Autumn in Colorado Photography
Workshop
Fall Colors in Southwest Colorado - San Juan Mountains
September 26th - 30th, 2023 September 29th - Oct 2nd, 2025 Below is information for 2023, after this workshop passes it will reflect 2025 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, Tuesday (September 26th, 2023) in the Instructor's Hotel Lobby
at 7:00 pm 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 Tuesday, September 26th;
Check-out Sunday, Oct. 1st.
The formal workshop ends
after shooting sunset on Saturday, 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 am, in advance of morning light (sunrise
is
about 7:00 am) and we'll stay in the field until it's time for a late
breakfast or lunch. We
will provide snacks 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.
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. Please bring a reusable water bottle.
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.
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:
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.
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
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.
