The 2014 MeetUp News (February 2015)
OPEN for all Project 52 Members and Alumni for 2013/2014
No Fees other than shared costs on van rentals, fuel, and consumables.
Weekend of February 6/7 is the meetup in Phoenix. We will be hanging out, visiting local venues, shooting and generally carousing and having fun. Mexican food and good times figure heavily into the weekend.
Friday we head to the Superstition Mountains and lunch at Tortilla Flats as well as some spectacular views of this rugged area. Saturday is around the studio, chatting, shooting, sharing and we are possibly joined by a few models for those of you so inclined. Sunday we meet for breakfast, and then those who are going on the trip will board up the van about Noonish and we head out to Flagstaff.
The weekend / trip is a blast.
We all pile into a large, comfortable van and head off to Northern Arizona. Our first night is in Flagstaff, then off to the reservation lands of the Navajo, Vermillion Cliffs, Marble Canyon, Kaibab Plateau and more. We spend an afternoon and a morning in Zion National Park. We are up for dawn in Zion, watching the sun creep over the incredible formations of rock is simply amazing.
Then it is off to Bryce for an afternoon view of that incredible landscape. The next morning we watch the sun rise over Bryce… delicate lines of light and shadow are mesmerizing… and it is an event that will simply never be forgotten. Later that day we head to Page, Arizona for a trip to Upper Antelope Canyon with our own guide. The slot canyons are simply breathtaking and you will love being in them. We end that day photographically at Horseshoe Bend… a much photographed part of the Colorado River. Then for some wonderful Mexican food in Page.
Our final day finds us traveling through Navajo land to the East Entrance to the Grand Canyon. If you have never seen that part of the canyon it will be a highlight. We visit the south rim stopping at all the major overlooks, then into the lodge for ice cream and coffee. That night we travel back to Flagstaff for a good nights rest before heading back to Phoenix on Friday morning – via Oak Creek Canyon.
We arrive in Phoenix at approximately 2PM. We start on Sunday afternoon and back on Friday… this ain’t no ‘learn how to use your speedlights’ workshop, it is a van (or two) of people having a blast making photographs of places that few get to experience.
ALONG THE WAY WE MAKE A LOT OF PHOTOGRAPHS, AND WE LEARN ABOUT THE CRAFT OF IMAGE MAKING.
This is not a workshop, but all we talk about is photography and making images. From technical to marketing, composition to philosophy, it is a total immersion in photography for nearly a week.
Zion Park in Winter
Our workshop is being held in February to take advantage of the winter landscapes. Temps range from 24 at night to 45 during day on average. We should have some snow.
Bryce Canyon in Winter
Bryce is always an amazing place, but in winter the added aspect of snow really makes the place glow. Average temps are 15 – 45 in February.
Upper Antelope Canyon in Winter
Page doesn’t get much snow, but the canyons will be quite cool so be prepared. Average temp in Page 30 – 55.
Grand Canyon in Winter
The Grand Canyon is always spectacular, but in the summer the crowds can be as stifling as the heat. Winter on the rim of the canyon is always an adventure and you never know what you will find. And it can change hour to hour.
We do a lot of short trip hiking, walking, exploring and photographing. We are in and out of the van many times a day… and we discuss photography the entire time. If you are used to one of those trips where the leader shows up late and has little to no interaction with you, this one is gonna blow your mind. We are in this thing together and we work, eat, shoot and explore together.
The Book.
I would like to do a book commemorating this trip, so I will be asking for 10 of your best images to be sent to me within a month of the trip. Please be ready for that request, as the zombie army is growing restless and simply looking for something to do.
Prepare for an incredible experience in the most beautiful places in the world.
Join us on this amazing experience, Project 52 Members.
We discuss emotions, not pixel counts – engagement with the images we make, not high-ISO bokeh inverse-squared-laws bullshit. There is a place for that kind of discussion… but not this workshop.
Here we discuss imagery, and light, and emotion, and impact and how to work through an idea and find that moment that brings your style to the fore. We concentrate on the things that matter to the image, to the work, to the photographer. Part philosophy, part style, part pushing yourself so much harder than you have ever done. All in search of that moment. That one moment where it is impossible to do anything but press the shutter.
John McAllister shares his imagery and description of our last trip out on Exposure.
A trip of a lifetime (I’ve heard that from others too) that was informative, interactive and so much fun. I’m overwhelmed by Don Giannatti’s ability to arrange and host such an incredible event packed trip where his infectious passion for photography shines through. Don is truly an inspiration, he has helped me rediscover photography from many different perspectives, all of which have helped to improve my awareness as well as my ability. Looking back, I am pleased to find that his “lead by example” attitude has taught me a whole load more than just photographic technique; these are skills that I will be able to put to good use in everyday life. I feel invigorated, knowing that I’m on the path to finding my own style and I’m eager to show my gratitude to Don by confidently creating the images that I like.
When I saw the itinerary on this roadtrip, I could not believe my eyes. All I wanted to see and even more was included. I immediately started plan for our first trip from Sweden to the U.S. I was not disappointed despite really high expectations and to do this roadtrip with nice and cheerfully companionship was wonderful.
What a roadtrip!
The landscape and sightings are beautiful and breathtaking and to spend time with Don and so many excellent photographers was great. Don is an incredible tutor who always in a friendly, enthusiastic way encourage everyone to push their limits and to watch him work himself was very educational and a great experience. I learned a lot and can recommend this trip to everyone. It meant memories for life and I would love to do it again sometime.
For the finale Don invited us all to Phoenix for a workshop in his studio and a roadtrip through Northen Arizona and the south of Utah. My friend Anders (who also joined the project) and I decided to take a airplane over to the US from Sweden to join the whole week. I can honestly say that that is one of the coolest things I have ever done!
To meet all the fantastic people from the Project 52 and to see all the places we visited during the week created memories for life, and friends for life as well.
Take a bunch of photographers with a whole lot of experience, Don the master of the light and Briana the model. Add the amazing nature of Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon and some other really amazing places. Finally, add the cameras and the all of the photographers’ artistic minds.
If you have the opportunity to do a workshop like this, don´t hesitate! I have one word for it. Awesome!
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM OUR LAST TRIP IN MARCH, 2014
ITINERARY:
Leave Phoenix at 1PM Sunday.
Spend the night in Flagstaff.
Monday drive to Zion National Park (through Navajo Reservation, Marble Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs, Pariah Canyon, Kaibab Plateau)
Tuesday morning in Zion – Leave mid-day for Bryce Canyon and sunset at Bryce.
Wednesday morning its up for sunrise at Bryce Point, more shooting the Bryce area. Leave at 11AM for Page and Antelope Canyon. After Antelope Canyon we shoot Horsehoe Bend on the Colorado till sunset.
Thursday morning we drive to Grand Canyon by way of the Canyon of the Little Colorado River. Shoot the South Rim and visit the hotel for some relaxation. Thursday evening back into Flagstaff.
Friday morning we leave for Phoenix via Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.
Arrive Phoenix at 2 PM
There is no fee for Project 52 members.
You pay your own way. We will have an estimate of shared expenses as soon as we know how many people are coming.
I would suspect that with the van rental(s), gas and a few other small costs, the price should be no more than $400 per person.
