Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography...

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Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet Taking more beautiful, more interesting, more creative, and more original photographs than ever before! All the benefits of a photography class all the benefits of a photography tour all in one! YOSEMITE NP | OLYMPIC NP | SEDONA NF NEW YORK STATE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTLINE TEMPE TOWN LAKE | LOST DUTCHMAN SP

Transcript of Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography...

Page 1: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

Your Sedona Photography Workshop

Information Booklet

Taking more beautiful, more interesting, more creative,

and more original photographs than ever before!

All the benefits of a photography class all the benefits of a photography tour

all in one!

YOSEMITE NP | OLYMPIC NP | SEDONA NF NEW YORK STATE

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTLINE TEMPE TOWN LAKE | LOST DUTCHMAN SP

Page 2: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on
Page 3: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop

What makes your workshop different from most photography tours

We have been on a lot of Photography tours, and we continue to go on them whenever we can. Through these tours, we learn a lot; about what to do, and about what not to do. And we bring all that experience to you. You will not be rushed from place to place to get all your photos in 90 minutes; you will be entrenched in a beautiful environment where you can be sure you get the best image, and where a professional photographer is helping you get it just right. This is a whole different experience!

We also bring a philosophy, or an attitude. And this is it: Photography is exciting! And photography is so much more than just capturing a visual moment. With time, learning, and experience, you can begin to capture emotion also – the very emotion you feel as you look upon the scene. And we are here to help you get to that level.

And absolutely these workshops are here to have fun! Fun discovering amazing things to take photos of, fun seeing what you capture, a fun delicious lunch, fun seeing yourself becoming a better photographer, and just fun together. You will wish ALL photo tours were like this! If you take what is available, there is no reason you will not leave this workshop a better photographer than when you came.

Remember what we wrote on the first page of this booklet?

• Taking more beautiful, more interesting, more creative, and more original photographs than ever before!

• We bring you all the benefits of a photography class, all the benefits of a photography tour, all in one!

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Page 5: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

Sedona

Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,031. Sedona's main attractions are Oak Creek, and Sedona’s array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, ranging from exceptional photography and spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails. Oak Creek, a year-round flowing creek providing the irony between arid dessert land and it’s lush creek bed, presents photographers with some of the most stunning photo opportunities in the world. Sedona was named after Sedona Arabella Miller Schnebly (1877–1950), the wife of Theodore Carlton Schnebly, the city's first postmaster, who was celebrated for her hospitality and industriousness. Her mother, Amanda Miller, claimed to have made the name up because "it sounded pretty".

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Your Sedona Photography Workshop Coach

Coach & Guide David Westfall Professional Photographer & Guide Text/Cell: (480) 250-2430

Journey In Common Photography Workshops Phoenix, AZ [email protected] Text/Cell: (480) 250-2430 Instagram: Instagram.com/journey.in.common

or @journey.in.common

Photographers, guides and/or staff are subject to modification and change by Journey In Common Photography Workshops. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may still occur and deviate from published itineraries

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The Details

Questionnaire and Waiver

When you complete online payment, you will virtually immediately be sent an email confirming payment. This is the first step in the booking process. The second is that this email contains a link to an online Questionnaire which needs to be completed immediately and submitted. The third and final step is that this email also contains a link to the Waiver and Release of Liability, which needs to be completed right away, and is required to be signed by all participants prior to any activity. One Questionnaire and one Waiver and Release of Liability must be completed by EACH participant, regardless of age.

Physical Exertion Level This Excursion Requires

This workshop is designed to require the minimum physical exertion possible for this location. We try to keep the elevation changes on the trails no more than 300-500’. In those areas where there is some elevation change (all classified as “Easy”), we will travel at a pace which accommodates every participants’ physical abilities. This workshop is NOT SUITED to those requiring walkers, wheel chairs, or other devices beyond walking sticks.

Communication

It is essential that you can get a hold of us, and we can get a hold of you, during the entire time of this workshop. For this reason, we need you to have your guide’s cell/text number, and we will need yours. Your guide’s cell/text number is the page before this one, and will be in the email that this Information Booklet was attached to. If we do not already have your cell/ text number(s) (for each participant in you party), you MUST get this information to us immediately!

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The Details

What to expect and how to prepare

The physical exertion for our clients is as published on the previous page of this document. For those who want to navigate over exceptionally slippery rocks or other potentially hazardous terrain to get a better position, the potential for injury to person and/or property increases. We recommend you bring water shoes and navigate to those special photography sites in the (very cold in winter) water. If you are concerned about physical exertion, please let us know as early as possible and we can work to accommodate you best we can, or recommend one of our Custom Private Adventure Workshops which will be

built to better accommodate your specific needs. Please also be sure that you bring a camera bag, a backpack, a Camelback, or something which can hold all that you will be bringing. You are solely responsible for the welfare and

security of what equipment you bring, so keeping it secure in one place which you can carry on a trail is essential.

Please also be prepared for exposure to the elements. First, the sun. Direct sunlight is common in this area, receiving over 300 days of direct sunlight per year. Come prepared and bring sunscreen and wear clothing appropriate to your needs; bring a hat, consider long sleeves, etc. No matter what the weather is, bring WATER to keep hydrated! Be aware that we

are at higher elevations (over 5,000’), so the air is a little thinner.Be prepared with repellant or spray for possible bug bites. Lastly, there is a chance we may encounter some poison ivy. Ask for the Poison Ivy Sheet and be prepared to be able to identify Poison Ivy.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations are not accepted when within 30 calendar days of this workshop. However, Rescheduling is allowed free of charge up to 10 days prior to your workshop. Any rescheduling less than 10 days prior to the workshop will require a fee of 50% of the retail workshop cost. There is no rescheduling 4 or less days prior to your workshop. This policy is necessary because of expenses incurred on our end to properly prepare for these workshops.

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The Details

Wildlife

DO NOT APPROACH WILDLIFE We are headed to what wild animals call home. We also are headed to animal water and shelter areas, which all wildlife require for survival. The potential is significant that wildlife may see you. You may not see them, but they WILL see you. So, in case an encounter occurs which you may not welcome, you need to be prepared. Ask for the Bears and Wild Cats Sheet for information on how to react if you encounter either of these wild animals. Be prepared with Bug Spray or Repellant for the extra small wildlife. Consider wildlife in what you wear. Do not bring food into the wild (outside a vehicle, except in approved locations) with you. Do not give unwelcome wildlife reason to be interested in you. And make a point to be just a little noisy on the trail; if they know far enough in advance that we are coming, they will almost always attempt to avoid an encounter. In some environments, I tie bells to my shoes to be sure they know I’m coming! And in 17 years of regularly being in the Sedona canyons, we have never seen a bear or wild cat.

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The Details

Rain & Nature There is always a danger of flash flooding in Sedona, and other potential reasons to need to immediately leave an area which has become dangerous. You should be very cautious and prepared to leave if heavy rain is in your area, or is occurring upstream from you. Pay attention to the weather reports. Your guide will be aware of the weather, is versed in what to look for regarding flash flooding, and other situations and signs of an immediate need to leave. If you are asked to leave an area immediately, do not argue or hesitate. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY.

Also, be aware that we respect and adhere to the USFS policy of leaving no evidence (‘Leave no trace’) of our presence in nature. This includes walking carefully through plant life, and no littering. In fact, we make it a practice to pick up litter we encounter and pack it out with us. Your guide will be carrying a trash bag.

There are other important Information Sheets available, if you are interested. Please feel free to request them. They are:

• The Poison Oak/Ivy Sheet

• The Bears & Wild Cats Sheet

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The Details

What IS Included

• We will be providing transportation from the workshop Meet-Up, which is the Schnebly Memorial Garden/Uptown Parking Lot, Lot 5, at 260 Schnebly Rd, Sedona, AZ to all activities, and transportation back to the Meet-Up.

• We will be providing some granola bars as you need throughout the day.

• We provide you with a great lunch or dinner, and great conversation throughout that meal!

• We will be bringing some water, but please do not depend on our supply alone. Bring with you

enough water to keep you hydrated and safe!

• Lots of knowledge. Be sure to take advantage of the group discussions, and of all the individual help we offer. Don’t hesitate to ask! The point of this tour is you taking home skills and exceptional photographs worthy of printing and framing!

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The Details

What you should bring Be sure you bring everything you need, including the following:

• Your camera (Digital SLR or mirrorless) with a fully charged battery and a memory card

• Extra batteries are really a requirement. Your battery WILL run out after a whole day in the field. Some batteries only last a few hours. Bring with you enough so you can last 9-12 hours without running out of power. Come prepared! Also BRING extra camera memory cards (We prefer 64gb cards). If you run out of either, then you will not be able to continue taking pictures. We DO NOT have loaner batteries or memory cards. Please come prepared and don't be surprised to end up taking hundreds of photographs!

• Bring what lenses you intend to use. We would recommend a wide angle, a standard, and a zoom lens. EACH LENS YOU BRING MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH A UV FILTER INSTALLED. NO CAMERA LENS SHOULD EVER BE USED WHICH IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A UV FILTER!! These filters cost $10.00 or so from Amazon, and can be replaced if you bang your lens on a rock or something and they scratch or break - far less money than replacing your lens!

• Any other lens filters you may want to bring. We would also recommend a strong Neutral Density Filter (At a minimum, ND2, ND4, & ND8; I carry a variable ND4-400) for each lens size you intend to use extensively. Many, if not most, of your best shots will not be possible without these filters

• PLEASE make a point of having a backpack or some other way to carry all the equipment you plan to bring into the field with you, and that it is comfortable for you. You should also have an appropriate container to hold whatever equipment you will be bringing but may want to leave in the vehicle, so all your equipment is kept together

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The Details

What you should bring (continued . . . )

• We would also highly recommend you bring a camera remote. This may have been included in your original camera purchase, and allows you to take a picture without touching the camera; thus avoiding camera shake (blurry photographs). We prefer the corded ones, and they can be purchased from Amazon for most cameras for between $5 and $20. Ask us for an Amazon link

• There is a chance we could encounter rain. A simple large plastic bag for covering your camera will save you great misery, and a dry washcloth for drying your camera when necessary. If you want to be a bit more sophisticated, you can purchase something like a Rain Cover Coat Dust Proof Camera Protector. It works MUCH better if the rain starts coming down heavy, where the simpler solution may not work well at all in heavy rain. Neewer sells one on Amazon for $10

• We highly recommend a heavy-duty tripod capable of handling the weight of your camera with your heaviest lens attached. Many shots WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE without one. We have a limited number of loaners – let us know if you need one.

• All other accessories you believe you may want to use. Please keep in mind that you must carry whatever equipment you bring to a site. These items add up in weight and volume quickly. So bring a backpack or something which can safely hold all your stuff

• WATER! Possibly the most important item to carry. Be sure you bring your water in such a way as you can comfortably carry it throughout this tour

• A hat, appropriate clothing, bug repellant or spray, and sunscreen to avoid sunburn, insect bites, and to help you handle rain. You also will VERY likely be navigating some water; so bring water shoes and other clothing appropriate for navigating through moving water (and with your equipment; so a backpack comes in handy here too)

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Page 15: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

The Details

Weather The weather in Sedona is very seasonal. It is significantly cooler in Sedona than in Phoenix, and Sedona gets more precipitation. In the spring, expect cold and occasional rain. In the summer, it gets as warm as in the 80’s and 90’s with some humidity. In the fall it cools off. In the winter Sedona gets rain, snow,

and COLD. Some of the most beautiful shots of Sedona I have ever shot have been when it is blanketed in snow. More difficult to get to the shots, but really worth it!

You will receive a weather forecast by email about a week prior to your workshop date so you can plan, and a second forecast by text the day before.

Timeliness It is critical that each participant conduct themselves respectfully toward all other participants and the staff in regard to being timely. We ask the following:

• Get all that you are going to bring ready and by your door the night before your workshop

• Figure out accurately when you need to get up, how long it will take you to get ready, how long it will take you to get to the Meet-Up

• We will wait no longer than 10 minutes beyond the Meet-Up time published in the email this document was attached to for participants before we leave. If you are left behind because you are late, you will forfeit your entire workshop fee

• When we are on foot in any of the locations involved in this workshop, please keep within visual view of the rest of the group and your guide, or communicate with your guide if you need to leave visibility. It is safer that way, and we do not want to hold up the tour because we cannot find you

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Page 17: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

The Details

Clothing Please dress prepared to handle all possible weather conditions which may befall you in this workshop. We recommend layers, so you can add or take away clothing as needed by the weather of the moment. The temperature difference between the start of the workshop and the end can be as much as 40 degrees. And be prepared for the possibility of rain any season.

During mid-spring through late-fall, we HIGHLY recommend Water Shoes. They are inexpensive, and some photos can best or only be taken from the middle of a stream! Stream crossing is also common in this workshop, and wet shoes equal big blisters.

Be sure you are wearing good quality hiking boots with warm socks. If you are not very agile, during water crossings you will remove your socks and boots and cross in your water shoes (or photograph in the middle of the creek). We bring towels for drying off before putting your socks & boots back on.

Remember a hat, and maybe long sleeves for one or more of your layers

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Your Sedona Workshop Disclosures

Photography Journey In Common Photography Workshops makes every attempt to provide photographic opportunities during the best possible light, but this is often compromised by daily itineraries and travel schedules. Since the best light is just before/after sunrise and sunset when the sun is low, it is impossible to visit all locations during these limited hours.

Instruction Journey In Common Photography Workshops makes every attempt to instruct throughout the adventure. It is important that you arrive with some working knowledge of your cameras settings. Journey In Common Photography Workshops does not provide any classroom instruction. Instructions are conducted on site using walk-n-talk techniques. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out your leader when you need help. Journey In Common Photography Workshops makes no guarantees that you will become a better photographer.

“Acts of God” Daily itineraries may need to be changed based on weather conditions, travel delays and other factors. Journey In Common Photography Workshops will not be liable for any delay in, change to or cancellation of workshops or activities due to “Acts of God”. “Acts of God” means a circumstance beyond the reasonable control of Journey In Common Photography Workshops and includes, but is not limited to, war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, disease, industrial or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, flooding, road construction, landslides, rabid wild animals and strikes.

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Your Sedona Workshop Meet-Up Place

Where to find the Meet-Up Place

The Sedona Meet-Up Place is at the Schnebly Memorial Garden/Uptown Parking Lot, Lot 5, at 260 Schnebly Rd, Sedona, AZ.

Special Arrangements

Many of our clients are from out of town, out of state, and even out of country. Sedona receives about 4 million visitors per year. If you are staying in Sedona and have no transportation available to get to the Sedona Meet-Up Place, we can often make special arrangements to accommodate picking you up where you are lodging. Conditions for making special arrangements are:

• Your lodging must be in Sedona or in the Oak Creek area.

• The number of Special Arrangements will be limited based on impact on pick-up times, and be on a first-come, first-served basis

• Special Arrangement workshop participants are picked up first, and returned last; so your pick-up time will be earlier than the published Meet-Up time

• There is no fee for a Special Arrangement pick-up, but you must be ready to enter the workshop vehicle on-time. Timeliness rules fully apply

Page 20: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

Your Sedona AM Workshop

General Hours

• The AM workshop starts 90 minutes before sunrise

• The AM Workshop ends around 12:30 PM

What the focus is

• Wisely using your settings, and controlling exposure

• Recognizing your emotions in response to a scene

• How you can photographically ‘see’ even better

• Letting go of what you believe you CAN’T do photographically

• Exploring what you can see and capture on your own

• How ‘Context’ and ‘Distractions’ impact your images

• Flashes of light and/or color in your peripheral view

What you might want to look for

• Wildlife and unique plant life

• Water motion and water’s relationship with rocks

• Interplay of differing shades of rocks, vegetation, etc

• Things that help or detract from your photo

• Finding and effectively capturing desert landscape beauty

Page 21: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on
Page 22: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

Your Sedona PM Workshop

General Hours

• The PM workshop starts around 2:00 PM

• The PM Workshop usually ends around 9:30 PM, depending on sunset

What the focus is

• Wisely using your settings, and controlling exposure

• Recognizing your emotions in response to a scene

• How you can photographically ‘see’ even better

• Exploring what you can see and capture on your own

• Flashes of light and/or color in your peripheral view

• Exploring new photographic frontiers

What you might want to look for

• Wildlife and unique plant life

• Water motion and water’s relationship with rocks

• How ‘Context’ and ‘Distractions’ impact your images

• What is required for, and when to catch the best sunset photograph in the high desert

• Astrophotography or Light Painting – dependent on time and weather conditions

• Finding and effectively capturing desert beauty

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Page 24: Your Sedona Photography Workshop Information Booklet€¦ · Your 8 hour Sedona Photography Workshop What makes your workshop different from most photography tours We have been on

Your Sedona Workshop Ending

As the tour ends

Our last stop for the day is the Meet-Up place where the workshop began. PLEASE make sure you have all your stuff together and don’t forget anything in the vehicle. All items borrowed or rented from Journey In Common Photography Workshops need to be returned at this point. If you have made special arrangements for pick-up and drop-off, we will be taking you back after we conclude our stop at the Meet-Up place.

Suggested Gratuities:

Of course, tipping is solely at your discretion. If you were pleased with the workshop and your Journey In Common Photography Workshops Coach/Guide, we suggest each participant tip from $45-60. Thank you!

The relationships we build

It is important to understand that this is not just an event. You have an opportunity to build valuable relationships with your workshop Coach/Guide and your fellow participants. Make that happen! And try to give as much or more to each of these relationships as you take. Our guides have meaningful relationships with the majority of our clients, and these relationships produce encouragement and helpfulness regularly. We ask you to join in these relationships with us. And connect using Social Media; it helps us all stay better connected!

Revised 4/6/18