Anza-Borrego Institute of Photography - Advanced

Instructors: Paul Johnson and Ernie Cowan
$325 / $295 for ABF members

Begins: 2:00 pm, March 11, 2011
Ends: 2:00 pm, March 13, 2011

This advanced-level workshop is the second in a two-part program designed to improve the skills of photographers who focus on the natural environment.

Planned to take advantage of the desert in its spring glory, this workshop will take you beyond just "taking pictures" and introduce you to techniques that allow you to create photographic art. Students will be introduced to advanced techniques such as creating panoramic images, macro photography, understanding and using light and "seeing" in more creative ways.

Friday, March 11
The workshop will begin Friday afternoon at 2:00 pm with a review of basic camera procedures followed by examples of techniques you will learn and perfect in the field.

Satrurday, March 12
On Saturday morning we will travel to a dramatic canyon to shoot rock formations and wildflowers (assuming adequate winter rain). This will be an excellent location to work on composition and scale, low-angle lighting, and macrophotography techniques. We return to Borrego Springs for lunch and informal discussion. In the afternoon we travel to a surprise location with stops at a variety of places offering unique and other-worldly subject matter. We return to Borrego Springs for dinner on your own.

Sunday, March 13
Sunday morning begins with a dramatic sunrise location overlooking the entire north end of Anza-Borrego. We'll return to Borrego Springs for breakfast, then travel to Glorietta Canyon for a final session with a whole different set of wildflowers (Again, this is subject to winter rainfall).

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Additional Information
A critique of student photographs will be held shortly after the workshop, and the date will be announced during the workshop. Participants should bring either prints or a selection of images on a CD or thumb drive. The number of images to bring to the critique will be announced at the workshop.

Students should bring a single-lens-reflex, interchangable-lens camera, either digital or film, and whatever lenses (including macro) you like to carry in shooting a wide variety of subjects. Please also bring a polarizing filter, camera owners manual, lens-cleaning supplies, plenty of memory cards, and a bag or case which allows you to comfortably carry your equipment. PLEASE also bring a tripod, both to improve the quality of your images, and also to allow instructors to view and discuss your images in the field. Each of the stops will involve short walks of up to one-quarter mile.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended, and as much as possible students will be encouraged to carpool to share fuel costs and reduce the number of vehicles that need to be parked at each shooting location. Please let the ABF office know if you are bringing a 4WD, as the final itinerary can be adjusted based on available vehicles. Shooting locations are subject to change depending on weather and road conditions.

Photos courtesy of
KATI COWAN and
SILKE THODE

Ernie Cowan is a photographer, journalist, and member of ABF's Board of Trustees. He brings to us a wealth of experience, gleaned from decades of exploring the backcountry of San Diego County, including Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Paul Johnson has lived and worked in Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park since 1973. During that time he has worked as a Park Naturalist, professional tour guide, photographer and photography instructor. He currently works for the Colorado Desert District as an Environmental Services Intern, conducting field research and photographic monitoring.