A 5 day digital photography workshop in the historic Mexican town of Alamos in the southern part of the state of Sonora. The workshop will be led by David Hiser, a photojournalist for over 30 years with his work appearing in more than 100 National Geographic publications, Audubon, Fortune, Geo, Outside and Smithsonian. David iscurrently a research associate at Digital Arts Aspen and is active in stock the photography industry.  David is familiar with Mexico, having done numerous assignments for National Geographic there.  To know more about David Hiser and see more of his work, visit his website: www.photoaspen.com


For more information and photo on this workshop go to www.alamosworkshops.com

Alamos is a beautiful small colonial town tucked in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains.  It is often said that it is one of Mexico’s best kept secrets. The town is composed of many restored sixteenth and seventeenth century Spanish colonial style mansions, narrow cobblestone streets, plazas and interesting vegetation. The region around Alamos can be considered the area where one sees the beginnings of the tropics. The community is friendly and warm and due to it’s size, most places can be easily reached by walking.  The climate in late February is often close to perfect, comfortable sunny days and cool evenings.  More information on Alamos can be found at the town’s website: www.alamosmexico.com

View of Alamos 

Course Description

The emphasis is on making interesting, well-rendered photographs using digital cameras. We will have daily photographic sessions to discuss and practice basic photographic skills as we work with landscape, nature close-ups, lighting techniques and “people pictures.  Back in the classroom/lab w will download our images and learn the basics of image processing in the “digital darkroom”. Major emphasis will be placed on developing a workflow that uses a “checklist” approach as a logical and comprehensive path to effective image enhancement.  The workshop will remain image oriented, providing continual feedback on your imagery through personalized critiquing and group “slide shows.”  

 David Hiser teachworkshop - Canelo, Arizona

Schedule for the Week

The course will begin with an introductory dinner, orientation and meeting with the instructors. Wednesday night February 21.  The daily schedule will vary somewhat, but a typical day will include a morning photo session followed by a class/digital lab session that will go up until lunch at 1 PM.  There will be an afternoon class/digital lab session followed by an afternoon photo session.  Evenings are not scheduled leaving time for leisurely meals or additional evening photography in town.

 Requirements

Basic skills in photography and a laptop computer use are required. Almost any type of digital camera is suitable but those with manual controls are preferred.  In addition you will need your own laptop computer, image editing software (Photoshop CS, CS 2 or Photoshop Elements.  Thirty day free trials are available on the Adobe.com website.  Lastly, digital memory cards with reader, power adapters and cables for laptop and digital camera, camera manual, batteries and charger for rechargeable batteries, several blank CDs or DVDs for burning images can be useful.  Ideally you should know how to download images from your camera to the laptop.   

 Registration

The cost of the course is 795.  A deposit of $250 is requested to ensure a space in the Alamos workshop.  This can be paid at the time of registration.  The balance is due February 8, 2006.  We accept checks, money orders or credit cards through www.paypal.com to our email address absteen@dakotacom.net. There is also travel information available.

 Payment by check or money order can me made to The Canelo Project and sent to the address below.

 The Canelo Project:  HC1 Box 324  Canelo, AZ 85611

Telephone: 520 455 5548

Website: www.caneloproject.com

Email:  absteen@dakotacom.net

Late Afternoon Walls - Alamos

Course Location

The workshop will be held in the beautifully restored Alamos home of Mick and Linda Davidson.  It is located in the center of town and within convenient walking distance of just about everything. It is located just a couple of blocks from the central plaza and church as well as several hotels and inns.  The photo opportunities in the immediate vicinity are numerous.

Area around the Davidson home 

Accommodations

Alamos has all types of places to stay.  In the immediate downtown area rooms in the hotels and inns typically run from $75 to $90 a night.  However, there are also other accommodations available in the $25 and up price range.  On the other end of the spectrum there is a 5 star small luxury hotel were the rooms range from $185 to $900 a night.  We can provide more information upon request.  There is also an RV campground located at the entrance to town.

Courtyard of Elizabeth Nuzum 

Meals

 Meals will be the responsibility of each participant.  A wide variety of foods are available ranging from buying items at the central local market to inexpensive restaurants and a few establishments that do fancy gourmet dinners in the $20 to $30 price range.  In the evenings street vendors provide simple, inexpensive, but tasty fare such as tacos and Mexican style hot dogs.

Taco Vendor - Main Plaza, Alamos

Suggested Reading:

 The Secret Forest - Bowden

The Ethnobotany of the Mayo – Van Devender, Yetman

Scattered Round Stones - David Yetman

A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert - edited by Steven J. Phillips and Patricia

Wentworth Comus

A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America - Steve N.G. Howells and Sophie Webb

A Bird-Finding Guide to Mexico - Steve N.G. Howell

Rio Mayo Plants – Gentry

The Tropical Deciduous Forest of Alamos - Robichaux and Yetman

Trees of Sonora - Richard Felger

A Handbook of Mexican Roadside Flora - Charles T. Mason Jr. and Patricia B.Mason

The Yaqui's - A Cultural History - Richard Spicer

Las Cactaceas de Sonora: su diversidad, uso y conservacion - Rafaela Paredes, Tom Van Devender, Richard Felger

The Lonely Planet Guide to Mexico

The People's Guide to Mexico - Carl Franz

Ruins at Tula – Photo David Hiser