Know as Canyon De Chelly to the world.
To the Navajo, it is Tséyi’ – meaning “Deep In The Rocks” or “Far Into The Rocks/Canyons”.
Stunning.
Spiritual.
Remarkable.
The canyon, tree’s, walls covered with desert varnish and the echoing sounds of nature is here for us to experience with the exceptional light and fall colors!
For over 5,000 years, many have survived inside these canyons from high in the canyon walls and drawing water from the natural source that flows at the base of the sandstone monoliths. Many of these sheer cliffs rise over 1000′ in height!
IF there was a landmark that was to be the heart of Navajoland, it is Canyon De Chelly. Nestled near the middle of the Four Sacred Mountains that surrounds Diné country, I look forward to answering your questions and assisting you as a photographer to generate wonderful, if not, stunning images of Canyon De Chelly – Tséyi’!
Covering over 84,000 acres, over 40 families continue with daily life surrounded by these marvelous sandstone walls! It is a living canyon.
Though Canyon De Chelly is a place to visit, it is exceptional during the fall colors. The cottonwoods release their leaves into the wind as Autumn is in effect.
Many elements from moving water, fast moving light and wildlife will be available to photograph. We will also be surrounded by sandstone foreground subjects, many opportunities to use telephoto lenses from high above the cliff edges and valley floors will also allow us to see minute details as we use different lenses.
The wonderful light will allow us to photograph many of Canyon De Chelly’s formations throughout the afternoon. I will be assisting you and showing you “what I see”.
Visually, if one has never been here, prepare for an experience that you will remember for a very long time. A gem like the canyon with the fall colors will forever be on your hard drive(s), memory cards and especially in your mind.
You’ll return home having had a chance to make a visit to the the signs of past.
While on our photography tour, our excursions will take us to visit ruins, pictographs, caves and learn about the ancient ones. The ones who left their ways and signs of life centuries ago. With the many shapes found in the canyon, our photographic opportunities will enable us to visually find subjects to include and or exclude to create wonderful images and ultimately, an image to present and be proud of.
Canyon De Chelly is also just over 30 minutes away from where I was raised. My grandparent’s homestead, hogan, corn fields and spring is “over the hill”. Growing up on the “Rez”, I heard many stories of our recent ancestors who fled in and away from Canyon De Chelly during the 1860’s. Many of these families that were very close to our’s, made the long journey to Ft. Sumner – also known as The Long Walk.
Today, I am grateful to know these stories so I can pass them onto my kids, friends, family and fellow photographers. I firmly believe as a photographer, emotion and message should be included in each exposure we represent and share. Whether that is on social media, in print or simply viewed with today’s smart phone’s, tablets and computers.
I look forward to having 8 attendee’s join me in and around my home roots.
Workshop Overview
We will begin on November 1st in the afternoon for a meet and greet from 1pm to 3pm local time. This will allow us to get to know one another and above all, review the itinerary and most likely, changes to location plans that will best suite our excursions. I will cover important photography components when approaching Canyon De Chelly. Some of these items will be universal in landscape photography but a few items will be specifically unique to photographing Canyon De Chelly.
After the meeting, we will have a short break and then photograph the sunset, have dinner and try to sleep – *warning, no one really does since most can’t wait for sunrise!
This workshop will have a maximum of 8 attendee’s. As of April 11, 2017, 6 spots are available.
We will arrive at our locations in 4 wheel drive vehicles. Some will be Jeeps and SUV’s. We will also access other locations in our own vehicles since we will be photographing from the rims of the canyon. We will discuss these arrangements in our meet and greet session.
While the colors will be vibrant and alive, I hope the weather gets wild to add more drama. Could we get some snow? Yes! Though this is my wish, we will always, always consider the safety of the group, the location and respect mother nature. The last time we were there (in the image above), the canyon was closed in the evening due to flash floods rushing down the canyon and we were able to continue again first thing in the morning. IF this is the case, I know where to photograph from or other locations that will benefit the group.
YOU WILL more than likely see a couple other visitors, tourists or those also enjoying the canyon. Though this isn’t the peak season, some locations are only open for us to visit.
Having visited and photographed the canyon many times, we will be going into the back country to visit families and friends of mine who live inside the canyon. We will be assisted with local guides – this is always interesting to say since I am Navajo. Though I have been to the Canyon many, many, many, many times, we will be with these guides who have the day to day knowledge of the back roads and short cuts.
In fact, in early October, I will be helping, sponsoring and running in the Canyon De Chelly Ultra – this is a 55k (38 miles) celebratory run where we begin at the mouth of the canyon and run throughout the majority of it and celebrate life, running, body, mind and spirit.
Canyon De Chelly does hold many roots….
While in “photography” mode, we will focus on controlling the strong colors with sweet light. We will also approach the subject matter and think in monochrome – yes, think black and white!
Though the color will be vibrant, thinking in monochrome will help you expand your knowledge of tones and to better understand and control light. With the variations of exposure values from foreground to possible sky, the range of light will dramatically vary from canyon floor to what lies above.
The Workshop:
We will also spend quality time procession the files with how I see the canyon. This is where others will show their images and provide artistic and positive insight with your images. We will focus on processing the files around the message, environment, Navajo influence and certainly, your feelings.
We will process the majority of the images using Lightroom – I recommend using Lightroom for workflow and some Photoshop. The discussions, image improvement sessions and meetings will take place at the Holiday Inn.
*IMPORTANT: IF you are new(er) to photography, DO NOT feel overwhelmed or inadequate. I promise to take you under my wings. I’ve helped tens of thousands of photographers over the past decade learn, understand and grow in photography. (IF needed, you can read the “stories/testimonials” by clicking here of those who knew little about photography and left knowing more!)
I print the majority of my personal work around 38″ and the panoramic images usually measure 5 feet. I will highlight the importance of processing workflow if printing is what you also desire to do with these images or others you have.
The Field Work:
Canyon De Chelly will speak for itself – how we “speak” or interpret the canyon through imagery will vary. The approach to photography in the field will consist of reading the exposure values, inviting compositions and understanding our histograms in depth to create the best file possible for processing.
Most of my images are taken with my 4×5, 8×10 and Fuji 617 panoramic film cameras – I share this so you know that I look for minute details, slow down and still use the same fine tuned approach in digital photography. While by you in the field, I will walk you through and “show” you how to better photograph what you see and what you want to present to others.
(Photo by Brandon D. – 3x workshop attendee)
Sometimes, pondering and thinking of the end result helps me and will help us work towards that. We will discuss in the field, examples of inviting compositions, unique elements and more than the standard “leading lines”.
Most of our images will be taken on tripods so bring one. IF you need help finding one, let me know. I use 7 different camera systems and each has a specific use. Fortunately, there are wonderful systems that will best fit you for Canyon De Chelly and other adventures you have.
Total Workshop Attendee’s: Maximum of 8 attendee’s. (As of April 11, 2017, 6 seats are left.)
Workshop Days: November 1st noon for the meet and greet. We will end the workshop on November 4th at sunset. We may have a final dinner before departing our separate ways. We will have 3.5 days together so we won’t rush through the workshop.
Cost: The workshop is $2,197 which will include lodging, tour fee’s and gratuity for our back country guides. *Previous Workshop Attendee’s receive a 10% discount.* Cost does not include meals due to the different dietary needs. We will stay at the Holiday Inn which is near the mouth of Canyon De Chelly. Within the hotel is a conference room where we will process the files.
To reserve your spot for the workshop in 1 (one) payment of $2,197.00, click here:
To reserve your spot for the workshop in 2 (two) payments of $1,099.00 , click here:
To reserve your spot for the workshop in 3 (three) payments of $733.00, click here:
*For those going with the 2 or 3 payment option, I will reach you personally to arrange the additional payments to suite your interest – thank you! IF you have additional questions, please reach me at mylo@fourthworldimages.com
Other Pieces of Important Information:
Hotel and Workshop Training will be taking place at:
Holiday Inn Canyon De Chelly
Bia Garcia Trading Post, Rte 7
Chinle, AZ 86503
(928) 674-5000
We will be staying at the Holiday Inn for the workshop.
We will be leaving early each morning and often return after sunset. The workshop will end on November 4th. We can have one last dinner before we depart or head to our rooms. You are more than welcome to check out that day/night or spend an additional night.
Additional itinerary, lodging, weather and photography information will be sent to you as we get closer to the workshop dates.
Getting to Chinle/Canyon De Chelly:
Page, AZ to Chinle: 170 miles (Approx: 2.5 hours)
Flagstaff to Chinle: 175 miles (Approx: 3 hours)
Phoenix, AZ to Chinle: 300 miles (Approx: 5 hours)
Las Vegas, NV to Chinle: 420 miles (Approx: 6.5 hours)
Albuquerque, NM to Chinle: 235 miles (Approx: 4 hours)
Salt Lake City, UT to Chinle: 435 miles (Approx: 7 hours)
Moab, UT to Chinle: 200 miles (Approx: 3.5 hours)
Denver, CO to Chinle: 555 miles (Approx: 9 hours)
Food/Dining:
Basha’s is the local grocery store full of many amenities located “in town”. The next nearest Wal-Mart will be a couple hours away. Bring what you need or purchase additional items on your drive in. There are several restaurants, fast food joints in town as well. With food and nutrients in mind, we’ll makes sure you have plenty on hand for your needs. For some of our longer drives and excursions that may take us further into the canyon, we’ll coordinate food, snacks, water and drinks. Our longest walk will be about 20-30 minutes – MAX! IF you have concerns about being able to walk, hike or anything regarding “getting there”, please contact me to have a better conversation. Email: mylo@fourthworldimages.com
Camera Gear and Recommendations:
* Tripod. There is a reason this number one. Stability. IF you are in search for a tripod, let me know. I use different tripods from Manfrotto and Gitzo that range and differ from using my 8×10, 4×5, Fuji 617 Panoramic, Nikon D810, long lenses, etc…. If you need some help with a right tripod/camera head, contact me as well. I also have different systems I use for specific images and cameras. Bring a tripod. If you forget, I’ve got one you can use.
* Next on the list are lenses. Anything from 24mm to 300mm will be fine if you have a full frame camera. We may not use the focal ranges from 200mm-300mm but there may be opportunities to bring them out. If you have wider lenses than 24mm, like a 14-24mm or equivalent, I highly recommend bringing them!!! IF you don’t have those lenses, I highly recommend looking into renting them for this workshop. Renting will be a valuable thing to do.
* Filters to consider: Polarizer, a 2 or 3 “soft stop” GND (Graduated Neutral Density). I personally use these two filters the most when photographing. Again, if you are looking to invest in filters, I absolutely live and breath Singh-Ray Filters. I’ve personally tested many filters and know the optical quality is spot on but above all, the color accuracy is unrivaled which is minimized by the color cast! (Techy stuff….) As my workshop attendee, you will receive a discount code for your purchase(s) from Singh-Ray Filters.
* Everything to charge and power your gear such as your camera’s, GoPro’s, laptop’s, tablets, smart phones….etc. I will have my Goal Zero Sherpa 100 and Yeti 400 with me if you need to charge anything in the field, I’ve got you covered. These portable power systems are the best, tested and tried on the planet to charge anything anywhere -especially on Navajoland. The beauty of solar power!
* Cable Release. Some of our locations will require long shutter speeds. Especially in the evenings. With some new filters from Singh-Ray, we may work on having long exposures even in afternoon light to slow things waaaay down.
* Laptop or editing system – Do Not Come without this! Half of photography is image creation. The other half is presentation.
*IF you would like to talk about your gear and equipment for the workshop, we can do that. Whether if that is about lenses, camera heads, filters, laptops or items you are looking add to your camera equipment.
Once we get closer to November, I will send you more information with updates, road conditions, itinerary changes and overall, more communication for your time on the workshop. I want to make sure all is in order for you to have a great time photographing places I love and certainly Navajoland.
May you Walk In Beauty.
See you on Navajoland,
…Waiting for the Light…
Award Winning Landscape Photographer
