Joshua Tree National Park is a garden of shapely rocks, scrubby bushes and animated trees. There are scores compositions waiting to be discovered, but finding clean, simplified scenes can be a challenge. That will be what we do on each outing to the park. You will be enthralled by the night skies during the workshop which has been scheduled to coincide with the new moon and a perfect position of the Milky Way. Perhaps there is no other location where the application of composition skills and the use of tones and light can be learned so rapidly. Put this together with photographing a shapely foreground in front of heavenly nights and you have one of the quickest portfolio building locations in the world.

This workshop involves considerable time in the field. The days are long though, so we will have time to take breaks in the middle of the day for dining, post processing instruction (and a nap if needed). There are also a number of interesting structures and some nice dark sky areas outside the park where we may photograph.

We will visit iconic locations in the park, emphasizing composition and light as you create your Joshua Tree portfolio. You work with changing light to adjust your compositions for maximum impact. At Joshua Tree NP the skies turn beautiful at the ends of the day, whether it is cloudy or clear. We will get you to premium locations for the golden hour, silhouettes against the darkening sky and the magic blue hour.

You will learn to find and interpret scenes that are best presented in monochrome formats, whether those scenes include shadows, simplified shapes or grand scenes. Post processing techniques to manage tonal qualities of your images will be included. Joshua Tree NP is an outstanding location for B&W purists.

Every night we will visit one or more locations to photograph formations and Joshua trees against the Milky Way or with star trails.

• How to use apps to plan your 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

The Park Service restricts workshop access to some locations shown in the sample photos. This will not deter us at all from achieving outstanding results. You will be creating uniquely outstanding images that are not in every photographer's JTNP portfolio. If you stay over one night, you will have all the training you need to capture the most popular locations if that is important to you. We will provide location information, recommended timing and settings. Let us know if you wish to extend your hotel stay at our group rate.

The nearest airport is Palm Springs International (PSP). If you arrive at the airport by 1 pm on the 13th, Rob can pick you up. You can be returned to the airport by 10:15 am on the 17th. Otherwise, you are on your own to get to and from 29 Palms. At least one participant will be asked to drive a personal vehicle during the workshop and will be compensated for mileage. 

High temperatures in JTNP average 75˚F to 80˚F but can be as much as 10˚ cooler or warmer. Low temperatures average 50˚F to 60˚F. 

If you are interested in extending your stay in the Palm Springs area, contact Rob for recommendations. Weather is generally 10-15˚ warmer than in JTNP.

Don't wait! All of my previous workshops have sold out.  By making payment, you are indicating that you have read and agree to the Policies and Release of Liability.  Click on the desired item(s) below to make payment.

If you prefer to mail payment or use Zelle, please contact me. Checks can be mailed to Wanderlux Photography, 75240 Inverness Drive, Indian Wells, CA 92210.