The Way of the Traveler: Discovering Place and Self

“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.