2024 Zion fall photo workshop - Extensive details
TRAVEL
The most convenient way to get to Zion (where we will be meeting) is to fly into Las Vegas, rent a car and make the three hour drive up to Springdale, UT. Springdale is the town that sits in the mouth of Zion canyon and will be our home base. As we travel to different locations we will do a combination of some people driving with me, and others caravanning behind my vehicle.
LODGING
(with some recommended lodging options)
FOR THIS WORKSHOP YOU WILL NEED TO BOOK LODGING, AND IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO GET SOMETHING IN THE TOWN OF SPRINGDALE, UTAH WHICH SITS IN THE MOUTH OF ZION CANYON. YOU SHOULD BOOK SOMETHING IN SPRINGDALE FOR THE 3 NIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP.
RECOMMENDED LODGING OPTIONS IN SPRINGDALE
The Desert Pearl - http://www.desertpearl.com/en/homepage
Cliffrose Lodge - http://cliffroselodge.com/
Cable Mountain Lodge - http://cablemountainlodge.com/
La Quinta - http://www.laquintazionparkspringdale.com/
Hampton Inn - http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/utah/hampton-inn-and-suites-springdale-zion-national-park-SGUZIHX/dining/index.html
ITINERARY
DAY 1: We will meet at Zion Adventure Company in Springdale, UT at 1PM. We will meet everyone on the workshop and head out for a casual stroll through Zion's scenic canyon. Along the way we will photograph the magnificent colors of the fremont cottonwood trees that line the Virgin River. As many know, typically mid-day light is not the most desirable for landscape photography. With the sun hanging lower in the sky during this time of the year, in combination with the multitude of colors we are able to shoot beautiful images using back-lighting and the reflected light on the canyon walls.
Then onto Sunset. We will photograph a beautiful view of the canyon, which for some reason or another seems to be overlooked by many so we will likely have very few other photographers in this area.
DAY 2: Today we will arise early to catch one of the first shuttles to hike the iconic Zion Narrows! The narrows is the largest slot canyon in the world. To get an idea of what this hike and experience look like please click here. Fall is my favorite time of the year to shoot the narrows for two reasons. First of all, it sees beautiful soft light that lingers for a long time, offering a shooting experience that allows you to take your time and be patient, not having to worry about out-racing the light. Second of all, the colors of the fall foliage mixed with the canyon walls and the brilliant glow of the canyon walls makes for mouthwatering images.
NOTE: Due to Zion National Park regulations, there is no guiding permitted into the "Wall Street" section of the Narrows by any photography workshop providers. Please be aware that all Narrows images you have seen on this website are in areas that we can guide you to.
After returning our rental gear from our outing into the narrows, we will head out to shoot sunset in Zion as long as we have time. Our day in the Narrows can turn into a full-day, so we will assess as the day plays out.
DAY 3: Arise and photograph inside of Zion National Park. After sunrise we will take short break for breakfast, following which we will head out into Zion for a day of exploring during the mid-day hours. This is a great time of the day to photograph smaller more intimate scenes in the park. I love this approach of mid-day shooting in Zion during the fall season as we get to shoot at a relaxed pace, finding our own unique pieces of art that inspire us, while enjoying some of the most pleasant days of the year in Zion. We will shoot all the way through sunset on this day in Zion.
DAY 4: One more sunrise in Zion. On this final day, we will sit together after the light gets too harsh to work on production of the images we photographed throughout the workshop. The program that we will process in will be the most up-to-date version of Adobe Lightroom.
CLOTHING
Average high temperatures here in Zion are in the mid 60's during November. I find myself in jeans, a t-shirt and a fleece during most of the day during this time of the year.
Mornings feel chilly, so I would recommend a jacket and a warm winter hat.
For the narrows hike, you will want fleece pants, a fleece top, a hat and a light to medium jacket.
CAMERA GEAR
-Tripod
-Wide angle, mid-range and telephoto lens
-Graduated neutral density filters (Unless you bracket images)
-Polarizing filter (very important for shooting in the narrows)
-6 stop neutral density filter for wide angle lens
-Extra batteries
-Extra memory
-Battery Charger
-Laptop (for those wanting to process images together on our last day)
Cancellation Policy:
- 90 days out or more from the workshop start date - Full refund of the deposit minus $400
- Cancellation within 90 days to 30 days before the workshop, you will receive a $750 refund. In the event that we can fill your spot with another participant, you will receive a full refund minus $400.
- Cancellation within 30 days of the workshop is non-refundable unless we can fill that spot. If we can, you will receive a full refund minus $400.
