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Landscape Photography: Grand Canyon, Sedona, Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments

Program Number: 18429RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/21/2013 - 4/26/2013; 9/15/2013 - 9/20/2013; 10/6/2013 - 10/11/2013;
Duration: 5 nights
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
Price starting at: $834.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Photography; National Parks; Natural History
Meals: 14; 5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 5 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

The Grand Canyon’s depth and color, Sedona’s famous red rocks and northern Arizona’s soaring peaks offer world-class scenery for photographers. Led by a professional photographer, capture the colors of sunrise and sunset, discuss composition, lighting, design, and learn how to edit and email digital images on this unique adventure. Daily critiques of your photos by a professional photographer and peer review take your skills to the next level.




Highlights

• Full day photo shoots in Sedona and the Grand Canyon include sunsets and tricks of the trade to capture the brilliance of these world-class destinations.
• Field trips to Sunset Crater and its stark volcanic landscape and the archaeological ruins at Wupatki National Monument provide opportunities for unique photos.
• A photo shoot in Flagstaff’s historic downtown showcases this mountain town’s gorgeous setting.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to two miles. Elevations up to 7,000 feet.



Suitable for all skill levels. Program best-suited to digital camera users.



Coordinated by Northern Arizona University.




Flagstaff

Nestled at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks in northern Arizona, Flagstaff is a perfect departure point for trips to the Glen and Grand canyons or Sunset Crater National Monument. At 7,000 feet in elevation, this cool mountain city is one of the highest in the nation.
Accommodations
Comfortable hotel with pool and fitness center.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Richard Stephens
Rich has been director of Northern Arizona University’s highly popular Road Scholar programs since 2001. He previously spent many years in the field as a program coordinator and group leader, where he honed his skills and learned the importance of detailed, pre-trip planning. Before making his home in Arizona’s spectacular red-rock country, Rich spent 10 years in Yosemite National Park and the Santa Cruz mountains as an environmental educator.
 
Jeff Strang
Jeff Strang's knowledge of the environment stems from over 35 years of hiking, paddling, and photography in the outdoors, his extensive experience as a naturalist, as well as from his education at the University of Oregon and Lewis and Clark Law School. In 1987, Jeff filed a precedent-setting lawsuit against Oregon polluters under the Clean Water Act. Jeff has been leading Road Scholar programs since 2002. In his free time, Jeff enjoys biking to work, hiking, kayaking, outdoor photography and studying geology.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
  Flagstaff, Ariz. 5 nights
 Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
Type: Motel
  Description: Four floors with 2 elevators, 128 rooms. Conveniently close to shopping. One quarter mile to Northern Arizona University. 2 miles to historic downtown Flagstaff. Wide range of cuisine available at nearby restaurants.
  Contact info: 2015 S Beulah Blvd
Flagstaff, AZ 86001 USA
phone: 928-556-8666
web: www.lq.com/lq/properties/propertyProfile.do?ident=LQ939&propId=939
  Room amenities: Free WIFI, dataport phones, premium cable channels, coffee maker, hair dryer, clock.
  Facility amenities: Seasonal outdoor pool and spa, fitness center. Deluxe continental breakfast. Guest coin operated laundry available. Free local calls. Participants requesting a refrigerator for medicine can have access to a locked refrigerator that is located in the hotel lobby area. Lobby microwave available to guests 24 hours. Safety deposit box at front desk available to all guests. Roll away beds for $10.
  Smoking allowed: Yes
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: Seasonal Call local La Quinta for the rates available during your stay (928) 556-8666. NOTE: When they get the pre-recorded information they must hit the "6" option, to connect with group sales, which has the information about Road Scholar groups.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: Seasonal Call local La Quinta for the rates available during your stay (928) 556-8666. NOTE: When they get the pre-recorded information they must hit the "6" option, to connect with group sales, which has the information about Road Scholar groups.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Flagstaff La Quinta Meeting Room 4:30 - 5:15 PM. You will be staying at Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends after morning presentation at 10:30 AM. You will be staying at Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
free at hotel
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Flagstaff, Ariz.
  Nearest city or town:  Phoenix, AZ
  Nearest highway: I-17, I-40, US 89 and US 89A
  Nearest airport:  International: Phoenix Sky Harbor; Commuter: Flagstaff.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Departures
Travel Details
 

Flagstaff, AZ to/from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
US Air
phone: 800-428-4322
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$140.00 or less
Prices are subject to change.
   

USAirways Commuter Air From Phoenix Airport to Flagstaff Airport, taxi to hotel or train station (appx. $12.00). Air fare to Flagstaff much cheaper (exact cost varies) if flight to Phoenix is also on US Air. Phoenix to Flagstaff distance 150 miles; 45 min flight time. Five flights daily.
 

Flagstaff, AZ to/from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Arizona Shuttle
phone: 877-226-8060
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx. $45.00 one way ($41.00 Internet Reservation); $5.00 each way drop off/pickup at La Quinta
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approx 3 hours 
 

Distance:

 

150 Miles
   

Call Arizona Shuttle for departure times PRIOR to booking flights. 9 shuttles daily from/to the Phoenix airport. Upon arrival into Phoenix airport, check in required at shuttle desk in baggage claim area of airport,15 minutes before shuttle departure. Flagstaff La Quinta Hotel drop off/pick up by advanced reservation ($5.00 extra charge per reservation BY MENTIONING ROAD SCHOLAR); otherwise the drop off/pick up is at Flagstaff Amtrak (Visitor Center). Advanced reservations required.
 

Flagstaff, AZ to/from Starting Destination

 

To Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Amtrak
phone: 800-872-7245
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Varies with starting / return destination
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

From Flagstaff train station to hotel: 5 minutes taxi ride. 
 

Distance:

 

From Flagstaff train station to hotel 2 miles.
   

Westbound train arrives 8:51 PM and departs at 8:57 PM Eastbound train arrives at 4:36 AM and departs at 4:41 AM.
 
Driving Directions
  Flagstaff La Quinta From I-40 Take the I-40 to Flagstaff, AZ and exit at 195 north for Flagstaff and Grand Canyon. This puts you northbound on Milton Road. At the first stoplight, Forest Meadows, turn left. Continue west on Forest Meadows for a quarter block to the next light at Beulah Blvd. Turn right on Beulah and continue for a quarter block. La Quinta is on the left, 2015 S. Beulah.
  Flagstaff La Quinta from I-17 Travel north on 1-17 until it ends, becoming Milton Road in Flagstaff, AZ. Turn left at the first stop light on Forest Meadows. Continue for quarter block to the next light on Beulah Blvd. Turn right on Beulah and drive for a quarter block. La Quinta is on the left, 2015 S. Beulah.
Elevation Note: 7,000 feet elevation. Those with heart or lung concerns should consult physician before attending.

Equipment Requirements: • Personal camera - while program is geared toward digital photographers, film camera's also welcome. • Tripods/monopods—are very useful – lighter and not bulky pods are recommended -- but a larger tripod will be easily stored and accessible generally on the van. • Flash drive/jump drive AKA: storage device/drive at least 2 gig in size. This is to submit the images to the instructors for the daily photo review. This device is important and only one device per couple or team is needed. A second memory card may be substituted. • Laptop computers are recommended. They are useful for participants reviewing their daily photos for submission to the instructor for review, editing photos and organizing photo essay for the end of the week. I-Pads do not work as well as laptops due to inability to export files. • Camera's owner's manual, extra batteries, battery charger.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Arrival & Registration/Introductions & Orientation
(Sunday, April 21)
   
 Afternoon: On-site registration from 4:30-5:15 PM in the hotel conference room or lobby.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at a local restaurant, nearby to the hotel.
 Evening: Following dinner we will have an orientation meeting. Review the daily activities and meet your fellow hostlers. Your photography instructor will be present to answer you specific questions concerning the daily downloading and sharing of photographs.
   
Accommodations: Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon - photo shoot
(Monday, April 22)

Note: Several walks carry your own equipment up to one mile each.
   
 Breakfast: Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel to include waffles, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits, pastries, bagels, cereals, muffins, juices, milk and coffee.
 Morning: Get ready for a full day! We will start our day with an indoor classroom photography class. Instructor uses this time to assess the group and to answer questions. Discuss the basics of how a camera works, how best to determine lighting requirements/settings, etc. After the class we will take our field trip to beautiful Sedona. We will spend the morning in the towering confines of Oak Creek Canyon photographing the flowing waters and riparian community of the creek as well as some of the historic structures left behind by homesteaders. Oak Creek Canyon was designated as Arizona's first official Scenic Byway and is considered one of the most dramatic drives of our state as it drops from the Ponderosa Pine country of Flagstaff to the high elevation desert of Sedona.
 Lunch: Sack lunch at West Fork in Oak Creek Canyon.
 Afternoon: Continue our Sedona field trip. Numerous stops capturing Sedona's famous red rock views as well as its beautiful high desert Flora. Visit Sedona's iconic Church of the Holy Cross, and enjoy a little free time in the Mexican themed village of Tlquepaque, with its ornate fountains and flowering gardens.
 Dinner: Early dinner at a Sedona restaurant.
 Evening: Following an early dinner, we will head out to capture sunset photos of the red rocks and towering buttes/cliffs.
   
Accommodations: Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments - photo shoot
(Tuesday, April 23)

Note: Several walks carry your own equipment up to one mile each.
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast on the go so as to capture the early morning light of Wupatki National Monument
 Morning: Our photo shoot in Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments will provide us the opportunity to capture both wildly diverse and stark landscape views as well as the captivating 1000 year old ruins of Wupatki and Lomatki Pueblos. From lava flows that look like they just recently hardened to views of the Painted Desert, there will be a little bit of everything on this field trip. Wupatki is noted for having the northern most Mayan style "ball court" in the Americas as well as photogenic restored buildings throughout the pueblo.
 Lunch: Sack lunch at Sunset Crater National Monument.
 Afternoon: After a little down time following the field trip, we will have a late afternoon indoor photography class reviewing the days lessons and photographs, followed by a discussion of Workflow - the sequence of steps that a professional photographer uses to process good pictures into great pictures.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at a local restaurant, nearby to the hotel
 Evening: Enjoy an evening presentation discussing Social Media for photographers, sites you can use to share your photographs with friends family and the world.
   
Accommodations: Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Grand Canyon photo shoot
(Wednesday, April 24)

Note: Several walks carry your own equipment up to one mile each.
   
 Breakfast: Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel to include waffles, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits, pastries, bagels, cereals, muffins, juices, milk and coffee.
 Morning: We are going to have another full and action packed day! We will depart for the Grand Canyon around 8:00AM and travel through the Navajo reservation with stops at historic Cameron Trading Post. Enter Grand Canyon at its eastern end and enjoy lunch in the shadow of Mary Jane Colter's majestic Desert View Watchtower. Climb the tower for great photo shots of its interior as well as its view from the top. Stand on the rim of this wonder of the natural world with camera in hand
 Lunch: Lunch at Grand Canyon
 Afternoon: After a little down time after lunch to explore the Grand Canyon on your own, we will have an indoor classroom class to review and critique photos as well as to introduce the days daily lesson.
 Dinner: Dinner will be up at the Grand Canyon, followed by our sunset shoot..
 Evening: After an early dinner, head out to Yavapai Point for an opportunity to photograph sunset at the Grand Canyon. Return to the hotel late (9:00PM) after a very full day.
   
Accommodations: Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Historic Downtown photo shoot
(Thursday, April 25)

Note: walk around downtown Flagstaff carrying your own equipment
   
 Breakfast: Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel to include waffles, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits, pastries, bagels, cereals, muffins, juices, milk and coffee.
 Morning: Today we will switch gears a little bit and discuss photography of people and the works of mankind. Flagstaff's historic downtown and Route 66 provide a perfect setting to learn the nuances of catching the living moments of a small and scenic town. Visit photography studios including that of the acclaimed Dave Edwards (Dave will speak with the group if he is available), historic hotels, and modern outdoor murals.
 Lunch: Lunch in Flagstaff's historic downtown
 Afternoon: Return after lunch to our indoor classroom to do another photography class and photo review session. Following this class, students are encouraged to complete their "photo essays" for our wrap up class of the next day.
 Dinner: Dinner at a local Flagstaff restaurant.
 Evening: Optional lab time will be provided for students to complete their photo essays and to provide computers for those without a laptop.
   
Accommodations: Flagstaff La Quinta Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Program wrap up - final slide show of completed works.
(Friday, April 26)
   
 Breakfast: Deluxe continental breakfast at the hotel to include waffles, hard boiled eggs, fresh fruits, pastries, bagels, cereals, muffins, juices, milk and coffee.
 Morning: We will spend our morning class indoors as each student will present their photo essays to the class. This class will be less about critiquing and more about reflection and appreciation of your work. You will go home proud of what you have accomplished and a photo essay to share with your loved ones.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Flagstaff, Ariz. General Overview
Points of Interest within two hours of Flagstaff: the Grand Canyon National Park, Walnut Canyon, N.M., Wupatki, N.M., Sunset Crater, N.M., Museum of Northern Arizona, Downtown Flagstaff and old Route 66, Lowell Observatory, Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona Red Rocks and the Secret Mountain Wilderness, Montezuma's Castle, N.M., Tuzigoot, N.M., Jerome Ghost Town, Ariz., San Francisco Peaks and the Kachina Wilderness, Hopi & Navajo Reservations, La Posada Hotel/Restaurant at Winslow, Ariz., and Grand Canyon Railroad at Williams, Ariz. For additional information, visit www.flagstaffarizona.org
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Grand Canyon: Time Below the Rim


Author: Craig Childs and Gary Ladd


Description: Prepared by the Book Division of Arizona Highways magazine, this book is written and photographed by 2 of the leading authorities on the subject matter. There's no place on earth like the Grand Canyon, and there's no book about the Canyon like this one. "Grand Canyon: Time Below the Rim" connects you with remote sections of the Canyon most people will never see: the waterfalls, the streams, the thousands of side canyons, the prehistoric rock formations, the rock art and other remains of an ancient civilization, and the entire course of the Colorado River through the Canyon.



John Shaw's Focus on Nature: The Creative Process Behind Making Great Photographs in the Field


Author: John Shaw


Description: This book emphasizes the creative process. Shaw explains how he decides exactly what to include in a photograph, how he organizes a photograph, and how he visualizes what he wants a photograph to be. Showcasing more than 100 of Shaw's most breathtaking images,



Secret Sedona: Sacred Moments in the Landscape


Author: Larry Lindahl


Description: This book provides an overview of the terrain, ancestral Indian ruins and petroglyphs found in Sedona's wilderness areas. Extraordinary photography from one of the nations most photogenic areas. 80 pages.





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