Photo Week 2025

What role does the human portrait play in today’s visually saturated culture? Why do we photograph another person, allow ourselves to be photographed by others, publish selfies, or examine portraits of strangers on Instagram? Have you ever photographed a friend, only to be disappointed with the results? This workshop harnesses the mystical beauty and splendor […] ...

Unlock the secrets of stunning photography with Sandy Kaplan, an experienced photographer and longtime friend of the ranch, known for capturing the beauty of nature and the essence of human moments. This workshop, “Photo Fundamentals,” is perfect for beginners and enthusiasts looking to enhance their photography skills. Explore and learn camera basics, composition, lighting mastery, […] ...

Making cyanotypes, one of the oldest forms of photography, is like dancing with the sun. This sun or UV photography allows for playfulness and serendipity as we engage with nature at Ghost Ranch. Cyanotypes allow us to create gradations of value and often “see into” plants and other objects. We will make a number of […] ...

In the spectacular backdrop of Ghost Ranch and surrounding areas in the spring, we will use film cameras to capture black-and-white images. We will then take those images and, with expert darkroom training, produce finished prints. This will be an immersive experience, with extensive hiking and time commitment required to learn the processes. All levels […] ...

This course is designed primarily for beginners. We are offering a rich experience starting with observational astronomy as a basis for astrophotography by gathering under the fantastic skies and breathtaking landscape of Ghost Ranch. To this end, we will utilize the Ranch’s high quality 12-inch computer-driven reflecting (Schmidt Cassegrain) telescope. Astrophotography basics will include simple […] ...

This course provides a thorough introduction to the topics of photography and videography specifically for social media content creation, as well as more streamlined and stress-free methods for making, posting, and sharing content. The focus of this weekend workshop will be on using available resources such as iPhones and natural light, but we will cover […] ...

For the last decade, National Geographic photographer Katie Orlinsky has been photographing stories that explore the relationship between people, animals and the land in the face of environmental change. In this hands-on workshop, Katie will guide participants in the art of environmental storytelling, with a focus on the unique, beautiful and increasingly fragile environment of […] ...