Historic Trains ...Rocky Mountain Fall Color ...
A Landscape Photographers Dream!
Who is this trip for? | The Schedule | The Cost | About the Railroad |
F-8 And Be There workshops and tours presents a fall color workshop in spectacular and colorful Colorado Rockies. From Thursday, September 23, through Monday September 27, 2004 we will be photographing and exploring some of the most exciting terrain in the west. We will be chasing color and light from Ouray to Durango Colorado and everything in between! We will also spend a full day aboard the exclusive Durango & Silverton narrow gage railroad's photographer's train. This is special and not to be missed!
 This workshop will be led by Southwest photographer Steve Kossack. Steve is the operator of F-8 And Be There Workshops and is also a frequent co-instructor on many Luminous Landscape workshops as well as a contributor to it's website. Assisting on this workshop will be Tom Stotler. A fine landscape photographer and resident of Colorado, Tom will be a great resource for all of us. This workshop's size and design will provide the flexibility to travel and photograph the available color during our 5-day shoot. The principal discipline will be digital and film landscape photography in the field.
Where is Durango?
Our fall color and narrow gage railroad adventure takes place in the Switzerland of the Rockies. At an elevation of 6,500 ft. and with a population of 12,000, Durango Colorado is situated in the Southwestern corner of Colorful Colorado. Famous for it's "Purple Peaks and Red Rocks". Durango is a natural gateway to one of the more scenic sections of the state. Durango began as a mining and smelting center during the gold and silver booms. It's is now a cross-roads for local industry, ranching and commerce culture where we will enjoy the Victorian downtown and sprit of that colorful area.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad
 The city of Durango has treasures of it's own but mostly we will be there to ride and photograph the most unique narrow gauge railroad still in service today! The Durango & Silverton. This is a once a year opportunity to have photographic control! Imagine, a train for photographers only. A 13-hour day that will have as many as 7-8 staged stops and "pull throughs" just for our cameras! You will not believe that a railroad line was built here. We will have access to locations that are not available ..... to anyone else ......... at any other time This is a photographers run! It's exclusive, uncrowded will undoubtly yield great images. Just imagine that steam locomotive, it's Denver & Rio Grande Orange cars pulling though the fall color high on the cliffs above the Animas River gorge!
The railroad is part of the old Denver & Rio Grande founded in 1879 to connect Denver, Colorado and Mexico by rail. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881, and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882-just shy of nine months later-the tracks were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers to the mining boomtown of Silverton.
The railroad was constructed primarily to haul gold and silver ore out of the mountains for processing. From day one, passengers on the old San Juan Express, now known as "The Silverton," realized that the views and the train trip were equally precious. It's a ride you will not soon forget, and the opportunity for once in a lifetime images is not to be missed. So don't!
The Million Dollar Highway
 We will spend an entire day exploring what has come to be known as the Million Dollar Highway. This stretch of U.S. 550 runs north of Durango to Silverton and up to Ouray. Overlooks and steep cliffs abound on this fantastic road. This will make a fine preview for our next day on the Silverton.
We will be exploring and photographing the area from Durango up to Ouray and beyond. Fall color and the "little Switzerland" setting will provide for hours, if not days of beautiful opportunity. Yankee Boy Basin will most likely be one of our destinations, depending of course on road and weather conditions
The small size of our group will allow us to determine exact destination and Itinerary in this wonderful land of color and rock. We will chase light from sunrise to sunset. Instinct will be our guide.
The small towns of Silverton and Ouray will provide both photographic locations along with stops for food and relaxation.
To my mind the most spectacular and colorful locations found anywhere. The masters of landscape photography have all worked here. This one is not to be missed for any photographer. And you won't!
Telluride, Ouray, Lizard Head Pass, Last Dollar & Dallas Creek
Fall in the Southern Colorado Mountains!
Autumn is at its finest in the Colorado Mountains. The aspens turn Brilliant colors of red and orange and the mountainsides and hills look As if they are on fire when the sun hits the leaves. The Million Dollar Highway in the San Juan Mountains is one of the most popular places in the state to view aspens. The best time viewing the aspens is in late September and early October.
We will base ourselves out of the mountain town of Ouray and take back roads into the aspen groves that are mines of gold colors and brilliant reds. Ouray and Durango will be the compass points for marking our destinations. Famous passes such as Lost Dollar and Dallas Divide will be remembered long after departing this unique area.
There are many roadways that will be taken to view this annual spectacle. Catching the first light as the sun begins to work its magic to illuminate the golden fall colors and rich greens, allowing for the complementary colors to explode will be our main goal. Reaching high mountain passes will provide us with a vantage point like no other.
We will spend two entire days in this area!
Who Is This Trip For ?
It's for you if:
- You like working in the field from sunrise to sunset.
- 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.
It's for you if:
- You like trains, and fall color in the Rockies
- 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, and making images and new friends with like-minded people
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 print discussion along with workflow and many other aspects of photography will take place. This workshop is open to everyone, all levels and experience.
Weather, Equipment, Etc. With an average of 12 hours of daylight during this part of September, temperatures will range from the low 40's in the morning with highs in the upper 60's during the afternoon. As the sun begins to set, the temperatures will start to drop quickly. Plan to bring layers of clothing to adjust to the temperature as we change elevation during the day and wait for that special sunset during the evening. Snow is also a possibility during this time of the year and will enhance the mountain peaks. Our accommodations will provide for most battery recharging needs. You can do this trip with 35mm, digital or medium format gear. A tripod is a must.
The Schedule
You will need 5 days. Two of them are weekend days.
- Thursday September 23 .
- Arrive Denver Colorado by mid afternoon. Transportation to all locations, including the return to Denver on Monday is provided. A sunset shoot if travel times permit.
- Friday, September 24
- Our two days of color and adventure begins today. Will work in the field from well before sunrise until after sunset.
- Saturday, September 25
- This is our 12-hour exclusive photographers train day. We'll return with cinders in our eyes and hundreds of images!
- Sunday, September 26
- Our final full day will be spent chasing light and color. Our print discussion will likely take place today as we ponder the wonder of what we've photographed in the days past.
- Monday, September 27
- A sunrise shoot of choice depending on departure times and the return drive to Denver.
Please Remember This is shoulder season and we may encounter most anything in the way of weather and conditions. 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 (Rock & Roll trivia will be provided) :-)
The Cost
The cost of this trip is USD $1695. This includes all transportation to and from all shooting locations as well as pick up and drop off at Denver Colorado. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from Denver.
Your hotel and motel accommodations are also included. Two to a room. A private single room is an additional $420
Although we will most likely eat our meals together, sometimes a break is nice. You are never obligated to eat with the group. Therefore, you will be responsible for your own meals.
Bring your equipment & food money and we'll take care of the rest.
The workshop fee of $1695 will be required when you register. A refund (less $200)) will be provided if you cancel 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 or to find out more, please e-mail Steve Kossack at f8andbethere@cableone.net or
telephone Steve at 1-928-634-8071 .
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