CLASS WILL BE HELD FRIDAY JUNE 21 AND SUNDAY JUNE 23, 2024 at the Estelle Creative Arts Center, La Veta, CO.

• Learn what makes a great landscape photo.

• Learn how to recognize and compose great landscape photos.

• Learn where and when to find the best opportunities to take landscape photos.

• Learn to identify why your photos are great, and how to improve those that are not so great.

• Learn the basics of processing your photos for better results.

• Put what you learn into action on a “Dells and Dunes” field trip.

• Enjoy a fun, interactive, informative classroom in a supportive, encouraging group setting.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR: This class is geared to advanced beginners and enthusiasts. All are welcome but it is recommended that participants should have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a sturdy tripod, lenses covering 24mm to 300mm, and a backpack to carry their gear. Participants will be invited to join the instructor on a field trip involving moderate hiking of approximately 1 mile over mostly level ground. 

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Jason Barnes is a landscape photographer focused on capturing fleeting moments of light, atmosphere, and the grandeur of the natural world. From the mountain west and desert southwest to global destinations as far away as Patagonia and New Zealand, he prefers to explore the landscape alone, immersing himself in solo camping and hiking to explore and find new images, both grand and intimate. His goal with every image is to transport the viewer, to let them walk in his boots, to give them the feeling of being there in that moment.

WHERE: Estelle Center for Creative Arts, 105 W Ryus Ave., La Veta, CO 81055

WHEN: The class will span 3 days, June 14, 15, and 16. The schedule will be:

• Friday June 21: Class from 12:00PM to 5:00PM (including light lunch)

• Friday June 21: Group dinner at Stiano Italian Trattoria at 6:00PM (group reservation; individual payment)

• Saturday June 22: “Dells and Dunes” field trip or individual shoot (dawn to dusk; see next page for details)

• Sunday June 23: Class from 8:00AM to 12:00PM (including light breakfast)

COST: The fee is $500 per participant and includes class instruction, lunch on Friday, breakfast Sunday, and coffee, tea, and water during class. All other meals are the responsibility of participants. Should you choose to go on the field trip, transportation is the responsibility of participants with car-pooling encouraged.

DEADLINES: Participants must register with Estelle Center for Creative Arts. CLICK to register.

DELLS AND DUNES FIELD TRIP – JUNE 22, 2024

Saturday is for shooting! Participants are encouraged to put what they learn on Friday to immediate use. Though participants are free to shoot where, when, and with whom they like, all participants are invited to join Jason on a morning shoot in a misty fern dell near Cuchara (top images below) and again in the afternoon–sunset in one of the most photogenic places in the country, The Great Sand Dunes National Park (lower images below).

A photo trip is a great way to make friends, learn, explore, share tips, and enjoy a few laughs. Expect much discussion of the prior day’s lessons as we search for compositions and make lens and exposure choices. The images you shoot on Saturday will be the subject of discussion in class on Sunday.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is subject to change and will be discussed in class on Friday. However, if you want to join Jason at the dell, we will meet at the Cuchara Mountain Park upper parking lot (1234 Panadero Ave, Cuchara, CO 81055) at 630AM to catch the mist and light. Those who want to join Jason at the dunes should plan on meeting at the Great Sand Dunes Oasis gas station (7800 Highway 150 North Mosca Colorado 81146) at 1PM and heading back to La Veta after sunset around 9PM. This makes for a long day, but you can leave early if you wish.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The dell is an easy walk (slightly uphill) from the upper parking lot at the Cucharas Mountain Park. The dunes can be more physically challenging. There is an easy hike out onto the flats to photograph the dunes through our long lenses (the best place to be at sunset!). Some may choose a more strenuous hike out into the dune field for some stunning compositions at all focal lengths. Another option is a moderate (but wet) hike to photograph the Zapata Falls in its slot canyon.

GEAR: The dell favors wide and medium zoom lenses handheld or on tripods and a good pair of boots as there will be lots of dew. You’ll likely want a jacket as it is around 9000’ in elevation. Shooting the dunes from the flats favors very long lenses of 200-600mm on tripods and the same sturdy boots. In the middle of the dune field, compositions favor the very wide and the very long lenses, but you will find shots for any lens length. Tripods are not generally needed. I like boots with an 8” rise in the deep sand. The Zapata Falls canyon favors wide to medium lenses and shoes you can get wet. Even if it is warm, wear long pants, long sleeves, and a hat for the sun. Bring sunscreen and a 1-1.5 L water bottle. Also bring a jacket for the evening as it does get cold.

FOOD: After the dell shoot, we can eat at the Cuchara Mountain Mercantile, Cuchara, or La Veta. Those who go to the dunes should bring plenty of snacks (I pack Clif bars, GORP, and hard cheese) and water (I carry a water bottle with built-in filtration as well as store bought water bottles). Lunch and dinner are available at the Oasis. With sunset at 8:30, we will want to be flexible and have plenty of calories to see us through.