NYC Skylines: Reverse Manhattanhenge
January 9 – 12, 2026
1 Spot Left
Images of the Ancients
At a Glance
Location
Utah, USA
Tuition
$9,995
Dates
October 19 – 25, 2027
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- Signature Collection
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Images of the Ancients Photography Workshop
Ancestral Puebloan Cliff Dwellings and Rock Art
October 19 – 25, 2027
- Explore the cultural and natural landscapes of the Bears Ears region
- Among North America's best-preserved dwellings and pictographs
- Trip accompanied by Navajo guides for meaningful interpretation
From 13,000 B.C. to a few hundred years ago, ancient civilizations thrived within the towering sandstone canyons of the Cedar Mesa region. In the high desert of Utah, junipers and piñons live on the cliffsides, and cottonwoods hug the washes and streams. Here, we will find some of the most preserved dwellings, pictographs, and petroglyphs found in North America that can still be photographed in their original state.
This will be a small group experience because of the sensitive nature of the locations and the limited space at each place. We’ll use jeeps to access these remote locations on 4-wheel drive roads. You will need to be able to walk up to two miles to these sites with your camera and tripod on your back. This will be a small group of enthusiastic photographers to capture images of unusual sites of ancient civilizations. Bring your super wide-angle lenses for low light, where you’ll learn to photograph the dwellings under the starlight. Don’t forget to bring a longer zoom lens, as we will capture fantastic landscape images as blue hour turns the desert into an array of colors and textures.
We will ensure access to the best location in optimal light. Bears Ears Partnership will give an interpretive presentation about the history and use of the region, explaining the native Americans’ special emphasis on the area.
This workshop will be held in collaboration with Bears Ears Partnership. In addition to creating images of these locations, we want you to learn about the people who lived here and how to preserve these fantastic sites for generations.
Money from the proceeds of this workshop are donated to Bears Ears Partnership to help fund their essential preservation and educational endeavors.
Your Pros
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
October 19, 2027: Arrive in Durango, Travel to Bluff, Bears Ears Partnership Orientation
Arrive in Durango, Colorado. You will be driven to Bluff, Utah. Once settled into our hotel, we will head to the Bears Ears Partnership headquarters to talk about what to expect, how to approach, and photograph some of the sensitive areas we will be visiting. Dinner in Bluff!
October 20, 2027: Photograph San Juan River Dwelling, Explore Ancient Petroglyphs, Evening Mesa Hike
We will photograph our first dwelling along the San Juan River in the warmth of first light. After this shoot, we will drive a short distance to visit a fantastic panel of petroglyphs and photograph Moki steps along the river. Afterward, we will have our first image review, ensuring you can adjust your techniques in the field before the rest of the workshop. We will eat an early dinner and head out for a beautiful and scenic hike to an incredible dwelling at the top of a mesa.
October 21, 2027: Morning Canyon Trek to Cedar Mesa Ruin, Sunset and Milky Way Photography at Muley Point
After breakfast, we will head off to a ruin in a different region of Cedar Mesa. We will hike deep into a canyon and arrive at the ruin at around 11:00 a.m. This is the best time to photograph this ruin when the bounce light fills the walls with a warm glow. We’ll head back to Bluff for an image review and an early dinner. We’ll leave to capture sunset light and blue hour from Muley Point and Moki Dugway.
October 22, 2027: Jeep Journey to Comb Ridge, Discover Ancient Ruins and Rock Art, Explore Hidden Pictographs
After breakfast, we will take a jeep ride and a short hike to photograph an amazing ruin in the Comb Ridge area. Our Navajo guide will be with us to discuss the people that inhabited the area. He’ll give us his interpretation of the pictographs and petroglyphs near the dwelling at the end of this cottonwood-lined canyon. We will then make our way back to Bluff. We will pack a lunch and head out to a little-known area full of picturesque granaries, shelters, pictographs, and petroglyphs.
October 23, 2027: Explore Remote Canyon Dwelling, Post-Processing Lesson, Photograph Milky Way over Cedar Mesa
After breakfast, we will again find ourselves deep in a canyon, driving the jeeps along a windy two-track road that will lead us to a short hike to another dwelling that’s best photographed in the late morning light. This will be another location where we can photograph in reflective light. Then we’ll head back to Bluff for lunch and a lesson on post-processing night images.
This afternoon we’ll head out to another magnificent dwelling. We will eat dinner out in the field and head to one of the best-preserved dwellings in Cedar Mesa. We will photograph it in the late afternoon light and stick around to capture it with the Milky Way high in the sky above it.
October 24, 2027: Flexible Day Exploring Additional Dwellings or Revisiting Previous Locations
This will be a day to revisit a specific dwelling, or explore another new location.
October 25, 2027: Final Image Review, Reflect on Captured Moments, Return to Durango
After a hardy, well-deserved breakfast, we will have an image review and reflect on the photographs that we’ve captured. We will check out of the hotel and make our way back to Durango, Colorado.
Backcountry hiking
The journey to the dwellings is an exciting adventure that takes you off the beaten path and into the heart of the canyon. While the terrain is more rugged than a flat trail, the challenges along the way only add to the sense of accomplishment. As you navigate the canyon slopes, you'll encounter fascinating sandstone ledges, rocks to climb over, and stretches of sandy ground. Some sections may feel steep or slippery, but rest assured, you won't be alone. The group will travel together, supporting each other as we tackle each obstacle.
There may be times when we'll ask you to hand your camera pack to one of our guides so you can focus on the more challenging sections. Lighter loads make it easier to maneuver across the angled sandstone slabs and through the willows, ensuring everyone stays safe and enjoys the journey. The teamwork you'll experience along the way will be one of the highlights of the trip, and the reward at the end will be more than worth the effort!
Fitness
Challenging: Up to 2 mile hikes in steep locations with soft sand and rocky terrain.
Flights
Arrive at Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO), Durango, Colorado before 11:00 AM on October 19, 2027. Flights out can be made after 2:00 PM on October 25, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,440 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- English-speaking local guide throughout the workshop.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from 2 pros.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Durango, Colorado.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,440 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $3,995 will hold your space in this workshop.
- Further payment of $3,000 is due by February 1, 2027.
- The balance is due not later than June 1, 2027.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll learn to photograph ancient dwellings under starlight using super wide-angle lenses, and capture stunning landscape images during blue hour with longer zoom lenses. The workshop also covers post-processing techniques for night images.
This workshop is challenging, involving up to two-mile hikes in steep locations with soft sand and rocky terrain. Participants should be prepared for rugged backcountry hiking and be comfortable carrying their camera gear over uneven ground.
The workshop is designed for a small group experience, with a maximum capacity of 6 participants. This ensures personalized attention and access to sensitive locations.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. Cancellations made more than 150 days before the start date receive a full refund. Between 150 and 91 days, you receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and between 90 and 61 days, a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are given within 60 days unless we fill your space, in which case you receive a 100% refund. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
Bring super wide-angle lenses for low-light photography of dwellings and longer zoom lenses for capturing landscapes during blue hour. A sturdy tripod is also essential for night photography.
Medical evacuation insurance is required for this workshop. While travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is highly recommended to protect your investment.
You should fly into Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) in Durango, Colorado, arriving before 11:00 AM on October 19, 2027. It's advisable to arrive early, possibly the day before, to avoid missing the start of the workshop due to travel delays.
You might also like…
