Workshop---Mining Towns of the Southwest

[Donald Miller]

Some weeks ago I posted a poll for a projected workshop for late summer or early autumn 2006. The response indicated that most respondents wished to have a workshop to depict the mining towns of the southwest. This choice was followed by the Great Sand Dunes NM near Alamosa, Colorado. This is to announce that we will conduct a workshop during late September to early November...actual dates will be announced soon.

Paricipation will be limited to eight participants. Attendance will be on a first come, first served basis. I encourage those who may be interested in attending to PM me early.

We will begin the workshop process before the actual day of the workshop by having each of the participants complete and return a questionaire so that we can determine where we can be of maximum benefit to each of the participants. The first evening will be for portfolio reviews and discussion of your individual photographic goals. This will further enable us to help the participants achieve their photographic vision.

I want to begin by stressing that this will be a workshop...participants should come prepared to spend long hours photographing, learning, laughing, and enjoying the remnants of a time past. This workshop will emphasize actually photographing. Topics covered would be determining proper exposure, film developing considerations to coincide with lighting and exposure. This workshop will cover seeing photographically....how to impart depth to your images and how to produce exposures that express your vision. This will be consistent with nurturing and furthering the growth of your individual photographic efforts. We will strive to have our efforts address the individual needs of each of the participants.

Because of time constraints, there will be no darkroom procedures covered in this workshop. I will be conducting additional darkroom workshops beginning in the winter of 2006-2007.

Dates, costs, and other details of all workshops are being finalized and will be announced soon.

 

[philldresser]

Don
Now this is one that I would love to attend.

Good luck and I am sure you will teach them stacks.

Phill

 

[mark]

Who is "we"?

 

[Donald Miller]

Who is "we"?

Mark, I am finalizing the details on this. Several other photographers who have had long periods of large format experience have indicated an interest in teaching this workshop with me.

 

[BWGirl]

Mark, I am finalizing the details on this. Several other photographers who have had long periods of large format experience have indicated an interest in teaching this workshop with me.

So... is this just for large format shooters, then?

 

[Donald Miller]

So... is this just for large format shooters, then?

Jeanette,

I am sorry to have missed your question until Lee Carmichael pointed it out to me.

This workshop is open to all photographers who use film.

I will post an itinerary the first of next week with costs etc.

As an inducement, this workshop will feature a presentation entitled The Language of Photography Learning a Second Language. This presentation will be very comprehensive and cover matters of compositional consideration as well as symbolic meaning of photographic elements. It is material that has never, to my knowledge, been presented in this context and with this degree of comprehensive consideration as it applies to photography.

Participants of this workshop will experience a totally new way of approaching their photography with a new set of tools and a new language from which to proceed. Be prepared for your photography to make a massive step forward.

I look forward to meeting those of you who are able to attend. As I mentioned earlier in this post, I will post the complete itinerary and costs by the middle of next week.

 

[avandesande]

I would be really interested if you could somehow demonstrate your point source enlarging setup in addition to the other subjects

 

[Donald Miller]

I would be really interested if you could somehow demonstrate your point source enlarging setup in addition to the other subjects

Aaron, I will be bringing prints that have been printed on the point light source to the portfolio review that will be part of the workshop. However time does not permit darkroom work during this workshop.

I will be conducting two additional darkroom workshops during the winter months of 2006-2007. During both of those workshops we will be working in the darkroom exclusively. My point light source enlarger and my Saunders 4550 VCCE will both be available for use. The first of these workshops cover some of the more basic printing procedures such as split grade printing etc. The second workshop for those who have experience in basic procedures will be more intensive and more advanced and will cover, among other procedures, sharp and unsharp masking of the camera negative and dye dodging of the camera negative. Participants, after attending the advanced darkroom procedures workshop, will have a comprehensive set of darkroom tools and the knowledge of when to best apply them.

I would like to have you attend whichever of these would best serve your needs and benefit you in the practice of your photography. Thanks for your response.

 

[Donald Miller]

This will be the first of a series of posts to keep you informed and updated on the workshop in the Mining Towns of the Southwest.

This emphasis of this workshop will be seeing and vision. I can promise you that if you attend this workshop and wish to incorporate the material presented that your photography will have the means and the potential to make massive shifts in both uniqueness and in expressing your personal vision in your photography. There are any number of workshops that cover technical aspects and we will stand ready to answer any and all technical questions that arise...but the emphasis will be on something that is not offered except in one other case...that is how to see photographically and how to develop your own personal vision. The location will be in several old mining towns that lie outward from Phoenix Arizona.

When I indicate "we" I mean to indicate Lee Carmichael a long time large format photographer from Fort Worth, Texas and myself...with well over twenty years of photography experience, I assure you that we will offer something of lasting value and benefit. We, combined, have nearly fifty years of experience in personal expression through our photography. I won't say that we know it all...but we know where to look and who to ask for those things that we may not have immediate answers for.

The workshop will be open to all photographers who use film as the primary photographic process. While Lee and I both work with large format equipment, we also are well versed in medium format and 35 mm.

The dates of the workshop will be October 5, 6, 7, and 8, 2006. Attendees should plan on being in Phoenix, Arizona by 6 PM on Thursday October 5. We will meet at my home at 7 PM that evening (address and directions will be provided to those who indicate that they will attend). That evening will be the first opportunity for us to meet and become acquainted. Additionally that evening I will present "The Language of Photography, Learning a second language".

This presentation will provide to you that decide to attend the means by which you will begin to bring new vision to your photography. I promise you that you will never have all of this infomation provided by anyone at one time and in the same context. This presentation will be the foundation from which we will photograph the next three days. This is truly a new language that you will have the opportunity to learn and to practice. This will provide to you the foundation for a new beginning from that point forward.

The next morning (October 6,2006) we will travel to Globe and to Miami, Arizona. for a full day of photographing in these old copper mining towns. On Friday evening October 6, 1006 we wll have a portfolio review (those attending will be asked to bring examples of their recent work). The purpose of the review will be to determine what we can do to benefit you in your photography. This is a time for us all to learn how and what we would be able to improve upon. We will also be drawing for a couple of door prizes. Both Lee and I will provide to those in attendence a fine print suitable for framing. Thus to those who attend two chances are made available to win one of these prints. Certificates of attendence will be presented to those who have attended.

The following day (October 7, 2006) we will photograph in the historic mining town of Superior, Arizona. There are numerous opportunities in all three of these towns for new and original photographs. Lee and I will be available on all the days for your assistance should you wish it. In other words, you have our collective experience and knowledge at your disposal. If you have questions, we are available to you. The evening of Saturday (October 7, 2006) Lee Carmichael will provide us with his presentation on "Developing a Personal Vision, Bringing Uniqueness to your Images." I promise that you will not want to miss this presentation...the benefit of a lot of years experience will be shared with you on that evening.

On Sunday (October 8, 2006) we will return to Phoenix. Those who have early flights or travel requirements will be able to meet their flights. Those who have later flights will be invited to photograph at the grain facilities of the Morrison Brothers Ranch in Gilbert, Arizona. This is the location of many of the recent images that I have posted in the Apug galleries.

The cost of this workshop is $450.00 per person. Travel, lodging and meals will be the responsibility of those attending. I will provide a list of possible lodging and it may be possible for those who wish to share rooms. I will provide those choices at a later date. To this point the workshop is half full so a limited number of openings exist. I ask that those who wish to attend to send me one half of your payment by July 1, 2006. The second half will be due on September 1, 2006. If you are forced by some unknown reason to cancel your reservation your initiial payment will be refunded to thirty days prior to the workshop. After that time your payment may be subject to surrender...depending on whether we can fill your space with someone else who can attend.

Thank you for your consideration. I promise you that this will make possible for you to have major improvements in your photography. Good luck and good light to all of you.

 

[mark]

On Friday evening October 6, 1006 we wll have a portfolio review.

You provide time travel

I have shot in all of these places except the ranch. They are fine places to be and for those who do not wish to shoot buildings, the surrounding countryside is beautiful.

 

[shicks5319]

Please put me on the list

I have been waiting for a workshop close by.

If there is still room, please place me on the list of attendees.

Thanks

 

[Terryhull]

Workshops

Is this an annual workshop, e.g., 2007 also?

 

[Donald Miller]

Is this an annual workshop, e.g., 2007 also?

Terry,

Yes, my intention is to have this as an yearly offering.

 

[Donald Miller]

I have been waiting for a workshop close by.

If there is still room, please place me on the list of attendees.

Thanks

I have sent you a PM and included you on the list of those attending. At this juncture we have two more openings but will put those additional indicating an interest in attending on a waiting list. Sometimes things arise and openings occur.

 

[Donald Miller]

Bump..

Wanted to let everyone know that I have extended the workshop slots to twelve rather then eight as originally announced. There are two spots open at this time. Local advertising in the Phoenix area will take place next week. This should fill up at that time.

The primary objective of this workshop is improving the ability to see photographically and from that developing a personal vision. I would almost bet that this will enable those who attend to have a massive leap forward in their photography.

Take a look at my gallery or my website. Do you want to produce work like this? Come and join us and find out how to do it.

 

[Donald Miller]

Bump...

Just a gentle reminder to all who have planned to attend that the first half payment ($225.00) is due on July 1st. Looking forward to seeing everyone here.

Best regards,
Donald Miller

 

[BWGirl]

Hey Don/Lee.... I have a couple questions for you.

When I read the synopsis, it looks like we are going to be traveling (staying at different locations) & returning to Phoenix on the last day... is this correct?

Will you be listing some hotels for us at a date a wee bit closer to the workshop?

Thanks tons! I'm looking forward to this... hope you've put in an advance order for some moderate weather for me! hahaha

 

[Gay Larson]

I'm looking forward to this workshop too, but need to get in shape from the description. Hope I can keep up.

 

[BWGirl]

I'm looking forward to this workshop too, but need to get in shape from the description. Hope I can keep up.

Aw... that's ok, Gay. I don't think you'll have to walk to those places... you can ride with me! hahaha

 

[Gay Larson]

Thank goodness for you, Jeanette!

 

[Donald Miller]

Hey Don/Lee.... I have a couple questions for you.

When I read the synopsis, it looks like we are going to be traveling (staying at different locations) & returning to Phoenix on the last day... is this correct?

Will you be listing some hotels for us at a date a wee bit closer to the workshop?

Thanks tons! I'm looking forward to this... hope you've put in an advance order for some moderate weather for me! hahaha

Hi Jeanette, Yes there will be a listing of accomodations listed shortly.

 

[lee]

There are still a few spaces left for this exciting workshop. I think the attendees are gonna really enjoy themselves and have great images to take home with them.

Get this on your workshop calendar. OCT 5,6,7 and 8, 2006 Phoenix, AZ

lee\c for don miller

 

[BWGirl]

One nice thing is that it can't be any hotter down there in October than it's been up here all summer! hahaha!

I'm really excited about this workshop & I hope to meet lots more APUGgers there in October!

 

[Gay Larson]

ditto, Jeanette. I'm very excited about this workshop. I can't wait for October to arrive. It sounds like so much fun and lots to learn.

 

[BWGirl]

Well, first of all, I'd like to thank Don for putting on a great workshop! Thanks Don!
Now, I'd like to thank everyone who did not attend! Gay & I had pretty much a private workshop, and boy did we learn a lot!

We went to many different locations and had great things to shoot. This was a great opportunity! Kudos to Don for enduring our jokes and 'girl talk'. We had to bring Bill along on Saturday to give poor Don a break. The photos in the Workshop gallery are compliments of Bill who thinks all good photos should have a person in them. Well... except the tarantula... I took that one. Freaky little devil! haha