Arizona Highways Photo Workshops is pleased to announce the launch of our new online registration site!
For your convenience, we now offer a secure way to register for and purchase workhop spaces online. Just click the registration button for any workshop and the desired quantity will be added to your "cart" to start the registration and checkout process.
There will be opportunities to provide additional information and make special requests on the registration form. You can also register for multiple workshops, provide ratings and write reviews!
Please contact us with your feedback about the registration site or if you experience any technical problems.
Click Registration Request in the Quick Reference Links below to register by phone or to fax a PDF form.
In This Issue
• Featured Participant/Volunteer Images
Quick Reference Links
Featured Participant/Volunteer Images
Arches of the Southwest Workshop
Monument Valley/Canyon de Chelly Workshop
Lake Powell by Houseboat Workshop
Visit Participant Gallery...
Featured Partner
Arizona Highways magazine
Visit Web site...
The September issue of Arizona Highways is the annual Photography Issue.
Arizona Highways Photo Workshops is proud to partner with the magazine again this year to present the Second Annual Arizona Highways Online Photo Contest. The Grand Prize is an Arizona-based Photo Workshop.
For more information and to enter the contest, visit arizonahighways.com.
Would your organization consider being a partner? Please call us toll free at 1.888.790.7042.
What Our Participants Say About...
Grand Canyon Photoshop Seminar
with Steve Burger and Gary Ladd, August 2009
“The leader really knew where the good spots are.”
— Tom Rust
“This was a great combination of photography and Photoshop.”
— Pat Lim
Summer in Flagstaff Workshop
with Chuck Lawsen, August 2009
“Knowledgeable and effective staff who took time to work with everyone. Good at logistics and good at working with people.”
— Jay Chatzkel
“This was an eye opening workshop. It helped me to improve my photography skill to the next level.”
— George Nakamura
“A worthwhile and enjoyable experience for photographers of all levels of skill and experience.”
— Terrence Carden
Eastern Sierras Workshop
with George Stocking, July-August 2009
“You got us to the best sites at the perfect times with great advice to help get the best pictures.”
— John Koizim
“I have always been fully satisfied with your workshops. They (photographer and trip leaders) work very hard to find and get to areas with great photographic opportunities. Your workshops stimulate the photographic appetite.”
— Richard Trapani
“I liked the location and the timing of each shoot was great. An excellent workshop.”
— Anthony Bove
Visit our Calendar page for a complete list of 2009 workshops.
Request a Brochure
For a free printed color brochure or to have one sent to a friend, visit our Web site to fill out a mailing form. Our brochure is published annually. Please visit our Web site for the most current information available about each workshop.
Download a PDF brochure...
(File size: 4.6 MB. Copyrighted material for reference only. All rights reserved. Cover photo © David Halgrimson.)
© 2009 Friends of Arizona Highways Foundation.
All rights reserved.
All images copyrighted by photographer.
Copy or transfer of any image without
permission is strictly prohibited.
Featured Workshops: The Colorado Plateau Offers Spectacular Photo Ops!
 |
Arches of the Southwest
with Chuck Lawsen
October 12-16, 2009
Cost: $2,095
Register by September 8
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
Few other places on earth have as large a concentration of natural arches as is found on the Colorado Plateau. Arches National Park alone has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as picturesque spires, balanced rocks and colossal towers made of distinctive red Entrada sandstone.
The dynamic forces of wind, water and geologic upheaval have created a landscape of extraordinary beauty and have left for us a plethora of photogenic treasures. We intend to visit as many of them as possible during visits to Arches National Park, Canyonlands, and Dead Horse Point State Park, capturing the textures, contrasts, and surprising formations of this high desert region.
Call our office to reserve your space in this visually exciting workshop!
 |
Sedona Fall Photoshop Seminar
with Steve Burger and Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
Octomber 23-26, 2009
Cost: $1,195
Register by September 8
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
This class is geared toward those who want to learn how to get consistently good results from their digital files, and who won’t mind collecting fabulous images around Sedona while learning! Your photo instructor, Colleen Miniuk-Sperry, will take you to Sedona’s most scenic spots for sunrises and sunsets during the height of fall color to gather images you can work with during lab sessions.
Photoshop guru Steve Burger will teach you easy step-by-step adjustments to maximize the impact of your photographs. He’ll also show you how to make great prints from your images. Lessons are taught in a casual classroom setting with scheduled lectures and free lab time.
This class is useful for novice and advanced Photoshop users, though students should have basic computer experience to facilitate instruction during lab time.
Call now for your chance to make outstanding prints of Fall color in the scenic Sedona area!
|
with J. Peter Mortimer
October 27-31, 2009
Cost: $2,095
Register by September 12
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
The combination of sinuous sand dunes, gnarled juniper trunks, sweeping vistas and the grandiose rock formations of Monument Valley can yield photograph after extraordinary photograph. Ancient windswept mesas have eroded into the narrow buttes and distinctive "monuments" that give this region its name.
You'll have a chance to photograph the "Land of Standing Up Rocks" on two private tours, learning how to create powerful compositions from the rippled sand dunes and massive monoliths. You may also visit the home of a talented weaver and capture a sheep drive near Ear of the Wind.
Canyon de Chelly also provides an array of photographic opportunities. Tthe canyon rim offers views of Spider Rock, and within the canyon it's the fabulous cliff dwellings and petroglyphs that will be your focus as you stop at First Ruin, Antelope House, Standing Cow Ruin, White House Ruin and more on a day-long tour.
Whether beneath a spire, at the foot of a ruin or along a canyon's rim, you’ll revel in the captivating scenery and have unlimited opportunities to craft memorable images. Call our office to register now!
 |
Fall Color of Zion
with Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
November
3-7, 2009
Cost: $2,395
Register by September 19
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
Zion National Park encompasses some of the most spectacular cliffs, rugged canyons, lush forests and sculpted sandstone mountain peaks in the United States. A central piece of its dramatic beauty is Zion Canyon, which has been carved by the powerful erosive force of the North Fork of the Virgin River. This canyon will be our base as we explore the park’s rich array of scenic attractions.
Come capture light reflecting from the cliff walls, ringing the Temple of Sinawava; hike interpretative trails to the Emerald Pools, Hidden Canyon and the Weeping Wall; photograph the prominent rock formations at Angel’s Landing, the Great White Throne and the Court of the Patriarchs.
Wade through the Zion Narrows to photograph fall colors, patterns and reflections — which is sure to be a highlight of the trip! Wading the creek in dry suits, we’ll have plenty of time to get creative with geologic patterns and autumn color reflected in mirrored pools.
Group size is limited to 12 spaces, allowing more one-on-one time with the instructor. Call now to reserve yours!
 |
Lake Powell by Houseboat
with Gary Ladd
November 14-18, 2009
Cost: $2,995
Register by September 30
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
Lake Powell, with its awesome red rock towers and shimmering blue-green water, offers a bountiful feast of photographic opportunities. Its broad bays provide expansive views of lake, sky and desert, while slivers of water twist into picturesque side canyons. In off-season months Lake Powell — known as a bustling summer paradise to water skiers, swimmers and boaters — transforms into an empty, quiet wilderness.
With houseboats serving as base camp, you’ll have easy access to sites within Padre Bay, Face Canyon, Labyrinth Canyon, Weathering Pit Ridge, and Dominguez, Padres & Cookie Jar Buttes. Workshop leader Gary Ladd has years of experience houseboating Lake Powell. His intimate knowledge of the lake and its side canyons is second to none.
Come and immerse yourself in this spectacular environment! Call now to reserve your space.
Weekend Workshops: The Art and Business of Digital Photography
 |
“Shoot-n-Photoshop” Weekend
with J Peter Mortimer and Steve Burger
September 12-13 or November 14-15, 2009
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
Digital images are never right, right out of the camera. At best they need color correction and sharpening, and at worst they need everything! Photoshop guru Steve Burger and former Arizona Highways picture editor J. Peter Mortimer have teamed up to offer this two day digital boot camp where you’ll learn shooting techniques and five Photoshop power moves that will make a night and day difference in your photography!
Photographic technique will be the focus of Day One as you do everything technically and artistically possible to make the best “in-camera” images at the Phoenix Zoo, where there is almost unlimited potential to make great animal pictures. Composition, exposure, histograms, lenses, and camera shooting modes will all come into play. Following the photo shoot is an afternoon critique session, during which each participant will select several images to be "Photoshopped" during Day Two. Each student will work on a supplied computer with Adobe Photoshop CS4. Even though the latest version of Photoshop will be used, all instruction will apply to earlier versions.
Note: All digital cameras are welcome, but students should have a routine understanding of how their equipment functions. While a knowledge of Photoshop is not necessary, it’s important that all participants be familiar with using a computer.
Not only will you hone your photographic skills during this fun weekend, Photoshop will no longer be a mystery! Call now to register.
 |
Photo Marketing in the Digital Age & Digital Asset Management
with Edward McCain
September 26 & 27, 2009
Find out more about this workshop...
This workshop for advanced amateur or professional photographers will cover the basics of creating a Marketing Plan for a photography business. Conventional marketing methods will be covered, as well as the use of digital-based techniques like E-mail and social media. Participants will walk away with the knowledge to begin or improve the marketing of their photography business.
The Digital Asset Management (DAM) segment will deal with effective storage and access to your digital photography files. Emphasis will be given to effective real-life techniques to enhance the digital photography workflow, especially for those interested in stock photography. Cross platform-compatible software covered in the course will include Photo Mechanic, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Camera RAW and Microsoft Expression Media.
Call now to learn more about setting up your Digital Photography business!
 |
Point-n-Shoot: More Than Meets the Eye
with Jeff Kida
October 9-10, 2009 or December 4-5, 2009
Find out more about this workshop...
We think point-and-shoot cameras have gotten a bad rap in the photography world, so we’ve decided to roll up our sleeves and show those digital SLR snobs how point-and-shoots can compete at practically every level!
Take our class and we’ll demystify the icons and menus that seem to have replaced shutter speeds and f-stops. We’ll show you that histogram is not a secret code word for genealogy and that white balance can be a very powerful tool and therefore a good thing to know. We will delve into tripods, self-timers and fill flash. Since this is now photography without film, we’ll discuss the best way to capture your images when shooting, RAW, TIFF or JPEG and then how to best archive them in your computer.
We’ll spend one evening together in the classroom and make a seamless transition to field work early the next morning at the Desert Botanical Garden. After we adjourn for a well-earned lunch at the Garden, there will be a chance to look at work and reinforce your new found photographic techniques. And naturally, we’ll work on light and composition.
This workshop is a lot of fun, educational and very low on the stress meter! Call our office to reserve your space.
 |
Intro to Camera Flash: Environmental Portraits
with Colleen Miniuk-Sperry
October 16-17, 2009
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
Join photographer Colleen Miniuk-Sperry on an exciting weekend workshop aimed at demystifying on and off camera flash. Learn how guide numbers, snoots, and gels can help you make more creative and inspiring photographs.
By working with Native American models, you'll be guided through a step-by-step process to control the quantity and quality of the flash output, learn the differences between ETTL and manual modes, and determine how to balance ambient light with artificial light. Although the focus is on outdoor portraits, the tips and techniques learned during this workshop can be applied to any type of photography — from Nature to Travel to Corporate.
Workshop Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that attendees have a basic understanding of exposure (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) and exposure control, as there will not be enough time to cover it in this class. Exposure control is considered to be foundational knowledge for operating camera flash.
Call our office to register for this informative workshop on the effects of camera flash.
 |
D-SLR from the Ground Up
with Jeff Kida
November 6-7, 2009
Find out more about this workshop and view itinerary...
Do you ever feel stuck in the ‘Program’ mode of digital life? Are your histograms flat and lifeless? Are you ready to scale taller visual peaks with your digital SLR? Then this course is for you.
We'll start with the language of digital photography, then review how the camera works, controls, short cuts and the best settings to use in different situations.
Naturally we’ll discuss the art of photography lighting, composition and timing. You’ll learn how to transfer and save your photos to your computer and you’ll also discover how easy it is to size images for both print making and email.
Mark your calendars, this one is sure to get your pixels flowing! Call now to reserve your space.
Photography Tip
Excerpted from
Arizona Highways Photography Guide: How & Where to Make Great Photographs
|
 |
 |
|
| The proper use of light and depth of field are critical to making a fine image, especially close-ups. The image on the left was shot at f/22 in bright sunlight. Notice the highlights on the flower petals and the distracting patterns in the background. The photo on the right is of the same flower in shadow with the lens opened to f/4. This reveals more detail in the bloom and softens the background clutter due to the shallow depth of field. | |||
Close-ups: Learning to See
by Richard Maack, Former Arizona Highways Photography Editor
Depth of Field
A critical consideration in close-up photography is depth of field. The area in focus in a macro photo of a flower with a wide-open lens may be only millimeters deep. Because of this very limited depth-of-field, where we choose to place our point of focus becomes a very important element. My rule: Keep the tips of the stamens or pistil of the flower sharp.
The stamen(s) or pistil function visually like the human eye in a portrait. As long as the eye closest to the camera in a head-and-shoulders portrait is sharp, everything else can be soft, to some degree, and viewers will forgive it. The same holds true of the pistil or stamens of a flower.
Close-up photography offers a wealth of easily accessible subject matter and the joys of an infinite variety of creative choices in their exploration. The fact that, unlike many other forms of photography, economical options are available for equipment, makes it even easier to enjoy. Just the process of making an image in close-up opens a wonderful world outside the tumult of everyday life. Looking into that world with a camera provides a vision beyond human limitations and a window to not only the subject, but our own creativity.
For more photography tips and ideas, order your copy of Arizona Highways Photography Guide: How & Where to make Great Photographs at arizonahighways.com.