day of the dead photography workshop

DAY OF THE DEAD PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
7 Days and Nights - $2695
October 29 through November 4, 2014
with David J. Gubernick and Craig Lovell
For More Information Contact
Craig at 831 659-4445 or [email protected] or David at 831 659-7632 or [email protected]
San Miguel de Allende is a paradise of visual delights with its vivid and colorful historical buildings, old
churches, beautiful Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, and a rich cultural heritage that have
attracted artists and visitors from all over the world. The cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards and
friendly people are all part of the magic of this 500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located at
6,200-ft elevation in the central highlands of the state of Guanajuato, about 165 miles northwest of
Mexico City (map), it was the cradle of the Mexican Revolution in the early 1800s, to which many city
monuments testify.
There are many outstanding churches and other architectural wonders, such
as the Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel with its pseudo-gothic architecture
and fanciful pink spires, built at the beginning of the 18th century. The El
Oratorio de San Felipe Neri church is noted for the beautiful ornate gilded
walls of its interior chapel. One of the most wonderful architectural
achievements is Bellas Artes, a former cloister nearly 250 years old.
The heart of the city is The Jardin, the plaza gardens located in front of the
Parroquia and surrounded by arches dating back to colonial times. It is the
meeting place for locals and visitors alike. In the evening, people gather to
socialize while the night air fills with live music of Mariachi bands. This region
of Mexico has its own unique cuisine and the many fine restaurants of San
Miguel are a culinary delight that we will savor daily.
Around every corner, there are hidden treasures to be discovered as we explore San Miguel, one of the
safest and most photogenic cities in Mexico and in 2013 rated the No. 1 City in the World by readers of
Condé Nast Traveler. On two separate field trips, we will photograph in the towns of Guanajuato and
Mineral de Pozos.
Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos is one of Mexico’s most heartfelt and
festive holidays when the dead are honored and welcomed back to earth for a
brief visit. We will photograph this spectacular event during the day and night
and learn how to interact with the people and capture the emotions of this
touching celebration.
Mexicans believe that during this time their ancestors return to earth. They cover
the graves with beautiful flowers and make offerings of food and mementos,
each of which has symbolic significance. Elaborate altars and shrines are set up
throughout the town in homes, churches and other public places. The holiday
has roots in the Aztec culture and is a blend of pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs
and Catholic ceremonies. This two day event is a wonderful opportunity to experience and photograph a
uniquely beautiful festival.
Guanajuato is the first of our day-long field trips. Once a silver mining town, the old tunnels are now
used as underground roads thereby leaving many of the cobblestone
streets free of car traffic. This colorful town has lovely outdoor plazas and
fountains, beautiful ornate colonial homes, and spectacular churches, of
which the most visually striking is the yellow and red Basilica of
Guanajuato.
We will also visit the amazing interior of the Oratorio de San Felipe, the
famous Mummy Museum and Tepetapa cemetery, and the Alhondiga de
Granaditas This building was once used to store grain and is an excellent
example of colonial architecture. The Juarez Theatre, one of Mexico's
finest, is reminiscent of ancient Roman architecture, with its imposing
columns topped with statues of Greek Muses. We will take the funicular
up the hillside for a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
Mineral de Pozos, our second field trip, once known
throughout colonial Mexico for its opulence and its thriving
mining industry, has been a virtual ghost town for almost a
century. The town is now officially a Pueblo Magico that
offers visitors a "magical" experience by reason of its natural
beauty, cultural riches and historical relevance. We will
photograph the many interesting ruins throughout the town
and visit the art galleries and shops which sell Mexican arts
and crafts. In the afternoon we will visit a variety of the old
silver mines with their kilns, smelters and eroding buildings.
This trip is a nice opportunity to enjoy the high desert landscape and we will be making a few stops
along the way to take pictures and enjoy lunch at the lovely Posada de las Minas Hotel.
Casa de las Ranas (House of Frogs) and the Chapel of Jimmy Ray is our final field-trip. We have made
special arrangements to visit the psychedelic tile artist Anado McLauchlin and photograph his incredible
home and gallery. Anado is a well known artist from San Francisco who has been living in San Miguel
with his partner for decades. Mexico sparked his imagination and influenced his work which resulted in
amazing tile art.
A Hot Air Balloon Ride over San Miguel provides a unique
perspective of the city and the surrounding countryside and a
wonderful opportunity to photograph from above. We will
ascend during the stillness of early morning when winds are
light and temperatures are cool. This time of year, we should
have good weather for flying with our friendly experienced
pilots. Photographing from a hot air balloon floating above San
Miguel will be an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure.
Two Instructors - Two Complementary Perspectives
Together, David and Craig bring a unique approach to this workshop by blending their different yet
complementary perspectives, knowledge and years of experience. Both of them are experts in their
respective fields and the artistry and technical aspects of photography.
Photographing indigenous cultures and people is challenging to do well. To capture the emotion and
essence of an event like the Day of the Dead and the people often requires the ability to capture a
moment in time that may be gone in just a fraction of a second. Craig is a master at this and will assist
participants in learning the secrets and the nuts and bolts of creating dramatic and compelling images in
such circumstances.
In contrast, photographing churches, architectural details, interiors, cityscapes, and landscapes during
the day or at night requires a different approach and skill set and the use of various tools and
techniques to create outstanding imagery. David is a master at this and will assist participants in learning
the necessary skills and techniques to take their photography to the next level.
Both approaches are based on a thorough knowledge of composition, the use of light, color and form
that we will cover throughout the workshop.
David J. Gubernick, a PhD scientist by training, is a highly regarded and
popular workshop leader. His workshops have ranged from composition,
creativity, and the use of light, to more technical ones such as advanced camera
techniques, macrophotography, light painting, nighttime photography, HDR, and
photographing Missions inside and out. David's award-winning images are in
several galleries, numerous publications, calendars, and exhibitions. His images
have appeared in Sunset Magazine, Science, Runner’s World, Country Living
Gardener, among others. His award-winning book Wildflowers of Monterey
County garnered rave reviews. See more of his work at www.rainbowspirit.com
Craig Lovell is a graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography and an awardwinning international travel photographer with images from more than forty
countries. He brings his many years of experience photographing indigenous
cultures and exotic locations to help his students learn the ins and outs of travel
photography. His 30 years as a working pro brings real life experience to his
teaching methods. His images have appeared in National Geographic, Geo, Conde
Nast Traveler, and countless other publications. His co-published book Nepal:
The Himalayan Kingdom was well received. He was the sole photographer on 12
calendars. View his work at www.eaglevisions.net and his Artist bio.
Classroom Instruction: Instruction will emphasize composition, use of light and color, camera
settings, how to approach and photograph people, interior and exterior architecture, landscapes, night
photography, and the use of HDR, Photoshop and Lightroom. We will review images captured during
the workshop and assist with post-processing. We are here to help you develop your own visual voice
and enhance your photographic skills in a warm supportive learning environment with individual
coaching in the field. We encourage questions and lively discussions throughout our time together.
Workshop Headquarters: Casa Christina. Craig and his wife Christine have owned the house since
2005 when their love affair with San Miguel began. The house was built by the writer and historian
Robert Somerlott who moved to San Miguel in the 1960's. It contains a wealth of art, including antique
carved wooden chapel doors, sculpture, ceramics, and paintings from well-known artists such as Pinto,
Maxwell and Samuelson. This unique and spacious home is a very comfortable place to work and is
conveniently located just a few blocks from the hotel. On the last evening we will treat participants to
margaritas on the rooftop with its spectacular view.
Accommodations: Participants will be staying at the Real de Minas Hotel in San Miguel located at
Ancha a San Antonio 1, Centro 37700. Their phone number is +52 (415) 152-2626. All rooms have two
queen-sized beds. The hotel has wifi and electricity is the same as in the USA. If you wish to arrive early
or extend your stay let us know and we will be happy to help you.
Pricing: The cost of this workshop is $2,695 and includes hotel accommodations for seven nights as a
double occupancy (share the room with another workshop participant). If you prefer a room to yourself,
a single supplement is an additional $420 for the seven nights. Included in the cost is a full breakfast
each day, two dinners, and location and transportation fees during the workshop including the field trips
and hot air balloon ride. Workshop fees do not include airfare, airport transfers, other meals, or any
other fees.
Spouses and Significant Others Welcome: A 10% discount is offered to partners that are full
participants in the workshop. If your partner wishes to accompany you but not participate in the
workshop we offer the following: seven nights at the Real de Minas Hotel, double occupancy, including
the welcome and good-bye dinners for an additional charge of $460. They are also welcome to attend
our daily pay as you go group dinners. If they would like to join us on the field trips, the cost for
Guanajuato and Mineral de Pozos is $100 each and Casa de las Ranas is $25.
Early Bird Special: Pay in full by August 1, 2014 and pay only $2,426 (a 10% discount).
Deposit: A deposit of $500 is required at the time of registration to reserve your spot, with the
remainder due by September 15, 2014. Once your deposit is received, we will send you an email
confirmation. Additional information and an invoice will be sent once we reach the minimum number of
participants. The workshop is limited to a maximum of 10 participants.
Registration and More Information: Please contact either David at 831 659-7632,
[email protected] or Craig at 831 659-4445, [email protected]
A Brief Itinerary
Day 1 [Wednesday - Oct. 29th] Reception, Orientation and Welcome Dinner
The first evening of the workshop we will meet for a welcome dinner and then adjourn to Casa Christina
for a power point presentation to orient participants to San Miguel and the towns we will visit. We will
discuss the workshop itinerary and review people's prior work.
Day 2 [Thursday - Oct. 30th] San Miguel
The morning's classroom session will cover digital photography basics, composition and an introduction
to HDR photography. During the guided field sessions, we put into practice what was covered earlier in
the day. We will photograph exteriors and interiors of various churches using HDR techniques, as well as
other buildings and architectural details. Later in the day we will learn how to process HDR images to
achieve realistic effects. Each of the following days, we continue to build upon what was learned the
previous day.
Day 3 [Friday, Oct. 31st] Field Trip to Guanajuato
Our morning's classroom instruction covers photographing people on location. We then travel to
colorful Guanajuato to put into practice what was learned today and yesterday. The guided field
sessions are spent photographing people, the town, plazas, theatres, churches, architectural details,
Day of the Dead preparations, the granary, and covered market.
Day 4 [Saturday, Nov. 1st] Day of the Dead Begins - San Miguel
We start the day with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over San Miguel, photographing the city from above.
After breakfast, we spend the morning and afternoon photographing this festive event which will
include people, shrines, processions, decorations, and a nighttime shoot in the Jardin (Central Plaza).
Day 5 [Sunday, Nov. 2nd] Day of the Dead Continues - San Miguel
Early in the morning, we photograph in the main graveyard where families gather to decorate grave
sites with a variety of beautiful flowers. We continue photographing the event throughout the day as it
unfolds, ending with a sunset shoot of a panoramic view overlooking the city on the rooftop of the
opulent Rosewood Hotel. Later, we will have an optional nighttime photo walk.
Day 6 [Monday, Nov. 3rd] Field Trip to Mineral de Pozos
Today we travel to this historic mining town to photograph old ruins, mines, kilns, buildings, and
landscapes. We will explore some of the lovely art galleries and unique art and crafts boutiques.
Day 7 [Tuesday, Nov. 4th] San Miguel - Last Shoot Day - and Farewell Dinner
In the morning, we visit Casa de las Ranas (House of Frogs), followed by an open shoot time in San
Miguel. In the evening we have our farewell dinner, followed by a final digital presentation showcasing
participants' images.
Most workshop days will include post-processing and a review and critique of images. Instructors
reserve the right to change the itinerary without notice to take advantage of local conditions,
activities and events in order to provide the best photographic opportunities. A detailed equipment list
is found below on the last two pages.
This fun and exciting workshop is a great opportunity to build your portfolio, learn new skills,
and immerse yourself in a rich cultural heritage and capture the spirit of the place, the people
and the celebrations. Come join us for a truly memorable experience.
GETTING TO SAN MIGUEL: A valid passport is required to enter Mexico. You will
receive a free visa upon entry at the airport when you go through customs in
Mexico. Most people fly into Leon Airport (BJX) but you can also fly into
Queretaro (QRO). Both cities are about a 1-½ hour drive from San Miguel de
Allende.
You will need to make your own air reservations. It usually takes a full day of
travel to get there. There is an overnight flight out of Los Angeles. We
recommend you compare prices online using various websites such as Kayak,
Expedia, Cheap Tickets, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Priceline. We suggest that you
arrive a day or two early to adjust to the altitude and possible time change. We
would be happy to help you arrange an extended stay at the hotel.
Once you arrive in Leon or Queretaro, you can either take a taxi that costs around $80 US one way or
take a shuttle van that will drop you off at the Hotel. Travel time from either airport is about I ½ hours.
The shuttle service is called Viajes San Miguel and you can book their service by emailing them at
[email protected]. They are very reliable and will pick you up and drop you off at the hotel for
around $60 US round trip. You are expected to tip the driver and can pay in US dollars. You will meet
other passengers aboard the shuttle and may not be the first to be dropped off. They will need your
arrival date, flight number and arrival time, as well as your departure date, flight number and departure
time. Their phone number is +52 (415) 152-2537 / 38 or (415) 152-8684.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: We recommend that you purchase refundable tickets and travel insurance as a
safeguard for unforeseen events that prevent you from attending the workshop. There are a variety of
companies that offer this but we recommend Travel Safe at (888) 885-7233.
CLIMATE AND CLOTHING: In late October and early November, the average temperatures during the
day will be a high of 750 and low of 480F. San Miguel is located among gently rolling hills at an elevation
of 6,200 feet. The air is dry, not humid, and the sun is bright and intense. Most of the town's buildings
are three stories high, so there is usually shade on one side of the street or the other if you are sensitive
to the sun.
Bring enough clothing to last for your stay although there is
laundry service at the hotel. Layered clothing is recommended so
you can add a layer as the temperature drops when the sun goes
down. Also bring lip balm, sunblock, moisturizing lotion, good
sunglasses, and a sun hat along with your normal toiletries.
The streets of San Miguel are made of cobblestones and the
surface is often uneven, so good sturdy walking shoes are
essential. San Miguel is a friendly place that is accustom to American tourists. People dress quite
casually during the day and dress up a bit for dinner and evening entertainment. A suit and tie are not
necessary. Evenings can get chilly so a sweater and warm jacket are recommended. Daytime weather is
very pleasant once the cooler morning air dissipates. Shorts are acceptable during the day but long
pants are better for the evenings. We will not be there during the rainy season but there is always the
possibility of rain. In October/November the average rainfall is 1 inch per month.
PHYSICAL CONDITION AND MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Because San Miguel is located at 6,200-feet
elevation it may take two to three days to adjust to the altitude. If you have a heart condition, sleep
apnea or any other condition that could be affected by high altitude you should check with your doctor
before attending the workshop. There will be a good deal of walking requiring you to be in reasonably
good shape but nothing athletically strenuous. San Miguel is hilly and the elevation will affect your
breathing to some extent. The sun is very strong and those that have sensitive skin should keep covered
and use sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses. There are drug stores in town but it is essential that you
bring any medications and supplements that you need for your entire stay as well as a copy of your
prescriptions.
EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES RECOMMENDATIONS
Our workshop is designed for photographers of different levels, but participants should be familiar with
the basic operation of their camera. A digital SLR camera is strongly recommended for its speed of
operation, especially for photographing people. Advanced point-and-shoot or compact cameras are
suitable if you can adjust aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings and have both manual and bulb
shooting modes.
Most cameras produce images in jpeg and RAW format; although not required, we encourage
participants to shoot in RAW format which retains all the information and is archival unlike jpegs. If you
plan on purchasing a new camera before the workshop, please do so well in advance so that you will
have ample opportunity to learn the various controls on your new camera. The workshop is open to all
levels of photographers, but please come prepared. There are a few camera stores in San Miguel, but
bring what you need.

Digital SLR Camera and Lenses: wide angle and moderate telephoto lenses that cover the range
from 17mm or wider to 300mm (cropped sensors), or 24-200 mm (full-framed sensors). Zoom
lenses provide more versatility; although not required, lenses with image stablization/vibration
reduction are beneficial when photographing without a tripod. Likewise, a neck/shoulder strap
or hand strap can be helpful when photographing by hand. Bring lens hoods, lens caps, lens
cleaning cloth, and owner's manual. Polarizing filters are recommended but not required.

Sturdy Tripod - those without interconnecting spokes allow the legs to be spread out or moved
at different angles provide more flexibility when dealing with different situations. A tripod strap
can be handy for carrying a tripod.

Tripod Head - ball head preferred; the pan/tilt heads with 3 handles are difficult to work with.
The head should be able to hold the camera and your heaviest lens without it drifting.

Cable release, either wired or wireless, extra camera batteries and battery charger (electricity
same as USA). An external flash head is optional, although helpful for some night photography.

Memory cards (several) and card reader or other means to download images to laptop.

Camera vest, fanny pack and/or a belt lens pouch to carry gear and accessories for quick access
to them, and a comfortable camera bag to transport equipment (backpack easier to carry and
protect gear).

Backup camera - recommended but not required.

Laptop (and charger) with Photoshop and/or Lightroom or other image editing software. NIK
HDR Efex Pro trial software is available as a free download. A small keychain-type flash drive to
transfer images between computers for image review and critique.

Backup capability in case something happens to your images - e.g., small portable external hard
drive (e.g., Western Digital My Passport), or capability to upload images to online storage.
Cancellation Policy: We rely on your attendance to make important arrangements for the workshop.
We understand that your plans may change at the last moment for various reasons and that you may
need to cancel your attendance in this workshop.
We highly recommend purchasing refundable airline tickets and obtaining trip cancellation insurance for
such possible contingencies. Cancellations received in writing on or before September 15th will receive a
full refund minus a $200 cancellation fee, after September 15th but before October 15th will receive a
full refund minus the $500 deposit. There is no refund for cancellations received on or after October
15th, or if you do not show up at the workshop.
In the event that this workshop must be cancelled for inadequate attendance or other issues,
participants will receive a full refund or may transfer the funds to a future workshop with the two
instructors within 12 months of this workshop. We are not responsible for any monetary loss on airline
tickets, or any other losses related to cancellation or withdrawal from the workshop.
Release Agreements: Workshop participants will be required to sign and return a Hold Harmless
Release Agreement and an Image Usage Waiver allowing us to use images and videos taken of them
during the workshop for educational and promotional purposes only.