Hunt’s Photo Adventure: On the Border Along the Mission Trail, West Texas & White Sands National Park

This is a two-part Photo Adventure designed to expose attendees to diverse creative opportunities featuring local culture and history as well as uniquely dramatic landscapes in Black and White.

Part 1:  While visiting a few small villages near El Paso, we will explore village features as well as old, historic missions founded by Mexican settlers more than two centuries ago.  We will experience an annual festival celebrating the local patron saint, Guadalupe.  During this festival, we will photograph people, dancers, musicians, architecture, textures, tones, colors, and more.

Part 2: 90 minutes from El Paso, Texas, is White Sands National Park in Alamogordo, New Mexico.  At White Sands, huge dunes of gypsum, ancient trees, and yucca plants create a unique landscape perfectly suited for black and white photography.  We will spend two full days here utilizing light, shadow, and shape to advance our understanding and appreciation of the power and beauty of black and white photography.    Prior to the trip, there will be an online presentation demonstrating the positive attributes of black and white photography.

Itinerary

Dec 9 – Arrive El Paso, Texas

Dec 10 – 13^th – photograph various elements of the annual Festival of Guadalupe along the Mission Trail through small villages and historic churches

Dec 13 – Depart late in the afternoon for White Sands National Park (90-minute drive)

Dec 14 – 15 – Explore White Sands National Park in Black and White (will include an online BW Presentation before the trip)

Dec 16 – Early departure for El Paso and Airport

What’s included:
•In-field instruction at each location
•Image Discussion and Review

•All National Park Fees

What’s not included:
•Transportation to and from El Paso/Alamogordo
•Cost of meals
•Cost of hotels (El Paso – Best Western Airport Entrada, 2001 Airway Blvd, El Paso, TX 79925 • (915) 772-3650; Alamogordo – Fairfield Inn, 300 Panorama Blvd, Alamogordo, NM 88310 • (575) 437-4000)

Skill Sets: All Levels of Photographers are Welcome
Physical Activity: Low. Minimal hiking on mostly flat, even ground and no difficult climbing

In this workshop we will cover:

Autofocus, including with birds in flight
Exposure
Composition
Metering
Use of Lenses
Subject Development
Creative Thinking
Shooting in Low Light
Long Exposures
Use of Filters (polarizers and ND)
Image Processing
Image Review
Image Critiquing

The cost of this trip does not include the cost of lodging, transportation to and from Albuquerque, or meals during the trip.

A Note About Weather (and weather gear)
On this workshop, it can/may be cold, so make sure to bring clothes to dress in layers. Pack fleece tops, base layers, neck gaiters, hats that cover your ears, gloves, warm socks, good warm boots, and a waterproof insulated jacket or vest.

Recommended gear:
Camera, memory cards, batteries
Wide angle, standard, macro and telephoto lenses (If you are looking for a lens to rent, you can rent it from us at rentals.huntsphoto.com!)
Tripod
Cable release
Polarizers and Neutral Density filters if you have them

Travel information
If you are flying in, you will want to do so to El Paso International Airport (ELP). Our first hotel is located next to the airport.

Hotel information
Dec 9-13– We will be staying at the Best Western Airport Entrada, 2001 Airway Blvd, El Paso, TX 79925 • (915) 772-3650;
Dec 13-16– Fairfield Inn, 300 Panorama Blvd, Alamogordo, NM 88310 • (575) 437-4000)
Please note: Your rooms are NOT included in the cost of your ticket, but we have rooms set aside. After booking with us, make sure to call to put your name on one of those rooms. We are listed as the “Hunt’s Photo Group”.