This workshop will begin in Canyon De Chelly and end in Monument Valley. The opportunity to spend time in both environments will add various exposures to your portfolio of the Desert Southwest.
There is much to be photographed from the overlooks of Canyon De Chelly and while we will walk the valley floor, we will see the ruins of the ancient ones - the Anasazi.
For over 5,000 years, many have survived inside these canyons from high in the canyon walls and drawing water from the natural source that flows at the base of the sandstone monoliths. Many of these sheer cliffs rise over 1000' in height!
The canyon's footprint includes wild horses, bears, mule deer and high desert sage.
At the heart of Navajoland would be Canyon De Chelly. Covering over 84,000 acres, over 40 families continue with daily life surrounded by these marvelous sandstone walls. Quite a few of the old ways are still practiced deep inside the canyon. We will visit a family who resides in the canyon where we can see how she dyes her yarn which she produces from her sheep.
Many elements from moving water, fast moving light and wildlife will be available to photograph. We will also be surrounded by sandstone foreground subjects, many opportunities to use telephoto lenses from high above the cliff edges and valley floors will also allow us to see minute details as we use different lenses.
Canyon De Chelly was once inhabited by families who lived high in the cliffs. From there, they could see any potential enemy threat or be higher during high runoff periods. We will get up and close to the remains of their dwellings and certainly, take an artist approach to photographing the ruins.
Canyon De Chelly is also just over 30 minutes away from where I was raised. My grandparent's homestead, hogan, corn fields and spring is "over the hill". Growing up on the "Rez", I heard many stories of our recent ancestors who fled in and away from Canyon De Chelly during the 1860's. Many of these families that were very close to our's, made the long journey to Ft. Sumner - also known as The Long Walk.
I am grateful to know these stories so I can pass them onto our children, friends and fellow photographers like you.
I firmly believe as a photographer, emotion and message should be included in each exposure we share. Whether that is on social media, in a photographic print or simply viewed with today's smart phone's, tablets and computers.
I look forward to having 8 attendee's join me in and around my home roots.
Workshop Overview
We will begin our 4 days in Chinle at 5pm for a meet and greet. This will allow us to get to know one another and above all, review the itinerary and most likely, changes to location plans that will best suite our excursions.
The afternoon of October 5th, we will leave Canyon De Chelly and continue to Monument Valley. The workshop will end on October 6th after sunset.
I will cover important photography components when approaching Canyon De Chelly and as we transition into Monument Valley. Some of these items will be universal in landscape photography but a few items will be specifically unique to photographing our locations.
We will arrive at our locations in 4 wheel drive vehicles. Some will be Jeeps and SUV's. We will also access other locations in our own vehicles since we will be photographing from the rims of the canyon. We will discuss these arrangements in our meet and greet session.
As we make our way to Monument Valley, we will pass through small and rural communities. I will be checking into Goulding's Lodge and that is also where we will review our images together in a conference room environment.
The natural erosion left a portion of what was once a part of the Rocky Mountains. Our ancestors later inhabited the region that is now known as the Four Corners.
Many of the stunning buttes in and around Monument Valley rise from 400 to 1,000 feet! When clouds are present, the landscape changes and only adds more energy to the region.
Even on severe clear days, filling the composition with large monoliths isn't a difficult task. Known as Tse' Bii' Ndzisgaii which means Valley of the Rocks, Monument Valley it is a living landscape. With families, animals and wildlife about, it breathes each day. Navajoland covers roughly 26,000 square miles and of that, Monument Valley spans over 143 square miles.
The sweet light in Monument Valley is best photographed in the morning. The natural colors can change depending on temperature and natural elements from the atmosphere. The natural and vibrant colors from the golden light to the cool somber and rich reds will be present.
There are fantastic opportunities to photograph the light in undisturbed environments. I often wonder what the ancient ones pondered about when they awoke to such majestic light! The Sweet Light of Navajoland is unique, different and very moving because we will often be alone as a group.
Aside from my home area, I've visited Monument Valley hundreds of times in my youth to my professional days a photographer. I am happy to share the techniques and how to approach Monument Valley with a camera system.
This part of Navajoland is rich in history, culture and stories. We will be in the heart of the land that often embodies the spirit of the Southwest.
Total Workshop Attendee’s: Maximum of 8 attendee’s.
Workshop Days: We will start on March 11th at 6pm for the meet and greet. We will end the workshop on March 14th at sunset. We may have a final dinner before departing our separate ways. We will have over 3 days together so we won’t rush through the workshop.
Cost: The workshop is $1,297.
*There are many hotel options in Chinle and Monument Valley for your hotel reservations. The workshop fee does not include lodging or meals.
To reserve your spot and pay in one payment, click here.
To reserve your spot and pay in two (2) payments, click here. *Half ($649) of the workshop fee will be initially charged. You will receive a 2nd invoice 45 days after your initial payment. If your initial payment is made after August 7, 2018, your second payment will be processed 25 days after your initial payment.
To reserve your spot and pay in three (3) payments, click here. *One Third ($433) of the workshop fee will be charged. You will receive a 2nd invoice 30 days after your initial payment and a 3rd invoice 60 days after your initial payment.
*Previous workshop attendee's receive a 10% discount which will be deducted from your initial payment.
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email . You will also receive a separate email which will include items to review and discount codes to Singh-Ray Filters and other manufactures.
I will send you documents to submit which will contain your personal contact and emergency information, camera equipment list, motivations, desires to accomplish (personal goals) and additional documents which I MUST SUBMIT to the Navajo Nation as an Authorized Photography Workshop Leader.
Other Pieces of Important Information
Canyon De Chelly Hotel and Workshop Training will be taking place at:
Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly Bia Garcia Trading Post, Rte 7 Chinle, AZ 86503 (928) 674-5000
Monument Valley Hotel and Workshop Training will be taking place at:
Gouldings Lodge 1000 Main Street Oljato - Monument Valley, UT 84536 (435) 727-3231
Getting to Chinle/Canyon De Chelly:
Page, AZ to Chinle: 170 miles (Approx: 2.5 hours)
Flagstaff to Chinle: 175 miles (Approx: 3 hours)
Phoenix, AZ to Chinle: 300 miles (Approx: 5 hours)
Las Vegas, NV to Chinle: 420 miles (Approx: 6.5 hours)
Albuquerque, NM to Chinle: 235 miles (Approx: 4 hours)
Salt Lake City, UT to Chinle: 435 miles (Approx: 7 hours)
Moab, UT to Chinle: 200 miles (Approx: 3.5 hours)
Denver, CO to Chinle: 555 miles (Approx: 9 hours)
*Chinle to Monument Valley is approximately 92 miles (1.5 hours)
*There are several hotel options in Chinle and Monument Valley/Kayenta to make your hotel reservations. The workshop fee does not include lodging or meals.
Food/Dining: With food and nutrients in mind, we'll makes sure you have plenty on hand for your needs. In Chinle and at Goulding's, there are restaurants and grocery stores. For some of our longer drives and excursions that may take us further into the canyon, we'll coordinate food, snacks, water and drinks. Our longest walk will be about 15-20 minutes. IF you have questions or concerns about the terrain and your ability to get there, please contact me to have a better conversation. Email: mylo@fourthworldimages.com
Camera Gear and Recommendations
* Tripod. There is a reason this number one. IF you are in search for a tripod, let me know. I use different tripods that range and differ from using my 8x10, 4x5, Fuji 617 Panoramic, Nikon D810....If you need some help with a right tripod/camera head, contact me as well. I also have 5 different systems I use for specific images and cameras. Bring a tripod!
*Lenses: Anything from 24mm to 300mm will be fine if you have a full frame camera. We may not use the focal ranges from 200mm-300mm as much as the wider angle lenses but there will be opportunities to bring them out. If you have wider lenses than 24mm, I highly recommend bringing them especially a 14-24 lens! IF you don't have those lenses, I highly recommend looking into renting them for this workshop. Renting will be a valuable thing to do. (You can contact Pictureline in Salt Lake City if needed. They've helped me a ton when my attendee's need lenses they don't have. Pictureline: (800) 748-8200 www.Pictureline.com
*Filters: Polarizer, a 2 or 3 "soft stop" GND (Graduated Neutral Density). I personally use these two filters the most when photographing. If you are looking to invest in filters, I absolutely live and breath Singh-Ray Filters. I've personally tested many and know the optical quality is spot on but above all, the color accuracy is best which is minimized by the color cast! As my workshop attendee, you will receive a discount code for your purchase(s).
*Everything to charge your gear. Camera's, GoPro's, laptop's, tablets....etc. I will have my Goal Zero Sherpa 100W and Yeti 400W with me if you need to charge anything, I've got you covered. These are the best systems on the planet to "power anything anywhere" - the beauty of solar power!
*Cable Releases. Some of our locations will require long shutter speeds. With some new filters from Singh-Ray Filters such as the 5, 10 and 15 stop, we may work on having long exposures even in afternoon light. Most camera's also come with built in 2 or 5 second shutter release. The only set back is you may be limited to only a 30 second shutter speed. IF we need more than 30 seconds, you're going to need a cable release.
Once we get closer to the workshop date, I will send you more information with updates, road and route conditions, itinerary changes (if needed) and overall, more communication for your time on the workshop.
I want to make sure all is in order for you to have a great time photographing places I love back home.
See you on Navajoland,
Mylo
