Guanajuato June 8-14, 2020 - Jun 8, 2020
Keith Skelton
Guanajuato is a state of central Mexico known as the cradle of the country's independence. In its capital, of the same name, is the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, where the first battle with Spain took place in the 19th century. The old mining town is also famous for its cobbled and sloping alleyways, full of colonial architecture and picturesque garden squares, such as the Union Garden. The narrow streets and alleys have given rise to a pastime called callejoneadas. These are roving parties, traditionally held by the students of the University of Guanajuato with live musicians. The city is dotted with a large number of small plazas or squares that were built along with the churches that usually gave them their names.
The houses of Guanajuato seem to topple down the hills that surround it in a crazy quilt of color and form. There’s no correlative color scheme. Pink intermixes with red, bright yellow, light blues, and forest green. We like the city better for its jambalaya of diverse elements.
Despite its beauty it possesses a gritty historical realness. It’s a city where people live, work, study, and play. Guanajuato is colonial city in the mountains of central Mexico that was once a silver mining town. Although it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s curiously not very popular with foreigners, who sometimes prefer the touristy San Miguel de Allende just an hour away.
Mexico is a vibrant, beautiful country filled with friendly people, a vivacious energy, amazing architecture, and delicious food. There's a lot more to Mexico beyond the stereotypes. One of the world's great civilizations, Mexico offers a tantalizing blend of Meso-american cultures, Spanish traditions and contemporary arts.
Mexico offers photographers limitless opportunities to photograph the people, culture and cityscapes.
Join Keith Skelton and Armando Arorizo for our third annual Mexico photography workshop and tour.
This is a cultural and street style photography workshop. We will be using nearly all our time from dawn into the night to shoot a variety of subjects and scenes including people, architecture and cityscapes. You will improve your skills while experiencing an amazing slice of the country. We will practice both candid and posed portraits taking advantage of natural scenes. All should return home with new found experiences. dynamic photographs and wonderful memories.
Here are some of the places we will and see and photograph. All within 1.5 hour from our home base in Guanajuato City.
Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a state of central Mexico known as the cradle of the country's independence. In its capital, of the same name, is the Alhóndiga de Granaditas, where the first battle with Spain took place in the 19th century. The old mining town is also famous for its cobbled and sloping alleyways, full of colonial architecture and picturesque garden squares, such as the Union Garden. The narrow streets and alleys have given rise to a pastime called callejoneadas. These are roving parties, traditionally held by the students of the University of Guanajuato with live musicians. The city is dotted with a large number of small plazas or squares that were built along with the churches that usually gave them their names.
Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a museum in the town city where school children fill the place in the afternoons. We will see and photograph the amazing Catedral de Guanajuato. We will wander at different times during the day, as the city is particularly stunning when washed in the yellow late-afternoon sun. We may visit the Museo Casa Diego Rivera, Diego Rivera's birthplace. The city has a lot of street food and interesting markets, too. The hills around the city have amazing views as one can stack up the many colored houses with a long lens. There are also amazing views at twilight.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is another one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. It is home to over 8,000 Americans, Canadians and British, many who are artists. Like Guanajuato it's recognized, along with the Sanctuary of Jesus of Atotonilco, as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. San Miguel de Allende is generally more touristy than Guanajuato but is well worth a visit. It is known for its cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial style architecture, and creative cuisine.
Mineral de Pozos
I first went the old mining ghost town of Mineral de Pozos with my Rolleiflex in 2006. I was transfixed by the town which provided many photo opportunities. if you're a painter, photographer, history geek, architecture dweeb, mineralogy wonk or just a seeker of singular landscapes, this could be the beginning of a larger adventure. Pozos was born in 1576 as a mining town which by the 19th century had as many as 70,000 people. Today the population is about 3,000 full and part time residents.
Dolores Hidalgo
Dolores Hidalgo is located almost in the middle between Guanajuato City and San Miguel de Allende. Santuario de Atotonilco is a stunning complex built in the 18th century and it's murals have earned the nickname the Sistine Chapel of Mexico.
San Juan de los Lagos
Many of the buildings in the center of the city are made of pink sandstone dating as far back as the 17th century, with the streets fanning out from the main square. There are twenty two historically notable buildings in the city. The Basilica is home to a small image of the Virgin Mary called Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos or in Nahuatl Cihuapilli, which means “Great Lady.” Since the first major miracle ascribed to her in 1632, she has been venerated especially for cases involving mortal danger.
The Cerro del Cubilete
The Cerro del Cubilete is a 2,700 metres tall mountain-hill in Silao Municipality in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. At the top of the hill is the Cristo Rey statue.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN WORKSHOP FEE:
*Expert instruction and guidance from two experienced photography instructors. Every student will receive personal attention in whatever needs you may have including street photography, BW photography, camera skills, working with people and more. Time allowing we will process and/or study images using Adobe Lightroom.
*Seven nights deluxe hotel, transportation to/from airport and private bus to photo locations.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED: Airline tickets, lunch/dinner, tips, gallery entrance fees to museums/ruins, and drinks. We will eat together but it is not required.
WHAT TO BRING: All types of cameras are welcome. This is mostly about street photography so you might consider smaller cameras. A variety of lenses will be used from wide to telephoto. Small tripods are a personal preference. Bring some sort of water protection for your cameras. Mobile phones (many US carriers include Mexico and Canada in their plans) Laptop or iPads if you want to do editing on location. (not required)
CLIMATE: Guanajuato elevation is 6,600 feet. The climate in mild ranging between 55-85F in June. Showers are always a possibility. We will check the weather forecast before departure.
Generally one should have good walking shoes, light clothing, rain jacket and long trousers.
HEALTH: Visit your health professional 4 to 6 weeks before departure to check on possible immunizations you might need.
On all my travels I carry a prescription for the antibiotic CIPRO which is good in case of bacterial infection. Most doctors will prescribe for travelers.
Travel Insurance is required. World Nomads is one place to buy coverage. www.worldnomads.com. Travel Guard is another. Look for the coverage that includes evacuation insurance.
Workshop reservations are on a first come, first serve basis. Please provide a phone number and email address. I have training in both CPR and First Aid. However, you will be asked to sign releases forms before attending the class.
The class will be limited to 10 people. There is a discount for returning students.
Contact: The Perfect Exposure Gallery with any questions.
213 381 1137
213 760 2953 Armando Cell
The Workshop including hotel (single room) and transportation is $3500.
Return student price is $3300 for single room
Prices are subject to change depending on the number of participants.
WORKSHOP PAYPAL FEES BELOW:
YOU MAY PAY 50% IN ADVANCE WITH THE BALANCE DUE BY APRIL 20, 2020.
Date: Jun 8, 2020
Hours: 06:30 am to 10:00pm
Price: 3500 per person.
If you interested in coming along, please contact Armando Arorizo at the Perfect Exposure Gallery
Armando@theperfectexposuregallery.com
+1.213.381.1137
REQUEST A RESERVATION
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