CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK - READ MORE

Our main goal during this workshop will be to assist you with image composition in the field throughout the day in a wide variety of lighting conditions; not just during the magic hours of sunrise and sunset. In other words, we won’t spend the midday hours reviewing images on our laptops in our lodge with the shades drawn; we’ll be out in the field, every day, exploring and learning how to compose images in some of the most stupendous landscapes on earth. This means you’ll not only experience a tremendous variety of photographic opportunities, you’ll return home with a larger variety of images than you ever imagined possible from 5 days in the field. Jim will work closely with you at each of our locations, offering suggestions on how to improve your image compositions in real time before you trip the shutter release. If we encounter difficult weather conditions which prevent us from being outdoors, or based on the desires of the group, he can also conduct image reviews and critiques or offer instruction on Lightroom/Photoshop techniques.

The canyon country of Capitol Reef has much in common with the more-well-known Escalante Canyons just south of here. The beautiful sandstone layers of the Escalante region are also the predominant scenery maker here. In fact, the deep canyons of both the Escalante and Capitol Reef areas owe their existence to the 11,000-foot high Aquarius Plateau which forms the headwaters of both regions. While the streams flowing off the southern flanks of the Aquarius have carved the Escalante canyons, the streams flowing off the eastern edge of this same plateau have carved another vast network of canyons into the sandstone layers of the Waterpocket Fold here in Capitol Reef. Thanks to the exposure of ten major geologic layers along the 100-mile length of the Waterpocket Fold – the longest monocline on the Colorado Plateau – we’ll cover more ground here and photograph more convoluted, dissected, unique, and varied landforms than on all of our other Utah workshops combined.

Jim’s intimate knowledge of this region has been gleaned from countless photo excursions over the last 25 years and there are few people who know the area better than him. It was the lack of crowds and vast expanses of wilderness here which first attracted his attention. Even today, 25 years later, due to this same lack of crowds, we won’t need to worry about tripping over other photographer’s tripods or staking out claims at the best photography spots. We’ll be lucky to see anyone at most of our locations.

With a maximum of 8 participants, you can look forward to working one-on-one with Jim at each location as he provides instant feedback on the intricacies of image composition; the most subjective and challenging aspect of landscape photography. He’ll offer guidance on how to work in a variety of lighting conditions throughout the day and will teach you how to “see” what’s around you; how to slow down and begin noticing details which you might have otherwise missed. He’ll also provide detailed information on the technical aspects of camera functions, histograms, exposures, depth of field, white balance, filters, etc. We’ll discuss specialized digital techniques such as merging images to create very high-resolution files; what to look for when shooting for B&W conversions; using Live-View to aid in composition; HDR; and focus stacking to achieve extreme depth of field. He’ll offer insight into what inspires and motivates him and will help each participant to develop a style of their own.

As a student of geology, Jim will also pass along his in-depth knowledge of the geologic history of the Capitol Reef region. At each of our photography locations, he will explain the history behind the rocks and will teach you how to use this knowledge, as he has, to improve your landscape photography by helping you locate some of this region’s most spectacular formations.

Our philosophy is to offer an unsurpassed photographic experience for discerning travelers. This means you’ll not only enjoy a rich diversity of photographic opportunities; you’ll also enjoy comfortable, single-occupancy lodging and excellent dining venues at the end of each day. We work overtime to ensure that your entire experience will exceed your expectations. We personally conduct each workshop – we do not hire others to do this for us. We are confident you’ll recognize the increased service level this arrangement provides. We care, very much, about your experience and satisfaction. 

Our workshops are about much more than spectacular photography; or as one of our guests once put it; “Your workshops are a wonderful, photographic, social, and cultural adventure“. We look forward to having you join us.

Too see more about what you’ll learn on our workshops, visit this link: Learn More

To see why we have so many return guests, check out our Guest Testimonials

For additional information on this region, see the links below to read some of Jim’s articles in Outdoor Photographer Magazine.