I am excited to announce this new workshop and invite you to read on about the program. Guanajuato is an extremely colorful city, the people are friendly, the cuisine is fantastic, and the city is easily navigated. Guanajuato’s streets, markets, historic plazas, and byways are extraordinarily picturesque, both day and night. Traditional Mexican music is commonly heard throughout the streets as local mariachi musicians are out and about serenading anyone interested in listening. At night the streets are filled with young and old, socializing while eating sweets and local specialties purchased from street vendors brightly colored carts. Guanajuato feels like a fairytale at night with its traditional street lamps spilling light onto the narrow streets and fabulous historic plazas. Baroque architecture is marvelously integrated into the hills and narrow byways flanked by local shops and restaurants. Photos opportunities abound in every direction. The small-town ambiance found in Guanajuato is simply a joy! Guanajuato was founded by the Spanish in 1520.
Gunajuato Dusk
WORKSHOP HEADQUARTERS
ALMA DEL SOL STRATEGICALLY LOCATED IN THE CITY CENTER
Rooftop Terrace Dining Room. Hugo, Chef and Host
ALMA DEL SOL is a BnB strategically situated in the lively city center, owned, and run by Hugo Anaya. Workshop participants will stay at Alma or a sister property. Hugo is a printmaker, incredible chef, designer, and an all-around joy to have as a host. We will have open access to Hugo’s studios to do some fun photo-experimental photography that will no doubt inspire you, and help refine your compositional skills. The roof top terrace is the place where coffee/tea is available each morning before breakfast with a fabulous view of the city and surrounding mountains. There is a comfy lounge with couches and a happy hour bar. The festive dining area where we will enjoy breakfast and lunch each day is just behind the lounge.
ALMA DEL SOL ACCOMODATIONS
Here are examples of some of the rooms available during our workshop. The rooms are cleaned each day by Hugo’s trusted and friendly staff. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. There are other hotels within a five minute walk if you prefer more luxurious accommodations. Alma Del Sol feels like home away from home!
Talish La Concha India
DAILY SCHEDULE
The first Sunday evening of both workshops we will meet on the rooftop lounge around 6:30 pm. for cocktails and the panoramic sunset view, bring your camera. The gala welcome dinner will begin about 7:30 pm. (On subsequent evenings, beer, wine and margaritas will be in the fridge of the rooftop lounge for self-service and payment on the honor system). Each day starts with breakfast at 8:30 am. There will be coffee and hot water for tea, ready to go at 8 am for early arrivers.
Day 1: After breakfast, we gather in the rooftop printmaking studio adjacent to the dining room. We begin with a slide presentation on composition, and editing. Students head out to familiarize themselves with Guanajuato while making photographic images, back to Alma for lunch at 1 pm. After lunch students continue their photographic journey, then back for a rooftop happy hour. Dinner: local restaurant of your choice.
Day 2: After breakfast we gather in the rooftop printmaking studio for the morning discussion. Students explore Guanajuato while making photographs returning for lunch at 1pm. After lunch students continue their photographic journey returning for happy hour and Tuesdays critique/ slide presentation at 6 pm. Dinner: local restaurant of your choice. Day 3: After breakfast we walk up the hill to Piramidal Grafica, a professional printmaking studio run by Hugo. This will be a creative workshop including still life instructions, advanced, and experimental editing as well as photo mixed media exercises. We dine in the enchanting studio garden for lunch. After lunch students continue their photographic journey. Dinner: local restaurant of your choice
Day 4: After breakfast we gather in the rooftop printmaking studio for the morning discussion, then out to photograph. After lunch continue to explore and photograph returning for the Thursday evenings critique/slide presentation. Dinner: local restaurant of your choice
Day 5: After breakfast explore and photograph until lunch at Alma. We meet in the rooftop printmaking studio at 4 pm. for the final critique, followed by the farewell dinner.
CRITIQUES AND CLASS DISCUSSIONS
Critiques are a supportive collaborative group effort involving each participant in the workshop. Before each critique students will email me their chosen photos that have been edited. The photos will be projected and shared with the group. I will address each image regarding composition/editing etc. Critiques will be held Tuesday, and Thursday evenings roughly from 6-7 pm, with a final critique on Friday at 4pm.
GUANAJUATO AT A GLANCE
PHOTO-CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
GUANUJUATO, MEXICO
Dec. 2-6 and Dec. 9-13, 2024.
Rooftop Lounge Rooftop Studio/Critique Location
WORKSHOP FEE: $1,500
Workshops will be limited to10 students allowing me more one on one time with each student. A deposit of $375 will reserve your enrollment until October,15, 2024, after which the full balance is due. (Please call or email me to sign up for the workshop to get the full overview). David Hoptman: 505-328-5061, photocreativeworkshops@gmail.com. Participant are responsible for contacting Hugo for accommodations and payment.
(Rooms range between $75-$100 per night). Alma del Sol, Calle del Sol #3, Zona Centro, Guanajuato, GTO, Mexico, 3600. Tel: (473) 733-5423…email… info@almadelsol.com
Breakfast is included with your accommodations; the welcome and farewell dinner are included in the workshop tuition along with lunches. Accommodations need to be vacated on Sunday morning for those enrolled in workshop #1, December, 2-6, 2024 to make room for participants of workshop #2. Hugo can arrange pickups and returns from the Leon airport, cost is roughly $40. PHOTO-CREATIVE WORKSHOPS 2024: GUANUJUATO, MEXICO… Dec. 2-6 and Dec. 9-13, 2024 I will be available everyday throughout the workshop for personal instructions regarding your photographic endeavors; composition, editing, camera functions, architectural photography, street photography, lowlight and night photography, portraiture, etc.
All photos: David Hoptman/PhoPhotoCreative