Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Box 5598, Snowmass Village, Colo. 81615, offers field expeditions in wilderness areas in the Rocky Mountains and the desert Southwest. They`re led by photographers such as John Sexton, Linda Connor, Mark Klett and David Hiser.
What help participants get depends on what they need and ask for: You can grill the workshop leaders as they photograph, and campfire discussions deal with the philosophical issues, the day`s efforts and other topics. Our leader, Mark Klett, who teaches photography at Arizona State University, in Tempe, is also a geologist as well as an expert on photographing the western landscape. Our expedition, ”Exploring the Known and the Unknown,” began in Zion National Park, Utah, with a one-day portfolio review. Then we drove about 350 miles to several sites in Utah before heading to Arizona for the four-day hike in the Kaibab National Forest.
Cost for the trip was $925, which included tuition, some accommodations, some meals and outfitter`s fee.
Mel Heaton, a former National Park Ranger in the Grand Canyon is expert in this area. He offers a variety of outfitted trips including three roundups a year. Contact Heaton care of Honeymoon Trail Co., Moccasin, Ariz. 86022
(602-643-7292).
There are many photography workshops, offered by a variety of organizations and photographers, to destinations all over the globe. Many advertise in photography, travel and nature magazines such as Outside, Outside Photographer, Smithsonian, Sierra, Audubon and Backpacker.
Photographer`s Forum publishes a yearly Photography & Travel Workshop Directory in January. (For a free copy, send a postcard in December to:
Photographer`s Forum, 511 Olive St., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93101-9891.)
There also are workshops for women. Women`s Sports & Fitness magazine lists adventure-vacation sources. In the Midwest, the Wilderness Institute & Phototour offers trips including day and weekend workshops. Call
708-953-0767 or write Box 1644, Lombard, Ill. 60148. The Go Guide of the Tribune`s Friday section also lists sources for adventure trips.
Workshops are meant to be learning experiences, so it`s important to pick one that matches your photo skills and fitness level.
Ask questions: If there`s an outfitter, ask what services will be provided and what participants must bring.
If you`re going to the desert, ask about water provisions and purification.
If going into a remote area, ask about medical emergency plans and whether there will be a means of communication with civilization.
Do some studying beforehand. Here are some helpful books:
”Desert Solitaire, A Season in the Wilderness,” by Edward Abbey
(Ballantine, $5.95), is entertaining and enlightening.
”Hiking the Grand Canyon,” by John Annerino (Sierra Club Books, $14).
”The Deserts of the Southwest,” by Peggy Larson (Sierra Club Books, list price, $12).
And a flexible attitude is a prerequisite when venturing into the unknown.
