Monument Valley in spring ....Photography Expedition and Workshop
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| Sunset from Hunts Mesa Monument Valley |
This is the real deal!
SEE AND PHOTOGRAPH
THE ENTIRE
MONUMENT AND MYSTERY VALLEY AREA
A 5-day expedition and exploration of color and light
Monument Valley
Mystery Valley- The Totem poles and sand dunes- Hunts Mesa
ancient ruins- native models, customs and traditions
And Much More!
Monument Valley in Spring!
A Limited Availability 5-Day Landscape Photography Field Workshop.
May 15-19, 2008
Conducted by Steve Kossack
With our Navajo guides and outfitter
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Where is Monument Valley | Who is this Trip for | The Schedule | The Cost
About The Workshop
F-8 And Be There workshops and tours presents a very special opportunity, limited availability, expedition and workshop workshop in spectacular and colorful Monument Valley. Come see the magic for yourself! Now is your chance to photograph one of most sought after photographic location in the country!
This is where the west comes alive!
From Thursday May 15th, through Monday May 19, 2008 we will be photographing and exploring some of the most exciting terrain in the west. We will be chasing color and light from The Totem Poles to the heights of Hunts Mesa. These hidden treasures of the Navajo nation are not open to the public!
This is the one that you have been waiting for! Not just a quick stop or a short trip over public roads, this is the complete Monument Valley - Mystery Valley experience! Come and see where most of the great landscape photography of the area originated. Make the most of your photo time. We will be spending two nights and almost three continuous days inside the park! There will little or no "down time". Thousands of images will be made during our expedition together!
The classic Monument Valley image ...The Mittens at Sunrise
Southwest photographer and host of the DVD series ...
Steve Kossack: Photographing the Great American Landscape will lead this workshop along with our Navajo guides. 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 . This workshop's size and design will provide the flexibility to travel and photograph the available terrain, light and color during our 5 day shoot. The principal discipline will be landscape photography in the field.
Making the most of this rare opportunity
This is the land of the Navajo. Our expedition and workshop will be "on and of the landscape and its people." We will have two nights camping with all provisions provided by our outfitters on Hunts Mesa and again in Mystery Valley in addition to our two nights hotel stay in the area. This will allow us the ultimate experience of the area and give us the maximum time to photograph this awe inspiring setting. You will experience, learn and photograph the customs and traditions of the Navajo people. We will witness a sheep drive conducted for us by a family living in Monument Valley. A native model in tribal attire as well as native weaving will be presented as a photo opportunity during our expedition. On Hunts mesa our evening sunset shoot, under a full moon rising at sunset, will be a rare and special opportunity. Experience the rope ladder climb on our hike up the mesa (optional) as well as sunrise the next morning, after our overnight stay, from this most sought after photographic location.
This is the real deal! ... Don't miss this rare opportunity. Group size is very limited.
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| The first great images of this area were done in Mystery Valley |
Located in northeastern Arizona and southeastern Utah, Monument Valley's sandstone and shale mesas and buttes, spires, canyons and sand dunes cover 29,816 strikingly beautiful acres of the Navajo Indian Reservation. Monument Valley was created as material eroded from the ancestral Rocky Mountains, and was deposited and cemented into sandstone. The formations you see in the valley were left over after the forces of erosion worked their magic on the sandstone. A geologic uplift caused the surface to bulge and crack. Wind and water then eroded the land, and the cracks deepened and widened into gullies and canyons, which eventually became the scenery you see today. Natural forces continue to slowly shape the land. Today it is a mecca for photographers looking for classic western landscapes.
A land of subtle color and stark sculpture
- Hunts Mesa
- One of the highest plateaus in Monument Valley. A 1200ft elevated mesa where views of the valley floor, as it stretches as far as the eye can see, astound the senses. Close to the spires, buttes and mesas that surround the area, our campsite will afford the opportunity of both a sunset with a full moon rising (weather permitting) and sunrise the next morning. An extremely exciting rope ladder climb awaits the ambitious and adventurous among us. Transportation to the top of the mesa will also be available to those of us wishing a more "user friendly" route.
- Mystery Valley
- Unveiling the secrets of the old legacy of the Anasazis (the ancient ones) we'll follow the prehistoric trails and discover the eye catching natural bridges, colorful sandstone formations and visit actual physical evidence of their past revealed by the authentic rock arts where their sacred grounds still remain. See the terrain that prompted photographers to establish this valley as the quintessential"wild west" long before Monument Valley was made famous in motion pictures.
- The Totem Pole and Dunes
- Yei bi Chei and Totem Pole rock formations in Monument Valley are one of "the classic" shots of the area. With the sweeping sand dunes at the base of the sculptures, we will be in the right place at the right time to capture the moment in the right light!
- Native culture, customs and traditions
- While spending most of our time with our Navajo guides, we will be able to take full photo advantage of lifestyle of the people that live in the valley. Tribal models, weaving demonstrations, horses, and sheep being driven under the formations will come alive for us. Our guides will share stories of the great landscape at our feet!
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| Ancient ruin and pictographs |
Who Is This Trip For ?
It's for you if:
- You like working in the field from sunrise to sunset and being in the great outdoors.
- You want to learning about landscape location and light.
- You are working with a DSLR or film and want field advise on best practices
- You want to learn about equipment and strategies used in landscape photography.
- You like traveling, making images and new friends with like minded people.
This Workshop
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| Yei bi Chei and Totem Pole |
Our workshops are different. Once you arrive at the airport it is a -door to door- experience. Everything is taken care of!
Our outfitter and guides provide all camping gear needed. They will also be providing us with food while we are in the field. With the exception of a few meals outside the park, this expedition is all inclusive!
This workshop is small by design. It 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 group print discussion will be a part of our workshop. We will be discussing shooting strategies and use of equipment along with technical tips.
Weather, Equipment, Etc.
Monument Valley in Spring is most accommodating. The average high temperature in May is 73 degrees, with an average low of 47. We've selected May as the best time of year and our dates are to coincide with our camping nights so as to take advantage of a full moon. Since we will be spending almost three continuous days in the field, it is suggested that you bring enough battery power and storage to accomodate that amount of time. Our hotel accommodations will provide for battery recharging needs our first and last nights. You can do this trip with 35 MM, digital or medium format gear. You will want a light photo kit and comfortable backpack for hiking. A tripod is a must.
The Schedule
You will need 5 days. Two of them are weekend days.
- Thursday May 15, 2008
- Arrive Phoenix Arizona Sky Harbor airport by mid-day. Transportation to all locations, including the return to Phoenix on Monday is provided. A sunset shoot if travel times permit.
- Friday May 16- Sunday May 18
- We will begin our exploration of Monument and Mystery Valley. Sunrise shoots will begin long before actual sunrise and take place in some of well known as well as lesser known locations. Mid day will be spent photographing the famous and not so famous of both Valley's natural landmarks as well as many "hand of man" and ancient ruin locations. Sunsets will see us taking advantage of a full moon rising at sunset. From the valley floor to over 6,000 feet above the valley at Hunts Mesa and from Sand Dunes to huge monoliths, we will see, photograph and explore all that time will allow. Two nights on the land will provide special time to understand just how marvelous and mystical this land of the Navajo really is!
See the excitement of the rope ladder climb! This is optional. You will be given the choice to ride up to the mesa or hike it.
The Cost
- Monday May 19
- One last sunrise shoot and we're off on our return trip to Phoenix and home.
Please Remember Monument Valley is a vast wilderness area and is remote. We may be subject to road closures. The area holds many treasures at various altitudes. We will have ample substitutes if our schedule is disrupted. There will be lots of shooting and field travel. The days will most likely go from well before sunrise and end well after sunset. Lots of battery power, storage capacity, film, determination, smiles and stories will be needed. Our two nights camping are fully outfitted. Everything is taken care of. No camping gear needed. Our hike to Hunts Mesa is optional. You will be given the choice of hiking or riding up the mesa with our outfitters. The same choice will be yours for the return hike the next day.
Native Navajo weaving
The cost of this trip is USD $2,495. This includes all transportation to and from all shooting locations as well as pick up and drop off at Phoenix, Arizona. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from Phoenix. Your two nights hotel accommodation is also included as part of the workshop fee. Rooms are shared, two participants to each room. A single, private room is available for an additional $275.
All camping gear will be provided. Although meals inside the park will be provided, and we will most likely eat our meals together, sometimes a break is nice. Therefore, you will be responsible for your own meals when not provided.
Bring your photo equipment, a little food money and we'll take care of the rest!
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| A fantastic photo opportunity | driving sheep at Ear of the Wind |
The full workshop payment of $2,495 will be required when you register. If you need to cancel a full refund (less $200) will be provided, but only if a replacement for you can be found. If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund.
To register now
For more info please e-mail Steve Kossack
Or telephone Steve at 1-928-634-8071.