Author: Jack Jordan
All images copyright Jack Jordan
Last Summer, I had the amazing opportunity to join adventure photographer Kerrick James and a dozen other photographers on a photography workshop presented by Arizona Highways Photo Workshops. I found the workshop to be a perfect meld of culture, history and expert photographic instruction by Kerrick! We began our adventure at the Salinas Pueblos, partially restored 17th Century ruins Southeast of Albuquerque. I was struck by the proximity of the 17th Century Spanish churches to the earlier native settlements. Along the Turquoise Trail, we discovered the quaint artist colony of Madrid. I had fun photographing brightly colored doors and windows! At Pecos National Monument, I had the rare opportunity of climbing down a ladder into a kiva to photograph its interior! In contrast, I climbed up a ladder to photograph the face-like dwellings carved into a rock cliff at Bandelier! The Church of Santuario in the village of Chimayo provided us with a contrast with the earlier Spanish churches we saw at Salinas. I thought the Taos PowWow was a highlight (there were many) of our adventure! I was totally absorbed in photographing the many colors and patterns of the ceremony. I particularly enjoyed picking out the young children dressed in native dress! At the conclusion of our workshop, we ate a delicious Southwestern dinner together, after which we had fun photographing neon signs along Central Avenue after dark! As I said, what an amazing opportunity to travel with Kerrick!
Jack Jordan is a retired professional photographer and an Arizona Highways Photo Workshop trip leader.