Winter in Utah
2022
February 7th – 12th, 2022
Capture the winter scenes
Arches, Canyonland, Bryce National Parks and more
Winter in the Southwest Photography Workshop
Moab, Hanksville and Bryce Canyon Utah
Dates: February 7th – 12th 2022
Fee: $1,895 per person, $500.00 deposit at time of booking. Balance due by December 15th 2021.
Participants: Min. of 4, Max. of 8
Cutoff Date: December 1st, 2021
Skill Level: Amateur – Professional
Info: workshops@jonsteelephotography.com
Phone: 860-984-3810
Workshop Overview
Photograph amazing desert landscapes over 6 days in Southern Utah. We’ll start in Moab with the red rock landscape of Arches and Canyonland National Parks. From there we move on to Hanksville and the gray sandstone of Factory Butte. Then we move up in elevation to Bryce Canyon National Park and the unique scenes of hoodoos frosted in snow!
We may or may not see snow in Moab, we’ll hope for clear conditions in Hanksville and hope for a clearing storm in Bryce! Winter weather in this area is finicky so we may just reverse the flow and start with Bryce! As photographers we have to be flexible! In short, Come prepared for all types of weather because we will shoot in it and be open to changing plans!
Workshop Features
- Learn how the histogram will help determine how you can capture the dynamic range of your scene.
- Learn how bracketing properly will help you achieve maximum detail in your images
- Learn how to use ND filters in the field and when to use the different types
- The importance of your remote control, whether hard wired or wireless
- Working in the digital darkroom, Lightroom and Photoshop instruction
- How to use focus stacking for increased Depth of Field
- Become familiar with using a DOF calculator
- Learn to look at a scene for differing compositional components
- Shot planning and the tools I use for location scouting and weather monitoring
Workshop Itinerary
Day 1: Attendee arrival day, plan to meet with the workshop group at 1 PM in the Moab or Bryce Canyon area (location to be determined based on weather) for a meet and greet. We will then proceed to a location for sunset photography. Note, the closest major airport to Moab is Salt Lake City. If a last minute switch is made to start in Bryce Canyon because of weather it is only a 40 mile difference in driving.
Days 2 & 3: Up before sunrise, the group will rendezvous and then proceed to a preselected sunrise photography location. We’ll shoot through late morning at which point we’ll take a mid-day break. We will reconvene mid-afternoon so that we can get to our location for sunset photography.
Day 4: Up before sunrise, the group will rendezvous and then proceed to a preselected sunrise photography location. We’ll shoot through late morning at which point we will check out and move on over to Hanksville. It’s about 1 1/2 hour drive. Weather permitting we will do an evening shoot at Goblin of the Valley State Park.
Day 5: Up before sunrise, the group will rendezvous and then proceed to Factory Butte for sunrise photography. We’ll shoot more in the area through mid morning at which point we will check out and move on over to Bryce Canyon. Figure about a 3 hour drive. For those interested, you can take Scenic Byway 12, an All American Road It’s a bit longer but one heck of a drive! Once at Bryce we will check in and get ready to catch the mid afternoon light in the amphitheater.
Day 6: Up before sunrise, the group will rendezvous and then proceed to a preselected sunrise photography location. We’ll shoot through mid morning along the rim of the amphitheater at which time the workshop will end. This area can get very cold and snowy. My last time there it was 2 degrees and windy with 6 inches of fresh snow on the roads. For those not familiar with dressing for cold weather check in with me for proper clothing.
Oh and if we start in Bryce Canyon, days 2-5 will be reversed!
Bring your laptop computer and we’ll review/critique photos as time and location allows, either in the field or at a yet to be determined meeting time & place
Accommodations
Lodging, meals and transportation not provided. We will have overnight stays in Moab, Hanksville and Bryce Canyon. In Moab I would recommend the Comfort Suites. In Hanksville the Whispering Sands Motel and in Bryce Canyon, Ruby’s Inn. I highly recommend making reservations as soon as you sign up for the workshop.
When making reservations I would reserve in Moab for the full workshop. In Bryce Canyon I would reserve for Monday night and Friday night and in Hanksville I would reserve for Tuesday and Thursday nights. Two days before the workshop starts I will announce where we are starting. It will be based on weather, Bryce can get heavy snowstorms this time of year. At this point you may cancel the extra nights that will not be needed at all three locations.
Transportation & Airports
When arranging for your transportation keep in mind that it will be winter where there may be snow falling. We will also be driving on dirt roads in certain locations. If it rains or snows, driving can be tricky on these roads and at the higher elevations so we recommend you reserve a 4 x 4 or an AWD SUV as soon as you book your spot. The preference would be for workshop members to pool together in their vehicles when going out on location. This will help you to get to know other members of the group and to making parking availability at locations easier for all. A maximum of 3 participants will be able to ride with the host.
The closest airport to both Moab and Bryce Canyon City is Salt Lake City. About a 4 hour drive to either location.
My recommendations are that you fly in a day before the Winter in the Southwest Photography Workshop starts and fly out the day after it ends. This will give you enough time to drive back and forth.
Physical Difficulty
Attendees should be in good health and capable of working outdoors in bad weather and at high altitude. We will be traveling in cars and there will be minimal walking and hiking. It is important to know that we will be working in elevations above 8000 feet. Therefore, we recommend that you consult with your doctor beforehand to make sure you do not have high altitude sickness or problems. Because of the higher elevations we will provide water during the workshop. Drinking plenty of water will help to prevent dehydration, headaches and other symptoms known to occur in some at high elevations.
In addition, it will be winter for this workshop. The average temperatures in Moab during February range from the mid-20’s at night to mid 50’s during the day. At Bryce Canyon the average temperatures range from the mid teens at night to the mid 30’s during the day. Keep in mind that at either location it can be colder or warmer than these averages. Pack appropriately!
You will be asked to sign a waiver to participate
What to Bring
- Digital SLR Camera
- Wide-angle to telephoto lenses. I usually cover from 17mm-500mm with my lenses but 17-300mm will work also. Note that for star photography you will need a wide angle lense that opens up to f4 or better.
- Sturdy Tripod
- Camera remote control
- Filters including polarizing and Neutral Density both graduated and solid
- Memory cards
- Headlamp
- Extra camera batteries, make sure your headlamp has fresh batteries also. Laptop (not required but useful for image editing and storage)
- Camera manual
- Sturdy hiking boots and snow boots
- Winter coat, gloves, socks, hat, thermal under garments, layered clothing. Keep in mind that your outer layer of clothing should fit loosely to help trap your body heat.
Booking Winter in the Southwest Photography Workshop
You can sign up for the Winter in the Southwest Photography Workshop securely using your credit card via the PayPal link on this page or by calling Jonathan Steele Photography at 860-984-3810.
There is a $500.00 deposit due at time of signup and the remaining balance is due in full by December 15th.
This workshop will go rain, shine or snow. At this time of year the weather can be very dynamic with rapidly changing weather systems. Due to the possibility of heavy snowstorms or rain ,which may hinder travel, it is possible that we may not be able to get to certain locations. If this happens, were feasible, alternate locations will be selected.
We must have 4 signups by the cutoff date of December 1st or the workshop may be cancelled and refunds issued to those who signed up.
Final payment is due by no later then December 15th
No refunds will be issued after the cutoff date of December 1st unless it is a result of Jonathan Steele Photography cancelling the Winter in the Southwest Photography Workshop.