Where | The park | Who for | The Schedule | The Cost |
Yosemite in winter
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A 5-Day Landscape Photography Workshop in
Beautiful Yosemite Valley
Conducted by Steve Kossack
February 15 -19, 2012
The Yosemite Valley in winter!
Half Dome, Mirror Lake, El Capitan, Horsetail Fall, Yosemite Falls,
Tunnel View, Valley View and more!
This workshop is a "door to door" experience!
-We take care of it all! We pick you up at the airport, provide all transportation during the workshop and transport you back to the airport at the close of the workshop! All transportation to shooting locations AND your lodging is included!-
All the valley floor landmarks!
5 days of dedicated field fine art landscape photography!
Feb 15 - 19, 2012
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About the Expedition
and Workshop
Steve Kossack: Photographing the Great American Landscape series and the Master workshop DVD Every Picture Tells A Story, presents a 5-day workshop in the spectacular and beautiful wonderland that is Yosemite valley in winter. As viewed in the DVD Yosemite in Winter, from Wednesday February 15, 2012 thru Sunday February 19, we will be photographing and exploring some of the most beautiful country on earth! This is a unique opportunity to explore Yosemite at a leisurely pace mostly on foot. We will be chasing color and light in a three thousand foot deep, seven mile long canyon of granite. One of the most photographed places in the world will be ours to photograph.
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| Experience the magic .. | of winter.. | in this wonderland! |
Our workshop will be based at the beautiful Yosemite Lodge. We will have Deluxe Accommodations, the best that the Yosemite lodge has to offer! With it's breathtaking
location in the very center of the valley, and situated just below Yosemite Falls, our workshop will have the best of all worlds. Come join us as we experience the best at this first class hotel in the heart of paradise! We stroll, walk and hike the valley floor while talking about and doing landscape photography during the day in addition to doing sunrise and sunset together. See and discover the hidden treasures as we cover the valley from one end to the other!
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| The Merced River after a fresh snowfall. |
Southwest photographer Steve Kossack will lead this workshop. It’s size and design will lend itself the flexibility to travel and photograph the available light and color of this exciting area during our 5-day shoot.
Where is Yosemite Valley?
Found in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. This magical valley is centered in Yosemite National Park, one of the nations largest. The San Francisco bay area on the west and Reno on the east surround it. To the north is the capitol city of California, Sacramento.
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| The glow of winter light! |
Valley View
With it’s breathtaking view of El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls, this magical photographic location is a sure bet to be on our sunrise/sunset list.
The Merced River
The Merced River is the life and flow of Yosemite Valley. Its course forms the center of the Valley after it’s descent over Nevada and Vernal Falls. We are certain to spend many hours strolling its banks and framing its beauty in our viewfinders.
Horsetail Fall
Last year this was the highlight of our workshop as featured on the DVD Yosemite in Winter, this spectacular sight is seldom seen but much anticipated. If everything falls (excuse the pun) into place we might just get another look ... and photograph!
Curry Village
We will visit this historic location with it's canvas tents! Yosemite's visitor history and its oldest and most famous accommodations heightens the essence of being in the Valley. It’s all part of the Yosemite tradition! Lot's of photographic opportunity too!
Half Dome
The Yosemite signature Landmark dominates most Valley Views. Standing at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome rises to an elevation of 8,842 ft. Seeing Half Dome with a blanket of snow is a sight not to be missed. And you won’t!
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| Nothing .. | compares with the grand majesty of the monolith .. | .that is Half Dome! |
The Falls
Bridalveil, Yosemite, Vernal and many more. Yes, we'll see and photograph all of them. Horsetail Falls with afternoon light is also a possibility in February.
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| The right time ... | at the right place! |
"Steve provided an excellent workshop that challenged me and provided an opportunity to capture great images. His experience in remote areas during different seasons was invaluable for being where you needed to be at the right time" ... Russell Rosenberg
"In addition to the great instructor, the experience of being with a group of outstanding landscape photographers and seeing portfolios of their past work was invaluable" ...Edward T Stickle
Read more of what others say about all our workshops
Who Is This Trip For?
This is a unique combination:
It’s for Singles and couples and most importantly, Yosemite lovers!
It’s a photography workshop. Our itinerary will include leisurely strolls, walks or hikes depending on conditions. We'll do all that is possible in the time permitted! There is usually not much "down time!" It’s an end to a holiday weekend leading to 5 days of photo magic!
It’s a traditional photography workshop.
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It’s for you if:
You like working in the field from sunrise to sunset.
You Want to learn about landscape location and light.
You want to learn about equipment and strategies used in landscape photography.
You like traveling with like minded people, and making images and new friends.
This Workshop
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| Horsetail fall is only seen in February. |
Horsetail fall is only seen in February. Some years we get lucky!
This workshop is small by design. We will explore as much of this magnificent valley mostly on foot or vehicle as possible. We will cover as much as 5 miles a day of the valley trails, however you can do as much or a little as you like. A Sunrise and sunset opportunity will be a part of each day. Our days will be spent strolling the valley floor. This workshop will allow for ALL levels of photographic experience. There will be no lectures or product endorsements. Personal instruction will be available at all times. The opportunity to photograph and share with the group will always be present. A Print discussion of participants work will be a part of our workshop. We plan to be in the field from before sunrise to after sunset with a few breaks during the day. There is usually little "down time".
Weather, Equipment, Etc.
No one can predict weather in the Sierra. It might be mild in the daylight hours with cold mornings and chilly nights. We might find snowstorms! The region is a land of changing weather. Our hope is always for snow on the ground and passing weather with warm afternoons, however, this magical location has never disappointed. You can do this trip with any format or type of gear. Digital or film and at any level of experience. A tripod is of course a must.
The Schedule
All transportation to and from Fresno Ca. international airport is provided.
You will need 5 days;
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| Yosemite Valley is the best 7 miles on the planet! |
Wednesday February 15, 2012
Arrive Fresno, CA by midday. Group travel to Yosemite Valley. A sunset shoot if travel times permit after our welcome and orientation.
Thursday February 16 - Saturday February 18
We are staying in the beautiful and picturesque Yosemite Lodge at the falls all four nights of our adventure, Deluxe rooms will be provided for our workshop. The lodge is located at the foot of Yosemite Falls and is central to all our shooting. All walks and sunrise/sunsets shoots will be at your option. This workshop will be paced to take in the winter splendor. We will be taking advantage of any and all weather situations open to us. We will be driving to most sunrise and sunset locations. We will certainly photograph Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge at sunset. Sunrises from both Tunnel View and Valley View will most likely be the highlight of the trip. We will be strolling the meadows during the daylight hours looking for light and color. The trail system in the valley is very good and mostly level. Some of our strolls will be a few yards and some, a few miles. We are hoping to go up the mist trail at least as far as the bridge to photograph Vernal Falls. Our group size will make it possible to do many things, in all directions. From seeing the piano that Ansel Adams played in the Ahwahnee hotel, to Yosemite Village for an ice cream, Yosemite Valley is a great place to just walk, and we’ll do a lot of it. For a preview see the clips from our DVD Yosemite in Winter.
Sunday February 19, 2012
A sunrise shoot (dependant on departure times) and our return trip to Fresno.
Please Remember....
February in Yosemite is unpredictable. We may be subject to road closures but they are infrequent. The valley usually sees only a few inches of snow at a time and it quickly clears making for wonderful images. We will be traveling in 4-wheel drive SUV’s and do not expect weather conditions to be of concern. However, anything is possible in winter. Bring warm clothes, smiles, lots of film or bytes. We'll cover between 3 and 5 miles a day casually on foot together with our photo gear. There will breaks in the day. The days will most likely begin well before sunrise and end well after sunset.
The Cost
The cost of this trip is U.S. $2,695. This includes all transportation to and from all shooting locations as well as pick up and drop off at Fresno CA. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from Fresno. Your Yosemite Lodge Deluxe accommodations are included. All Rooms are shared (2 participants to a room). If a private room is necessary there is an additional charge of $800. limed availablity at time of registration exists. Register early!.
Although we will most likely eat our meals together, sometimes a break is nice. Therefore, you will be responsible for the cost of your own meals.
Bring film and /or bytes & food money and we'll take care of the rest. The workshop fee of $2,695 will be required when you register. If you need to cancel, a full refund (less $200) will be available, but only if a replacement for you can be found in time.
If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund. With very limited availability, this workshop is bound to sell out quickly.
Register for this workshop today!
For more info please e-mail Steve Kossack or telephone Steve at (702)-489-2415
© copyright 2004-2012 Steve Kossack
Client Comments
"I want to thank you for encouraging me to come on the Yosemite High Country Expedition. I’ve looked admiringly at the photos from your past High Country workshops and wasn’t sure I had it in me. Thanks for the advice on training and equipment. I think the camera I brought was a good balance between weight and performance. I didn’t feel hampered by the lack of equipment I left at home. It’s been 39 years since I backpacked in the Park. Things like the mountains and lakes don’t change much, but my appreciation for them certainly has. In large part, I think, because of the time I have spent out in the wilds with you photographing the special places we have been. I would not have been ready for this trip either physically, or equipment wise without your expert help. I appreciate your attention to making the trip the best possible for all involved. Once again, I have been able to enjoy the wide vistas and intimate landscapes you expose us to. The other participants were key to this being a great trip also. As usual I learned from all and greatly enjoyed sharing my knowledge and experience. It was great to spend time in the wilderness with good friends and make new ones as well. I felt fortunate to see such beautiful and awe inspiring places and to share the experience with all. As you told us this was primarily a hiking expedition with the opportunity to do some photography. I enjoyed the hiking part and the photography and am pleased with the images I brought home both in the camera and in my mind and heart. Thanks again for a fantastic experience".
"I need to thank you and everyone for making this Yosemite backpack and expedition a blast. I had so much fun, without laughing, in the real world it would be classified as being "Illegal!" Please pass on my thanks and gratitude for making this the best trip ever for me. Steve you did a great job of keeping us all on track without getting too technical, a fine balancing act if I may say so. This trip was not just a job for you, it is a deep passion. I wait until the next one!"
All I can say is 'THANKS' and it was my honor and pleasure to be part of Team Kossack through the Yosemite High Country. I had a fantastic time and the memories are still vivid."