© Craig Varjabedian

"I wish you could see what I see out the window—the earth pink and yellow cliffs to the north—the full pale moon about to go down in an early morning lavender sky behind a very long beautiful tree covered mesa to the west— pink and purple hills in front and the scrubby fine dull green cedars—and a feeling of much space—It is a very beautiful world. I wish you could see it." -Artist Georgia O'Keeffe in a letter to painter Arthur Dove, September 1942.

For decades the extraordinary colors and textures of the New Mexico landscape have captivated poets, artists, painters and photographers—such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. The Eloquent Light Photography Workshops is offering The Artist's Landscape of Ghost Ranch, August 24 to 30, 2008.

Craig Varjabedian will guide participants in the field to photograph, explore and experience the varied and inspiring locations at the ranch. In this workshop, participants will learn effective field working strategies for capturing the extraordinary colors and textures of the landscape of Ghost Ranch. You'll be out photographing during the early morning, late afternoon and early evening—the times of day when the “sweet light” is best.

Craig will conduct sessions dealing with the aesthetics of photography as it relates to composition, color, shape, and quality of line. You will improve your technical skills, and begin to learn how to tap into your emotional response to the landscape and how to express this through your photographs. By the time you reach the end of this workshop, you will have a greater understanding of the “art” of photography. There will be digital feedback sessions so participants can receive constructive comments about their work. Workshop participants will be staying at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu for the week.

Craig has been photographing at Ghost Ranch for many years and the results of this body of work will debut in July, 2009 with a book and major museum exhibition.

To learn more about this workshop and the Eloquent Light Photography Workshops, please visit www.eloquentlight.com or call (505) 983-2934.

Let us know if you found this article useful, and tell us what kinds of articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues. Send your comments and ideas to Lynne Eodice.