Canyon Country Photo Adventure: Escalante and Utah Badlands

April 3-7, (2027)

Tour Overview:

Join us on this exciting photographic adventure to two undeniably unique environments. In Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument we’ll focus on stunning slot canyons, stone arches, and the wonders of then night sky. Just outside the east entrance to Capitol Reef we’ll enjoy an entirely different landscape, and some of the most interesting badlands in the world. There are blue, Mancos Shale badlands, as well the martian-red badlands of the Chinle Formations. We’ll take you to some truly unique, and off the beaten path locations on this workshop in the heart of the quieter side of Colorado Plateau. Furthermore, we’ll have opportunities to practice photographing the stars, in some of the darkest remaining skies in the lower 48.

We’ve timed the trip to take advantage of the early-season arching form of the Milky Way. If you’ve ever wanted to experience one of the most surreal landscapes for drone photography, this trip will be replete with opportunities.

Topics:
All of our instructional workshops will cover two key areas: Craft and Creativity

Professional Craft for Landscape Photography:

• Getting fluent with your gear and developing a consistent workflow in the field
• Achieving an optimal exposure
• Managing depth of field
• Capture for multiple exposure blending
• Capture for panoramic stitching
• Using filters effectively

Creativity in the Landscape:

• Core compositional elements in the landscape
• Creative use of depth of field
• Long exposure techniques
• Learning and practicing new compositions

And we'll also do at least one image review session and share some advanced digital darkroom workflow techniques. 

Tour Includes:
• Instruction in the field: craft and creative strategies for landscape photography
• Image reviews
• Instruction on digital darkroom workflow

Not Included:
• Food and Lodging
• Transportation to and from the workshop
• Participants can carpool

Fitness Level:
You'll need a moderate level of fitness to tackle some of the walking and hiking on this trip. None of our hikes will be especially strenuous in nature, but you'll need moderate fitness and experience hiking in uneven terrain to manage this tour safely. We’ll do a couple of hikes that are 1-3 miles each direction, but most locations will be closer to the vehicles.

Suggested Equipment:
• Digital Mirrorless or SLR Camera
• Tripod with Cable Release
• Wide Angle Lens and Telephoto Zoom Lens (We typically use the 15-35mm and 70-200 most commonly).
• Filters: Neutral Density Filters
• Lots of Memory Cards
• Extra Camera Batteries
• Micro-fiber Cloths
• Camera Bag/Backpack for Gear and Food/Water

Clothing for a variety of weather conditions from 30F to 70F
• Rain Shell
• Down Layer
• Trail Shoes or Hiking Boots
• Gloves and Hat
• Plenty of Wool Socks
• Moisture Wicking Base Layer

Lodging:
Our bases of operations will be Hanksville, Utah and Escalante, Utah. We have cabins/rooms reserved for our group at Muddy Creek Mining Company in Hanksville and Canyon Country Lodge in Escalante. We'll include all the information in the detailed itinerary once you register. Hotel costs will be invoiced along with final workshop payment. However, you are welcome to camp or arrange your own lodging elsewhere, if you like.

Cancellation and Refunds:

Domestic Tours-

120+ days to start of tour = Refund of deposit (Minus $250 Admin/Processing Fee)

120 days or less prior to day 1 of tour = No Refund will be given

It is strongly recommended that you purchase trip insurance if you need to cancel your tour and are unable to complete the tour for any reason. We reserve the right to cancel the photo tour or change the tour itinerary for any reason including low enrollment in the tour. Contact us for suggestions on trip insurance.

Payment:
All you need to do is click the Register Here button below and tell us which tour you'd like to attend. We'll e-mail you an invoice that allows you to pay online by credit card. If it's 120 days or less prior to the start of the tour, the full tuition amount will be due in order to complete your registration. Prior to 90 days out, we'll invoice you for a deposit of 30% of the total tuition to hold your spot. We'll then invoice you again for the balance prior to the 120 day point when the full amount is due. 

We’ll be glad to answer any questions you have in advance of registration.

Contact Us

We’re excited that you’re interested in our workshop. If you are ready to register, you may click on the link above.. If you just have some additional questions, this form to the right will put you in touch me.