Utah Badlands and Capitol Reef National Park Photo Adventure
October 23-27, (2024)
Location: Capitol Reef National Park, and Caineville, Utah
Dates: October 23-27, (2024)
Tuition: $1799.00
Instructors: Dusty Doddridge and Josh Merrill
Tour Overview:
Join us on this exciting photographic adventure to two undeniably unique environments. We’ll explore Capitol Reef National Park, which is overflowing with dramatic sandstone. These sandstone features include, canyons, arches, monolithic temples of red rock, white domes, and sheer walls coated in stunning desert varnish. Throughout this playground of sandstone, we’ll find a garden of bonsai’d pinions and junipers, and Cottonwood trees timed for fall color. Just outside the east entrance to Capitol Reef we’ll enjoy an entirely different landscape, and some of the most interesting badlands in the world (Shhhh….don’t tell anyone). There are blue, Mancos Shale badlands, as well the martian-red badlands of the Chinle Formations. We’ll take you to some truly unique, and off the beaten path locations on this workshop in the heart of the quieter side of Colorado Plateau. Furthermore, we’ll have opportunities to practice photographing the stars, in some of the darkest remaining skies in the lower 48.
Topics:
All of our instructional workshops will cover two key areas: Craft and Creativity
Professional Craft for Landscape Photography:
• Getting fluent with your gear and developing a consistent workflow in the field
• Achieving an optimal exposure
• Managing depth of field
• Capture for multiple exposure blending
• Capture for panoramic stitching
• Using filters effectively
Creativity in the Landscape:
• Core compositional elements in the landscape
• Creative use of depth of field
• Long exposure techniques
• Learning and practicing new compositions
And we'll also do at least one image review session and share some advanced digital darkroom workflow techniques.
Tour Includes:
• Instruction in the field: craft and creative strategies for landscape photography
• Image reviews
• Instruction on digital darkroom workflow
Not Included:
• Food and Lodging
• Transportation to, from, and during the workshop
• Participants can carpool, and are encouraged to do so
Fitness Level:
You'll need a moderate level of fitness to tackle some of the walking and hiking on this trip. None of our hikes will be especially strenuous in nature, but you'll need moderate fitness and experience hiking in uneven terrain to manage this tour safely. We’ll do a couple of hikes that are 1-2 miles each direction, but most locations will be closer to the vehicles.
Suggested Equipment:
• Digital SLR Camera
• Tripod with Cable Release
• Wide Angle Lens and Telephoto Zoom Lens (We use the 16-35mm and 70-200)
• Lots of Memory Cards
• Extra Camera Batteries
• Micro-fiber Cloths
• Camera Bag/Backpack for Gear and Food/Water
Clothing for a variety of weather conditions from 30F to 70F
• Rain Jacket and Pants
• Down Layer
• Trail Shoes or Hiking Boots
• Gloves and Hat
• Plenty of Wool Socks
• Moisture Wicking Base Layer
Lodging:
Our bases of operations will be Hanksville, Utah. We will have a block of rooms reserved for our group and we'll include all the information in the detailed itinerary once you register. However, you are welcome to camp or arrange lodging anywhere you like.
Cancellation Schedule:
90 days or prior to day 1 of tour = Refund of all registration fees and deposits
60-89 days prior to day 1 of tour = Josh Merrill Photography will retain tour deposit
59 days or less prior to day 1 of tour = Josh Merrill Photography will retain full tour tuition
We strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance if you need to cancel your tour and are unable to complete the tour for any reason.
We also reserves the right to cancel the photo tour for any reason including low enrollment in the tour.
Payment:
All you need to do is contact me via the form below and tell us which tour you'd like to attend. We'll e-mail you an invoice that allows you to pay online by credit card. If it's 90 days or less prior to the start of the tour, the full tuition amount will be due in order to complete your registration. Prior to 90 days out, we'll invoice you for a deposit of 30% of the total tuition to hold your spot. We'll then invoice you again for the balance prior to the 90 day point when the full amount is due.
Contact Us
We’re excited that you’re interested in our workshop. If you are ready to register, you may click on the link above.. If you just have some additional questions, this form to the right will put you in touch me.
