Colorado Colors

When one thinks of quintessential Colorado experiences, at the top of the list should be a visit during fall to see the annual spectacular display of color. The forests near Crested Butte, Colorado, are home to one of the largest organisms in the world—the aspen grove. Few aspen forests in North America rival those found near Kebler Pass and Ohio Pass for their size and potential for magnificent color. Since aspen trees reproduce through their root system, groves are interconnected, which leads to all changing color simultaneously, putting on a magical display that is the envy of every landscape photographer on earth.

Our workshop coincides with some of the best dates to witness fall color in the West Elk Wilderness, with trees showcasing a mixture of colors, including gold, yellow, green, and red, all juxtaposed with the white bark of the aspens themselves. These varying mixes of color make for an excellent opportunity to develop and fine-tune one’s skills in creating intimate landscapes, abstract images, and grand scenic photographs – we’ll have the opportunity to do it all! We will pair these idyllic displays of color with towering peaks and snaking rivers and provide opportunities for even the most experienced photographer to come home with something unique.

Our focus for this workshop is to help you learn to capture images of fall color that embody your voice and vision for your photography. While we will also visit some of the more iconic locations nearby, we will emphasize helping you capture images that speak to you and are uniquely yours. We will help you express yourself through the lens using as many tools and techniques as possible, including macro, telephoto, wide angle, and intentional camera movement.

We will instruct you on using filters, shooting panoramas, and pre-visualizing your composition and will challenge you to capture photographs that go well beyond the classic and iconic image. Our image reviews will discuss image composition, technical choices, and post-processing in Lightroom.

Our group is small, everything is all-inclusive, and our workshop is led by one of the most well-respected experts on Colorado fall color photography. Expect to be up early and out late and be immersed in stunning landscapes all the time. You can expect hiking on uneven surfaces on and off trails through aspen forests at higher elevations, requiring you to be in moderate physical condition and able to traverse steep forested areas without much difficulty.