Lost America ::::: Workshops- Fall 2010

©Troy Paiva

Dates: September 23 / 24 / 25 and October 21 / 22 / 23, 2010
Instructors: Troy Paiva and Joe Reifer
Basecamp: Ridgecrest, CA

Send me an e-mail to reserve your spot and arrange payment. These workshops have a history of filling quickly, so if you decide you want to join us, don't put off registering.
Description:
• 24 hours of day and night photography in this spectacular location.
• Over 8 hours of invaluable classroom time.
• The 2 events are identical, choose the month that best fits your schedule.

This is a rare opportunity to learn from, and night shoot with Troy Paiva in a classic Lost America-style location on 3 full moon nights. Complementing Troy's style, Joe Reifer is an experienced night photographer and educator with a subtle, naturalistic approach to light painting.

Pearsonville is a world-class junkyard containing hundreds of rare '50s to '70s cars, trucks and buses. There are 9 Edsels in here alone! There's also an abandoned quartermile dirt oval racetrack in the center of the yard, complete with snackbar and bleachers. The Pearsonville Junkyard was started in 1960, but when the family operation moved to Ridgecrest in the late 90s, this yard was left to go to seed for over 10 years. The family is slowly cleaning the place out, selling off the valuable cars and crushing the rest. Pearsonville as it is today will probably be gone in a few years.

The place has to be seen to be believed:
Troy's photography in the yard.
Joe's photography in the yard.
Some of the student work from the previous Pearsonville Workshops.

As your instructors, our intention is to shoot minimally, for demonstration purposes only. We'll spend our time helping you hone and improve your night photography and light painting skills.

We'll also be conducting several hours of technique demos and lectures on the afternoon of the first day, and a critique of your first night's shooting on the second afternoon and an in-depth look at Troy and Joe's post-production techniques using Photoshop and Lightroom on the third afternoon. We will have 6+ hours of legal access each night for photography, as well as daytime access for scouting. A full schedule is outlined below.

The class will be limited to 10 students.

Tuition:
$900 Check or Paypal

If you decide you'd like to join us, please send either Troy or Joe an e-mail and let us know you want to sign on. We'll then tell you where to send payment and get you enrolled.

©Joe Reifer

Technical Requirements:
While there are no requirements that you be an experienced night shooter, we recommend you have at least attempted low-light time-exposure work in the past. Be prepared to provide us with a link to some work you have online, or e-mail us samples. You must feel comfortable operating your camera in manual mode and understand the relationship between f-stop and shutter speed.

A DSLR, cable release, tripod, and spare batteries are required. We highly recommend bringing a wide-angle lens, strobe-flash and a few flashlights. We'll be giving you some gel material samples as well, but if you already have any, bring them. You'll also need a laptop, card reader, and image processing software. A very detailed equipment check-list will be provided via email after you sign up.

Between us we have over 25 years experience night shooting on film. We are happy to have you along shooting film, however, your film work won't be available for critique during our 2nd day classroom session. Let us know if you plan on shooting film and we'll give you film recommendations.

Physical Requirements:
You will be spending 3 long nights outside in a high desert junkyard. Wind and extreme temperatures are common in this region, though the fall is usually pretty mild. A hat and sunscreen are important for the daytime, even if it's cold. Strong, comfortable boots and layered, durable clothes are a must. You will be on your feet for 8+ hours each day and night. You will also be spending a lot of time crouching and kneeling while you are shooting. We strongly recommend you be in good physical condition to attend this workshop.

Weather:
Expect mild weather in the fall. At night temps will likely dip into the 50s after being in the 80s or 90s during the day, but you should be prepared for any weather. Be prepared for wind. Check the local weather the week of the workshop. The rainfall average in Ridgecrest those months is 0.00 inches, so you should expect it to be dry. Regardless, there are no rainchecks, we will be shooting, no matter the weather.

Accommodations:
The official hotel for the workshop is the Carriage Inn in Ridgecrest. This is where Troy and Joe are staying and where the classroom lectures will be held. We've reserved a block of rooms at a very good discount rate here, so take advantage of it. When you sign up for the workshop, simply contact the hotel to reserve your room.

Accommodations in Ridgecrest can fill up early, so make sure and reserve a room as soon as you know you're on board.

©Troy Paiva

Schedule:
Ridgecrest is a 7 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, and 3+ hour drive from the Los Angeles area. If you're traveling by air, the closest international airport is Los Angeles.

Please allow plenty of time for the drive and make sure you're well rested for a late night of photography the first night. We strongly suggest arriving the day before the workshop begins so you're fresh for the weekend. We can e-mail you some suggestions for nearby places to explore before, or after the workshop.

The following schedule applies to both September and October and is subject to change:

Day 1
12:00 Noon -- Arrive at the workshop, meet and greet in Ridgecrest.
12:30 -- Lecture: NP and LP Technique overview, review of Troy and Joe's Pearsonville photos, and logistics/shooting strategies.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
5:30 -- Meet at the yard for daylight scouting, photography.
7:00 -- Sunset.
5:30-1:15 a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.

Day 2
11:00 a.m. -- Informal brunch at Kristy's restaurant in Ridgecrest.
12:30 -- Lecture: Critique images shot the previous night to help you improve your shooting tonight. Bring your best 4 images from Saturday night.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
5:30 -- Meet at the yard for daylight scouting, photography.
7:00 -- Sunset.
5:30-1:15 a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.

Day 3
12:30 -- Lecture: Post-production techniques using Photoshop and Lightroom.
3:30 -- Classroom ends. Travel to the yard, stock up on food and drinks.
5:30 -- Meet at the yard for daylight scouting, photography.
7:00 -- Sunset.
5:30-1:15 a.m. -- Shooting in the yard.

The workshop concludes with the Day 3 night shoot. We will also be available to critique your work after the workshop in the flickr group or by e-mail.

Cancellation policy:
If the workshop is full and someone from the waiting list can take your spot, your tuition is refundable minus a $200 cancellation fee. Otherwise your tuition is non-refundable. If the workshop must be cancelled due to low enrollment, your deposit will be refunded in full if you paid by check, or minus a $25 processing fee if you paid via Paypal.

We are not responsible for cancellations due to medical or other reasons. No fees will be refunded if you withdraw after the workshop begins. We are not responsible for any fees associated with non-refundable air travel, and recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

Testimonials:
"This was AWESOME. It was so surreal being in a junkyard on 3 full moon nights in a row. The lighting was exceptional, the place out of this world, the people really cool and the hosts funny, knowledgeable, helpful, accomplished and ready, willing and able to share the secrets and skills they have honed over many years of light painting." - Mark S.

"I really enjoyed my time with you guys.... Forget the photography.... you guys could be a Vegas comedy act." Art N.

"These guys compliment each other perfectly. They are both friendly and approachable, but speak knowledgeably about all aspects of photography: light painting, equipment, composition, film characteristics, post processing, old cars and trucks, etc. Their enthusiasm for the genre of night photography is infectious, and it makes me want to go out and scout for things to photograph after dark. The venue is unbelievable--there is no way to even scratch the surface of the things available to shoot in a year of full moons. If you have even remotely considered taking this workshop, then do not hesitate." - Dave E.

Do you have more questions? Feel free to e-mail us:
Troy Paiva Joe Reifer