Colorado Wildflower Photography Workshop

Welcome to Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. Photography Workshops.

Colorado Mountain Wildflowers

July 14 - 18, 2008

Andy Cook will be leading a photography workshop for Nature Photo Tours to photograph Colorado's premier wildflower locations.

Nature Photo Tours is a new photography workshop outfit, please contact them directly by clicking on their name to view their website and make your reservations.

Do the San Juan Mountains sound familiar? How about American Basin or Yankee Boy Basin? They should because the San Juan Mountains contain some of the best wildflower basins in the west.

This workshop is geared for the intermediate to advanced photographer seeking to shoot Colorado's best wildflower locations. However, beginners with a working knowledge of their camera can gain a lot of experience and instruction. Each participant is assisted at their level. We focus on creating the most appealing compositions of each location. Additionally, we cover equipment, exposure, metering, filters, Photoshop, and personal tips as needed. If you have images you wish Andy to critique, please bring them.

The emphasis of this workshop is wildflowers. Generally, you can expect to be at a shooting location for morning light (sunrise is 6:00 A.M.) and we'll stay in the field until sometime in the afternoon. We will provide breakfast bars, granola bars, muffins, juice and water for breakfast and we will provide fixings for ham, turkey and salami sandwiches on wheat bread, chips, fruit, water and diet sodas for field lunches. If you have a special dietary need or request please tell us. Typically we're back in town for the evening meal and early to bed.

This workshop does not involve much trail hiking, however, it can involve vigorous activity walking along roads and in huge alpine basins. Walking surfaces are generally uneven. You don't have to be in tip-top shape, but your enjoyment will be enhanced by good health and preparation, hiking boots are recommended. Consult your doctor before venturing to higher elevations. A standard liability release form will be required before departure.

Be prepared for possible temperature extremes and sudden changes in weather. Be aware that mornings can be very chilly in July.

Itinerary Outline:
We prefer that participants check in with Andy Sunday (July 13th) in the hotel lobby at 6 P.M. and join him for dinner. You may arrive later but please check in with Andy.
Location: Grand Imperial Hotel, Silverton

During this workshop, we spend two nights in the historic mining town of Silverton then we relocate 45 minutes to Ouray, another historic mining town for the remainder of the workshop.

COST: $1,420.00 - Includes transportation from the lodging to the shooting locations, field breakfasts and lunches. Please contact Nature Photo Tours to make your reservation. (Click on their name to visit their website.)

The Fine Print

We do not guarantee the weather or that every location we visit will be at peak during our visit. Workshop fee does include transportation from the lodging to the shooting locations but not other transportation, lodging or evening meals. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the hotels, lodging and evening meals (please see lodging information below, we usually go out as a group to a restaurant for the evening meal). Maximum number of participants is 10. This workshop does involve some hiking and elevation gain. The elevation range of our shooting locations - 9,000 to 13,000 ft. Please consult with your doctor before attending our workshop. We require a waiver (for injuries) be signed before going into the field, this will be done on the first evening or in advance of the workshop.

Click on the photo to see images of
previous Colorado wildflower workshops.

More Information

LODGING: We suggest you stay in the same hotels as Andy. We are holding blocks of 11 rooms, 10 for participants and 1 for Andy at the hotels listed below. Registered participants need to contact each hotel directly and reserve their rooms upon registering for the workshop. Please mention that you are taking one of the rooms held by Nature Photo Tours. We lose unclaimed held rooms 30 to 60 days prior to the workshop depending upon the hotel, so please claim your room as soon as possible. If you will be making other hotel arrangements please let us know. If you wish to share a room with another workshop participant please let us know and we will pair you up if possible.

Silverton - July 13th & 14th: Grand Imperial Hotel - 800-341-3340
Ouray - July 15th, 16th, 17th & 18th: Box Canyon Inn - 800-327-5080

TRANSPORTATION: Most people flying to Colorado for this workshop will find flying into Colorado Springs, Denver or Pueblo to be adequate, others may desire to fly into Grand Junction or Durango. Ouray our final shooting location is about 2.5 hours to Grand Junction and about 5.5 hours to Colorado Springs.

Driving Conditions: Driving the rough dirt roads of the San Juan Mountains can be intimidating, therefore Nature Photo Tours will be providing transportation from the hotels to the shooting locations. We will be leaving early in the morning when the temperature may be near freezing and our vehicle may be drafty, so please bring very warm clothes. Participants will provide their own transportation to the hotels, a standard rental car will be sufficient.

Equipment Recommendations: Polarizer and split-neutral density filter. At many locations, participants will find a wide-angle lens (at least 28 mm after the digital multiplication factor) to be the most useful; however, we recommend that you bring a variety of lenses, which will hopefully include macro capability for close-up work. Since our focus for this workshop is wildflowers and landscapes, it is doubtful you will need a lens longer than 200 mm. As always, bring a tripod and cable release.

Proper hydration is a must at higher elevations. Without it you will lose strength, energy and may develop a severe headache. To avoid dehydration you MUST drink beyond your thirst; drink even though you are not thirsty. We will provide bottled water in the field, please drink it.

The workshop is in the field, so be prepared for possible temperature extremes, adjustment to higher elevations, and sudden changes in weather. Hey, it's outdoor photography!

BRING
Tripod
Spare Camera Batteries
Camera Manual
Film unless shooting digital
Cable Release
Filters: Polarizer, 2 stop Split-Neutral Density (rectangular, if you have one)
Snacks For Your Pocket
Extra Shoes and Socks
Rain Gear (for riding in the vehicle)
Umbrella (for shooting in the rain)
Oh Yes! Don't Forget Your Camera

Questions?
Visit Nature Photo Tours at www.NaturePhotoTours.com and contact them directly.
or
Call us toll free 866-630-0136
or
e-mail: andy@rockymountainreflections.com

Click Here for the Main Workshop Page