Monument Valley Photo Adventure and Tour

Deep in the heart of the American Southwest, Monument Valley Navaho Tribal Park provides perhaps the most enduring and definitive images of the American West. The isolated red mesas and buttes surrounded by the golden sandy desert have been filmed and photographed numerous times by countless photographers. Come and experience the beauty for yourself!

Join Keith Skelton on a four day workshop where you will photograph free standing sandstone rock forms that rise majestically 1,000 feet from the desert floor. We will teach you how to tap into your creativity so you may return home with many memorable photographs. We will have daily discussions about pre-visualization, seeing color, composition, exposure and techniques. On one of the moonless nights we will photograph the stars and star trails. There are not many places where you can see as many stars as in Monument Valley. We will also go over the important digital techniques. "Shooting for Raw", digital work flow, and processing digital pictures. The most spectacular photographs in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park are often taken from a half-hour before sunrise to two hours after sunrise. This is when we will be shooting the majority of our photos.

This is a place to enjoy nature and culture on a grand scale. Click here to see previous workshops.

Contact us with any questions.

Keith Skelton is a veteran professional photographer and educator with over 25 years of experience. He have an extensive background in landscape photography techniques and aesthetics. You will get individualized instruction and one-on-one attention. We will teach you how to capture the best images possible on either film or digital.

All levels of experience are welcome! Limited to 12 students.

OCTOBER  8TH - 12TH 2009   (Four nights, five days)

OCT 8 - After we meet on the evening of the 8th we will go out and do some shooting of the sunset at the valley overlook. Sunset is at 6:50 p.m.. We will probably stay out until dark and then eat dinner and discuss plans for the rest of the trip.

OCT 9 - This will be a full day. We will go back to the valley view at sunrise to photograph the the Mittens.. Both sunset and sunrise give unique views and light of the same place. Between 8 am and 9 am we will go to Goulding's Lodge for breakfast. Sunrise is at 7:15 am.

By 3 p.m. we will drive to Goosenecks State Park to photograph the San Juan River that has cut out a canyon 1,500 feet deep. We will then head over to the Valley of the Gods just a few minutes away from Goosenecks. We will be driving a 17 mile loop on dirt roads stopping to photograph the monoliths and sunset light. By 7pm we will head back to The San Juan Inn for dinner. http://go-utah.com/utah/mexican-hat/Mexican-hat.html We may try some night photography for those that are up to it. We will have moonless nights, so the skies will be dark and filled with stars.

OCT 10th - We will leave in the morning, driving to Natural Bridges National Monument which is about 35 miles from Mexican Hat. Depending on exact timing we will also photograph the “House on Fire” Anasazi Ruins which is nearby. It involves walking a few miles. On the way back we will photograph the lookout from Muley Point Road if there is still light in the sky.

OCT 11th - We will photograph the Valley again at sunrise and then drive our personal cars into Monument Valley taking Valley Drive. This is where we will see some classic scenes such as "Totem Pole", "Rain God Mesa", and "John Ford's Point". This will be about a two hour drive on dirt roads.

OCT 12th - This day is open since most people will be traveling home. Depending on schedules we will can photograph “Mexican Hat” rock at sunrise prior to breakfast and departure.

Note that this schedule will be flexible to take advantage of the best weather and light.

HOW TO GET TO MONUMENT VALLEY

Monument Valley, is a full day's drive from either Las Vegas or Phoenix. Flagstaff, Arizona and Durango, Colo., are closer, and have airports. Most people either fly to Flagstaff and rent a car or drive. A SUV is helpful, but not required. A drive from Los Angeles is 600 miles or 9-10 hours. Flagstaff is 196 miles to Mexican Hat and Durango is 164 miles to Mexican Hat, UT.

The San Juan Inn is Located in Mexican Hat, Utah, 22 miles North of Monument Valley on the North side of the San Juan River just off of Highway 163.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Please try to get an advance reservation at The San Juan Inn, Mexican Hat UT. Call 800-447-2022. These rooms fill up fast so make your reservation early. It can always be cancelled later. The will be the center of activity will be at The San Juan Inn.

Other motels in Mexican Hat include The Hat Rock Inn, and the  The Mexican Hat Lodge and Swinging Steak. These motels are within walking distance to The San Juan Inn.

MEALS

The groups usually eat together but it is not required. Many meals will be at The San Juan Inn just because it is close and there are not many other restaurants to choose from.

You will be responsible for all travel, rooms, and meal costs.