For Immediate Release
January 29, 2009

Take beautiful photographs of the Mojave Desert in UCR Extension's new weekend class at the Desert Studies Center

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Pack up your camera and spend a crisp, cool weekend learning how to take beautiful photographs of the mystical scenery in the Eastern Mojave Desert. UCR Extension is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Desert Studies Center that enables students to spend Feb. 19 through Feb. 22 in the new class, Photographing the Eastern Mojave Desert. While students study with photography instructor Craig Facile, they stay overnight in dormitory-style accommodations at The Desert Studies Center on Zzyxz Road near Soda Springs, California.

The class meets from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. A follow-up meeting to review students' photographs is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at UCR Extension Center, 1200 University Ave., Riverside.

Students will take advantage of the early morning and late afternoon light to photograph sand dunes, cinder cones, historic buildings, Joshua trees and wildlife that inhabit the desert. One-on-one assistance will be provided. The instructor will cover field techniques, approaches to photographing the desert, natural light exposure and existing light photography.

The class fee is $350 per person, or $325 each for couples and family members, or $300 each with PINE discount. The fee includes the cost of catered meals and lodging.

For more information, call (951) 827-5801 or e-mail arts@ucx.ucr.edu. To register for classes, visit www.extension.ucr.edu or call (951) 827-4105. To receive a free UCR Extension catalog, which includes a complete listing of all our current courses and certificate programs, call (951) 827-3806.

UCR Extension is the continuing education division of the University of California, Riverside. Extension offers more than 1,800 courses and certificate programs in a variety of academic programs, including agriculture and landscape, arts and humanities, business and management, education, teacher's credentialing, English, environmental management, geospatial analysis and technology, health services and behavioral sciences, information technology, languages, law and public policy, Native American studies, natural sciences, forensic investigations and public safety, and yoga.