We are trying to develop a community where photographers can come and discuss nature, wildlife and pet photography related matters. We encourage you to enter the forums to discuss this article as well as to share your photographs and experiences in our forums here at NWP.

The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum
Photographing the Colorado Plateau - A Workshop with Steve Kossack by Robert Von Mayr
Edited by James Morrissey

I thought that I would commit a “few” words to paper about why I like to go on photo workshops, and in particular share my thoughts about why I value Steve’s workshops so much. I recently attended a workshop led by my friend Steve Kossack in a visit to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. This was my tenth experience with Steve, and like all the others I was extremely happy with the workshop. This workshop was also facilitated by Ken Young (a very talented Navajo photographer and bucking bull stock contractor) and James Morrissey (who needs no introduction to this forum).

People often ask why I go on photo workshops, especially when my solo work is quite good. There are a lot of good reasons - for example, learning a new place, etc. But my top reason is because even though I am a competent photographer, my learning curve in a group is better than my learning curve on my own. Sometimes it’s because the leader knows the right times and places to be there. Sometimes it’s because I catch a tip from one of the other participants. I know its because I stay in the field for long days in great places. Sometimes it’s because when I help other photographers I learn too. Sometimes Steve even teaches me something new (big smile). Whatever it is, I improve my photography every single time I go on a workshop. It’s that simple. I’ve been on other workshops and learned things from all of them – but Steve offers something different – I think it’s the people he attracts. As you read through this article, you will see some of that come through.

A short word about me first – my name is Robert Von Mayr and I live in Tucson. Some of my work can be seen on www.pbase.com/vonmayr. I was really looking forward to attending this workshop photographing the Colorado Plateau because it was visiting this place in 2000 that reignited my passion for landscape photography. This place offers a rare combination of awesome vistas and intimate landscape that overwhelms and inspires me. I have been a photographer since 1976 (yearbook and high school sports) – landscape has always been an interest for me, but a 13 year sojourn on the flat plains of Dallas TX had put that portion of my photographic life on hold. I moved back to Tucson in 1999 and visited these parks in 2000 – which changed the course of my photography. I sold off my trusty manual and Pentax MX bodies and lenses, bought an auto-focus Nikon SLR that I had always wanted to own, and haven’t looked back since. It’s been a great ride!

Oh yeah, something else that you might want to know about me. The force of gravity seems to be stronger in my immediate vicinity than anywhere else on the planet. My first workshop with Steve was running the Grand Canyon (the best 8 days of my life), and among the group was a guy named Paul Beiser. He noticed early on that I tend to drop things when I am photographing - a lot. So it became a running F8 joke whenever any equipment hits the ground, we start composing notes in homage to Paul …. Dear Mr. Beiser – today in Canyonlands, filters were hitting the ground like snow flakes…… that kind of thing. That will come up later.

Day 1

My friend, Jeff, and I met early in Moab and were there ahead of the rest of the workshop participants, who were driving in from Salt Lake City. Unfortunately, there was no sunset shoot due to the lousy overcast weather. We all met up, hugged and exchanged war stories over dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. Steve likes to say that he screens workshop participants – if the first concern they have is food, then maybe a workshop isn’t for them. We’re about chasing the light – give us a choice of photographing in some gorgeous light or eating, it ain’t even a contest. Having said that, the meals are a great bonding time with the other workshop participants – stories, shared experiences, plans for the next segment of the workshop.

I like food, a lot, so I discuss our meals here because to me they are an important part of the experience. At dinner that first night, I added the workshop experience among us. I found that even including the 2 new participants, there were an even 50 Steve workshop experiences between the 2 co leaders and 8 participants. We had a fun evening even without the sunset shoot catching up and telling stories.

Canyonlands National Park – Day 2

The workshop began in earnest with a 0500 departure from the hotel on the coldest day I’ve seen in quite a while. We all loaded up into Steve, Kenny, and James’ cars and headed off. The shared rides are always fun and informational. Throughout the workshop we change drivers and passengers so we all get quality time together. The group obtained coffee from the local gas station and then headed off into the cold darkness. We started at the overlook in Dead Horse State Park – where the cold, overcast, fog, wind, and snow combined to challenge us to make good images. The hoary chestnut “Bad weather = Good Photography” got a workout that morning.

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This is a photo taken as the overcast and mist lifted a little later in the morning – it’s a crop (cropping out the Potash fields) and creating a panoramic framing. I shot this knowing that I was going to crop the resulting image – wish I had done an actual panorama from here. The cold blue light and overcast perfectly frame the mood from the point that morning. This is the view to the East with the La Sal Mountains obscured by the clouds that are dumping copious quantities of snow on them. I like this image for the lines and subdued greens and reds with the topping of grey and white, anchored by the rock formation on the left.

The sun cleared the clouds a little later and we got some interesting shots at the Green River Overlook – where I fell on my butt on an ice puddle on the slickrock. No harm no foul!

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This is what I call the stack of canyons – canyons in canyons in canyons. The colors pop and deep within that canyon is the river that formed it. A dusting of snow in the far background adds a sense of season of the year.

Back to Moab for some hot coffee and breakfast – where Kenny got us started on a group steak and eggs kick that lasted almost the entire workshop. The group was gelling – the two new guys (Tony and John) were trying to figure out what insane asylum we had all escaped from, but they were learning and observing.

After breakfast, we went out and explored the Professor Valley east of Moab. We ascended part way into the La Sal Mountains where the cold, overcast, snowy weather continued. We enjoyed an overlook and a photo shoot down into what’s called Castle Valley – with Arches NP in the background. Brrrr!

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This was fun – the anticline to the right focuses the eye down into the misty valley where the sun rays are lighting up the monuments in the Castle Valley. Snow in the foreground and the anticline help frame the weather, along with the clouds above. The weather is starting to clear.

Then it was off to Canyonlands for sunset at a place called Marlborough point. James, being one of the drivers, learned what REAL 4WD was all about getting to that place – our New Yorker did pretty well but was very nervous (Editor's Note: LOL, Robert is a bit of a master of understatement. By nervous, Robert means absolutely petrified...not so much for our safety, but for that poor vehicle. LOL, it got a lot more than it bargained for). The second time up a couple of days later he was much more relaxed – I think it was because I was his co-pilot that day (Smile).

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

The foreground element makes this quiet scene more arresting, along with the intense saturated colors achieved just before the sun dropped below the horizon line.

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This scene was challenging – I laid flat on the ground with my tripod and the borrowed 14-24 mm at 14 mm. I placed lots of stuff in the foreground – a key to making good images with a very wide lens. The lines were chosen to frame the valley and the lit formations, as well as to hide the sun behind some rock outcroppings to prevent lens flare. This is my wife’s favorite image from the workshop – oftentimes the best photographs aren’t found at eye level!

This was a great location and a fun sunset. Steve usually formats his workshops so that you shoot sunset at a place and then come back for sunrise on a different day. This helps you learn how to location shoot and you can plan your pre-dawn location while shooting sunset. It’s a very helpful way to learn a location. The shot above was using a borrowed lens from another participant – another benefit of shooting as a group. We were all within 50 yards of each other and have many different images. It’s amazing to watch us all scatter as we arrive at a location and depart from the vehicles. Back to Moab in the dark for dinner at a local pizzeria, where James pronounced the pies to be better than adequate. The winter weather was all gone and so was the snow – inches thick in the morning and nowhere to be seen in the afternoon.

Canyonlands National Park – Day 3

0500 wheels up – coffee and back out to the park. We stopped below Dead Horse State Park on the Potash road in complete darkness in front of a bend in the Colorado River. At sunrise there was quite a light and reflection show – this is my favorite image from the trip. Impromptu classes on polarization, split ND, framing and composition, staying away from the sheer rim to the river, and long exposure pre-dawn photography were held up and down the line of photographers. The group had a great time here – but it’s funny to watch as we all get quiet and serious when the light pops – there isn’t much chatter during this period of the day. As soon as it’s over, someone sings “Turn up the lights, the party’s over…” and the interpersonal fun resumes.

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

I set this image up to contain the river in a curve, get a sense of depth with a tree foreground, and get the nice clouds in the sky to balance the composition. In a larger print the island in the river is less distracting.

Arches National Park – Day 3

Back to Moab for coffee/breakfast/steak and eggs. Tony and John are giving as well as getting now in the relentless back and forth between friends. We stopped by the gas station to load up with snacks and drinks before we headed out to Arches for some exploration. I got the panorama gear out of the back for a couple of efforts and I am quite pleased with how they came out.

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This is a color layer image – colorful red rock layers, distant snowy mountains provide the white layer, and the blue sky with the white clouds to top it all off. As Borat would say “IIISSS NIIICE”.

We then headed back to Canyonlands and Dead Horse point for a sunset shoot to complement the opening day sunrise shoot. This point is very interesting – to the East are the La Sal mountains (as shown above) and their snowy caps above the canyons – but you have the potash fields below intruding into many compositions as well. To the South you have canyons and river vistas but the distance makes my preferred compositional style of Near-Middle-Far (something of interest in the foreground, the middle ground, and to the horizon) more difficult. To the West are some spectacular formations (and Near-Middle-Far) but you are shooting more against the sun. Our participants scattered all over the point shooting in every imaginable direction. I chose the Western overlook – I really crave the geologic formations, the stacked canyons, the river, and the sun beams. There were a few of us with Steve here, getting another impromptu filter lesson as well as many reminders of the value of shading the front element of your lens to prevent flare.

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This image portrays the character of late afternoon light in canyon country with alternating areas of light/color and shade which complements the stacks of canyons and geologic formations. Since the afternoon was a little hazy in comparison to the cold winter weather, the sun shafts are clearly visible in this image.

Back to Moab for dinner (Mexican again). By day 3 in the workshop, everyone is comfortable and settled in. The conversation flows around the dinner table as we enjoy remembering the day and thinking of tomorrow, as well as, tell more stories.

Canyonlands National Park - Day 4

0500 came early and off we went to Marlborough point for our sunrise. James did MUCH better on the way up. (LOL, want to add "Did I mention it was because I was co-pilot? ") We arrived long before sunrise so the more intrepid amongst us did star trail images – one of my personal passions. After the light started to rise we trooped out to the point (didn’t want to try that in the dark – that first step is a doozy!) to a spectacular sunrise shoot. In the cold with gloves on. Did I mention it was cold? This fact led to my personal workshop low point when I dropped my cherished 24 mm T/S from 6 feet onto sandstone while trying to work it with gloves on. "It no worky after that." Apparently my displeasure with my clumsiness was manifest to my fellow workshop participants who grew quiet – until “Dear Mr. Beiser” floated down from Steve. We then started the workshop chatter again. Hey, the equipment is our tool and from time to time they break. Nikon service likes me and I like it – the lens is back in form. My second most favorite image is from this morning’s shoot. The group photograph is made and we head back to town for the morning (pancake house this time).

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This composition focuses on the intense sunrise color in the middle and far grounds and the warm sunlight on the rocks in the front of the composition.

We did the group print review after breakfast – everyone showed and discussed three photographs from our previous work. As always, I am absolutely gobsmacked at the quality of work from our group – even the less experienced shooters had impressive work. We joke and kid around a lot – but we are all serious photographers who know when and how to work. When you take a Steve workshop you are always surrounded by some seriously talented photographers – all of whom are ready to help you at a moment’s notice and discuss anything from color space to equipment to other internet sites to tax policies to politics to global warming…. But we get the shots too. You get the picture. To me, the other participants add greatly to the experience. Perhaps it’s the shared 0430 wake ups and car rides together, or the talks over steaks, or the photo tips, or just the camaraderie. To me, it’s the best part of the workshop. I have some lifelong friends I’ve met along the way. After the print review, Steve did something he rarely does – he showed us a portfolio of his very impressive work from a wide variety of places – he might just be able to make a living at this photography thing.

After breakfast, it’s off for an afternoon shoot in the Needles section of the park after we load up at the gas station again. Impromptu print reviews were held in my car – we went through my additional work, James’ work, and Alain’s work from the French countryside. We had some challenging light and we saw some interesting sights. I must come back to this part of the park again – but now having been there I have some ideas (another workshop benefit). We returned to Moab for Dinner at the pizza place and then off to bed – tomorrow is a long day. After we figure out what time to set the alarms for, since Daylight savings was to end that night. We now know that even French I-phones will switch to the proper time Sunday morning.

Canyonlands National Park - Day 5

0400 wake up, entry into the park for the well renowned and justifiably famous Mesa Arch (Gotta get there early…..) and then the trip back to Salt Lake City and airplanes home.

Believe it or not we weren’t the first ones there….but we all found a spot around what promised to be a terrific sight. Some star trails were set up and taken while we waited for any light. Unlike most other workshop locations, there isn’t a wide variety of shooting locations so it’s elbow to elbow and by day 5, we all know each other pretty well. So while we are waiting for sunrise, the discussion is quick and everyone is involved – lots of tips for the difficult exposure in front of us.

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

Mesa Arch starting to receive the first hints of light with the star trails above. This is about 4 minutes at ISO 1600 and f16. It was still pretty dark outside then!

© 2009; Robert Von Mayr

This composition really grabbed me – the warm sunrise light on the rocks and the formations on the left, the intense glow on the bottom of the arch that makes this so famous, and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. This was a very difficult shot to control the contrast and exposure on.

The photography was eventually over as the contrast became too hot. In the parking lot, since I was headed home instead of to SLC, we all said our goodbyes and see you laters. The trip was over – just memories of stunning scenery (filling the compact flash card between the ears as I am fond of saying), group camaraderie, and great images. I’m planning which one is my next one on my drive home! I highly recommend Steve’s workshops – and hope to see some of you there some time soon! I received the following comment on my gallery from this trip – it touched me deeply. It wouldn’t be possible without the knowledge I have gained from Steve over time at his workshops. Thanks Steve!

"I'm very glad your gallery came up when I clicked through recently updated galleries tonight. Your images speak volumes about your sublime talent for composition and your great love for the West. I applaud the discipline and patience you possess to capture your images in the best light, and I know the sweet rewards of solitary stillness that accompany watching that light reveal marvelous landscapes. Well done, Robert! I've added you to my favorites list and I'll visit your galleries often."
Best regards, Grady

To learn more about Robert's work, please check out his website: www.pbase.com/vonmayr.

To learn about Steve Kossack's workshops and DVDs, please check out his website at www.SteveKossack.com/.

If you have a story about your own photographic journeys and would like to share please contact us.

Just a friendly reminder that the text shared within this article is copyright 2010 and the property of James Morrissey and The Nature, Wildlife and Pet Photography Forum. The photographic images contained in this article are the property of Robert Von Mayr and have been licensed to the NWP Photo Forum. Neither the text nor photographic images may be re-distributed without explicit written permission.