PHOTO WORKSHOP - Monument Valley & Canyon de Chelly

April 27 -
May 1, 2010 with
Chuck Lawsen
Register by: February 21, 2010

October
26-30, 2010 with Jeff Kida
Register by: August 26, 2010

Cost: $2,095

© Suzanne Mathia These two dramatic and magical locations will inspire your best photography. One of our most popular workshops combines both Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly into one fantastic adventure.

© Terry Dew From the moment you enter Monument Valley you'll want to have your camera at the ready. The combination of sinuous sand dunes, gnarled juniper trunks, sweeping vistas and grandiose rock formations yield photograph after extraordinary photograph.

© Participant Bob McGee Ancient windswept mesas have eroded here into the narrow buttes and distinctive "monuments" that give this region its name. Photograph rippled sand dunes and massive monoliths while on two private tours, learning how to create powerful compositions from the undulating, unusual shapes.

© Participant Roland White You may also visit the home of a talented weaver as her fingers move swiftly across the warp threads of her loom, skillfully creating a boldly-patterned rug, and capture a sheep drive near Ear of the Wind. Photographing arches, pancake rocks and other unique formations in Mystery Valley is a nice end to our time in the "Land of Standing Up Rocks."

We will depart this stunning land of giant monoliths for another kind of beauty. From Chinle we will explore the 26 miles of Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto with their red stone spires rising from the canyon floor, such as Spider Rock well known for the legend of the woman who lives on top. The varnished red stone canyon walls will inspire you to craft some of your most stunning images. Add to that the ancient Anasazi ruins carved into these canyon walls, with names like White House Ruin, Antelope Ruin, 1st Ruin, and 2nd Ruin. We may hear the distant notes of a flute player, whose hauntingly beautiful music floats on the breeze, and your thoughts will wander back in time to when the ancients roamed these canyons. We may have the opportunity to photograph Native American models posing in their natural environment.