As a photographer you've heard this gentle admonition again and again: light is everything. And so, this spring, we journey again to some of the best light in the West: the east side of the Sierra Nevadas in the Mono Lake area. The combination of high altitude, sweeping desert vistas and amazing cloud formations that are wedded to the rugged "Range of Light" topography just to the west of Mono Lake combine to make this region one of the most photographed in the world. The eerie tufa domes of Mono Lake are irresistible to photographers.

Although our primary destination will be Mono Lake, the light and weather conditions may lead us elsewhere: If the snow has melted enough to access the high-altitude ghost town of Bodie, we likely will go there. Students who are registered for this class may even have the opportunity to go with an escort inside several of the buildings, a rare treat!

This is a nine-week, two-unit class, meeting Tuesday and Thursday evenings at El Dorado Center in Placerville. Lectures, beginning August 26 and ending October 16, covers mostly beginning photo techniques, but we'll throw in a few interesting advanced photo techniques, and will include some background on the geological and human history of the region. A three-day field trip (Friday morning/Sunday evening) is planned for the first weekend in October (October 3-5), as we'll need the time afterward to review the 8"x10" or larger prints you've made.

There are no prerequisites for the class (beginners are welcome but be aware that the lectures are fast-paced), but we do suggest that you have a camera capable of MANUAL adjustments, which means you can adjust shutter speed and lens opening, sometimes overriding what the camera suggests. Just about any good-quality camera equipment will do, whether it's digital, 35mm or larger format. Even if you have taken this fun class before, you can take it one more time for credit.

Students are responsible for all trip expenses including transportation (we encourage carpooling), accommodations (which range from free campgrounds to motels [make reservations EARLY as October is a busy season]), food (bring your own or eat at any of several restaurants in Lee Vining) and film/developing. We do not have a photo lab on the premises at El Dorado Center, but you will be given some resources for doing your own processing or out-sourcing your work.