Springtime
in Sedona: stunning scenery, world-class photography, our
legendary 'dry heat,' fabulous restaurants, shopping, spas,
a wide variety of well located, comfortable hotels and bed
& breakfasts, red rock vistas & electric green foliage
along stunning Oak Creek and West Fork . . . what could
be more perfect?
How about
a beautiful summertime full moon to top it all off? We'll take
you to the very best locations to capture the grandeur of a
rising full moon with softly front-lit red rock formations caressed
by the sumptuous last light of the day!! We'll instruct you
on the tricky exposures required for stunning 'moon shots!'
Over four
days and three evenings, we'll visit the most iconic locations
in Sedona: world-famous red rock vistas like Cathedral Rock,
Coffee Pot Rock & Schnebly Hill; waterfalls & reflections
along spectacular Oak Creek; the unparalleled beauty of Sedona's
West Fork Trail; the Sinaguan ruins at Palatki, and we'll even
take a short trip across Verde Valley to Gold King Mine, a fascinating
ghost town near Jerome with an amazing collection of vintage
cars, trucks, mining equipment and reconstructed buildings from
all over the West (think Bodie but with ten times as many vehicles!).
Kim &
Derek will guide students to the very best compositional perspectives
and provide nuanced technical tips specifically related to the
challenges posed by the wide variety of photo opportunities
available in Sedona. We'll shoot flowing water, employing the
longer shutter speeds necessary to obtain the classic 'silky'
water effect! As they capture world-class photographs, students
will gain technical mastery of their cameras, see compositions
in new ways and begin to understand the spiritual connection
between themselves and the landscape.
Transportation
& Itinerary
This is
one of our most reasonably-priced and flexible workshops. Unlike
most of our guided expeditions where lodging is provided as
part of the workshop fee, being centrally located in Sedona
gives participants the opportunity to book their own lodging
at a variety of world-class resorts. We will provide transportation
for those who desire it and would like to eschew a car rental
for four days, but you also have the option to drive yourself.
Our workshop fee is less and you have the freedom to choose
your own accommodations. You can even camp out if that works
for you!!
We'll
have no set daily itinerary but we will have a shot list of
incredible locations from which we will choose each day as conditions
dictate. This is our home turf and we'll make sure that you
go home with amazing photographs. This is also a more relaxed
workshop with less traveling and more time for leisurely meals
and rest without sacrificing any photo opps!
Day 1 - Monday,
May 24
For people
arriving the night before, we'll have a bonus sunrise session.
But the 'official' workshop begins mid-day allowing for same-day
arrivals. Most likely we'll be shooting all afternoon somewhere
in Oak Creek and we'll capture a magnificent sunset for sure.
We'll also be carefully measuring the moon rising for the optimum
compositional angles for Saturday night (actually the day before
full moon!) when the rising moon and setting sun will be perfectly
aligned!
Day 2 - Tuesday, May 25
Sunrise,
sunset, vistas, waterfalls, reflections and more . . . Make
sure and visit our extensive Sedona gallery so you can let us
know which of the dozens of incredible locations you would most
like to photograph!!
Day 3 - Wednesday,
May 26
Another
full day of shooting including sunrise, sunset and a couple
of mid-morning and mid-afternoon photo opps!! We'll finish the
day with an extended sunset shoot on this the perfect 'day before
full' opportunity to shoot the moon!!
Day 4 - Thursday,
May 27
We'll
have another sunrise session and we'll have shoots all day long;
participants will be able to shoot as much as they'd like with
the option of making transportation connections anytime during
the day at their convenience. For those staying overnight, we'll
have yet another sunset session and even stay late for the true
full moon!!
What's
Included (and what's not!)
Unlike
most of our guided expeditions where lodging is provided
as part of the price, this workshop gives participants the
opportunity to book their own lodging at a variety of world-class
Sedona resorts. The workshop fees reflect this. We will,
of course, provide transportation for those who desire it
and would like to eschew a car rental for four days, but
you'll also have the option to drive yourself.
We do
offer for all our early arriving & late-staying guests the
option of an additional photo shoot at Sedona's legendary Red
Rock Crossing. It's wonderfully close to town and, with the
right conditions, offers an incredible photo opportunity for
a relatively easy sunset shoot. We'd love it if you'd take advantage!!
While
some early morning and mid-day snacks (yogurt, breakfast bars,
trail mix, etc) and water will be provided to tide you over
on our long days, all formal meals and drinks are the responsibility
of participants.
We think
the optimal way to travel to Sedona for our workshops is to
utilize the Sedona-Phoenix
Shuttle, especially for those wishing to save
on car rentals. It's inexpensive, convenient, fast, but it's
also not included in the workshop price!!
Baggage & Camera Gear (Very
Important!)
On most
trips, we accommodate participants with three pieces of luggage,
specifically one sturdy camera backpack (with tripod carrier!),
a second pack for computers, chargers, extra batteries, lenses,
etc, and one large duffel bag ( maximum size, no exceptions:
36"L x 20"W x 20"H) or a similarly-sized suitcase.
Room for gear is limited in our 4x4 SUVs & you will be held
responsible for adhering to these baggage requirements. Should
you exceed these requirements, you will have to make your own
arrangements in Sedona to store your extra gear.
Participant's Physical Fitness
Requirements
As there
is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with
the outdoors, participants must be physically fit and capable
of participating in outdoor photography in field locations and
aware of any associated risks created by field locations and
weather. Workshop instructors will take considerable time to
familiarize participants with safety precautions, almost to
a fault. It will be the responsibility of each participant to
listen and follow precautions carefully. Your safety is our
#1 priority and if necessary insuring your safety will take
precedence over ruffled feathers!!
All participants
are required to provide on our registration
form current and accurate medical information.
Where applicable, participants will be required to provide medical
release forms from their supervising physicians to participate
in the outdoor physical activities associated with workshop
photography.
Policies
Southwest Perspectives Photographic Workshops, Derek von Briesen, Kim Hoshal, all guides, and cooperating agents aim to provide every participant a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. We act solely as agents for you regarding accommodations, special activities, and travel, by any means, and assume no liability for any act, error, omission, injury, loss, delay, mishap, or damage to persons or property arising from any cause during the course of the workshop or in transit thereto.
We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances.
In the event that we deem it necessary to cancel the workshop we will provide a full refund which the participant(s) acknowledges as full and final settlement. In the event of a workshop cancellation airline tickets, car rentals and hotel reservations associated with participation in this workshop will not be refunded. We recommend you purchase refundable airline tickets and make refundable car and hotel reservations. We strongly advise purchasing some form of trip insurance. We also recommend you carry travel and camera equipment insurance.
At the time of registration, a 50% deposit is required. Payment in full must be made thirty days prior to the workshop. In the event that a participant cancels their workshop reservation, the cancellation must be at least sixty days prior to the workshop to receive a full refund. Cancellations less than sixty days prior to the workshop will be subject to $100 lost booking fee.
As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read the liability release form carefully. Participant's signed/dated release will certify that said participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.
Meeting times, meeting places and itinerary are subject to changes dictated by the weather, the road conditions and other imponderable variables that are part of doing landscape photography. We will be carrying cell phones but reception is not always possible. You are responsible for being at the meeting place at the designated time and have your photographic & camping equipment with you.
