Bruce Barnbaum photograph: The Rib Cage, Little Death Hollow, 2007

The workshop begins Sunday morning with a discussion of photographic expression as both instructors show examples of their work to discuss the intent behind their imagery, including their own feelings about and interpretation of the scene, the composition, light, interrelationships of forms, exposure, color, contrast, and all the photographic issues that were considered for the photographs. These are the same artistic issues that we'll all be dealing with during the coming week, so laying the groundwork will be essential. We'll also discuss the inspiring landscape to be encountered on our 5 day backpack. Following the morning discussion, our first afternoon (April 29) will be a half-day "shakedown" hike in the magnificent main canyon of the Upper Escalante River. The next morning (April 27) we head out for the backpack.

The workshop is strictly limited to 8 students, a result of the limitations put on groups backpacking into these remote regions by the Bureau of Land Management. (Groups are limited to 12, so with 2 instructors and 2 llama backpackers/guides, the student limit is 8.) This assures outstanding individual attention to all students during our backpack as well as the discussion/review/critique session of student prints following the end of the backpack trip.

At this point the location of our backpacking trip within the Escalante complex of canyons has not been determined. Here is our description for the 2008 backpack (everything else in the description will also apply to the 2009 workshop):

From the western side of the Escalante River complex we will descend down Fence Canyon from its high plateau known as Egypt. After descending 1,400 feet to the Escalante River, we will cross the river (several times) on our way to Chop Rock Canyon, which comes in from the east side of the Escalante River. Near the confluence of the two canyons we will set up our first base camp for the week. Chop Rock Canyon is one of the most exciting canyons in the Escalante complex, with several miles of fantastic narrows and upper reaches that includes, perhaps, the largest amphitheater circle in the entire Escalante region. From our base camp we will also be within easy striking distance of Neon Canyon, a short parallel nearby cleft with a superb waterfall and remarkable colors that give it its name. On the final day we will climb back up to Egypt (May 1...but not the final day of the workshop). This is extremely remote, extremely spectacular country. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity...and you'd better be in good physical condition to do it. But for those ready, willing, and able to do it, the rewards are beyond belief!

On the final day of the workshop (May 2) we will again meet in the private conference room in Boulder's City Hall (just a block from our motel) for a full discussion/critique of work that students bring to the workshop.

The final day is special, with two of the most experienced, insightful and supportive instructors that you'll ever come across reviewing your work—together with input from everyone in the workshop. It will give you wonderful new insights into your own work, how to best communicate your thoughts to others, and how to improve your printing skills, whether they are achieved through traditional or digital means. After the five days of backpacking in areas as exceptional as the ones we'll traverse, it may seem that the critique/review/discussions of the last day would be an anticlimax, but for many it has proven to be the highlight of the week. You'll see why for yourself.

Please note that the workshop begins the morning of the announced session, making the first day a full day of instruction. We ask all participants to arrive the evening before the workshop begins, to join us for dinner and meet your fellow students and instructors informally. We'll get started with the workshop the next morning, pronto!