Death Valley is a dream photography location for beginner to advanced landscape photographers. Perhaps, there is no comparable location where one can develop skills and portfolio worthy images faster than at the lowest spot in the United States.

We have selected the most ideal dates for this workshop. Mild temperatures and the possibility of a super bloom.  The necessary fall rains that have recently arrived. These same rains help develop fresh shapes in the salt flats and the famous mud cracks you have likely seen in the work of expert photographers. You can have some of your own! The timing for the workshop is around the new moon, allowing us to take advantage of the dark skies at a time when the full arch of the Milky Way makes its first appearance in the eastern sky. And the tall peaks to the west are likely to provide a snowy backdrop for some of our grander landscapes. Stronger winds typically arrive in March, bringing fresh curves and untracked sand to the dunes we will visit. 

Join us as we explore the latest shapes that have developed on the floor of the desert!

Rob Strain is author of How to Photograph the Sand Dunes of the American Southwest. He is a California resident with dozens under his belt and has led private groups to numerous locations. Tim Wier wrote the Death Valley Photography Guide after experiencing the beauty of Death Valley numerous times. The guide contains dozens of exceptional images. Don Metz has photographed throughout the western U.S. and is an expert in Puebloan ruins and is the author of the Rock Art and Ruins Photography Guide. 

We will be up early and out late to visit iconic locations in the park, emphasizing composition, color, form and light as we visit many locations throughout this large national park. During part of the middle of the day, there will be time for post processing instruction and a necessary rest break. Expect to advance considerably in your talent.

You will have an opportunity to hunt for and photograph many areas of cracked mud and salt formations that are unique to Death Valley. Opportunities for ICM (intentional camera movement) will be pointed out for a little extra fun. 

Every night we will visit one or more locations to photograph salt flat formations or sand dunes with the Milky Way in your images. Instruction will include:

• How to use apps to plan your nighttime shoots
• Techniques to manage noise and minimize distortion
• Use of star stacking software for night sky landscape photography
• Use of a tracking device. You do not need to own one. We will let you use one of ours.
• Foreground selection, proper exposures and blending foregrounds with the sky.