Fotonian.com - Field Trips - Utah
There are no field Trips planned at this time. Please contact us at geo@fotonian.com to make suggestions for the next field trip.
Field Trips are organized for very small groups of 3 to 4 people. More people can be accommodated if participants organize their own vehicle transportation. Lunches are supplied. Individual instructional time is maximized by keeping group size small and this experience is almost like having a private photography tutor and guide. All field trips are lead by George Ingram. Please see equipment suggestions, preparation and physical requirements below and the next page.
As in all outdoor excursions whether or not you are traveling alone or in a group there are several important requirements to make your experience enjoyable and safe.
Research the areas you will be in on our trip. Use the internet to see what other people have shot for the areas we will visit. You might find some shots you MUST HAVE and make lists so you don't get caught-up in the moment all of the time. Some people use their camera phone to shoot images of the pictures they might want to capture and this makes a convenient reminder method and can be also used to log informational signs and locations to better record what you shot and where. I carry a small digital recorder to take notes.
Don't over eat while shooting or we might find you asleep somewhere. We supply healthy energy snacks to stick in your pocket or pack for those must-have moments.
We have a first aid kit with us and if you get injured let us know so we can help with cuts, abrasions or blisters.
Tell others where you will be and even better, take another partner with you. SCUBA is not the only place the buddy system is good.
Carry a whistle that is loud and this will be a requirement and checked before we leave for our adventure. A GPS or compass is recommended but not required. See Equipment list on page two.
Good shoes are the most important item to consider and can shape your experience either with comfort and safe footing or can ruin your whole experience with injury or blisters. So it is important to pick a comfortable (not newly purchased shoes or boots) pair of shoes or boots with a good sole. Some of the areas we trek in are alive with "Jumping Choia" These are long barbed cacti that when their branches die, fall to the ground and can puncture "sneaker-type" shoes easily and impale you when you step on them. I have had these little critters go through a single leather sole of a boot and believe me, this is one of the most painful things you could ever experience. So it is important to be aware of your surroundings and wear boots that have a good Vibram-type sole with one or more layers of leather between you and the ground. Some people have purchased Kevlar inserts for their tennis shoes and this only protects against the bottom from being punctured. It could be a good solution but they are hard to find and expensive.
Tread lightly, we are there to capture the beauty, not kill it. The flora and fauna are very fragile in the desert and some of the plants we will encounter take many years to mature and can be endangered by careless foot traffic. Observe and capture, NO SOUVENEIRS!!!! Please leave the areas we are in, better than when we got there. I take a small plastic bag to pick up other peoples discarded trash and my refuge. Little things like this make a huge difference in the next visitors experience.
I take and wear a set of knee pads (construction type available at hardware stores and places like Lowes and Home Depot at the cost of $12 or so) to get close to those events happening on the ground. There is nothing worse than kneeling on a "Stone Cactus" or rocks.
A good lightweight wind and rain stopping jacket is a must. Gore-Tex membranes are great choice because they breath and and are waterproof .
I ware thick socks that are cotton and light colored cotton is one of the best wicking fabrics and stays cooler in the hot desert sun. So layer with cotton clothes for when a cold front comes through or you need to cool off.
Sun screen and a wide brimmed hat are also very smart. I wear a ball cap so I can rotate it out of the way to shoot my camera. An SPF of 30 is recommended. Remember we are often 5000 feet or more above sea level and thin air means you could burn more quickly. See Equipment list on page two.
A small backpack to carry your gear, water and to keep the clothes you shed when it is hot, is almost a must.
Hydration, We carry enough water for everyone for double our stay. But if you don't stay hydrated (drink the water) you can become disoriented and worse. So bring and carry a container for water and most importantly drink a little at least every fifteen minutes.
Remember we are here to shoot photos. This means take time to LOOK at the small and the big. There is no rush or agenda larger than getting some great photos. So talk to us (sometimes there are two of us), ask lots of questions; don't think any question is "dumb" it's the unasked question that isn't smart. Mostly have a great time and adventure making your memories.
Research the areas you will be in on our trip. Use the internet to see what other people have shot for the areas we will visit. You might find some shots you MUST HAVE and make lists so you don't get caught-up in the moment all of the time. Some people use their camera phone to shoot images of the pictures they might want to capture and this makes a convenient reminder method and can be also used to log informational signs and locations to better record what you shot and where. I carry a small digital recorder to take notes.
Don't over eat while shooting or we might find you asleep somewhere. We supply healthy energy snacks to stick in your pocket or pack for those must-have moments.
We have a first aid kit with us and if you get injured let us know so we can help with cuts, abrasions or blisters.
Tell others where you will be and even better, take another partner with you. SCUBA is not the only place the buddy system is good.
Carry a whistle that is loud and this will be a requirement and checked before we leave for our adventure. A GPS or compass is recommended but not required. See Equipment list on page two.
Good shoes are the most important item to consider and can shape your experience either with comfort and safe footing or can ruin your whole experience with injury or blisters. So it is important to pick a comfortable (not newly purchased shoes or boots) pair of shoes or boots with a good sole. Some of the areas we trek in are alive with "Jumping Choia" These are long barbed cacti that when their branches die, fall to the ground and can puncture "sneaker-type" shoes easily and impale you when you step on them. I have had these little critters go through a single leather sole of a boot and believe me, this is one of the most painful things you could ever experience. So it is important to be aware of your surroundings and wear boots that have a good Vibram-type sole with one or more layers of leather between you and the ground. Some people have purchased Kevlar inserts for their tennis shoes and this only protects against the bottom from being punctured. It could be a good solution but they are hard to find and expensive.
Tread lightly, we are there to capture the beauty, not kill it. The flora and fauna are very fragile in the desert and some of the plants we will encounter take many years to mature and can be endangered by careless foot traffic. Observe and capture, NO SOUVENEIRS!!!! Please leave the areas we are in, better than when we got there. I take a small plastic bag to pick up other peoples discarded trash and my refuge. Little things like this make a huge difference in the next visitors experience.
I take and wear a set of knee pads (construction type available at hardware stores and places like Lowes and Home Depot at the cost of $12 or so) to get close to those events happening on the ground. There is nothing worse than kneeling on a "Stone Cactus" or rocks.
A good lightweight wind and rain stopping jacket is a must. Gore-Tex membranes are great choice because they breath and and are waterproof .
I ware thick socks that are cotton and light colored cotton is one of the best wicking fabrics and stays cooler in the hot desert sun. So layer with cotton clothes for when a cold front comes through or you need to cool off.
Sun screen and a wide brimmed hat are also very smart. I wear a ball cap so I can rotate it out of the way to shoot my camera. An SPF of 30 is recommended. Remember we are often 5000 feet or more above sea level and thin air means you could burn more quickly. See Equipment list on page two.
A small backpack to carry your gear, water and to keep the clothes you shed when it is hot, is almost a must.
Hydration, We carry enough water for everyone for double our stay. But if you don't stay hydrated (drink the water) you can become disoriented and worse. So bring and carry a container for water and most importantly drink a little at least every fifteen minutes.
Remember we are here to shoot photos. This means take time to LOOK at the small and the big. There is no rush or agenda larger than getting some great photos. So talk to us (sometimes there are two of us), ask lots of questions; don't think any question is "dumb" it's the unasked question that isn't smart. Mostly have a great time and adventure making your memories.
