Lost America ::::: Workshop

©Troy Paiva

This workshop filled in one day! Sorry, the waiting list is also overflowing.

If you want to get a crack at a possible spring workshop before we announce it publicly (Like everyone attending this October workshop did), just send me an e-mail and I'll make sure you are on the list.

Date: Saturday and Sunday, October 3-4, 2009
Instructors: Troy Paiva and Joe Reifer
Basecamp: Ridgecrest, CA

Description:
This is a rare opportunity to learn from, and night shoot with Troy Paiva in a classic Lost America-style location on 2 full moon nights. Complementing Troy's style, Joe Reifer is an experienced night photographer and educator with a subtle, naturalistic approach to light painting.

Pearsonville is a world-class junkyard containing hundreds of rare '50s to 70s cars, trucks and buses. There are 9 Edsels in here alone! There's also an abandoned quartermile dirt oval racetrack in the center of the yard, complete with snackbar and bleachers. The Pearsonville Junkyard was started in 1960, but when the family operation moved to Ridgecrest in the late 90s, this yard was left to go to seed for over 10 years. The family is slowly cleaning the place out, selling off the valuable cars and crushing the rest. Pearsonville as it is today will probably be gone in a few years.

The place has to be seen to be believed:
Troy's photography in the yard.
Joe's photography in the yard.

As your instructors, our intention is to shoot minimally, for demonstration purposes only. We'll spend our time helping you hone and improve your night photography and light painting skills.

We'll also be conducting several hours of technique demos and lectures on the afternoon of the first day, and a critique of your first night's shooting on the second afternoon. We will have 7 hours of legal access each night for photography, as well as daytime access for scouting. A full schedule is outlined below.

The class will be limited to 10 students.

View some of the student work from the October 2008 / March 2009 workshops we held in Pearsonville.

©Joe Reifer

Technical Requirements:
You should feel comfortable operating your camera in manual mode, and understand the relationship between f-stop and shutter speed. Cable release, tripod, and spare batteries required. We highly recommend bringing a wide-angle lens, strobe-flash and a few flashlights. We'll be providing some gel material samples for you to use as well, but if you have any, bring them. If you're shooting digital, you'll need a laptop, card reader, and image processing software. A complete equipment check-list will be provided via email.

You can shoot digital or film. We will only be able to review digital images on Sunday afternoon. If you're planning to shoot film, please contact us before the workshop for film recommendations.

Tuition:
$600 for payment via check
$625 using Paypal.

If you decide you'd like to join us, please send either Troy or Joe an e-mail and let us know you want to sign on. We'll then tell you where to send the check or paypal payment and get you enrolled.

Full payment is due upon registration to hold your spot.

Due to popular request, we are offering a "shoot only" third night in the junkyard on monday October 5th for $150. Troy and Joe will be shooting personal work in the yard that night. If you want to join us, we're happy to have you. This night is open only to students already enrolled in the workshop.

Accommodations:
Although there isn't an official hotel for the workshop, there are a wide variety of options available in Ridgecrest, including Motel 6 at $38/night, where Joe and I are staying.
Motel 6 Ridgecrest
Econo Lodge Ridgecrest
Comfort Inn Ridgecrest
Vagabond Inn Ridgecrest
Motels in Ridgecrest can book early, so make sure and reserve a room as soon as you know you're on board.

Camping:
Red Rock Canyon State Park -- $12 per night per vehicle
38 miles (45 minutes) from Ridgecrest, 38 miles (45 minutes) from the junkyard.

Weather:
Expect warm and mild weather in October. At night temps will likely dip into the 50s after being in the 80s during the day. Check the local weather the week of the workshop and bring appropriate clothes for a wide range of temperatures. A hat and sunscreen are important for the daytime, even if it's cold. You will be on your feet in a dark junkyard for many hours each night; comfortable and tough walking/hiking boots are a must. Be prepared for wind. The rainfall average for October in Ridgecrest is 0.00 inches, so you should expect it to be dry. Regardless, there are no rainchecks, we will be shooting, no matter the weather.

©Troy Paiva

Schedule:
Ridgecrest is a 7 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, and 3+ hour drive from the Los Angeles area. If you're traveling by air, the closest international airport is Los Angeles.

Please allow plenty of time for the drive and make sure you're well rested for a late night of photography on Saturday. If you're planning to arrive on Friday, we can email you some suggestions for nearby places to explore on Saturday morning before the workshop begins. We can also provide some suggestions for places for you to explore on Monday after the workshop.

• 16 hours of day and night photography in this spectacular location!
• Over 4 hours of invaluable classroom time!

Saturday October 3rd
1:00 p.m. -- Arrive at the workshop, meet and greet in Ridgecrest.
1:30 -- Lecture: NP and LP Technique overview, review of Troy and Joe's Pearsonville photos, and logistics/shooting strategies.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
5:00 -- Meet at the yard for daylight scouting, photography.
6:30 -- Sunset.
5:00-1:00 a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.

Sunday October 4th
Sunday morning: Sleep in, and process your images for review.
11:00 a.m. -- Informal brunch at Kristy's restaurant in Ridgecrest.
1:30 -- Lecture: Critique images shot the previous night to help you improve your shooting tonight. Bring your best 4 images from Saturday night.
4:00 -- Classroom ends. Travel to the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
5:30 -- Meet at the yard for daylight scouting, photography.
6:30 -- Sunset.
5:30-1:00 a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.

The workshop concludes with the Sunday night shoot. Troy and Joe will be available to critique your 4 best images from Sunday night online or via email after you've returned from your trip.

Cancellation policy:
If the workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is refundable minus a $100 cancellation fee. Otherwise your tuition is non-refundable. If the workshop must be cancelled due to low enrollment, your deposit will be refunded in full if you paid by check, or minus a $25 processing fee if you paid via Paypal.

We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons. No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the workshop begins. We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, and recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

Do you have more questions? Feel free to e-mail us:
Troy Paiva Joe Reifer