BRYCE / GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE / HOLE-IN-THE-ROCK ROAD - READ MORE

A major confluence of geologic events conspired over the ages to create a treasure trove of breathtaking landscapes in Utah’s southwestern region; unmatched anywhere else on the Colorado Plateau. With this region’s tremendous diversity of locations and photographic opportunities, Jim has created a comprehensive itinerary of his favorite photography locations gleaned from 25 years exploring this region and timed it all so we arrive at just the right moment to capture ideal lighting conditions. During this workshop, we’ll ascend more than one vertical mile from the depths of the Escalante Canyons to the lofty 9,000 foot rim of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in Bryce – encompassing a geologic time span of more than 150 million years. We’ve timed this workshop to take advantage of both the changing autumn colors in the Escalante canyons and the possibility of the first winter snows dusting the pinnacles of Bryce Canyon. With only 8 participants, you can look forward to spending 5 full days in the field with 3-5 unique photography locations every day. We’ll rise early to capture sunrise from the rim of Bryce Canyon; descend deep into the Escalante Canyons; and, if sky conditions are right, we’ll venture out after dinner to capture brilliant, star-filled skies. After long days in the field, we’ll retreat to our very comfortable lodges.  

As the first stop on our adventure, we’ll spend 3 nights in the town of Escalante with 2 full days exploring the Hole-in-the-Rock region in the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument with its deep and narrow sandstone canyons. After that, we’ll travel west for a day of photography in one of the most remote portions of the Monument where the headwater canyons of the Paria River have carved their own network of deep, narrow sandstone canyons just as remarkable as the Escalante’s. After that, we’ll head to the Bryce Canyon lodge for 3 nights and 2 days of photography in Bryce with its bizarre formations carved from the colorful Claron Formation which was laid down 45 million years ago on the bottom of a vast lake. Large mountains to the west, reminiscent of today’s Andes, shed iron-rich sediments into large rivers which flowed east into the lake. The iron content in these sediments has oxidized or simply “rusted” to create some of the most colorful & photogenic formations found anywhere on the planet. The Claron Formation forms the upper “step” in the Grand Staircase; a giant layer cake of sandstone and limestone layers which drops down to the south, all the way to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, spanning nearly 2 billion years of geologic time.

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.

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 Bryce and the entire Colorado Plateau region. 

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, high-end 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.

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