Arches National Park

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

"A Photographer's Winter Dreamland"

February 21-27, 2010

Near Moab, Utah, both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Parks, are known for their majestic sandstone spires, arches, and expansive canyons. All of which provide endless photographic opportunities. Combined with frequent magical light, a possible sprinkling of snow, and the expert guiding and instruction with Jeff, you can expect to have a photo trip that you will not soon forget.

In addition to Arches and Canyonlands, Jeff will take you to lessor known but equally spectacular locations outside (but nearby) such as Fisher Towers, Castle Valley, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Each day you will be in awe of the surreal sandstone monuments that we will train our cameras on. At least one evening will be spent photographing at night so you can learn Jeff's techniques of Star Trail and painting with light photography.

Photographing this region in February is Jeff's favorite time to make this trip. The crowds of people (i.e., tourists) that are certainly found in the peak season are absent. In fact, in the heart of winter here, you can feel like you have the place all to yourself making the photography even more reflective and productive. Also, compared to other times, the sun sets early and rises late thus making this trip sleep friendly!!! An additional benefit of photographing Arches and Canyonlands in February is the chance that snow could sprinkle the red sandstone providing an amazing tapestry of contrast. Being located in a high desert, the typical weather is sunny to partly cloudy with cool days.

Many of the locations are roadside or require a short hike to deliver us to extraordinary locations. As is true for all of Jeff's tours, you can not only expect to have photographic opportunities be maximized but you will also get significant time with learning Jeff's post-processing techniques. For the entire week you will be lodged in one location so packing and unpacking will be unnecessary.

Itinerary

  • Sunday, February 21:  Airport pick-up. At 5:30pm we meet in the lobby of motel for introductions and dinner.
  • Monday, February 22:  Sunrise and morning photography in Arches . Early afternoon critique and digital darkroom session. Late afternoon and sunset photography in Arches. Evening Shoot: Star trails and painting with light in Arches.
  • Tuesday, February 23:  Sunrise and morning photography in Canyonlands. Early afternoon critique and digital darkroom session. Late afternoon and sunset photography at Fisher Towers.
  • Wednesday, February 24:  Sunrise and morning photography at Castle Valley. Early afternoon critique session and digital darkroom session. Late afternoon and sunset photography in Arches. Evening Shoot:  Star trails and painting with light in Arches.
  • Thursday, February 25:  Sunrise and morning photography in Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park. Early afternoon critique and digital darkroom session. Late afternoon and sunset photography in Arches.
  • Friday, February 26:  Sunrise and morning photography in Arches. Early afternoon critique digital darkroom session. Late afternoon and sunset photography in Arches. Participant slideshow program at dinner.
  • Saturday, February 27:  Sunrise and morning photography in Arches. Tour ends at noon. Airport drop-off.

*Tentative - subject to change.

 

 

Tour Details

Date:  February 21-27, 2010

Fee:  $1895 per person
(based on double occupancy)

Origination Point:  Moab, Utah

Nearest Airports:
Canyonlands Field, Moab Utah and Grand Junction Regional Airport, Colorado

Rating:  Easy to Moderate

Limit: 6 people

Terms and Conditions

Tour Highlights

Six Days of Photography in:

  • Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District), Dead Horse Point State Park, Castle Valley, and Fisher Towers
  • Learn all of Jeff's technical and artistic techniques
  • One or two evenings of star trails and "painting with light"
  • Learn and practice Jeff's digital workflow
  • Experience Jeff's unique teaching style characterized by enthusiasm, intensity, and patience
  • Lodged in one location for the entire week
  • No crowds - Few people in the Parks during February
Arches National Park

Testimonial

"Thank you for this amazing trip. Your skill as a photographer and as a teacher provided me with a lifelong skill set that exceeded all of my expectations. I appreciated all of the effort to getting us to great locations and making the trip perfect. You will be seeing me again" - Jan A.

Canyonlands