Winterscapes – Black & White Photography with Kent Bowser and Margs Musson – G26010103

 Silver & Stone: An Analog Retreat at Ghost Ranch: Escape the Scroll. Master the Shadow. Build a Legacy. 

In an era of disposable images and instant gratification, what does it truly mean to make a photograph? How do we see? What do we see? Why do we see? This intensive January Term course offers a necessary and profound retreat, inviting dedicated students to undergo a digital detoxification amidst the spectacular 21,000-acre spiritual landscape that transformed Georgia O’Keeffe. 

This workshop is an immersion into the demanding, beautiful craft of analog black and white photography, culminating in a finished portfolio of fine-art prints. Students will leave Ghost Ranch with a tangible link to the legacy of Southwest artists who defined the region’s visual identity in light and shadow. 

The analog process is a powerful counter-revolution to modern urgency. The mechanical operation of the camera, the calculation of exposure, and the subsequent hours spent in the darkroom require a slow, deliberate pace that is calming and provides structured, positive, screen-free time. The tactile, chemical process yields images that are authentic with a soulful connection to the moment of capture. 

The professional collaboration between Kent Bowser, who began teaching at Ghost Ranch in 1991, and Margs Musson, who started as a student in Bowser’s Jan term course in 1997, embodies the desire to connect students to previous generations of analog photographers. This clear lineage is not just a historical detail; it is a validation of the curriculum’s effectiveness and provides benefits from an unbroken chain of mentorship tested and refined specifically within the Ghost Ranch environment. The dual expertise of the instructors—representing over 60 years of combined experience—provides a multilayered learning environment. Kent’s depth of art history and professional shooting/printing knowledge and Margs’ own journey from beginner to co-instructor, coupled with her professional scope, creates an approachable pathway for students of all camera experience levels. 

This workshop offers valuable information for both advanced photographers and beginners. There will be hikes and field trips to capture some of the indelible subjects that have inspired artists from previous generations to the present. You will receive hands-on training in the darkroom where you will learn precise chemical handling, film development techniques and the rewarding process of printing on archival fiber base paper. 

Time will be spent in the Ghost Ranch library, which is stocked with photography books including, but not limited to, black and white landscape volumes emphasizing the Southwest. This visual research immersion will further expand your experience at the ranch and aid in your conceptual training and critique skills. 

January at Ghost Ranch is characterized by solitude and stark beauty, but also challenging weather. This course requires the ability to hike several miles with camera equipment and tripod in winter conditions to access the most unique and inspiring compositional vantage points. January temperatures average a high of 39–47°F and a low of 16–23°F. Students must check the weather and pack appropriate gear for cold, potentially icy, high-desert conditions. 

You will leave Ghost Ranch with more than just knowledge; you will possess a finished portfolio of fiber prints—tangible, permanent artifacts destined to connect your vision to the timeless spirit of New Mexico. 

Registration is highly competitive for this intensive workshop. Secure your place now to step off the grid and commit to the enduring art of the silver print.