We hope your Christmas Holiday was joyous and eventful. This time of the year we embrace our family and enjoy the times we have together. It is said that; It’s not the number of breathes you take, it’s the moments that take your breathe away. With each new day we appreciate the knowledge, strength, health, and love that rise with the sun.

Here at the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise we reminisce of all the great moments we had in 2005, and anticipate a wonderful 2006. We also look forward to our new corporate office space with the New Year. As subscribers we want to keep you pre-informed of our move and adjustments made in our contact information. Look out for more information to follow in the New Year.

Happy New Year!

"With a Camera in Old Navajoland" Text by Navajo Indian Photographer LeRoy DeJolie

Everywhere you look in Navajoland, nature presents itself in artistic ways. Lines, patterns, textures, shapes and form appear in both the intimate and grand landscape around us. These are the core examples of the compelling and graphic elements I try to employ in all my images I produce from my homeland here in northern reaches of Arizona on the Navajo Indian Reservation.

As we moved in the 21st century, many visitors choose to document their visit to Navajoland either digitally or more conventional and traditional types of cameras. I for one have opted to express myself and continue to carry on the time-honored tradition of large format photography. As a young lad, I developed a special appreciation for my 8 X 10 large format photographic equipment (circa 1952), that goes beyond just producing fabulous images, but rather exercising my passion to simply savor each moment. Since it takes a great deal more effort and time to set up the big camera to photograph a landscape, I am forced to select my subjects, analyze the lighting situation and very carefully compose for my final composition. You naturally become a more thoughtful photographer and pay greater attention to details in your immediate surrounding.

With these thoughts in mind, I have carefully selected a few details and techniques that have worked for me in years past and perhaps ultimately share my distinct perspective with you and to help you plan and successfully document your next photographic adventure, through Navajoland.

- THE FIRST RULE TO NATURE AND LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY: So obvious that you may easily overlook it - is to make sure you go the right places at the right time. You are highly unlikely to find great images to photograph merely wondering through the wilderness during high noon. It's obvious that the most beautiful lighting - I call SWEET LIGHT - on any landscape is low-angled sunlighting. I prefer the sun much lower on the horizon. Early mornings and late evening lighting are ideal times of the day when shadows are long, textures are more defined and dramatic and the light is golden.

- KNOW YOUR EQUIPMENT. Ideally you would have a full range of accessories with you when traveling. I've found when conducting my photography workshops throughout Navajoland that trying to carry more than is comfortable, merely discourages you from taking the images you want. A strong argument is to keep your selection simple. A sturdy comfortable canvas backpack can carry your full outfit needed for most adventures whether you decide to take a short or long hike into the back country. Remember to bring a hat along to help protect you from the noonday's sun and sturdy boots as well to help support your ankles, as grounds are not usually flat!

- TRIPODS - A sturdy tripod is the "American Express" of most nature and landscape photography: Don't leave home without it! I utilize a sturdy 1938 model - Ries wooden tripod. It continues to serve me well to this day.

- FILM - With slide film, you get the best image saturation and sharpness. I use Fuji Velvia 100F film. It gives me the extreme sharpness in details and rich saturated colors I look for in film. Print film users can go up to ISO 200 with very good results, as well. Today's 6-megapixal digital cameras can deliver a stunning 16 X 20 print perhaps equivalent to a 4 X 5 transparency in the same print size. Note: Unless otherwise noted - most publishing companies today elect only to use correctly exposed color transparencies submitted for their particular publication.

- LENSES - You can take good landscape images back home with you with any focal length lens. I choose to use a wide-angle lens 90% of the time, somewhere in the realm of a 24mm with my landscape images. The results of a wide angle effect allow me to emphasize the details in my foreground and ultimately add to an interesting perspective. A longer focal length lens in the realm of a 100mm or longer is ideal for details and close-up of faces at special events such as at a Pow-Wow and also for various views of distant landscapes. Of course, individual choices will differ according to special interests.

- FILTERS - I've found that a wide range of filters are really unnecessary in the field. Basic filters for color film are polarizers to darken the blue skies above and a warming filter such as an 812, a Heliopan KR-3 or an 81A and 81B is all that is needed to warm hues on dull days.

- CAMERA - Perhaps the best camera to capture the ever-changing light here in Old Navajoland might be the one you already own. Perhaps you’re in the market to invest in a camera to bring along with you on your future adventure to Navajoland, the most important advice of all, however is personal experience. Whether you own a digital camera or an SLR camera make certain you consider a camera with the following features:

1. Depth of field preview: to pre-judge the zone of sharp focus from near to far. 2. Consider a mirror lock-up: to pre-lock the reflex mirror before making an exposure to prevent vibration when shooting with a long lens. 3. A cable or an electronic release: for vibration-free photography. 4. Manual override for automatic exposures: to help fine tune exposure settings. Bracketing by over and under exposing your composition. 5. 100 percent viewfinders: for a full view of everything the film records.

- DIGITAL CAMERAS - White balance is a unique quality for digital cameras. It allows the camera to examine the color of the light and adjusts the color balance of the image to make white neutral. This could be a problem to some or a creative tool to others. We expect our sunrises and sunsets to be warm in tone in photographs because we're used to seeing them with daylight-balanced film. The digital camera can give such a scene a whole range of color balance.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

However well you prepare the ground for a trip before leaving home; there is no substitute for the on-the-spot research. The more information you can glean from local sources, the more chances you have of finding unusual viewpoints or rich photographic source materials. Begin with published information - guides, maps and postcards from bookshop, airports and hotels. Studying postcards is particularly useful; you can put yourself in the photographer’s position and then consider other possible viewpoints and approaches. Next visit the local tourist office and travel agents. There you can get free and up-to-date literature and detailed information on subjects that interest you. A list of organize tours, even if they are too expensive or not to your taste can be helpful when you plan your own excursions.

Finally, remember that your best sources are all around you: the local Navajo people. Never hesitate to ask and ask again. A good sound policy is to ask several people the same question, because not all the information you receive will be reliable. I have used the helpful tips of the local staff at the Hotel I'm staying at. Perhaps inquire to hiring a local Navajo guide to guide you into lesser known area to help you capture that perfect moment on film. Be safe, and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated....Remember to expect desert like conditions!

Join LeRoy DeJolie in photographing some of his favorite places in the Navajolands of Northern Arizona. For the 2006 season, LeRoy, a registered Navajo guide, award-winning large format photographer, and instructor with the Friends of Arizona Highways Photography Workshops, will be conducting two Friends of Arizona Highways Photography Workshops that will take you into some of the most breathtaking landscapes in America. Navajo Lands and People will be June 10th-14th; click here for more information and to register for this workshop.

Hunt's Mesa and Monument Valley will be October 5th-9th; click here for more information and to register for this workshop. These workshops are 5 days long and allow for larger participation. Groups accommodate up to 15 people. To book a workshop with the Friends of Arizona Highways, visit the website or call (888)790-7042. In Phoenix call (602)712-2004.

LeRoy DeJolie, Navajo Photographer 13421 N. 43rd Avenue, #2111 Phoenix, Arizona 85029 Ph: (602) 439-3946 info@dejolie.com www.dejolie.com

Randy Wolff, General Manager, Quality Inn Lake Powell, has graciously accepted this year’s Grand Circle Association’s John Warner Friend of the Circle Award. Randy was presented with this award in recognition of his devotion of time, effort and financial assistance during his term.swers in your next issue.

The John Warner Friend of the Circle Award is presented “for exceptional involvement with and commitment to the promotion of the Grand Circle area, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.” This exemplary effort may be represented by time, support, ideas and/or financial assistance.

The Grand Circle ties America’s largest concentration of National Parks and Scenic Byways together. The Grand Circle Association’s goal is to promote the incredible year-round vacation opportunities available to you in the Four Corners area of the Southwestern U.S., the Grand Circle.

We are proud of Randy and sincerely congratulate him on a job well-done. He has completed and experienced many great things, and now with this award to add to his impressive career history, he can continue to strive for that “un-gettable get.”

With initiatives to preserve the Navajo Zoological and Botanical Park, the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department are promoting their latest concept: “Adopt an Animal.”

The Adopt an Animal Program allows adoption of an animal, which will help defray the cost of feeding and caring for more than 85 wildlife and animals (bears, elk, wolves, and deer). Adopting an animal is easy, call the contact number and get an application to complete, choose the animal you wish to adopt, and then start fundraising. When you sign up you will receive a picture and pertinent information, i.e. Vital statistics of the animal. You will also receive a Personalized Certificate of Sponsorship, free admission for your group, and your name will appear on the “Adopt an Animal” showcase board.

The Navajo Nation Zoo is the only tribally owned and operated Zoo in the United States. You will be contributing to the success of one of the Navajo Nation most important cultural, educational, and environmental institutions. The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department asks for your assistance in making this fundraiser a success. It is sincerely believed that this endeavor is in the best interest of the community, Navajo Nation, the Navajo Zoological and Botanical Park, and all the animals that live at the Zoo.

If you wish to donate the Department will be accepting Money Orders, Cashiers Checks, and Personal Checks written out to the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department and specify on the payment: Navajo Zoological and Botanical Park. Donations can be mailed to the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department PO Box 2520, Window Rock, AZ 86515, and a one-year pass will be mailed back to your attention. Or you may visit the Navajo Parks and Recreation Office just north of the Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock, Arizona.

Current admission price is set at $1.00, but after the January 1st, 2006 the Zoo admission fee will be $2.00 for adults, $1.00 for children 12 years old and under, and children under 2 years and seniors are admitted free of charge. Hours of Operation are 10:00am to 5:00pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

For further information contact: Jimmy Pete, Recreation Specialist (928) 871.6647 or (928) 871.6954

There’s something new for the guests of the Quality Inn Lake Powell. Being amongst the fresh morning smell of grass and the rolling sounds of golf carts gearing up for the day, the Quality Inn Lake Powell is presenting their personal Golden Eagle Full Swing Golf Simulator.

No more moving anxiously awaiting the next hole from a distance; our guests at the Quality Inn Lake Powell can now experience the sport of golf from our Long Bow Tavern. With the ability to practice on a swing or a putt from the convenience of our indoor golf simulator, this year-round training experience will have everyone swinging for more.

Come and tee-off from a new view and enjoy the splendors of Lake Powell!

Visitors are welcomed with open arms in Navajoland. Here are some guidelines to help you respect the Navajo people and their customs:

1) Please try to be unobtrusive when visiting a Navajo performance or event. Please try to be patient and considerate.

2) Please applaud only if it is apparent it is an acceptable custom. Please ask permission before taking photographs of people and surroundings

3) Please understand some traditional ceremonies are not open to the public, so if you are asked to leave, please do so quickly and quietly.