shutterbugs and photo-philes unite

Winnemucca's Shooting the West brings photographers together to learn and share.

By CHARLIE JOHNSTON | March/April 2009

Photo: Larry Angier

In its 21st year, Winnemucca’s Shooting the West photography symposium, March 4-8, continues to gain momentum and attention. Since its inception, the gathering’s aim has been to bring art to the Nevada town and provide amateur photographers a chance to mingle with top professionals, an opportunity that founder Linda Dufurrena says is intrinsically tied to the small-town atmosphere.

This year’s keynote speaker, Joel Sartore, will present “Adventure…Stories from the Road.” In his 17 years as a National Geographic photographer, Sartore has come into close contact with some of the most exciting people, animals, and spectacles in the world. “These aren’t your neighbor’s vacation slides,” he says of his Shooting the West presentation.

Workshops led by accomplished professionals run the gamut from digital black-and-white photography, to filmmaking, to getting your work published. Field workshops in and around Winnemucca give participants the chance to build their portfolios while experiencing the splendor of the Nevada desert. Give it Your Best Shot lets attendees present their work to the public and compete for awards, and Outback RoundUp offers cash prizes and the chance to be included in Range magazine’s Real Buckaroo Calendar.

Pre-registration deadline for the entire event is February 20, 2009 at a cost of $100. Registration at the door is $115. Individual segments are also available.