. 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. Workshop fee does not include transportation, lodging or meals. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation, lodging and meals. 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.

BRING

Flashlight - For use before sunrise and after sunset.
Tripod
Spare Camera Batteries
Camera Manual
Lots of Memory
Filters
Extra Shoes and Socks
Hiking Boots
Very Warm Clothes
Umbrella
Oh Yes! Don't Forget the Camera

2021 Group Photo

View the Colorado Autumn Participant Gallery

View workshop photos and videos.
Membership not required.

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Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.

Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. is a permittee of the Uncompahgre National Forest.

Images on this website are property of the photographer.
Please do not use them without the photographer's permission.