The Desert Landscape

with Carlan Tapp

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Course Description

“The desert is a vast world, an oceanic world, as deep in its way and complex and various as the sea.” ― Edward Abbey

Of all the paths you take in life, make sure some of them are in the desert. The arid climate, all-enveloping light, and other-worldly land formations have long attracted photographers to capture its magic and mysteries. Join renowned landscape photographer and beloved Santa Fe Workshops instructor Carlan Tapp for a week to embrace the visual intrigue of the desert southwest.

Often perceived as a landscape of sand, harsh sunlight, cacti, tumbleweeds, dust devils, cracked land, and wind-worn rock formations, in this workshop, you quickly realize the desert landscape offers a stunning canvas of natural beauty. The desert presents a unique and awe-inspiring environment that challenges and inspires photographers of all skill levels.

Over the course of the week, we explore the desert’s intense sunlight, work with dramatic shadows and highlights, and search for geometric patterns and textures. We understand and convey the sense of solitude and tranquility surrounding us in the desert and use our images to convey that story. Carlan also guides participants in understanding the interconnectedness of the land and its many inhabitants. Daily excursions into the Northern New Mexico landscape are accompanied by post-processing and editing demonstrations in the classroom.

In this comprehensive workshop, you learn how to master the art of desert landscape photography and capture the true essence of this remarkable setting. Join us on this journey of exploration and discovery and let the desert landscape inspire you to create truly remarkable images.

Additional Information

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Amateurs, Advanced Amateurs

What You Should Know:

Working knowledge of digital workflow and manual mode on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera. Participants must be able to download and select images using image editing software for class sessions.

Activity Level:

To get the most from your workshop experience, participants should be in good physical (mobility, stamina) and mental health. Come prepared for the high elevation of Santa Fe, long days, and seasonal weather including high temperatures. You must be able to carry your own photographic and personal gear at all times, both on campus and on location. You are responsible for being open and honest about your physical fitness, and we reserve the right to remove you from the workshop if we find your fitness to be less than that which you have described.

Participants should be able to engage in moderate outdoor exercise for up to an hour or more at a time including off-trail walking on uneven terrain including sand, dirt, and loose rock. Location work is likely to include early morning and/or late evening shoots.

Accommodations:

Participants are responsible for making their own housing arrangements in Santa Fe. On-campus accommodations are not currently available.

Meals:

Lunch Monday through Friday, dinner before the Friday evening Image Presentations, and daily beverage service are included.

Policies:

View Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies for domestic workshops.

about

Carlan Tapp

Carlan Tapp is a documentary filmmaker and photographer. In the late 1970s, he assisted Ansel Adams for three years at his Yosemite Workshops, and shortly thereafter, he enrolled in Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. A descendant of the Wicocomico Tribe (Taptico family), Carlan, together with his wife, founded Naamehnay Project-Question of Power, a federal nonprofit focused on creating a visual voice for Native American homelands and sacred sites impacted by energy industrialization in America. Carlan’s work has been featured in Harley-Davidson HOG Magazine, New Mexico Magazine, Bloomberg, MSNBC, Associated Press, and NPR’s “Living on Earth.” His photo essays are syndicated by Redux Pictures in New York.

Between 2004 and 2011, Carlan documented opposition to the proposed Desert Rock power plant on the Navajo (Diné) Nation near Farmington, New Mexico. The power plant construction was officially cancelled in 2011 due to widespread public opposition, falling electricity demands, and uncertainties surrounding climate change legislation. The body of work was used by Navajo Women in legal litigation to halt the building of the Desert Rock Power Plant. The Question of Power photographs, video stories, and audio interviews with Diné people are presented in an exhibition at the Palace of the Governors, New Mexico History Museum, Santa Fe, NM, opening April 19, 2026 through June 27, 2027.

Websites: carlantapp.com, naamehnay.org