Death Valley Night & Day Photography Workshop
Call it Milky Way photography, night photography, nightscapes or astrophotography. whatever you prefer. This will be a significant portion of our workshop. We will also photograph popular daytime locations in excellent light, including Mesquite Dunes, Ibex Dunes, Badwater, Zabriske Point, Devil's Golfcourse, and many other locations in the Death Valley basin with a concentration on creativity and composition.
Nightscapes will emphasize landscape scenes with the night sky enhancing our compositions. Since this Death Valley photography workshop is scheduled around the time of the new moon, we will take full advantage of Death Valley's dark sky status.
We will cover these techniques:
Lenses and settings for night photography
Low level lighting (LLL)
Star Stacking (with software)
Tracking systems
Light Painting
Modifying stars
Managing Noise
Removing distractions
March 2026 is a perfect time to photograph Death Valley for pleasant temperatures, the likelihood of a wildflower superbloom (the appropriate rain has been falling), and chances of a few windy conditions to smooth out the dunes.
With only three students per instructor, expect a learning intensive experience. And a lot of fun!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
DATES: March 13-17, 2026
WHERE WILL WE STAY: Furnace Creek Inn
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: All photography levels. A digital camera system and a desire to edit images is helpful. The workshop will be particularly beneficial for those wanting to build a portfolio of both day and night photography.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: There is some hiking involved, usually no more than two miles for any particular outing which is doable for all but the very physically limited. There are some areas of uneven ground and sand dunes. Fit individuals will have opportunities to explore further.
COST: $2900 Per person (shared room). More details available. This includes all lodging and ALL food.
TRANSPORTATION: Driving will be shared by participants and instructors. This will be arranged prior to the workshop. If you need others to drive you, this will work.
WHERE DO WE MEET: Furnace Creek. Other arrangements may be possible. Contact us with your special needs.
MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION AND SIGNUPS: Click the button below to transfer to the Photographers Trail Notes website. You can see a more complete schedule, learn about instructors and view many more images there.