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• Spirit of Structure: Ghost Towns of Western Montana

Spirit of Structure: Ghost Towns of Western Montana

September 9 – 14, 2012 Montana Tuition: $1500 Register by downloading our Workshop Application (PDF). Or you can register at www.theworkshops.com

Imagine photographing the streets of a classic western ghost town as well as an old mining community – both in the same week! Gold was discovered in 1862 in Bannack, Montana’s first territorial capital, and approximately 3000 people called it home by 1863. It is an intact, high plains western town containing nineteen buildings, including a saloon, school, Masonic Hall, two hotels, jail and variety of other businesses and houses. Garnet was settled three decades later by miners and their families who worked for the mining companies using industrial equipment to dig out the hard-rock mines. In its heyday over 1000 people lived in this high mountain area in the Garnet Mountain range. Many of the original buildings are still intact, although to a lesser degree than the ghost town of Bannack.

This is a location workshop in which we will focus on creating photographs. All camera formats, film and digital, are welcome. Large format and film are always welcome in my workshops but be advised that there is no opportunity for processing film. Digital photographers should bring their own laptop for editing.

Although the emphasis is on making photographs, we will take time together as a group to look at each other’s work. If you are working with a digital camera, you have the choice of showing images made during the workshop or from a portfolio you have brought with you. Those working with only film will have to bring a portfolio of images for review. For all participants: Bring five of your images for introductions. All reviews will be done in the five-images-in-five-minutes format.

My “Spirit of Structure” workshops focus on photographing in the man-made environment, rather than on the grand landscape. These workshops are designed for increasing your skills as a photographer and to shift your perceptions and challenge preconceived notions. Your focus during the week is not about making the perfect photograph but in approaching the subjects differently, in taking risks, in shifting your standard point of view. The combination of working in a new, exciting environment and challenging (yet hopefully fun) assignments will change the photographs you make long after this workshop is over.

Participants are responsible for lodging, meals and transportation. For those who are able, we will have an informal “get together” on Sunday night (September 9th) at 6 p.m. The workshop officially begins Monday morning at 9 am.