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October 24-28‚ 2027 - Filling Fast!

Workshop Dates

$2,995
$2,995
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  • Experience Level

    Beginner to Advanced 

    This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You'll receive personalized guidance to build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses. Expect to be challenged and grow, regardless of your starting point.

  • Fitness Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Includes hikes generally up to 2 miles round trip on uneven terrain common in canyon country (slickrock, dirt trails). One specific outing involves a longer hike of approximately 6 miles round trip. While relatively flat, this longer trail involves significant sections of walking through deep sand, which can be quite tiring, as well as walking on uneven slickrock surfaces. Requires good stamina for the longer distance and comfort walking on varied and potentially soft footing.

    More Info 

  • Creative Focus

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    Field sessions explore diverse canyon country (grand scenes, intimates, abstracts). Classroom covers composition, light, focus stacking, and the'Rethink Landscape' processing methodologyin Lightroom.

  • Group Size

    Limited to 8 Guests

    We keep our group sizes small to ensure the individual attention you deserve.

  • Location

    Torrey, Utah (Basecamp)

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    Salt Lake City (SLC) or Grand Junction (GJT)

    Check Flights 

Description

Based in Torrey, explore the dramatic landscapes of Central Utah, including Capitol Reef NP, Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, and the unique Factory Butte area. Develop your creative vision amidst sculpted rock, vast canyons, and intricate details.

Our focus is guiding you to interpret these powerful landscapes personally, moving beyond iconic shots to find compositions—grand or intimate—that resonate. Field exploration is balanced with classroom discussion and image development to refine your seeing and technique.

Learn David's 'Rethink Landscape' processing methodology – a novel Lightroom system using midtone contrast and targeted adjustments for natural, evocative results aligned with your vision. Slow down, connect with the desert, and push your creative boundaries. Note: High-clearance vehicle required; carpooling essential.

Meet Your Creative Guides

  • David Kingham

    David is an accomplished professional photographer renowned for his evocative nature imagery. His work showcases intimate landscapes, stunning nightscapes, and masterful black-and-white photography. As the founder of Exploring Exposure, David is dedicated to mentoring aspiring photographers, helping them refine their skills and develop their artistic vision.

    View David's Portfolio 

  • Jennifer Renwick

    Jennifer is a professional photographer renowned for her captivating abstract and small scene imagery. With a keen eye for detail, she uncovers the hidden stories within grand landscapes. Jennifer is passionate about helping fellow photographers discover their unique style and guiding them to express their vision through meaningful projects.

    View Jennifer's Portfolio 

Visual Inspiration

Workshop Highlights & Creative Focus:

  • Diverse Geology: Explore Capitol Reef's Waterpocket Fold, Factory Butte's badlands, and GSENM's canyons—all from one base.
  • Develop Your Vision: Move beyond icons to find personal compositions, grand or intimate, that reflect your connection.
  • Master Desert Light: Learn techniques for varied terrain, handling dramatic light and conditions unique to canyon country.
  • Refine with Rethink: Learn the 'Rethink Landscape' Lightroom workflow for authentic, powerful image development.
  • Personalized Guidance: Receive tailored instruction (4:1 ratio) to overcome challenges and elevate your photography.
  • Optimal Timing: Carefully chosen for its balance of comfortable conditions and beautiful light, giving us the freedom to explore a wide range of landscapes. Seasonal details vary, but always offer unique creative opportunities.

Logistics:

  • Lodging: We have arranged a special group rate at a comfortable hotel in Torrey. This provides a convenient basecamp for our explorations. Detailed booking instructions will be sent after you register.
  • Transportation: Participants responsible for transport to/from Torrey. High-clearance vehicle (SUV/Truck minimum; 4x4 ideal) is REQUIRED for access to key locations. Carpooling is essential during the workshop (coordinated by instructors).

Itinerary

Preparation: Upon registration, a comprehensive itinerary will be sent to you, ensuring all the details are at your fingertips to help you plan your travel arrangements seamlessly.

Day 1: Arrival, Orientation & Setting the Scene

  • Meet at 5:00 PM at the hotel in Torrey for introductions and workshop orientation.
  • Attend the Evening Session presentation on interpreting Central Utah's geology and light (composition, conditions).
  • Join the optional group dinner nearby for informal conversation.

Days 2-4: Field Exploration, Image Development & Refining Your Approach

  • Participate in the Early Morning Field Session (Pre-sunrise - mid-morning) exploring diverse locations (Capitol Reef, GSENM areas, etc.). Focus on observation and personal composition.
  • Take a Midday Brunch/Lunch break and rest.
  • Attend the Afternoon Image Review session for constructive group critique.
  • Learn the Rethink Landscape processing methodology in the Afternoon Lightroom Session, focusing on Utah landscape techniques (contrast, texture, color, masking) with guided practice.
  • Head out for the Evening Field Session, working through sunset and twilight light.

Day 5: Final Field Session & Workshop Conclusion

  • Engage in the final Early Morning Field Session (Pre-sunrise - mid-morning) to apply learned concepts.
  • Take a break for check-out and a meal (on own).
  • Join the concluding Midday Session for final image review, feedback, and discussion on continued creative growth.
  • Workshop concludes around 1:00 PM.

What's Included

  • Expert Instruction & Guidance: Field guidance and classroom instruction from David Kingham & Jennifer Renwick (4:1 ratio).
  • Small Group Environment: Max 8 participants for personalized attention.
  • Image Development & Critique: Classroom sessions on "Rethink Landscape" processing and group critiques.
  • Collaborative Workshop Zine: A curated 8x8 keepsake featuring participant images, delivered post-workshop.

What's Not Included

  • Transportation: To/from Torrey, UT. High-clearance vehicle required; carpooling essential during the workshop.
  • Lodging: In Torrey area (Group rate block available).
  • Meals: All meals are the responsibility of the participant.
  • National Park Entrance Fees: For Capitol Reef NP
  • Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended.
  • Personal Items: Camera gear, clothing, hiking essentials, reusable water bottle, etc.
Stack of Death Valley Intimate Landscapes 2024 zine workshops with textured desert landscape cover on wooden surface

Your Commemorative Zine

As part of your Exploring Exposure experience, we create a custom-designed 8×8 Zine featuring images from you and your fellow participants. It’s a tangible way to remember the time spent together and the landscapes you explored.

The process also encourages you to revisit your work, refine your edits, and select the images that feel most meaningful to you. About a month after the experience, you’ll share your selections with us. We take care of the curation, layout, and printing, and send you a finished piece that reflects the group’s collective experience.

It’s one more way we support your creative process, even after the trip is over.

Our Teaching Philosophy

Our goal is to help you develop your own creative voice through thoughtful, personalized guidance. We meet you where you are and work with you to build on your strengths, whether in the field or during group sessions.

Throughout the experience, we’re fully focused on your growth. We often work alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene or solve a problem, but our priority is always your progress, not our own photography.

We provide regular, constructive feedback in a supportive way, helping you refine your compositions, strengthen your ideas, and bring your images to completion. With small group sizes, we’re able to give each participant the attention they need without being overbearing.

Participants come in at different stages, and that’s part of what makes these experiences valuable. No matter your level, our aim is to help you see more clearly, think more intentionally, and continue growing long after the trip is over.

Above all, we strive to create an experience that is engaging, supportive, and genuinely enjoyable. We care deeply about the people we work with and the creative growth that happens along the way.

Safety First

Your safety is our utmost priority, especially when exploring remote locations. As certified Wilderness First Responders, David and Jennifer are prepared to handle any situation, big or small. We also carry satellite communication devices to ensure we can request rescue assistance if needed in areas without cellular coverage.

Responsible

As proud members of Nature First Photography, we are committed to responsible nature photography practices. We abide by and promote the seven principles of this movement to our clients, encouraging them to join us in preserving the natural world we capture through our lenses.

Join Nature First

Legal Compliance

At Exploring Exposure, we operate with the highest level of integrity. We obtain all necessary permits, carry comprehensive liability insurance, and acquire any required certifications to ensure our workshops are conducted legally and ethically.

For this workshop, Exploring Exposure is Authorized Permittee of Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, and the Bureau of Land Management. We are also an equal opportunity service provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

Due to limited space and the nature of the workshop, spouses or partners are only able to attend if they reserve a full participant seat.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

In many remote areas we visit, cell service and Wi-Fi can be extremely limited or non-existent during field excursions. Expect potential periods of being offline. Service is typically available at our accommodation, but cannot be guaranteed everywhere. We carry a satellite communication device for emergency use.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Often, dramatic weather provides the best photographic opportunities! We prioritize participant safety, but the workshop will proceed in most weather conditions. Locations or schedules might be adjusted if conditions pose a significant safety risk (e.g., hazardous roads, extreme events). We encourage embracing the elements! Please note that no refunds or rescheduling are offered based on weather circumstances.

Do the instructors photograph during workshops?

Our commitment is first and foremost to your learning and creative exploration. While you might see us create some images during our time in the field, it's always with an educational purpose in mind. We might photograph to:

  • Walk you through how we evaluate and compose a scene, sharing the excitement and challenges together.
  • Demonstrate a specific technique (like focus stacking, long exposure, or ICM).
  • Make images during our field sessions that reflect the specific locations and conditions you're experiencing. This provides highly relevant examples for demonstrating the Rethink processing workflow, directly applicable to the images you're creating on the trip.

Engaging in the creative process alongside you can be instructive and helps foster a shared experience and connection within the group. However, this never takes precedence over providing personalized attention and ensuring you have the support you need to develop your vision. Our focus remains squarely on you.

Detailed Fitness Requirements & Terrain

Moderate - Varied Terrain & Required 6-Mile Hike)

  • This workshop involves hiking on typical Utah canyon country terrain to access locations in Capitol Reef, GSENM, and near Factory Butte.
  • Required Long Hike: One key outing involves a 6-mile round trip hike on a relatively flat but challenging trail. This trail includes significant sections of walking through deep sand, which requires considerable effort and stamina, as well as navigating uneven slickrock. Ability to complete this hike comfortably is necessary for full participation in that day's planned activities.
  • Other Hikes: Shorter hikes (typically 1-3 miles RT) on dirt trails, slickrock (sandstone), and sandy washes are also part of the workshop to reach various viewpoints and features.
  • Terrain: Expect uneven surfaces, loose sand, packed dirt, and large areas of slickrock. Good balance and sturdy footwear are essential.
  • Fitness Expectation: Participants must be comfortable hiking up to 6 miles in a day over varied and potentially strenuous (deep sand) terrain while carrying camera gear. Good cardiovascular fitness and endurance are required for the longer hike.

How to Get There

By Car

  • Torrey is located on Utah State Route 24, about 8 miles from Capitol Reef National Park's west entrance.
  • It can be accessed from Interstate 70 by taking Exit 149 for UT-24 West and driving about 50 miles.
  • Torrey is also on the junction of Utah Scenic Byway 12, which connects it to Bryce Canyon National Park to the southwest and Capitol Reef to the northeast.

By Air

  • Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): ~3.5-hour drive. Most flight options.
  • Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT, Colorado): ~3-hour drive. Fewer flight options.
  • (Smaller regional airports like Cedar City (CDC) exist but have limited service and longer drives).

Cancellation Policy

We put a great deal of care into planning small, personalized workshop experiences. Because group sizes are limited and logistics begin well in advance, we must adhere to the following cancellation policy. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment in case of unforeseen circumstances.

  • Initial Payment: An initial payment (applied toward the total workshop fee) is required to secure your spot.
  • Cancellation More Than 90 Days Out: If you cancel more than 90 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment will be refunded minus a 5% processing fee.
  • Cancellation Between 60 and 90 Days Out: If you cancel fewer than 90 days but more than 60 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment becomes non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your initial payment minus a 5% processing fee.
  • Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance will be automatically charged to the card used for your initial payment 60 days prior to the workshop start date. We will send a reminder a few days in advance. Please ensure your payment information is up to date. If you need to use a different card, contact us before the 60-day deadline.
  • Cancellation Within 60 Days (After Final Payment): If you cancel fewer than 60 days before the workshop start date, all payments made are non-refundable. However, if we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payments minus a 5% processing fee. While we will make a reasonable effort to fill the space, this cannot be guaranteed, especially close to the start date.
  • Alternative Option: Store Credit for a Future Workshop: If your plans change, we’ll always do our best to help. In many cases, if we’re able to fill your spot, we can offer a store credit toward a future workshop so you don’t lose the value of your investment. Availability depends on timing and demand.
  • Process & Policy Understanding: All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email or mail. This policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including illness, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
  • Trip Insurance (Strongly Recommended): To protect against unexpected events—such as personal emergencies, illness, or travel delays—we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance. To find the right coverage for your situation, we suggest using a reputable comparison site such as Squaremouth or InsureMyTrip, where you can review plans from multiple providers side by side. We have no affiliation with these companies, so please review coverage carefully to ensure it meets your needs.
  • Workshop Cancellation by Exploring Exposure: We reserve the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances (such as leader illness or park closures). If this occurs, you will be offered the option to transfer to a future workshop or receive a full refund of all payments made to Exploring Exposure. We are not responsible for additional expenses such as airfare, lodging, or rental vehicles. Trip insurance may help cover these costs.

Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out, we are happy to help!

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