Day Six

After two full days in the field we all had full memory cards and lots of film to process. We opened the studio at the Center for the Arts at 10:00 AM and I led a digital demo on working with high dynamic range images and using masks in Photoshop. Afterwards, John helped students process their first rolls of black and white film. We spent several hours working in the studio trying to catch up on editing, scanning, and processing all of our images.

The weather was really nice and we needed to get out of the studio. At 3:00 PM we decide to take a trip to the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, which is a separate property located within Grand Teton National Park. The Preserve is a reflection of Rockefeller's lifetime commitment to setting aside natural areas accessible to the public. On the property is a state-of-the-art visitors center, which is the first ever platinum LEED certified national park structure. The exhibits inside the center are meant to make visitors more aware and appreciative of the natural environment surrounding them. There is a series of sensory experiences, including an installation with high definition videos, a large-scale photo montage, and a soundscape room with recordings from the preserve. The visitors center was successful in settling our minds and peeking our senses. The 3 to 4 mile round trip trail to Phelps Lake and back was peaceful, uncrowded, and full of inspiring aural and visual stimuli. 

Later that evening we attended the Jackson Hole Rodeo. A community event, the rodeo offers a glimpse into the culture and history of the area. It's also a great opportunity for students to work in portraiture and action photography. Some of the students actually got permission to go behind the shoots where the cowboys mount the bulls and broncs, getting up close and personal with the rodeo lifestyle. During the rodeo, a huge thunderstorm consumed the sky, threatening to rain us out. Fortunately, it just produced a light rain and most of the stuck around to soak up this unique cultural event.