On Thursday, Mary and I hiked up to where Silvershield Trail, Twin Peaks Trail and Oak Creek Trail meet, about 2.5 miles up the west side of the valley.  it was a bit on the cool side and there was fresh snow on the peaks.  On Friday I met up with the girls and did a quick loop around the Ice Park Trail.  The mosquitoes are quite bad along the trail so bug spray is highly recommended.  It was a beautiful morning that included a bit of sun….we were very happy to see it!!

View from Sutton Trail

We were able to head up the Sutton Trail just before Memorial Day.  The weather was perfect and the sun warm!!

View from Sutton Trail

Steve headed back east to NY.  He spent time with his family and was even able to organize a mini-reunion with old friends from his High School days.   I headed west into the wilds of Utah – what seems to be a favorite escape for us Colorad0-ians come Spring!  I explored Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks with two fellow photographers.  We are so blessed to live in such beautiful country.   After a week on the road, I came home to attend to some business such as our annual  Ice Park Meeting and meetings with our local Chamber and the like.    I was able to head back out and explore Hovenweep NP & Natural Bridges NM.    Both amazing places.  I’ve loaded a few pictures up on my Flickr site for those that wish to take a look at my adventures.

Photoshop Elements 6/7 Basics… Saturday, January 10, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. $109.

Hands-on training for Photoshop Elements v6/7 Use classroom computer (limited number) or bring your laptop with Elements 6.0 or 7.0 installed (bring an external mouse & AC adapter). Designed for beginners. We teach optimizing, printing and saving your images. Learn to enhance and correct your photos. You receive extensive class notes plus a CD. Mac users welcome too; bring your Mac laptop with 6.0 installed! 1 hour lunch.

Rebel With A Cause: Using Your Digital Rebel, 2 Wednesday nights: January 21 & 28, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. $99 Exciting class for Canon Digital Rebels, including XT; XTi; XSi & XS. You learn the various controls, settings and adjustments. We explain the Basic and Creative “zones”. We also cover flash, lenses and getting proper exposures. This class puts YOU in control of this wonderful camera! Class notes on CD. Bring camera and instruction book.

Photoshop Elements 6/7 Intermediate “Wow”
Saturday, January 31, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. $119 . Steve teaches more secrets of this amazing program including layers; retouching; layer masks; targeted adjustments; cool montage effects; restoring old photos and more. Use classroom computer (limited number) or ring your laptop (PC or Mac) with Elements 6/7installed (bring an external mouse & AC adapter). You receive class notes and a CD. You need a basic understanding of Elements or have taken Steve’s Basic class. One hour lunch. After taking this class, you will truly say, “Wow!”

Using Your Digital SLR Camera… Exploring The Basics.
2 Wednesday nights, Feb 4 & 11. 5:30 -9:00 pm. $99. A series of informative presentations which give you the tools needed to help your photography achieve the next level. Steve’s trademark energy and enthusiasm will truly have you rediscovering the joy of photography! Programs include: Composition; Depth of Field; Shutter Speeds; Histograms; RAW; Flash and more. Class is for users of digital SLR cameras. Same classes Steve presents at national seminars. Don’t miss this chance to learn from a pro! Bring your camera and instruction book.

Mastering HDR Workshop…
Saturday, Feb. 7 1:00 to 5:00 PM. $99. HDR or “high dynamic range” lets us photograph scenes formerly impossible to capture in a single image. As usual, Steve will demystify the process and have you producing jaw-dropping results! Hands-on class: bring your camera and tripod. Bring your laptop too; with Photomatix Pro loaded; free trial download at: www.hdrsoft.com or use a classroom computer (limited number). This is cool stuff. Sign up soon!

Photoshop Elements 6/7 Basics…Saturday, Feb 28, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. $109. See above for description.

Register Early

Classes often sell out

Arrive 10′ early

Classes start promptly

Call 243-7074 To Register

Cancellation Policy: Take your registration seriously. Classes are popular; space is limited. Cancel 7 or more days before class and full amount is transferred to another class. Cancel inside 7 days or no-show and 50% transferred to another class. No cash refunds.

Frameworks Gallery

309 Main Street, Grand Junction

970-243-7074

Classes ~ Fine Art ~ Custom Framing

Photographs by Rob Kurtzman

Custom Ultrachrome Giclees & Printing

Custom Printing & Classes Coming Soon

New Smaller Class Size

Classes limited to 12 or less. Most classes include assistant. Best value in the Valley!

Steve Traudt presents national photo programs, writes articles, exhibits fine art and is a pharmacist. His photographs have won many awards and been accepted in exhibitions worldwide. He is known for his energy and enthusiasm and ability to explain even difficult subjects. Visit Steve at: www.synvis.com

Dick Colby assists Steve to help keep the students on track. His computer and Photoshop background is invaluable and greatly enhances the learning.

ABC News: Weekend Adventure: Ice Climbing

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You can learn more about San Juan Mountain Guides as www.ourayclimbing.com and don’t forget to visit www.ourayicepark.com to learn more about the park and climbing in Ouray.

Classes Held At

Fabric Arts Studio
2297 Tall Grass, Unit 9, Grand Junction
Go 1 ¼ miles west of Mesa Mall to 23 Rd, then
north ¼ mile to Tall Grass

Using Your Digital SLR Camera… New! Saturday, June 5, 9:00 to 4:00. $99. Join Steve for an exciting, hands-on photography class featuring Steve’s popular 3 part approach to put YOU in control of your camera. First, Steve presents programs covering such topics as histograms and exposure; depth of field; shutter speeds; lenses and more. Next, we venture outside with our cameras and practice our techniques. Finally, we will download and review our images. This synergistic approach to learning will propel your photography to the next level as you gain understanding and control of your camera.  The class is open to all brands of digital SLR cameras (not recommended for point & shoot, compact type cameras). Bring your camera, lens or lenses and instruction book. Make sure your battery is fully charged. If you have a laptop computer bring it along too. Steve will be assisted by Dick Colby to provide plenty of personal attention. There will be a one hour lunch. Feel free to bring a sack lunch or grab something to eat at one of the nearby eateries. Don’t miss this chance to study with a professional photographer.

Make Your Own Book Workshop, with Blurb New! Saturday, June 19, 9:00 to 4:00. $99. Exciting new class that teaches you how to make your own book using Booksmart software from Blurb. Steve covers all aspects from choosing a format, importing pictures and text, design considerations and much more. Bring your laptop computer (or use ours for $10 extra). We will help you install the free Booksmart program (Mac or PC). If you need an image editor, we will install the free Fast Stone program (PC only; Mac users can use iPhoto). Bring images you want to use in your book. This will be a fun class and by the end of the day, you should be early ready to upload your masterpiece for printing! Lots of personal attention.

Photoshop Elements Bootcamp III, Beyond WOW… Saturday, July 10, 9:00 to 4:00. $99. Updated,

hands-on training class for Photoshop Elements! Bring your laptop computer (PC or Mac) with either Elements 6, 7 or 8 installed (bring an external mouse, mouse pad and your AC adapter too). Class features all new exercises which go beyond my Basics and WOW classes. Gain even more control as you learn intermediate and advanced techniques. Steve draws on his years of teaching Photoshop and show you many great secrets. You receive extensive notes and a resource CD. You NEED a basic working understanding of Elements; this is not a Basic class. Steve’s easy going style will have you saying

“Double Wow!” in no time! Don’t miss it!

Creative Flower Close-Ups… Tuesday, July 13, 6:00 to 9:00. $49

July is flower month in Colorado! In this new class, Steve will show you various ways of taking close-ups. He will also cover depth of field, composition and lighting of subjects, as well as other topics. Although primarily a lecture style class, feel free to bring your camera if you want to ask some questions

about it. Steve will also show some creative, out-of-the-box ideas for creating wonderful, interpretive images.

Digital Quick Start… Thursday, July 15, 6:00 to 9:00. $49 Don’t have time for a longer class? Then this short class on Digital Basics is perfect for you! Fast paced and fun class covering just the basics of using your compact digital camera. Topics include using a digital camera; camera settings, resolution, memory cards, flash and lots more! Steve’s knowledge and sense of humor will enable you to get started in the right direction. Bring your camera and instruction book. NOTE: class is designed for compact camera users. For users of digital SLR cameras, you should consider the Using Your dSLR class.

Adobe Lightroom 3… Saturday, Aug 7, 9:00 to 5:00, $109 Lightroom is an amazing application that makes your digital workflow more efficient. It does editing, processing, and output preparation. It is also a complete photo management software solution and is especially great for photographers who shoot in RAW. It interfaces seamlessly with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. For this class, basic computer literacy is essential. Bring a laptop computer, PC or Mac, with Lightroom 3 loaded. For this class, you will be working with a selection of images provided to you on a CD. Class will cover such topics as working with the

Lightroom workspace, catalogs; keywords; editing and output options. This will be an intense, hands-on class. You will be given a CD Resource disk to take home with you. You can download a free 30 day trial of Lightroom at adobe.com

Photoshop Elements I, The Basics… Saturday, Aug 21, 9:00 to 4:00, $99 Hands-on training for Photoshop Elements. Designed for beginners. We teach optimizing, printing and saving your images. Learn to enhance and correct your photos. Learn some creative techniques. Bring your laptop computer (PC or Mac) with Photoshop Elements 6, 7 or 8 installed although Version 8 is recommended as Steve will be teaching from Version 8. You can also use one of our laptops for $10 extra (limited quantity). Steve draws on his years of teaching Photoshop to show you many great secrets. You receive extensive notes and a resource CD to take home with you. Steve’s easy going style will boost your confidence and have you using Elements in no time! You might even say “Wow”!

Mastering HDR Workshop… Tues/Thurs, Aug 24 & 26, 6:00 to 9:00, $99 Join Steve for this exciting, hands -on class! Everyone is talking about HDR and now you can learn it too! HDR or “high dynamic range” lets us photograph scenes formerly impossible to capture in a single image. If you have ever photographed a high contrast scene, you know that even the best exposure will typically have blown out highlights and dark shadows. As usual, Steve will demystify the process and have you producing jaw-dropping results! Scenes you would not have even tried to photograph now become routine. Output can be adjusted for realistic or exaggerated color. You will learn everything you need to know from RAW capture to software processing. If you are ready to take your photography to a higher, more creative level, you will love this class. This is cool stuff…sign up soon.

Photoshop Elements II, The WOW Edition… Saturday, Sept 11, 9:00 to 4:00, $99 Steve teaches more secrets of this amazing program including layers; retouching; layer masks; targeted adjustments; montage effects; restoring old photos and more. Lots of fun in a relaxed environment makes for great learning. You receive extensive class notes and a CD to take home. Bring your laptop computer (PC or Mac) with Photoshop Elements 6, 7 or 8 installed although Version 8 is recommended as Steve will be teaching

from Version 8. You need a basic understanding of Elements or have taken Steve’s Basic class. After this class, you will truly say, “Wow!”

Make Your Own Book, with Blurb Tues/Wed, Sept 14 & 15, 6:00 to 9:00. $99. See above.

Photoshop Elements III, Beyond Wow!… Saturday, Oct 23, 9:00 to 4:00, $99. See above.

Adobe Lightroom 3… Saturday, Nov 6, 9:00 to 5:00, $109. See above for description

Digital Quick Start… Saturday, Nov 13, 9:00 to 12:00. $49. See above for description

Presenting Yourself… Saturday, Nov 13, 6:00 to 9:00. $49. A new class which explores several ways of presenting and sharing your photographs. A popular method these days is canvas printing. Steve shows you how to do this at home and even put together your own canvas stretched frame using inexpensive kits. He also will teach you how to make great greeting cards. You’ll also learn how to create poster type prints. A fun and useful class especially with the holidays coming as these items make great gifts.

She is a fiesty teenager that loves all things teenagers do! She’s always smiling and let’s nothing get in her way. We just love this girl!

Chris Folsom has been working with her and has created a prosthestic for her to get her out on the ice and into ice climbing!!


And a picture of Dad, Steve, checking on his girl.
Many thanks to Deb Folsom for sharing her photos!!!