1 0

    Stay informed about upcoming dates for this exciting workshop! Join the waitlist below and be the first to know when new dates are announced.

    $0
    $0
    Sale Sold out
    Learn More and Sign Up

    • Experience Level

      Beginner to Advanced 

      This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You'll receive personalized guidance to build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses. Expect to be challenged and grow, regardless of your starting point.

    • Fitness Level

      More Info 

    • Curriculum

    • Group Size

      Limited to 8 Guests

      We keep our group sizes small to ensure the individual attention you deserve.

    • Location

      Ouray, Colorado

      View Map 

    • Fly To

      Check Flights 

    Description

    Your Pro Leaders

    • David Kingham

      David is an accomplished professional photographer renowned for his evocative nature imagery. His work showcases intimate landscapes, stunning nightscapes, and masterful black-and-white photography. As the founder of Exploring Exposure, David is dedicated to mentoring aspiring photographers, helping them refine their skills and develop their artistic vision.

      View David's Portfolio 

    • Jennifer Renwick

      Jennifer is a professional photographer renowned for her captivating abstract and small scene imagery. With a keen eye for detail, she uncovers the hidden stories within grand landscapes. Jennifer is passionate about helping fellow photographers discover their unique style and guiding them to express their vision through meaningful projects.

      View Jennifer's Portfolio 

    Itinerary

    Preparation: Upon registration, a comprehensive itinerary will be sent to you, ensuring all the details are at your fingertips to help you plan your travel arrangements seamlessly.

    Workshop Highlights & Creative Focus:

    • Interpreting Autumn's Palette: Colorado in the fall is an explosion of color, especially in the aspen groves of the San Juans. This workshop is about moving beyond simply documenting the spectacle to interpreting it. We guide you to see the landscape with fresh eyes, finding compelling compositions amidst the vibrant foliage, rugged peaks, and mountain streams. The goal is to craft images that convey your personal experience of this stunning season.
    • Seeing Beyond the Golden Vistas: While we'll certainly seek out grand landscapes ablaze with color, we also emphasize slowing down to discover the quieter beauty often missed – the intimate details of aspen bark, the abstract patterns of fallen leaves, the way light filters through the canopy, or the interplay of color along a creek. We encourage looking beyond the obvious postcard views to find more unique and personal expressions of autumn.
    • Working with Mountain Light & Color: Fall light in the Rockies can be spectacular. We'll focus on maximizing the golden hours, but also on learning to work effectively with the light at other times of day. You'll learn techniques for managing contrast, using light direction to enhance texture and shape, and composing effectively with bold, sometimes challenging, color palettes.
    • Creative Exploration Encouraged: This is a chance to experiment. Try different lenses to alter perspective, explore the graphic potential of aspens in black and white, use techniques like intentional camera movement (ICM) for abstract interpretations, or focus on capturing the mood and atmosphere of a scene. David and Jennifer offer complementary perspectives to help you push your creative boundaries.
    • Developing Your Images with Intent: In our classroom sessions, you'll learn how our "Rethink Landscape" processing methodology in Lightroom can help you bring out the best in your fall images. This system is particularly useful for managing vibrant colors naturally, enhancing textures in foliage and mountains, and achieving results that match the vision you had in the field.
    • Personalized Guidance for Your Vision: With our small group format and two experienced leaders, you'll receive plenty of individual attention. Our focus is on helping you find and develop yourunique way of seeing and photographing the autumn landscape, providing feedback and support tailored to your creative goals.

    Why Fall in Colorado?

    The sheer intensity and scale of Colorado's fall color, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, offers an incredibly rich environment for photographic growth. It challenges you to compose effectively amidst visual abundance, to work thoughtfully with vibrant color, and to find unique perspectives within popular landscapes. It's an opportunity to develop your ability to see beyond the surface beauty and craft images with deeper personal meaning and visual impact. The crisp air and typically favorable weather allow for focused immersion in this inspiring landscape during its most celebrated season.

    Important Details:

    • Lodging: We are currently finalizing lodging arrangements to secure a comfortable and conveniently located base for our explorations, likely in the heart of the San Juan Mountains region known for spectacular fall color (e.g., Ridgway, Ouray area). We prioritize locations that minimize driving time to key photographic areas. Specific details regarding the hotel, group rate, and booking instructions will be provided upon registration.
    • Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own transportation to/from the workshop base location and during the workshop. A standard passenger vehicle is usually sufficient, though some locations might involve driving on well-maintained gravel roads. High clearance is generally not required for planned locations. Carpooling is encouraged for field outings.

    Image Gallery

    Safety First

    Your safety is our utmost priority, especially when exploring remote locations. As certified Wilderness First Responders, David and Jennifer are prepared to handle any situation, big or small. We also carry satellite communication devices to ensure we can request rescue assistance if needed in areas without cellular coverage.

    Responsible

    As proud members of Nature First Photography, we are committed to responsible nature photography practices. We abide by and promote the seven principles of this movement to our clients, encouraging them to join us in preserving the natural world we capture through our lenses.

    Join Nature First

    Legal Compliance

    At Exploring Exposure, we operate with the highest level of integrity. We obtain all necessary permits, carry comprehensive liability insurance, and acquire any required certifications to ensure our workshops are conducted legally and ethically.

    Our Teaching Philosophy

    At our workshops, we are dedicated to helping you discover and develop your unique creative style through personalized training tailored to your skill level and photographic interests. Our goal is to provide you with a rigorous learning experience, both in the field and the classroom, to elevate your photography to new heights.

    Your growth and satisfaction are our top priorities. We put your interests first, focusing solely on your learning experience. Throughout the workshop, we will take photographs alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene, share techniques, and foster a sense of camaraderie within the group. However, we will never leave you to pursue our own photographic endeavors. Our attention will always remain on you and your progress.

    We regularly check in with each participant to provide helpful feedback and advice on your work, without being overbearing. Our biggest goal is to see you succeed and learn, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

    We recognize that each participant joins our workshops at different stages of their photographic development. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, we are here to guide and assist you. We firmly believe that there is always room for growth and improvement in photography, and we are committed to helping you refine your skills and find your unique creative vision.

    Above all, we strive to create a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience for you. Our small group sizes allow us to build strong connections with our clients, fostering a sense of community and belonging. We are driven by our love for photography and find immense joy in witnessing our participants' growth and artistic development.

    Join us on this exciting journey of photographic discovery, and let us help you unlock your full creative potential.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are spouses/partners welcome?

    Will I have cell service during the workshop?

    In many remote areas we visit, cell service and Wi-Fi can be extremely limited or non-existent during field excursions. Expect potential periods of being offline. Service is typically available at our accommodation, but cannot be guaranteed everywhere. We carry a satellite communication device for emergency use.

    Will weather cancel the workshop?

    Often, dramatic weather provides the best photographic opportunities! We prioritize participant safety, but the workshop will proceed in most weather conditions. Locations or schedules might be adjusted if conditions pose a significant safety risk (e.g., hazardous roads, extreme events). We encourage embracing the elements! Please note that no refunds or rescheduling are offered based on weather circumstances.

    Do the instructors photograph during workshops?

    Our commitment is first and foremost to your learning and creative exploration. While you might see us create some images during our time in the field, it's always with an educational purpose in mind. We might photograph to:

    • Walk you through how we evaluate and compose a scene, sharing the excitement and challenges together.
    • Demonstrate a specific technique (like focus stacking, long exposure, or ICM).
    • Make images during our field sessions that reflect the specific locations and conditions you're experiencing. This provides highly relevant examples for demonstrating the Rethink processing workflow, directly applicable to the images you're creating on the trip.

    Engaging in the creative process alongside you can be instructive and helps foster a shared experience and connection within the group. However, this never takes precedence over providing personalized attention and ensuring you have the support you need to develop your vision. Our focus remains squarely on you.

    Detailed Fitness Requirements & Terrain

    How to Get There

    Cancellation Policy

    We put a lot of care into planning intimate, high-quality workshop experiences. Because our group sizes are small and significant logistical planning begins well in advance, we must adhere to a firm cancellation policy. We strongly encourage you to purchase trip insurance to protect your investment should unforeseen circumstances arise.

    • Initial Payment: An initial payment is required to secure your spot in the workshop.
    • Cancellation More Than Days Out: If you need to cancel your registration more than days before the workshop start date, we will refund your initial payment, minus a $100 administration fee.
    • Cancellation Between and Days Out: If you cancel fewer than days but more than days before the workshop start date, your initial payment becomes non-refundable. However, should we successfully fill your spot from a waiting list or new registration, we will refund your initial payment, minus a 5% payment processing fee.
    • Automatic Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance for the workshop will be automatically charged to the card used for the initial payment days prior to the workshop start date. We will send a courtesy reminder email a few days before this charge occurs. It is your responsibility to ensure your payment information is up-to-date. If you need to use a different card for the final payment, please contact us well before the -day deadline.
    • Cancellation Within Days (After Automatic Final Payment): If you cancel fewer than days before the workshop start date, after the final balance has been automatically charged, all payments made (initial payment and final balance) are non-refundable. This is why we strongly recommend trip insurance. However, should we successfully fill your spot from a waiting list or new registration, we will refund your total payments, minus a 5% payment processing fee. We will make a reasonable effort to fill the spot but cannot guarantee it, especially close to the start date.
    • Process & Policy Understanding: All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email or US mail. Please understand that this policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances. There are no exceptions.
    • Trip Insurance is Highly Recommended: Again, to safeguard against unexpected events (personal/family emergencies, illness, travel delays, etc.) that might prevent you from attending, we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This can help cover your workshop fees and travel expenses should you need to cancel within the non-refundable period. These are just suggestions, and we have no affiliation with them, but you might consider providers like TravelGuard, World Nomads, or Allianz Travel. Please research plans carefully to ensure they meet your needs.
    • Workshop Cancellation by Exploring Exposure: We reserve the right to cancel a workshop if the minimum participant enrollment is not met or due to other unforeseen circumstances (e.g., leader illness, park closures). If we must cancel a workshop, you will be notified as soon as possible and offered the choice of transferring your registration and payments to a future workshop or receiving a full refund of all payments made directly to Exploring Exposure. Exploring Exposure is not liable for any other expenses you may have incurred, such as airfare, lodging, or rental cars. Trip insurance can often cover these associated costs in case of workshop cancellation by us, providing another reason for its purchase.

    Have Questions?

    Feel free to reach out, we are happy to help!

    Customer Reviews

    Based on 4 reviews
    100%
    (4)
    0%
    (0)
    0%
    (0)
    0%
    (0)
    0%
    (0)
    M
    Mozzam

    Attending a workshop hosted by David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick is one of the best things an aspiring Photographer can do to raise their skills. The best part is, you come away with an increased passion and desire to spend more time with your camera. It's not learning how to expose properly or use the right focal length but the emotions they teach you, how to see the landscape or become intimate with a leaf. You can tell there is a burning desire that they both want you to succeed and even more, the sincerity that they want you to leave with a total outlook that photography is not just about pressing the shutter to capture a moment.
    This is my third workshop with D and J, and I can tell you without a doubt it's not my last. I have taken the time to observe them and listen to their mindset towards photography and each time I can see the difference in making a picture.
    To that Photographer who is debating on attending a workshop with David and Jennifer, you will be rewarded with a renewed excitement to caress your camera, both emotionally and technically, creating priceless images.
    Thank you, David and Jennifer, you have a passionate photographer who enjoys spending time with you.

    We're truly touched by your kind words and detailed review. Knowing that our workshops have reignited your passion for photography and brought a deeper emotional connection to your process means the world to us. We love sharing our love for the art and seeing our participants grow in ways beyond technical skills. We look forward to many more opportunities to create and explore together!

    J
    Jacob

    David and Jennifer lead great workshops that accommodate all levels of experience. If you are a complete beginner or a seasoned photographer just looking to sharpen your skill set, you will always find the instructions and guidance that you need. I've been on 3 workshops with David and Jennifer, and each time I came away with a better understanding and direction on where I want my photography to go.

    Their knowledge of the area and where and when to be at the right time to catch the light was essential for producing the best photos. They always scout the photo locations days in advance, which is very beneficial to the success of the workshop. Also, the constant monitoring of weather and the flexibility to adjust plans contributed greatly to capturing the best images possible.

    David has a unique ability to enhance the image in post-processing and is happy to share his knowledge and skills with the workshop participants. His Colorado Fall Colors post-processing handout and presentation slides were an invaluable added bonus.

    Big thanks to both David and Jennifer for a well-run workshop! I am looking forward to joining them on another adventure, and I highly recommend Exploring Exposure workshops to anyone who likes landscape photography.

    We're thrilled to hear that you've had such positive experiences on our workshops! Your kind words about our guidance, local knowledge, and David's post-processing tips mean a lot to us. It's wonderful to know we've helped enhance your photography journey. We can't wait to welcome you on another adventure soon!

    M
    Mary

    I just took my first workshop with David and Jennifer, Photographing Fall Color in Colorado, and it definitely won't be my last. David and Jennifer are great photographers and great people, they're very knowledgeable about the area and local conditions, and they do their very best to ensure that all of the participants get what they want out of the experience. This workshop maximized our time in the field, while also offering the perfect amount of class time to learn about photo apps and processing. I came away with ideas for improving my compositions, as well as for optimizing my final images in post. Thank you Jennifer and David for your inspiration and support, and for providing a great learning experience!

    R
    Rick Wautier

    This was my first workshop with David and Jennifer and it certainly won't be my last (Can't wait for the Grand Tetons in 2020). Even with the fall colors arriving late in the Ridgway area of Colorado they still managed to find great and interesting subject matter for the group to photograph. They are truly great individuals that do care about the workshop participants and go out of their way to ensure that you have a great and safe experience. They are extremely knowledgeable and they do their utmost to share that knowledge with you without being overbearing. They were always available to answer any questions you may have and offer encouragement when needed. I came away feeling more confident in my abilities and excited about continuing on my photographic journey. David and Jennifer are the best and I am looking forward to future workshops with them.

    Other Workshops