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Frequently
Asked Questions:
How
do I apply for a workshop?
How do deposits, payments, and cancellations
work?
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Either
full payment or a 50% deposit is required to reserve a space . We ask
for full payment at least 30 days before the beginning of a workshop.
However, if a workshop is not full, you are welcome to sign up anytime
prior to the beginning of the trip. If a workshop is full or cancelled,
your deposit will be returned in full . If you must withdraw more than
60 days before a workshop, your deposit will be completely refunded .
If you withdraw within 30 days of a workshop, your deposit will be refunded
only if the vacated place can be filled, however, the deposit can be applied
towards any future workshop . Application forms are available on this
website, and can be printed and mailed or sent directly from the site
.
Is
there a liability release I need to sign?
There are always certain risks involved when attending outdoor workshops,
and your application shall be considered as a release of our liability
and a complete assumption of all risks by the participant. It is always
a good idea for workshop participants to have sufficient travel insurance
to cover any unforeseen problems .
What
about lodging?
Double-occupancy lodging is included in the workshop fee. After receipt
of your completed application and deposit, you will receive an itinerary
and lodging information. A single-supplement charge will be added to the
workshop fee for those desiring private rooms. We will make arrangements
for sharing a room for those that prefer double-occupancy. However,
if you wish to share a room but no other workshop participants are available,
you may be asked to pay the single supplement.
Early return
of your application form will help insure your choice of accommodations.
If you prefer
to provide your own lodging, you may deduct $50/night from the cost of
the workshop.
.
What
about transportation to and during a workshop?
All participants are required to provide their own transportation to and
during the workshops. Most cars are fine for all but the Ghost Towns trip,
which requires high-clearance, 4X drive vehicles. We will work with participants
to share vehicles during any of the trips .
Meals?
Participants are responsible for all of their own meals.
We will usually
eat in restaurants.
When we head
out early to catch the morning sun, we will take our thermos and snacks
along, and will always have an ice chest available for afternoon snacks
.
Do
I need to be in good physical condition?
Most of the shooting locations are within easy walking distance of the
vehicles unless otherwise specified in the workshop information.
The longest
hike on the road-based tours is a 2-mile round-trip hike that is not difficult,
but is moderately strenuous.
How
does a typical day look?
On days when we are shooting landscapes, we will head out before sunrise,
taking our thermos and munchies with us so we can be on location to catch
the first rays of the sun.
We will shoot until around mid-morning, then head back to town for lunch
and a mid-day break. During this time we may review the previous days
shooting, visit local art galleries or museums, catch up on sleep, or
maybe soak in the motel's hot-tub when available. We will head out again
around mid-afternoon and shoot until sunset. We will then return to town
for dinner, discuss the days's shooting, review images with what energy
we have left, and get a good nights sleep. Times and/or activities may
vary due to changes in weather or unforeseen circumstances . Shooting
schedules for the Figure-in-the-Landscape shoots are somewhat different,
and are discussed in the workshop information
.
How
large are the groups?
What level of photographic
experience do I need to have?
Our goal is to provide each participant with whatever level of instruction
is desired. For this reason, group size will usually not exceed six photographers.
Participants may vary in ability from novice to those who are very competent
with their equipment, and who are looking mainly for guidance to the best
locations at the right time. The main goal is to learn and to have fun,
and we will all work together regardless of level of photographic ability
.
Is
film processing available?
Processing of either slide or print film will be available when the workshops
are based in Durango
or Moab.
This will allow
those shooting film to review the previous days work during the mid-day
breaks .
In other locations, processing is not available.
What
should I bring to wear; what kind of weather can I expect?
Trips are planned to take advantage of the best possible season and expected
weather conditions in the varied environments of the southwest. This generally
means visiting deserts in spring and fall, and mountains in summer and
fall. Although weather is unpredictable, especially in the mountains,
we would expect the weather to be mild on our trips with warm, sunny days
and cool nights. We will do our best to make the most of whatever nature
offers, but we cannot be responsible for any affect on the shooting conditions
caused by inclement weather. However, since the best images are often
taken during stormy conditions, weather will seldom keep us from shooting.
As for clothing, a broad-brimmed hat or cap, easy-walking shoes, a light,
long-sleeved cotton shirt, and a light jacket will usually cover most
clothing needs. A warmer jacket, cap, and even light gloves, are strongly
suggested for early mornings, even in the desert. A rain jacket is always
good to have along, and for the spring and fall trips a very warm coat
is important.
What
photographic techniques are emphasized?
The
main topics and techniques we will cover on these workshops include:
--Techniques
for photographing with both film and digital cameras—their similarities
and
differences
--Workflow
from taking the image through computer manipulation and filing
--Exposure
--Composition
--Choice
of lenses and filters
--How
to use shutter speed creativiely
--How
to control and use Depth-of-Field
--Use
of tripods
--And
most importantly, how to visualize the image you want, and then how to
use these
techniques to create the image .
I'll
work with each participant to whatever level is desired, and we will also
discuss photography as a profession with those that are interested .
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