“Travel transforms us fundamentally—it must because it moves us literally from one place (the old) to another (the new). When we have been there for some time and have learned the lessons of that place, travel takes us up to the next level of consciousness, where new insights about ourselves awaits us.” ~ Joseph Dispenza, The Way of the Traveler
San Miguel de Allende is a perfect place to embark on a travel adventure woven with personal photographic discoveries. This artful city offers a vibrant cultural environment with more than enough magic and spirit to be a truly inspirational muse. Using the five stages of mythological archetypes of the hero’s journey as reinterpreted in Joseph Dispenza’s book, The Way of the Traveler, Reid Callanan guides you on a joyful week of creativity and exploration, allowing you to fully realize and embrace the transformative power of travel and seeing a new world through the photographic lens.
To discover a sense of place, we photograph the regions unique light and color, architecture, landscape, culture, moment, and its people. Photographers at all levels of technical ability (even iPhone users) are welcome; for we are all, in some form, reaching for a higher level of seeing the world. To do so, we need to return to a childlike sense of wonder and observe our creative lives with clarity and direction. To discover a renewed sense of self, we use the creative process in this new environment for gaining deeper self-awareness.
Early mornings and afternoons are devoted to exploring and photographing in and around San Miguel de Allende with a special day trip to a historic hacienda. Meeting with several local artists is also an important part of our cultural travel immersion. In the classroom, we investigate the foundations of making strong photographs. Light and moment are the essential elements of well-seen images. We learn to see the many nuances of light and then develop the ability to capture the illusive, decisive moments that highlight our days as still photographers. In addition, we explore the graphic building blocks of successful composition, paying particular attention to foreground/background, framing, layering, and perspective. Daily group image reviews of new work reinforce these photographic principles.
Join Reid, and the legacy that his friend Joseph Dispenza left for all with his insightful book, The Way of the Traveler, on a journey of self-discovery in one of their favorite cities. Reid has been visiting San Miguel de Allende since 2001, and Joseph lived there for the last ten years of his life.
COVID-19 Update: For all in-person workshops and trips in 2023, Santa Fe Workshops highly recommends that all participants, staff, and instructors attending be up to date with Covid vaccinations (per definition of the CDC). For international trips, local laws will apply, so it is important that you confirm you will be fully vaccinated according to the countries on your trip.
Working knowledge of digital workflow and manual mode on your digital SLR or mirrorless camera. Apple iPhone users with digital workflow knowledge are also welcome.
Participants should plan to travel to San Miguel no later than Wednesday, October 4. Workshop check-in will be Thursday morning, followed by breakfast and a brief orientation. The workshop ends on Monday evening with a final dinner and image presentations.
Visit the San Miguel Campus page on our website for details on accommodations, meals, transportation, and more.
Enrollment for this San Miguel workshop is limited to 14 participants.
View Payment, Refund, Withdrawal, and Transfer Policies for this International Program.
For participants wanting to stay at Hotel Posada de la Aldea, double accommodations are $415 per person for 6 nights, Wednesday through Monday, (for couples taking workshops and friends traveling together) or $830 per person, single accommodations for 6 nights, Wednesday through Monday. Additional nights at the hotel can be arranged for participants; please discuss needs with the Administration Office in Santa Fe.
$2,395 (USD) includes tuition, breakfast Thursday through Tuesday, lunch Thursday through Monday, final dinner on Monday, and model/location/materials fees if applicable to the class. Hotel accommodations are not included in the package price; see details above.
Reid Callanan is Founder and Director of the Santa Fe Workshops. In addition to his responsibilities leading The Workshops for the past 32 years, Reid is also an accomplished photographer who welcomes the opportunity to teach workshops whenever he can.
Reid started photographing in 1974 during a semester abroad at Richmond College in London and has been making images ever since using a variety of photographic processes including silver halide, Polaroid imagery, and now digital capture. His photographic projects include a personal diary of images called HOMESCAPES, black-and-white portraits made in Cuba and Mexico, and most recently iPhone travel images posted to Instagram.
In 1994 Reid founded the non-profit Santa Fe Center for Photography, now known as CENTER, and is currently Vice- President of its Board of Directors. He serves on the President’s Council of the Texas Photographic Society; on the Board for American Society of Media Photographers Foundation; and on the Advisory Board for Bertha Crosley Ball Center for Compassion.
Website: reidcallanan.com
Instagram: @reidcallanan
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