New Year's Resolution - Master the Digital Darkroom

Photoshop and Digital Printing Workshop, January 16-20, 2011

It’s time to master the digital darkroom!

Do you want your photographs to really capture what you saw and felt when you made the exposure? Do you think that sometimes they don’t live up to their potential?

You know you could get the most out of your images if only you could learn the complexities of Photoshop. But this program seems incredibly daunting. Sure, you can pick up useful tips here and there. But how do you put it all together? How do you know when to use this trick, and not that one? How can you cut through the clutter and develop a time-saving workflow?

Michael Frye, author of Digital Landscape Photography, has designed this workshop to demystify Photoshop and the digital darkroom. You’ll learn simple, powerful techniques that take advantage of Photoshop’s power but avoid it’s complex pitfalls. You’ll learn a comprehensive workflow to take your images from capture to print. Most importantly, find out how to convey your vision and make your photographs express their full potential.

In this workshop we’ll work in The Ansel Adams Gallery’s digital lab learning simple, powerful, step-by-step procedures for taking a Raw file to a finished print. Morning and evening field sessions will allow you to refine your composition and exposure skills, and beautiful light and the potential for clearing storms make winter a great time to photograph Yosemite. The class size is small—no more than eight students—so you’ll get lots of personal attention.

Here’s a partial list of topics covered:

-Zone System Exposure for Digital Cameras

-Color Management

-Overall workflow

-Raw Image Processing

-Making a Master File

-Using Layers for Flexibility

-Controlling Contrast

-Mastering Curves

-Dodging and Burning

-Retouching

-Making Difficult Selections Easy

-Converting to Black and White

-Sharpening

-Combining Images for Greater Depth of Field

-Combining Images to Expand Dynamic Range, both with HDR and Photoshop

Click here to join this workshop and learn the secrets to mastering the digital darkroom!

Ted Orland- Scenes of Wonder and Curiosity

You are invited to this exhibit at the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite.
Reception with the Artist on Thursday, November 18th from 3-5pm. Refreshments and drinks will be served, and Orland will be attending. On display from November 10th - December 31st.

Orland’s hand-colored black & white photographs follow in the West Coast tradition of fine craft printmaking, but engage a wide range of contemporary subject matter. Recently he has begun scanning his hand-colored work and generating an edition of inkjet prints of existing images that seem to translate well to that medium. Even more recently he’s begun bypassing the darkroom entirely(except film developing) and either “hand”-coloring images on the computer or re-working color negatives. His photographs are exhibited widely and appear in most major museum collections.
Take this opportunity to come experience the peaceful Autumn season in Yosemite and enjoy the exhibit. See more of Ted Orland's work here:
http://www.anseladams.com/category_s/65.htm

Ted Orland lives in Santa Cruz, California, where he pursues parallel careers in teaching, writing and photography. Ted first visited Yosemite in 1966 as a student in Ansel Adams’ Summer Photography workshop, and in the early 1970’s became assistant to Ansel Adams and printer of Adams’ Yosemite Special Edition Prints. He taught at the annual Ansel Adams Yosemite Workshop fifteen times, and continues to visit the Park frequently.

In 1987 Orland became the first photographer to receive a National Park Service Artist in Residency in Yosemite, and for the past ten years has participated in the Park Service’s annual High Country Artists’ Pack Trip. In 1988 he received a Certificate of Special Recognition from the United States Congress for his work in the conservationist movement to save Mono Lake. More recently he has twice served as Juror for the annual Yosemite Renaissance Exhibition, which promotes artwork made in Yosemite National Park. Currently he teaches master classes for University of California Extension, and at workshop centers across the country.

Orland is author of Man & Yosemite, which traces the early history of Yosemite as it can be interpreted through photographs of the period; he also wrote the Introduction to Uelsmann/Yosemite, a book of decidedly contemporary images by photographer Jerry Uelsmann. A major selection of Ted’s photographs and writings appear in his monograph, Scenes of Wonder & Curiosity. Ted is the co-author (with David Bayles) of the book Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Printmaking, which explores the nature of the art-making process. Art & Fear has been on the best–seller list for art books ever since its publication in 1994, and is currently in its tenth printing.

Autumn's Peak

Fall seemed to come a little late this year, with the Oaks and Dogwood finally at their most brilliant right now. Heavy rains earlier in the month knocked some leaves down, but we still have abundant color especially in protected areas. The light has been buttery-golden and crisp all day long, getting even more spectacular in the morning and evening. Gauzy blue-white morning fog has been gracing the meadow areas, creating a wonderful scene for those willing to get up early while on vacation!

Tioga Pass (on Eastern highway 120) has been closing intermittently, and most recently re-opened on Tuesday the 2nd. The high country is also sublime right now, with dustings of snow on the high domes, golden meadows, and lots of solitude. The coming storms may close the pass for the season, check to make sure it is open before planning a trip. The most up-to-date National Park Service information on Yosemite road conditions can be found at: (209) 372-0200.
Image by Staff Photographer Evan Russell

Upcoming 2011 Workshop Sneak Peek!

We'll be announcing our 2011 workshop schedule soon, but thought we'd give you a sneak preview of Photoshop and Digital Printing Workshop with Michael Frye, since it's only a few months away! January 16-20, 2011.

This is a perfect class for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge and skill with Photoshop. Photoshop is an incredibly powerful program, yet because of that power it’s also complex. This workshop is designed to help you cut through the clutter, and all the conflicting, confusing information out there, and learn simple, powerful techniques for making great digital prints. You’ll leave the class with new skills, confidence, and increased mastery of Photoshop. Here's a partial list of the topics covered:

-Zone System Exposure for Digital Cameras

-Color Management

-Overall workflow

-Raw Image Processing

-Making a Master File

-Using Layers for Flexibility

-Controlling Contrast

-Mastering Curves

-Dodging and Burning

-Retouching

-Making Difficult Selections Easy

-Converting to Black and White

-Sharpening

-Combining Images for Greater Depth of Field

-Combining Images to Expand Dynamic Range, both with HDR and Photoshop

Registration for this and all our 2011 workshops will be open soon, but in the mean time don't forget to mark this down on your calendar!

YOSEMITE: In Detail, Watercolors by Sally Owens

The work of artist Sally Owens will be featured in an upcoming solo show of paintings in Yosemite National Park. Owens, a longtime park resident and winner of regional, state & national awards, is best known for her subtle & detailed portrayals of natural "found objects" such as leaves, feathers and branches, meticulously rendered in watercolor.

The exhibit, YOSEMITE: In Detail, will run from September 27th through November 7th at the Ansel Adams Gallery, located in Yosemite Village. Come renew your spirit after a long, hot summer, and welcome Autumn to Yosemite. The weather cools, the crowds dwindle, and glorious fall colors adorn the landscape. Paint, hike, and enjoy the scenery, then swing by to meet Sally. Artist's Opening Reception Wednesday October 6th from 4 -6:00 p.m.

See more of Sally Owens' work!

About Sally Owens:
"I was born in Japan and have long admired the graceful simplicity in asian art and design. I grew up in California, where the natural landscape is tremendously varied and inspiring, raised by two teachers for whom travel and the arts are passionate interests. Our family visits to Yosemite forged a connection which endures to the present.
My husband, a wilderness ranger, also profoundly influenced my direction, and continues to inspire me with his keenly felt love of nature. Since 1988 we have built our lives around the singularly beautiful place that is Yosemite. In our increasingly fast-paced, complex world, it remains a sanctuary where I find great satisfaction dedicating hours to a solitary pursuit requiring only brush, water, paper and paint.

While artistic inspiration abounds in the many majestic landmarks, I am particularly drawn to what is found in their shadows, common things with a quiet beauty that often goes unnoticed. I hope the subjects of my paintings speak for themselves. My aim is to keep the painting process simple, and I strive to create artworks as spare & elegant as the objects themselves. In my work I hope to reveal the subtleties of the natural objects around us, and to illuminate the extraordinary in ordinary things."

Yosemite Facelift Cleanup- Sept 22-26

The annual Yosemite Facelift park wide cleanup is approaching! Join hundreds of other volunteers as they undo the summers' damage. Special events have been planned and raffle prizes will be given away throughout the weekend. Organized by the Yosemite Climbing Association, this helpful annual event is very popular and effective. Reserved camping may available for registered participants. More information is available at yosemiteclimbing.org.

John Sexton: Photographs from Three Decades

We invite you to join us for John Sexton's new exhibit at the Yosemite Gallery.

John Sexton is one of the most widely known contemporary black and white landscape photographers and educators. He was Photographic Assistant to Ansel Adams for many years, and his work, in high demand, demonstrates the technical and artistic expertise that one would expect from such an association. John's work has a very distinctive feel and is immediately recognizable, for he has clearly stepped out of the shadow of his mentor and established a worldwide reputation. The show will be on display from August 18th to September 26th.

A reception will be held on August 21st, from 4-6pm at the Yosemite Gallery with refreshments and beverages.

We also invite you to join us for Sexton's lecture, Inspired by Yosemite: Photographs by Ansel Adams and John Sexton, which will be held following the reception at the Yosemite Lodge Outdoor Amphitheater beginning at 8:30pm.

John Sexton was born in 1953, and resides in Carmel Valley, California. Respected as a photographer, master printmaker, and workshop instructor, he is best known for his luminous, quiet photographs of the natural environment. John’s most recent book is Recollections: Three Decades of Photographs, an award-winning retrospective volume, published in late 2006 by Ventana Editions. John’s previous award-winning books include Quiet Light, a monograph representing fifteen years of his work, and Listen to the Trees, which were published by Bulfinch Press/Little, Brown and Company, along with Places of Power: The Aesthetics of Technology published by Ventana Editions.

His photographs are included in permanent collections, exhibitions, and publications throughout the world. His work has been featured on CBS "Sunday Morning" show with Charles Kuralt, and on the MacNeil Leher News Hour. Bank of America, General Motors, and Eastman Kodak have used his photographs in national advertising campaigns. Sexton's photographs have been included in numerous publications including: Time, Life, American Photo, Backpacker, Photo Techniques, Darkroom Photography, LensWork Quarterly, View Camera, Black and White, Zoom, Outdoor Photographer, Outside, TWA Ambassador, Southern Accents, and Popular Photography.

He is the Director of the John Sexton photography Workshop program, and has taught numerous photography workshops each year for other programs in the United States and abroad, emphasizing printing technique and mastery of the Zone System. These programs include: The Ansel Adams Gallery Workshops, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, The Friends of Photography, Maine Photographic Workshops, and the Palm Beach Workshops. His informed and entertaining lectures for photographic and professional organizations, colleges, and universities discuss the aesthetic and technical aspects of fine black and white photography. He has presented lectures for, among others, Boston University, George Eastman House, The Friends of Photography, Los Angeles, County Museum of Art, Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego, and the Seattle Art Museum.

A recipient of the 2005 North American Nature Photography Association Lifetime Achievement Award, John is a consultant to Eastman Kodak Company and other photographic manufacturers. He served as both Technical and Photographic Assistant, and then Technical Consultant to Ansel Adams from 1979 to 1984. . Following Mr. Adams’ death Sexton served as Photographic Special Projects Consultant to The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust. From 1985 to 1993, he was a member of the Board of Trustees of The Friends of Photography.

See more of Sexton's work!