Welcome to Exploring Your Vision! This workshop is for photographers who have begun to master their craft and understand their relationship with their art, but who might still need guidance in matters of conceptualization, critique, and narrative. Unlike the other three workshops, this class will focus almost exclusively on the more abstract questions of photography - What draws you to some places or subjects and not others? How can you tell when you’re improving your skills? What do you want others to see in your work? What do you want to see? There is a lot of conflicting information available about what makes a good nature or landscape photo, or what makes a good photographer, and it’s my goal to help calm those waters and walk you through your own creative process to better understand where you want to go next.

In step with these more abstract questions will be a hike through some of the most beautiful terrain in the preserve, meant not so much as a challenge (although it may be such) but more as a backdrop to the topics of our discussion. It will be a good chance to optimize your photography kit, bringing what you think is necessary while being cognizant of the scaling difficulty of transporting it on your back. This will by no means be an easy hike, but instead be invigorating, both physically and creatively.

Unique to this workshop is the offer of a portfolio review given after-hours at your own option. Finding constructive critique is one of the most difficult treasures any artist will seek, and if it interests you I will gladly give my impressions on work chosen to represent you. Feel free to bring your portfolio (no more than 25 images) in the way you feel it is best displayed, whether as a folio of prints or as a digital album. Please be advised, I won’t have a screen of my own bigger than a phone, so if you have a larger device I would recommend using that.

This is a three-person workshop, and will typically be held every other Sunday. It will meet at the Dreamy Draw Trailhead at 3pm and run until 6pm to give us ample light with the possibility for a beautiful sunset. I recommend arriving with some spare time, as parking can often become crowded. As with the other three workshops it is only available to students at least 18 years old, and requires the signing of a liability waiver before participating. This waiver is available for you to read through in advance HERE, and a paper copy will be provided to sign on the day of the workshop.

Signups for the next round of workshops will become available two weeks before their start date, so if you plan on attending a future class be sure to check back and reserve your spot in time!

Be Aware

Weather in the desert can vary from day to day and from hour to hour, so check the forecast for your workshop and plan accordingly! If rain is expected make sure you have a weather-safe covering for yourself and your equipment, and if heat is a concern then a hat and extra water are a necessity. Most weather will not deter us from having a productive time outdoors, but if severe conditions are expected I may have to delay the workshop to a later date. If this happens and you’re already signed up, I will contact you by email to reschedule or refund at your option.

What to Bring

• Your camera and appropriate media along with any accessories you feel necessary.

• Carrying system for your equipment which will be comfortable while hiking.

• Optional: Physical or digital portfolio to be reviewed after the workshop.

• Seasonally appropriate clothing for desert hiking. Recommended gear includes sturdy boots, a hat, and full-length lightweight pants.

• Enough water for a challenging three-hour hike, at least one quart/liter.

Covid-19 Awareness

The safety and health of all workshop participants is of the highest priority, and this includes preventative measures against spread of COVID-19. Because these classes are held in a public preserve I cannot enforce mask-wearing, but I can recommend it, especially when we stop along the trail to talk. I understand the discomfort caused by hiking while having your face covered, so I must leave this to your discretion. If you do not want to risk being around others, or if you are showing any symptoms of illness, I ask you to refrain from signing up until you are back to health. Anyone who arrives to a workshop visibly ill may be denied participation. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in respecting the concerns of all participants.

Workshop Date: 12/27/2020