A Natural Eye Photography

“A Natural Eye” returns for the fifth year to northern New Mexico's historic Ghost Ranch. Imagine walking out your door and being completely surrounded by the stunning scenery that has inspired scores of painters, writers, and photographers, among them Georgia O’Keeffe, Paul Strand, Marsden Hartley, and Ansel Adams. This northern New Mexico countryside features some of the Southwest’s most spectacular cliffs, washed in a rainbow of colors and dotted with ancient twisted junipers, while stately yellow-leafed cottonwoods line the banks of the Chama River. In addition to all the key sessions in the workshop, we find added inspiration on a specially arranged tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s renowned home and studio in nearby Abiquiu.

"A Natural Eye" strives to develop your eye first, and then bring the technical skills of photography to it. You will spend as much time changing your perspective, sharpening your senses, and immersing yourself in nature as you will on developing new photographic skills.

During the workshop, outdoor experiences in diverse natural areas take you through key steps to enriching your photographs of the natural world as you find yourself focused less on objects and things, and more on the magic of moments and the essence of places. You stop chasing the light and learn to enjoy the fine art of wandering. You visit the same place in different light and different weather, getting to know it, and hence seeing it with new eyes. You learn that if you hear more and touch more, you will photograph with more sensitivity. You are rewarded by the skills of patience, solitude and emptying. This workshop weaves together eye-opening outdoor experiences, technical lessons, two image reviews, and Eddie’s one-on-one meetings with each participant.




“A Natural Eye” returns for the fifth year to northern New Mexico's historic Ghost Ranch. Imagine walking out your door and being completely surrounded by the stunning scenery that has inspired scores of painters, writers, and photographers, among them Georgia O’Keeffe, Paul Strand, Marsden Hartley, and Ansel Adams. This northern New Mexico countryside features some of the Southwest’s most spectacular cliffs, washed in a rainbow of colors and dotted with ancient twisted junipers, while stately yellow-leafed cottonwoods line the banks of the Chama River. In addition to all the key sessions in the workshop, we find added inspiration on a specially arranged tour of Georgia O’Keeffe’s renowned home and studio in nearby Abiquiu. "A Natural Eye" strives to develop your eye first, and then bring the technical skills of photography to it. You will spend as much time changing your perspective, sharpening your senses, and immersing yourself in nature as you will on developing new photographic skills. During the workshop, outdoor experiences in diverse natural areas take you through key steps to enriching your photographs of the natural world as you find yourself focused less on objects and things, and more on the magic of moments and the essence of places. You stop chasing the light and learn to enjoy the fine art of wandering. You visit the same place in different light and different weather, getting to know it, and hence seeing it with new eyes. You learn that if you hear more and touch more, you will photograph with more sensitivity. You are rewarded by the skills of patience, solitude and emptying. This workshop weaves together eye-opening outdoor experiences, technical lessons, two image reviews, and Eddie’s one-on-one meetings with each participant.
HERE ARE THE DETAILS: Our days will be a blend of indoor and outdoor sessions to present new ideas, two opportunities to review images made during the workshop, and ample time to immerse yourself photographically in Ghost Ranch. Autumn brings both warm days, cool nights, and turning colors. It is a perfect time to be in New Mexico. TRAVEL . . . Ghost Ranch is about two and a half hours north of the region's largest airport in Albuquerque. Rental cars are available at the airport, and limited shuttle service may be available. We will convene Wednesday afternoon at 5:00pm, and the workshop will finish at 9:30am on Sunday. Please plan your travel carefully as the first session is crucial for laying the foundation for the experience. It may make sense to arrive in the region a day early. We strongly recommend that participants take out travel insurance in the event of any unexpected changes, disruptions, or cancellations. The cancellation policy is detailed below, and on the registration form. ACCOMMODATIONS . . . Ghost Ranch is a retreat center with simple, comfortable accommodations. Our block of rooms has private bathrooms. Cell phones do not work well in this remote location, though there are several pay phones on the property, and participants will be given an emergency number at Ghost Ranch. Wireless internet connections are usually available in select public buildings. WORKSHOP FEE. . . $1,675.00 which Includes tuition, four nights required lodging (single supplement available for an additional $200.00) at Ghost Ranch, all meals, and the O’Keefe tour. Transportation to and during the workshop is not included. 6.625% New Mexico sales tax (as of 11/10) will be added to the total fee. PREREQUISITE. . . Who Should Attend: All photographers with a working knowledge of their cameras are welcome. Twice during the workshop there will be a chance to review images made at Ghost Ranch. If you wish to participate in these reviews you will need to bring a laptop, editing software, card reader, jump drive, and above all, a working knowledge of the digital workflow. This would include the ability to download your images to your laptop, make selections, re-name and re-size the selections, move them to a folder, and put them on a jump drive to move to the instructor's laptop for projection. There will be no digital workflow instruction during the workshop. For those participants choosing to pass on the image reviews, a lot will be gained from listening to the feedback given to others. Due to our remote location there will be no film processing. SPOUSES AND FRIENDS . . .Traveling companions may book into the Ghost Ranch accommodation and meal plan, and Ghost Ranch asks that we facilitate this. Guests must also be completely self-sufficient during the workshop experience. For insurance reasons, and as a courtesy to all workshop participants, traveling companions may not participate in any group functions, private group meals, or group trips. REGISTRATION . . . To hold a place in the workshop, send an e-mail to eddie@eddiesoloway.com, or call us at 847-452-7400, and request that you receive a registration form. A registration form will be e-mailed. A workshop space is considered confirmed when the registration form and deposit are received. A $300.00 deposit, $100.00 of which is nonrefundable, will hold your reservation and may be made by check (payable to Eddie Soloway), or by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Final payment is due August 19. CANCELLATION POLICY. . . In the event you must cancel your participation, fees will be returned as follows: If notification is received before August 19, all fees less the $100.00 nonrefundable deposit will be returned. If notification is received from August 19 - September 19, 50% of the fees will be returned. If notification is received on or after September 20, no money will be returned. We strongly suggest that participants take out travel insurance to protect themselves against unseen circumstances that may arise. In the event that we have to cancel the workshop for any reason, all fees will be returned or you may choose to receive credit towards a future session. CONFIRMATION DATE . . . You will receive an e-mail notice by August 12 giving the workshop a final confirmation that it will run. You are welcome to check in before to learn how enrollment is proceeding. PREPARATIONS . . . Upon payment of your deposit you will receive general information about travel and upcoming deadlines. Once final confirmation is given to the workshop, you will receive specific information which will include a request form that will gather information about your travel details, medical concerns, and emergency contacts. You will also receive a list including contact information, directions, and recommendations about what to bring.
	eddie@eddiesoloway.com (847) 452-7400
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