SONORAN DESERT Landscapes & Wildflower Photography Workshop (Phoenix & Tucson Az area)
Spring wildflowers in the Arizona Desert
Mexican Poppies
Blooming Staghorn Cactus
Fairy Duster
Near Bartlett Lake
Desert Sunset
Spring in the Desert
Lunch at the Ocotilllo
Near Canyon Lake
Old Town, Tuscon
Mission San Xavier del Bac, Tucson
Sunrise at Bartlett Lake
Long Winged Zebra's at the Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix
When is this Workshop?
Mar 21 - Mar 24, 2013How much is this Workshop?
$795.00 per person
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Jack Graham Photography Workshops
Photography workshops in the field®
SONORAN DESERT Landscapes & Wildflower Photography Workshop
(Phoenix, Tucson AZ)
Lodging information included below Pre workshop get together Wed night Mar. 20st 6pm
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March 21-24, 2013
COST: $ 795.00
Learn to See....................
Learn to Think.........
Learn to Create
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Please consider joining me for this unique photography workshop. Few locations and workshops can offer landscape, wildflower and close-up photographical opportunities.
We will visit locations on and around Phoenix including the Bartlett Lake area, the Canyon Lake(s) area as well as the Superstition Mts. In the Tucson area will visit Pichaco Peak as well as locations in and around Saguaro National Park. An afternoon at the Mission St. Francis del Bacand Old Town Tucson is included..
Spring in the Sonoran Desert offers this experience, like nowhere else. I am sure you’ll come away with some great images, lots of photographic information and many new friends! Please contact me if you have any questions jack@jackgrahamphoto.com.
4Wheel vehicles are not needed in the area. I would suggest lenses (35mm equivalent) of 20mm-300mm.
The majority of instruction and nature photography tips and techniques will take place right there in the field. There’s no need to take notes. After the workshop you’ll receive a complete 50+-page syllabus containing everything we do in the field and more.
We take time periodically during the day to review our images in informal critique sessions. Special presentations concerning nature photography will also be made during these sessions.
My workshops are sponsored by NIK SOFTWARE, Photograph America Newsletter, Think Tank Photo Bags, Hunt’s Photo and Video and the Really Right Stuff. Discounts and some freebies are included in your workshop “pack” that you’ll receive upon arrival.
Evenings will consist of informal sessions to discuss information on photographing in the area, critique sessions of your work shot during the workshop as well as general photography information.
As with all our workshops, this is primarily a field workshop. We do not sit in a classroom during the daytime. We are out shooting & learning about photography in the field, not behind a desk. However, it is critical as well as being very informative, to take time to review your work, and discuss important aspects of making quality photographs
The Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona has a never-ending variety of blooming cactus and wildflowers. In mid March, after the winter rains, the hillsides and washes produce incredible displays
Our time in the field will be concentrated in three thee areas
Ø Combining the wildflower landscape display with the other natural formations found in the Sonoran Desert
Ø Using techniques to develop both your landscape as well as wildflower photography
Ø Learning field techniques needed to product quality close-up images
The Sonoran Desert is home to mountain ranges, lowlands, rivers, washes trees, cacti and interesting colorful rock formations. Combine these features with the annual wildflower bloom; we can expect to use both components to make images available in few locations throughout the world.
We will discuss and learn to use interesting techniques in both landscape and wildflower photography to allow you, the photographer to create a representation of what is found here, in this time of year. Special concentration in close-up photography (macro) will be discussed and applied during our field sessions.
We will spend time during one evening to shoot the desert and the stars, which is always a lot of fun!
COMPONENTS of FIELD WORK:
1) Improving your photography skills within this “hands-on” workshops
2) Composition, exposure and essential elements needed to make a great photograph and to bring out the story within the image. Patterns, foregrounds, learning how to attain the proper depth of field and more are all stressed.
3) Use of color combinations, how to use color make the image stronger
4) Other techniques including, learning about how tonalities, negative space, simplicity, balance, framing, emotional impact and flaws affect your images.
5) Seeing an image, working a scene, making the image a strong image
6) Choosing the look of the final image in the field, not after the fact. Taking an image knowing how you will be processing.
7) Making Panorama’s, Helicon Focus and HDR techniques simple
8) Basic processing, workflow, how to use available programs together. Use of NIK Software.
TTAKING FIELD NOTES IS NOT NECESSARY. You will receive a syllabus of 50+ pages the include everything and more that we discuss!
IIINERARY:
Itineries will be emailed out in mid to late February and will be determined by the best locations for color.
Tentative: Thursday & Friday afternoon –Sonoran Deserts in and around Phoenix
Friday Night –Drive to Tucson
Saturday –Tucson
Sunday AM –Tucson, depart back to Phoenix around 3pm
The workshop starts at sunrise March 21st. We will have a short meet & greet session on the evening of March 20th. Please make your travel plans to arrive mid to late afternoon on the 20th.
Location Information
We will visit locations on and around Phoenix including the Bartlett Lake area, the Canyon Lake(s) area as well as the Superstition Mts. In the Tucson area will visit Pichaco Peak as well as locations in and around Saguaro National Park. A side trip to the Mission St. Francis del Bac is possible.
Both the Canyon Lake, and Bartlett Lake areas offer a variety of great spring wildflower & landscape opportunities, including miles of shoreline in Arizona's natural desert terrain. While in this part of the Tonto National Forest, visitors may see mule deer, bald eagles, javelina, coyotes, and hundreds of indigenous desert plants, including the majestic saguaro, mesquite trees and blooming ocotillo. Both areas are only about a 1-hour drive from downtown Phoenix!!
The majestic monolith of 3000’ Superstition Mountain is the world famous icon that separates urban luxury and wilderness adventure. In and around the vicinity we will experience blooming cactus, as well as desert wildflowers offering some great foregrounds to the Superstitions.A special visit to the beautiful Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix is planned for late afternoon and early evening.
We will then venture over to Tucson and photograph the plants within Picacho Peak State Park. They include mesquite, Paloverde and acacia trees; Crucifixion Thorn, Ocotillo, cholla, prickly pear and Saguaro Cactus. IN good years Mexican Poppies and lupine cover the hillsides.
Within Saguaro NP, we’ll not only capture the wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert but the giant Saguaro’s as well. These enormous cacti, silhouetted by the setting sun, for most of us depict the classic symbol of the American West. These majestic plants are only found in a small portion of the United States. Saguaro National Park protects some of the most impressive forests of these sub-tropical giants, on the edge of the modern City of Tucson.
A National Historic Landmark, San Xavier Mission was founded as a Catholic mission by Father Eusebio Kino in 1692. Construction of the current church began in 1783 and was completed in 1797.
The oldest intact European structure in Arizona, the churches interior is filled with marvelous original statuary and mural paintings. It is a place where visitors can truly step back in time and enter an authentic 18th Century space.
The church retains its original purpose of ministering to the religious needs of its parishioners.
.Some 200,000 visitors come each year from all over the world to view what is widely considered to be the finest example of Spanish Colonial architecture in the United States.
Please click here to read the history of this magnificent mission.
We will also visit Old Town , Tuscon, famous for its Mexican influences achitecture and color ( see selected images on the right side of this post)
CLOTHING:
March is a great time to be in the Sonoran Desert. Temperatures usually peal out around 80, but 90 is not unusual. It can be quite cool in the morning.
1) A really heavy jacket is NOT needed however it can get cool in the mornings and evenings.
2) Be prepared that the AM should be mild, however by noon if the sun is out it should feel like about 80-90!!!
3) HIKING BOOTS (again, Gore Tex if available)
4) HEAD PROTECTION (from the sun!)
PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPTMENT
CAMERAS: Bring at two camera bodies if you have them just in case one fails. You never know when you may need a spare body. We encourage all formats.
LENSES:
I carry 20mm to 300 MM lenses with teleconverters. This is both a landscape as well as close-up (macro) workshop. If you have a macro lens, by all means bring it. However, macro lenses are not required to make some great close-up wildflower images.
MEMORY CARDS/FILM/ BACKUP DRIVES/CD’s:
I don’t have to tell you all to pack lots of memory or film. There’s nothing like running out of each at the wrong time. Remember backup drives. I carry a portable hard drive to back up my cards every night. If you don’t carry a laptop, I will have mine and you can back up your cards using a portable hard drive if you choose to bring one.
FILTERS: The only filters you should need are a polarizing filter, graduated neutral density filters if you have them (if you don’t you can see what they do at www.singh-ray.com). I carry a 2& 3 stop soft.
At times, we will be at elevations where ultraviolet rays begin to take effect at this altitude when the sun is strong.
TRIPOD:Bring the heaviest tripod you want to carry. A tripod is necessary!
BATTERIES: Bring spare batteries if you have them, Also REMEMBER YOUR CHARGERS. I will have inverters in my vehicle in case you need to charge batteries in the field
MISC EQUIPTMENT (not in order of importance)
A Flash may come in handy Lens Cloths
Plastic Bags Cable Release
Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman Jewelers screwdrivers
Blower for Dust (see below) Lens cleaning tissue
FLASHLIGHT!!!! Thermos
DUST
Dust can be a problem, especially when using digital equipment. Carry a hand held blower as well as something to clean your sensor. Be extremely careful when changing lenses to prevent dust from getting on the sensors. Buy some Ziploc bags to cover your equipment to keep the dust off. Not all lenses are sealed lenses and dust can get into them even when you think it can’t
TRAVEL INFO
Locations in the Phoenix are easily accessed in relatively short driving times and distances. Tucson is about a 2 hour (120 miles). Tucson locations also are in easy driving distances.
By Air:
I recommend flying into Phoenix, (PHX). I recommend arriving no later than mid afternoon on Wednesday. The workshop will end around noon on Sunday in Tucson. If you need to return home on Sunday night, you should be able to do this if you live west of the Mississippi.
LODGING:
Again, please arrive mid afternoon into Phoenix on Wed Mar 20. We'll have a short meet & greet on Wed night at 6pm to go over itineries, workshop goals etc.
PHOENIX-Wed & Thursday night ---Fairfield Inn 17017 N. Black Canyon Parkway, Phoenix, Az. 602-548-8888
Rate around 129.00-149.00
TUSCON- Friday & Sat night----------- Fairfield Inn I 10 & Butterfield Business Park 4850 S Hotel Drive · Tucson, AZ 85714 USA 520-747-7474
Rate around 100.00-120.00 per night
Note: Spring in AZ is always quite crowded. Exhibition baseball is in full swing and it is a very touristy time of year in the area. Fortunately, where we will be isn't crowded at all. However, this does drive up the hotel rates and availability a bit.
Please make your hotel reservations NOW. If we reach the criteria for a group discount & will deal with the hotels and pass them along to you
CAR POOLING:We’ll be car-pooling as much as possible to save on expenses. Thies arrangements will be made on Wednesday, when we initially meet.
FOOD/DINING
As we photographers know, usually the best light is when other folks eat breakfast & dinner. We will eat, but not during the best light of the day.
Both locations are with reach of snacks and restaurants needed to keep us going. Please know how important it is to stay hydrated I the desert.
Again, we are here to photograph, and develop our skills. Often the best light is at breakfast and dinner. Please know this in advance.
WEATHER
The weather is generally good in the area this time of year. High temperature’s average 75-87 and low’s around 55 degrees. At this time of year, you can be sunburned so make sure to bring a hat & sunscreen for your arms.
I strongly check out the many online weather resources for accurate information.
Al always lots of information will begin to flow about 3 weeks prior to the workshop