Workshops are an excellent way to learn new skills, see new places, and make new friends, all while making new and exciting images.  I've taught workshops for over 25 years and consider myself an excellent and knowledgeable instructor.  I use a process of inquiry starting with the question "What am I responding to?" backed up by technical skills and a good understanding of universal skills in art applied to photography to guide participants in the making of personally meaningful photographs. 

All workshops contain the following elements:

     1-   Great Instruction!  My goal as instructor is to enhance and extend your personal vision with technical and aesthetic information.  My teaching process is not a formula, but a well thought out series of questions and considerations that will lead you to make photographs that are more "you" during the workshop and from then on.  Field Instruction takes two forms.  Group Presentations will be made on selected subjects including Composition, Metering, Image Dynamics, etc.  Each day will include One-on-One sessions where, with your camera on a tripod, we'll talk through the evolution of your composition.  Indoor Instruction (at a motel or camp!) will include Feature Presentations, Guest Speakers, Portfolio Review (slides/prints/laptop/projection), Equipment Check and will often be enhanced by a media presentation.

     2-    Selected Exercises and Assignments will be used to stimulate creativity.  These will be reinforced by Reference Hand-Outs.

     3-    Stimulating Locations!!  I have spend 30+ years roaming the Southwest, especially the Colorado Plateau.  We will visit little and internationally known locations as per our need in times of optimal light and we always travel in an environmentally friendly manner.

     4-   Cultural and Natural History Knowledge -  Guest speakers and myself have a good working knowledge of the archaeology, geology and natural history of the area.  I have worked among the Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo for 25+ years and will share my experiences and understanding of these dynamic cultures with you.  All of this additional information translates into a better photograph at some stage.

     5-    And lastly we'll enjoy good food and great camaraderie as we share a marvelous experience in a truly fantastic landscape!

My workshops emphasize WORK.  We work at making good compositions.  We work a setting, as it's better to visit a singleor a few areas for a length of time and really see it than to be quickly sporting around to a check off a list of "to do" places, making quick photos, but not considered photographs.  We work with tripods in the field so we can share viewfinders and talk about the photographs as they are made.  We work with each other to have an enjoyable time.  Work is defined by Webster as "the expenditure of energy.."  You'll only get out of this what you put into it, so come prepared with questions and curiousity and be ready to go home with a satisfied smile on your face.....and some grand new images!

Workshop content emphasizes COMPOSITION and the aesthetic, personal, emotional content of a photograph.  Why bother making photographs if they don't move YOU?  Image content is strongly reinforced by technique and newly emerging technical considerations.  Exposure, metering, the histogram, filters, lensing, film and print processing, Photoshop, Lightroom and digital printing are all elements of a well-rounded workshop experience. 

Each year I offer several scheduled workshops through either myself, the Moab Photography Symposium or another institution.  I have conducted photographic workshops for the Museum of Northern Arizona, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, the Smithsonian Institution, Canyonlands Field Institute and the Four Corners School of Outdoor Education. 

Some are motel-based (Moab, Bluff, etc) while others are more in the expedition mode and require car-camping.......yahoo!!

You can download information about them here. (see right column)

Custom Workshops and Tours can be arranged for groups or individuals and I delight in tailoring travel, locations and presentations to fit your specific needs.  A custom workshop can be made DELUXE or ECONOMICAL. 

The DELUXE version includes ground transportation and meals (when in the field) provided by a licensed third party guide (Far Out Expeditions in Bluff, Tag-A-Long Tours in Moab, etc), all entrance and instructional fees, and lodging.  Guest speakers can be added at cost.  Travel costs to the workshop base and town-based dinners are not included.

The ECONOMICAL version places the responsibility for lodging, travel, food and any additional fees on each participant.  Participants only pay the Instructor's Fee and associated expenses.

FILM USERS: For workshops based in or returning to Moab we can offer E6 and B&W film processing via Brian Parkin Photography.  If you prefer processing your own B&W film, my personal darkroom is available.