Photography Workshop with John Fielder
John Fielder is a nationally renowned nature photographer, publisher, teacher, and preservationist. In 1981, he founded Westcliffe Publishers, one of the nation’s largest publishers of nature books and calendars. A former department store executive who turned an avocation into a career, he is the photographer of more than 30 exhibit format and guide books, most about his home state of Colorado. Fielder has worked tirelessly to promote the protection of Colorado’s open space and wild lands. His photography has influenced people and legislation earning him awards from most major conservation groups, including the Sierra Club’s Ansel Adams Award. He is an original governor-appointed member of the lottery-related Board of Great Outdoors Colorado, and speaks to thousands of people each year to rally support for timely land-use and environmental issues. John often talks about the politics of the environment in his Workshops. If you think you might be offended by his views, you might want to consider a Workshop taught by a less committed photographer!
About the Green River - Major John Wesley Powell declared the Gray and Desolation canyons wilderness “a region of wildest desolation.” In this remote place, characters like Butch Cassidy and Flatnose Curry escaped and, even today, it remains some of the most isolated desert canyon territory in the U.S. Rafting through this typical western desert, slick rock canyon with Fremont Indian pictographs, abandoned homesteads, shadow-filled grottoes and side canyon hikes, the trip offers over 60 rapids and excellent kayaking for beginner to intermediate levels. The first 26 miles are flat. As the canyon becomes steeper and narrower, there are Class I and II rapids and occasionally Class III. The trip is rated beginner to intermediate levels. We use mostly oar boats; inflatable kayaks are available.
Wilderness Rafting – Photography Workshop
with John Fielder
Wilderness Rafting – Photography Workshop BOOK NOW
Green River: Desolation and Gray Canyons
August 26 – September 1, 2011
5 nights / 6 days on the river
$1,725 per person
2012 dates to be announced. Call to put your name on the list!
Join Colorado’s premier landscape photographer, John Fielder, and Bill Dvorak (guide), one of the West’s most experienced raft outfitters, on this exciting 86-mile, Class I, II and III Green River Wilderness journey, with spectacular canyon scenery providing unlimited photographic workshop opportunities. Learn landscape photography directly from this award – winning photographer. Bill Dvorak, National Wildlife Federation’s Public Lands Outreach Coordinator will show you firsthand what is at stake in protecting our public lands and western rivers. Become aware of the NWF’s campaigns in this region.
The Photography Workshop offers a well-rounded and highly resourceful educational experience, appropriate for any level of outdoor photographer, but especially for beginners and intermediates. A full, yet comfortable, schedule optimizes field time and helps facilitate the absorption of invaluable, professional information. No participant should feel that he or she is not qualified to attend. Maximum enrollment of 20 people affords quality time with John Fielder and ensures that each person gets the specific instruction needed based on their individual level of experience. If more than 12 people sign up, John will be assisted by fellow pro nature photographer, Gary Soles, further ensuring individual attention. Who’s It For? Photographers of all skill levels; limited to 20 participants. A rafting adventure with curriculum designed and presented by John Fielder, slide show presentation, one-on-one instruction, sunrise and sunset photo shoots. What Equipment? A 35mm digital SLR camera is recommended. Lenses should cover the zone between no less than 18 and 135mm for most cameras, or 28 and 200mm for cameras with full size sensors, plus tripod and cable or remote release. (Your two-second shutter release is a backup plan!) See below for more information about gear.
This workshop is a fundraiser for the National Wildlife Federation. Both John and Bill are donating a significant portion of their fee/profit to NWF, so we invite you to have an amazing week with two of the West’s most dedicated and experienced “river rats” and help protect wildlife habitat through NWF. This is one of John’s favorite western river canyons and he guarantees both amazing photographs and river fun.
NOTE: Tuition is non-refundable and all participants must sign an acknowledgment of this policy. Sometimes unexpected circumstances cause cancellation or interruption of a Workshop. For that reason, we recommend trip cancellation/travel insurance, available from your travel agent or linked from Dvorak’s website, (Common questions -Prepare to Go page),online. Please refer to the Cancellation Policy under Notes, Terms and Conditions.
Book signing and Portfolio
On Friday night, John Fielder will be happy to autograph any of his books or calendars that you bring to the Workshop. In addition, he will have a limited supply of his latest books available for purchase. If time permits, John will review and critique a small portfolio of your previous work after the workshop.
Camera Equipment
Photography is very equipment-dependent and there are many pieces to think about. You have invested a lot in this Workshop. The last thing we want to happen is that your experience comes to a halt because of an equipment failure. Although we can work through many situations with equipment problems, it is best to make sure your camera, lenses and tripod are working properly. Please run tests of your equipment, especially if it has been in storage.
The Workshop is based on using 35mm SLR camera equipment, preferably digital. We use 35mm for its flexibility, popularity, affordability and compatibility with teaching methods. SLR cameras are a requirement in learning how to take control of the picture-taking process. SLRs allow us to change lenses, and override exposure programs and auto-focusing. Following is a list to use as a guide in packing your equipment for the Workshop. Cameras and Lenses – Bring a 35mm SLR camera with any lenses that are compatible. Medium format is okay too. Canon and Nikon brands are best. Bring lenses of any focal length from wide angle to telephoto, but it’s best to cover the range between 18mm and 135mm. Wide-angle zooms and telephoto zooms are best. The most sophisticated (and expensive) SLRs have larger sensors which affect choice of focal length, such as the Canon 5D Mark II. For those we recommend focal lengths at least 28mm to 200mm. However, you can achieve more extreme depth of focus, very useful for wildflower compositions, with even wider-angle lenses down to 10mm for most cameras, and 16mm for those with full size sensors. Macro lenses allow wonderful flower close-ups. Tripod – We recommend the Bogen/Manfrotto brand for ease of use and quality. They make two sizes, the smaller of which works fine for most SLR setups, but for taller people and those using longer focal length telephoto lenses, we recommend the larger tripod. Pistol grip heads are best. Your local camera store can set you straight.
Camera Pack – Lowe Pro packs are best, but Tamrac brand runs a close second. Choose packs no larger than what you need for your camera gear. The most useful packs have a separate upper compartment for water bottle, snacks and raingear. Many have space for a laptop computer, which is great, but it will not be necessary for you to bring a laptop to this Workshop.
*B & H Photo online is a good reliable resource from which to get gear, but we do recommend Mike’s Camera in Denver and Boulder for a complete selection of gear. Their prices are very close to those of B & H, and they give great service and have lots of stock.
Other Things to Think About
While we like to think that we know about everything photographic, we are occasionally stumped by the odd piece of equipment. Bring your technical manuals with you, not only to the classroom, but in the field as well. Read these manuals carefully before arriving. Become familiar with your equipment prior to the Workshop because it will help you concentrate on the concepts we will teach you. Make sure you have extra batteries and that those in the camera are fresh. Bring your charger!
While the basic Workshop format is set by John Fielder and Dvorak’s, the schedule is subject to change to meet the needs of the group.
Weather; We reserve the right to determine acceptability of weather conditions for field shoots.
Registration Reserve now. Space is limited. Full payment secures your enrollment and must be received to reserve space because no unsecured space is held.
Cancellation Policy Your payment is non-refundable if you cancel for any reason. If we cancel the Workshop, your payment is fully refundable. All Workshop participants are required to sign an Acknowledgment of the Cancellation Policy. Sometimes unexpected circumstances cause you to cancel or interrupt your Workshop. For that reason, we recommend trip cancellation/travel insurance, available from your travel agent or Dvorak’s website link (Common questions -Prepare to Go page).
Arrangements for this Workshop are based on 20 persons enrolled in the Workshop. Should the number fall below this minimum, the Workshop may be canceled.
Wait List : A wait list is formed on first-come, first-serve basis. If space opens, we call the first person on the wait list. If that person declines or doesn’t respond, the second person is called and so on until the space is filled.
What IS included in the tuition?
- Workshop instruction, group and individual
- Guided 6-day, 5-night rafting trip
- All meals
- Round trip transportation Grand Junction Green River (Air shuttle to river and van return)
- Information on products and services
What is NOT included in the tuition?
- Transportation to/from Grand Junction, CO or optional Green River, UT.
- Friday night lodging and/or (pre and post)
- Personal expenses, gratuities and tips
Workshop Information
Phone 303-368-5208 / Cell 303-570-7577 / Fax 303-696-1929 DeniseLRobert@comcast.net
Reservations Online:
Jaci Dvorak Dvorak’s Expeditions - Est. 1969
719-539-6851 office and 800 824.3795 reservations Info@DvorakExpeditions.com
National Wildlife Federation – Questions? For More Information – Call Ruth Barreto,
NWF Regional Development Manager at 303 441.5169 or email barretor@nwf.org
