Adventuring in Arches:
— A Visual Journey into Geologic Time—

The Expressive Image: Photographing Arches National Park

The relentless hand of erosion has systematically laid its hand on the S.E. corner of Utah and created some of the world’s most fantastic and bizarre landforms: soaring sandstone arches, flying buttresses, precariously balanced rocks, petrified dunes, meandering canyons, surreal stone spires and pinnacles, and enormous red-rock towers. During this five-day intensive workshop, you will have tremendous opportunities to slow down to nature’s rhythms, observe the delicate play of sunlight and moonlight on this surreal landscape and capture your inspirations through the photographic medium. Our goal is to find new and meaningful ways to interpret this remarkable area of the American Southwest — bringing home rich and varied images that reflect our unique way of looking at the world.
 
The Arches workshop is centered in Moab, Utah a place known for its mild climate in mid-October. Field sessions begin at sunrise, extend to after sunset, and involve evening sessions as well. Subject matter ranges from delicate close-ups to the mosaic landscape.

Through slide-lecture presentations and hands-on group and individual work in the field, the instructor will help students find inspired subject matter and give insights and tools for composing more expressively. Slide and digital lectures and field sessions will explore the following topics: how the color and quality of light dictate what subject one can effectively photograph, the process of “going for the shot”, previsualization vs. spontaneity, choice of film and lenses, exposure, creative usage of filters, flash-fill and reflector techniques.

Photographers at all levels of experience, working in all formats, digital, black and white and color, are welcome. Students should have a solid working knowledge of their camera (especially on all-manual) so that way group and individual energy will be focused on the joys of discovery and the refinement of one’s personal expression through composition.  Sharing our work and getting feedback is an essential part of the learning process.  Participants should bring slides, prints, or laptops for downloading and review of work and the photographic equipment they are most comfortable using. Participants should be prepared for mildly strenuous hikes carrying photo equipment and a pack lunch ranging up to four-five miles round trip although most photography is accomplished within close proximity of our cars.

Moab, Utah: Tuesday, 9 am-Saturday 4 pm, October 12-16.

Course Fee: $795. Enrollment limited. Cut-off date for enrollments is
September 16. No meals or accommodations are included in this fee.
This field study includes a follow-up critique session to be arranged in the San Francisco Bay Area.

FIELD SESSION SCHEDULE
Tues AM. —We will meet Tues morning, Oct. 12 at 9:00 am. in Moab, Utah, in close proximity to
Arches National Park. Meeting place and logistics will be sent to enrollees.

Itinerary: Each morning, we will rise pre-dawn and go out for (sunrise) early-morning field sessions in the most remarkable areas of Arches.  After our morning shoot, we will come back to Moab, have some refreshments and then meet for a discussion of the morning field session and have a brief slide-lecture.  We’ll then pack our sack lunches and go out in the field, have lunch, and then spend the duration of the day photographing the environs.  We’ll return after the alpenglow is gone, have dinner in local Moab restaurants, and discuss the day’s events.  Slide lectures will be interspersed throughout the seminar; usually given at midday (during the harsh light). We will also be able to review students’ work during these daytime and evening sessions.  Evening field sessions are planned to capture the majesty of this remarkable habitat under moonlight and while painting with light.

Highlights of the trip will include the Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers, the Garden of Eden and Balanced Rock, North and South Windows, Wolfe Ranch, Delicate Arch, and Devil’s Garden including Double O Arch and Landscape Arch. Photographing the Colorado River outside of Moab and taking a side trip to the La Sal Mountains are additional highlights of this visual odyssey.The entire workshop is an organic process — a unique blend of intensive field work, lively discussions, personal insights, breakthroughs, physical activity, and camaraderie. Thus our itinerary will be flexible, dependent primarily on weather, light, and inspiration/inclinations of students.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 415/868-1836 or email at photo@riverjourneys.com

For enrollment in this class: call (415) 868-1836; Mon-Fri, 10:00 am-4 pm or print out the Reservation Form on this website and FAX it in to (415) 868-0585.

To access the photo gallery of James Katz's work relating to images of Arches National Park go to:
http://www.riverjourneys.com/gallery/arches  

	James Katz P.O. Box 807 Bolinas, CA 94924		Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 A.M. to 4 P.M., Pacific Time
	1-800-786-1830 E-MAIL: photo@riverjourneys.com		415-868-1836 S.F. Bay Area FAX: 415-868-0585

Photography within this web site is copyrighted by James Katz of
James Henry River Journeys and may not be reproduced
without permission of the photographer.

Copyright ©2008. Revised Feb., 2011. All Rights Reserved.
James H. Katz/James Henry River Journeys/Wilderness Journeys.