Death Valley Workshop

Death Valley, located in the heart of California, is a vast and mesmerizing desert landscape that captivates visitors with its stunning otherworldly beauty and extreme environmental conditions. Known for being one of the hottest places on Earth, it holds the extraordinary record for the highest air temperature ever recorded, which reached an astonishing 134 degrees Fahrenheit. This remarkable valley is characterized by its breathtaking contrasts, featuring shimmering salt flats, towering sand dunes, and rugged mountains that intermingle seamlessly to create a panorama of natural wonder. Its stark environment produces a unique palette of vivid colors, particularly during the enchanting hours of sunrise and sunset when the light beautifully illuminates the terrain in brilliant hues of orange, pink, and gold.

The geology of Death Valley tells a rich and intricate story of the Earth’s history, showcasing impressive geological formations that date back millions of years. Visitors have the opportunity to explore iconic sites such as Badwater Basin, which is renowned as the lowest point in North America at a staggering 282 feet below sea level. Here, the extensive salt flats stretch out dramatically in a surreal expanse, capturing the imagination and offering a captivating glimpse into the natural geological processes that have shaped this remarkable region over time. Other notable formations, such as the mesmerizing Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and the enchanting Artist’s Palette, provide fascinating contrasts where soft dunes rise dramatically against colorful hills, revealing the breathtaking diversity of the desert environment.

Despite its harsh conditions, Death Valley is surprisingly teeming with life, from resilient desert plants to a wide array of diverse wildlife that has remarkably adapted to the extremes of the environment. The park is home to a variety of species, including elusive coyotes, majestic bighorn sheep, and numerous bird species, each skillfully finding ways to survive in this seemingly inhospitable place. The stark beauty and richness of the ecosystems found in Death Valley serve as a profound reminder of nature's incredible power and resilience, inviting both photographers and nature enthusiasts alike to document its unique landscapes and captivating stories. Each visit offers new and exciting perspectives, as the dynamic play of light and shadow dramatically transforms this desert wonderland into a breathtaking canvas of infinite possibility.

Overview

Death Valley holds the impressive title of being the lowest and hottest place on the entire North American continent. Its stunning and unique geology transports you to an almost extraterrestrial realm as soon as you arrive and set foot on its surreal landscape. The vast expanses of shimmering salt flats, rugged and dramatic mountains, and vividly colorful canyons create a captivating scene that seems to defy the ordinary perception of nature. The play of light and shadow throughout the day reveals intricate details and fascinating textures across the terrain, enhancing the otherworldly feel that envelops those who visit. Travelers and nature enthusiasts are often left in sheer awe of the stark and striking beauty that surrounds them, with each corner of the park unveiling a new, mesmerizing perspective to behold. Whether standing at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America, or gazing at the vibrant hues of Artist's Palette, a journey through Death Valley is truly nothing short of an unforgettable adventure for the senses. 

The valley floor, once a vast, shimmering lake, now tells a profound story of transformation and enduring resilience. As the waters gradually receded over time, they left behind a stunning canvas of salt that blankets the land like a soft, white quilt, creating a truly unique and captivating landscape known as Bad Water Basin. This remarkable area stands as a treasure trove for those who deeply appreciate the subtle beauty found within the Earth’s diverse textures.

Within this arid and expansive landscape, intricate mud cracks stretch out across the ground like the fine lines on an aged face, each line eloquently telling the tale of evaporation and the passage of time. The patterns formed by the crystallized salt add an extraordinary touch to the terrain, resembling nature's own form of abstract art that captivates the observer’s eye. Every angle presents a new and fascinating design, inviting photographers and enthusiasts alike to capture the enchanting interplay of light and shadow dancing upon the rugged surface.

Now, after severe floods in the recent past, the lake is back and you can view it yourself and capture its exquisite reflections and see for yourself as the salt formations have begun to reform around the lakes edges.

Occasional rains followed by intense drying give rise to an extraordinary landscape in the valley floor, where salt polygons emerge in mesmerizing formations. Each season, nature paints a fresh canvas, with intricate shapes and designs that transform the ground into an artist's palette. The interplay of moisture and aridity not only enhances the visual splendor but also tells a story of resilience and adaptability. As sunlight glints off these crystalline structures, shadows and highlights dance across the surface, inviting photographers to capture this breathtaking choreography of nature. These ephemeral patterns, constantly evolving, truly offer a photographer's dream come to life, where every click can reveal a new perspective of the natural world.

The valley floor is surrounded by the enormous mountains of the Panamint Range.  All of which we plan to explore and photograph.  On either end of the valley are several Sand Dune opportunities.  The largest and most prominent being the Mesquite Dunes, of which we will be visiting twice during our stay.  Photographing the dunes is pure bliss as you gaze over rippling sand to rolling dunes.  The afternoon light creates beautiful waves of shadows that pour over the dunes in a hazy, golden wash.  It is truly amazing to experience.  The desert winds will occasionally roll through covering all the footsteps and creating new lines and ripples in the dunes.  This an amazing opportunity for photographers looking to take it up a notch and grab something unique.

For aspiring photographers, this is a perfect opportunity to explore the nuances of shooting in a wide format to focus on more intimate compositions.  We’ll help you understand your camera settings to maximize the wide range of light in these shots.  Understanding how to “see” and read light is essential to photography.  You’ll have endless opportunities to explore and practice during your five days of exploring with us.

For intermediate and professional photographers, this workshop will delve into advanced composition techniques. You'll learn how to identify crucial elements within a scene, including shapes and lines, and how to emphasize them to create more impactful and engaging images.

We will cover essential skills such as focus stacking, focal length blending, long exposure photography, and techniques for recovering highlights and shadows in challenging lighting conditions. These methods are straightforward to learn, allowing you to apply them repeatedly in your work.

Our small group setting ensures personalized attention, making it easy for you to ask questions and receive guidance on your composition from fellow photographers and instructors. Join us to elevate your photography skills and gain a deeper understanding of the artistry behind capturing stunning landscapes.

We hope you can join us for this truly amazing Workshop in one of the most amazing places on planet Earth!

Topics we will cover

• How to research potential shoot locations

• How to read the weather

• Learn how to create powerful compositions and bring your artistic vision to life

• Visualizing your composition, capturing and guiding the viewer

  The use of Neutral Density and ND Graduated filters to enhance and control light.

• How to identify and control: Balance and visual flow

• The use of filters to enhance and control light. How to “see” light

• Histograms, how to read them and why they play an important role

• Focus Stacking for extreme front and back focus

• How to use lens compression and when to use it.

• How to blend focal lengths and exposures to maximize Dynamic Range

• How to create beautiful Long Exposures to unveil a hidden visual world of intrigue and wonder

• Photographing the night sky: Stars, Milky Way, Star Trails and Time Lapse Photography

• Light Painting in the Twilight and night Landscape

• Image Critique and Visual Experience

• Post Processing and Digital Workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop, including third party softwares

What’s Included

• Photography instruction with Landscape Photographer Tommy White

• Lightroom and Photoshop training

• 3rd party programs like TK Actions, Luminar and Nik

• 5 Full days of Photography and field Instruction

• One on One field guidance in framing, settings, visual flow and “seeing” in the landscape.

• GPS field guidance to track our shoot locations

• Drinks and Snacks are provided during Workshop

• Identifying important subjects both near and far

• Capturing textures, shapes and patterns

• Visual interpretation of the landscape. How to “see” and use the light

• Guidance and safety throughout the entire trip

• Limited field equipment and accessories

What’s not included

• Participants should plan to provide their own transportation. Carpooling will be available at your own discretion

• Meals during the trip. I will always have drinks and snacks on hand, but plan to travel with your own favorites as well.

• Lodging - We will provide information for you on Lodging upon registration. As photography is all about the weather, we will plan to move about for the best conditions. We will have a secured place to stay on the night of our arrival and the night before our departure

• Park and admission fees. We are fully permitted in State and National Parks, but occasionally there are other fees per individual.

• Alcoholic beverages

• Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended)

• Personal Items

Cancellation Policy:  If you need to cancel your booking, the Deposit is non refundable on all Seasonal and Group Photography Workshops.  If the cancellation is less than 90 days, you will receive a full refund minus the deposit and 15% admin fee, when your spot is filled. If the cancellation is more than 90 days, you will receive a full refund when your spot is filled, or, you may move to another available workshop (minus a 15% admin fee) in the current calendar year. The remaining balance on the new Workshop is due upon transfer.

If you are booked for a Private Workshop and you need to cancel, you may reschedule your workshop one time within the current calendar year during an available time.