Photocraig wrote:
I went to a week long Outdoor Photography workshop at Santa Fe Photo Workshops, years ago. I took 2 cameras, an EOS 1 I rented and an EOS10S, both automatic film SLR's. The Workshops didn't add any special instructions on camera care beyond the normal, and none of my fellow attendees in my group nor did the instructors (including 2 Nat'l Geo pros) mention experiencing anything out of the ordinary. As one of the posters said, this is not the Sahara Desert. Sure there's dust, wind and the dry climate amplifies the dustiness. But, I had no dust intrusion in my equipment and the rented EOS 1 and 100mm (non "L") lens I rented did not show dust intrusion upon rental return inspection.
You will find Santa Fe a photo career, just in itself. Many photo books were published on Santa Fe. Of note are two, Surprising to me, Radio Commentator Don Imus has a great book on New Mexico, and a great volume by former Outdoor Photographe Columnist Travel Photographer, Lisl Dennis and her husband Zant Dennis "Santa Fe." Check them out for great locations and subjects.
Santa Fe, Taos and Chama have an enduring spiritual atmosphere that I have only experienced personally in places like Bali, and more poignantly (I think from the ghosts) at the USS Arizona Memorial and the NY World Trade Center ruins site.
I always carry plastic Trash Bags in my camera bag. I use them to cover the bag in high winds, or when I set them down on the ground when I must. Also, Op Tech sells plastic camera covers which are easily deployed and are inexpensive to allow you to shoot in tough conditions.
I use protective filters on my lenses and lens hoods when shooting in these kinds of environments. While they may possibly degrade image quality, and I don't use them normally, when in the rain and snow and in dusty and windy conditions, I do protect my Objective elements.
Don't forget a quality CPL because the skies are astounding, and made more so with some polarization.
Enjoy your trip. I would love to return to Santa Fe soon.
C
I went to a week long Outdoor Photography workshop... (
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Thanks very much. Good reminder about the CPL.