We came from near are far for this trek. I came from New York City and took in Las Vegas for one day and Night. Most of us met in Las Vegas on April 28, where we boarded a motor coach for the 3 ½ hour ride to Zion National Park and our base of operations at Zion Mountain Ranch.
On the evening of April 28, we met our mentors, John Reddy, Mark Alberhasky, Daniel J. Cox and David Black. As always, each presentation and group of pictures where very fascinating, breathtaking and beautiful. Each mentor has their own special style of photography, and it is evident in the work.
Because the weather reports prior to our arriving in Utah were so ominous, I was concerned about what weather conditions we were going to face. My worries turn out to be without any basis, as the weather everyday was perfect for photography.
We left the ranch on the morning of Thursday April 29, for Zion National Park. Our first stop was Clear Creek where our group broke off with John Reddy to photograph the beautiful sandstone mountains and rock formations of Zion. Our next stop was a half hour hike up to the Canyon Over-look, where the views and photography were spectacular, and aw inspiring.
For a break we stopped and had lunch at the Zion Mountain Lodge. From there our next stop was a short hike up to Weeping Rock. At Weeping Rock, John set up his flash and did some on site teaching of off camera flash fill in photography. The contrast of the rock over-hand and the water dripping down from the sandstone made for some very interesting photo opportunities. Our last stop in Zion that afternoon was at Inspiration Point. There we saw a beautiful waterfall way up in the rocks and a lovely river running through Zion National Park.
Friday was our group�s days to travel to Bryce Canyon, where we were all anticipating a great day of photography. We were not let down in any way shape or form. On that trip to Bryce our mentors were David Black and Daniel J. Cox. Our first stop was at Inspiration Point, where the views of Bryce Canyon are spectacular and the opposite of Zion National Park. From there the motor coach dropped us off at Sunrise Point and we all hiked to Sunset Point. At Sunset point many of us hike down in to Bryce Canyon. The lighting was perfect and the photo opportunities were too many to mention. The trekkers were shooting from every angle and location, changing lenses, using tripods, off tripods, but shooting away. At Sunset Point we took our group photo with Bryce Canyon in the background.
We broke for a fine dinner at the Bryce Canyon Lodge, and no one was disappointed in their meal. After dinner we went back to Sunset point, and photographed the sun setting over Bryce Canyon.
Later prior to leaving Bryce Canyon we stopped at Natural Bridge to learn light painting with David Black and Daniel J. Cox. It was truly an experience of a life time and one none of us will forget. We arrived back at the ranch very late that night, after a very long but wonderful day of photography.
Saturday we stay at the ranch for part of the day to shoot some of the horses on the ranch and a cowboy who was riding his horse and modeling for us. Mark Alberhasky and Daniel J. Cox were giving us photo tips and suggestion of different way and methods to take advantage of the photo opportunities.
That afternoon we left in a couple of vans to photograph mountain bikers and the scenery at Gooseberry Mesa. None of us were disappointed and we walked away with great shots and a fun afternoon. Later that evening after a review session, many of us went out on the ranch to shoot the sun going down over Zion Mountain Ranch with Mark.
Our final day Sunday started out as we left the ranch back for Zion National Park. Our stops were Towers of the Virgins, Court of the Patriarchs and Emerald Pools. Again, another great day of photography and we headed back to the ranch for our final reviews with the mentors, and final photograph presentation.
The trek ended with a terrific ranch, BBQ dinner sponsored by the Mentor Series and a Native American dance and song presentation.
To say the least it was an eventful four days that none of us will ever forget. The photo opportunities were far too many to explain, but they will be preserved in the many photographs taken by the trekkers who were fortunate to be on this trek with the Mentor Series.
Joel Kleiner
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