Photography, Hiking, & Whitewater Rafting
— on the Enchanting Rogue River —

Landscape, Wilderness Photojournalism, and
Adventure Sports Photography on the Rogue River

The Rogue River is one of Oregon's gems. This challenging yet safe watercourse cuts through a precipitous canyon adorned with magnificent stands of Douglas fir, madrone, Oregon big-leaf maple and black oak, and is home to black bears, river otters, mule deer, bald eagles, osprey and blue herons. With low-angled light, exquisite autumnal reflections, and leaping salmon as a backdrop, photographers will be treated to numerous opportunities to bring home outstanding memories of their river and hiking journey.
 
The Rogue workshop is based on the "Wild and Scenic Rogue" in Southern Oregon, an area that is an extension of Northern California— sharing similar flora, fauna and climate. In late September, we can expect mild temperatures during the day and the hint of fall in the evenings. Our pace down the river is leisurely. Most participants will be doing most of their photography in the early morning hours before breakfast, at planned stops during the day, and in the late afternoon and evening.

On this five-day trip, a layover day has been planned which will allow for far greater opportunities to photograph the environs.  During the trip, trip participants will also have be able to hike on the Rogue River trail between campsites and to photograph enroute. Subject matter ranges from delicate close-ups to the greater landscape. Along the way, there are three terrific rapids for photographing the oarboats, paddlerafts, and inflatable kayaks as they maneuver through these stunning drops. The river journey, in itself, provides a terrific opportunity to document a wilderness adventure and all the activities that encompass a wilderness journey of this sort: from the the setting up of camp each evening to the antics of crew members whipping up the gourmet fare. Animal and birdlife along the river are also terrific subject matter and round out one's coverage of the trip.

There will be hands-on group and individual work in the field and the instructor will help students find inspired subject matter and give insights and tools for composing more expressively. 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.

Traveling in the oar rafts (queen of the Nile behavior) is not strenuous. Paddling in a paddleboat is mildly strenuous; paddling in an inflatable kayak is strenuous. Individuals interested in hiking should be prepared for mildly strenuous hikes (best idea is to hike one half of the day and go in the boats half a day). This will be orchestrated each day as conditions and inclinations of trip participants become apparent. In those instances, one would be carrying light photo equipment and snacks and hikes would range up to four-five miles on those days.

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.  If there are enought people from the San Francisco Bay Area, we will be able to have an informal get-to-gether at the end of the trip to share our images.

Galice, Oregon: Saturday, 10:15 am-Wednesday 6 pm, June 6-10.

Course Fee: Adults, $860; Youth, $765. Enrollment limited. Includes all rafting equipment, transportation from Galice, Oregon and return, and all meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day of the trip. See the detailed Trip Profile for the Rogue on this website. This field study includes a follow-up sharing of our work to be arranged in the Bay Area.

FIELD SESSION SCHEDULE
Tues AM. —We will meet Saturday morning, June 6 at 10:15 am. in front of the Galice Resort in Galice, Oregon.
Pre-departure literature including travel logistics and accommodations in the area will be sent to all enrollees.

Itinerary: Each morning, before breakfast individuals will be on their own to make their own discoveries.  At breakfast, we will discuss issues that would have occurred in the field. After the morning shoot and breakfast, campers will pack up their gear and the boats will be loaded for going downriver.  We will also decide, at breakfast, if it is an appropriate section of the river to raft or hike/photograph and arrange logistics accordingly for the day.  Photography discussions will occur whenever there is an appropriate time to fit them in: ie., after breakfast while the boats are being loaded, during lunch, after camp has been set up and on the layover day.

Highlights of the trip will include photographing at three of the key rapids along the river: Rainee Falls, Black Bar Falls, and Blossom Bar. Hiking on the Rogue River trail provides many possibilities including Kelsey Creek, Tate Creek, Flora Dell and the "enchanted forest." All river trips have a natural rhythm and this workshop combined with the raft trip is no exception.  It will have an organic process — a unique blend of intensive field work, lively discussions, personal insights and breakthroughs, physical activity, and camaraderie.  Our river rafting itinerary will be flexible, dependent primarily on inclinations of students, weather, and the logistics of wilderness camping and river travel.

To access the photo gallery of James Katz's work relating to images of the Rogue River go to: Rogue River Gallery  

Call James Katz at (415) 868-1836 for more information or refer to web address for classes:

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 mail or FAX it in to (415) 868-9033 with your deposit of $250.

	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: 415-868-9033

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. All Rights Reserved.
James H. Katz/James Henry River Journeys/Wilderness Journeys.