Arizona Highways Photo Workshops Best of The West 2010

As a volunteer for Arizona Highways Photo Workshops, I have gotten the opportunity to visit several incredible places in Arizona. Last month I worked with instructor Colleen Miniuk-Sperry to take a group into a 6 days workshop that combines the best that Arizona has to offer. The annual workshop Best of The West is a jam packed itinerary that visits over 8 different locations.  Some of these locations include: The grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Water Holes Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, Coal Mine Canyon, Hubbbell Trading Post, Oak Creek Canyon and Sedona.

Moon rise and moon set at Blue and Coal Mine Canyons

Mesa October 8, 2009

Finding a great location to photograph and being there at the at the right time is the goal of anyone interested in getting great landscape images.  Being there with a wonderful group of people that share the same passion and enthusiasm as you is priceless.  That is exactly what happened last weekend when a group of Friends of Arizona Highways traveled to northern Arizona to take advantage of the full moon. The group photographed the moon rise at Blue Canyon in the Hopi reservation and moon set at Coal Mine Canyon in the Navajo Reservation.  The group was lead to the locations by Arizona Highways Magazine regular contributor Leroy Dejolie. 

Preparing for moonrise at Blue Canyon

Getting set to photograph the moonrise at Blue Canyon

 Full moon over Blue Canyon

Friends of Arizona Highways' volunteers at Coal Mine Canyon

Early morning at Coal Mine Canyon

Moonset at Coal Mine Canyon

Grand Canyon - Views From The South Rim

Mesa August 20, 2009

A great excuse to get away from the Phoenix Valley's hot weather during the summer is to drive North and visit the Grand Canyon. In a recent trip, I had a chance to spend more time than I usually do driving through the south rim road from Hopi Point to Dessert Vista. The images of the structures (The Hopi House and The Watch Tower) are two of six buildings designed by architect Mary Colter who worked with the Fred Harvey Company for close to 50 years designing structures and interiors through the South West. One thing I found interesting during this trip is how approachable the wild life in the park seemed to be. The photos of the squirrel and the elk were taken from a fair distance but they did not seem to be bothered at all. The park does make a point to warn visitors to be cautious and not to make contact or feed the wild life. The landscapes images were taken late in the afternoon during sunset between Mather and Yavapai Point.