South Dakota Badlands

Overview:

Welcome to the breathtaking South Dakota Badlands, a photographer’s paradise where rugged terrain and stunning vistas combine to create a landscape like no other. Stretching across 240,000 acres, this unique region is characterized by dramatic rock formations, deep canyons, towering spires, and expansive prairies. The Badlands are a geological wonder shaped by millions of years of erosion, offering endless opportunities for photographers to capture the interplay of light, color, and texture. From the golden hues of sunrise illuminating jagged ridges to the star-studded night sky over a serene wilderness, the Badlands present a dynamic and ever-changing canvas for your lens. Not to mention it is a wonderous place for fossils of all kinds and looks like something straight out of a cowboy flick with bandits waiting for you right around the next turn. There aren’t of course, but careful to not let your imagination run wild here. This place is wildly fascinating!!

As we embark on this workshop, our goal is to not only explore the technical aspects of landscape photography but also connect with the raw, untamed beauty of this remarkable environment. The sharp contrast between the rugged formations and the rolling grasslands provides a natural stage for mastering wide-angle compositions, while the wildlife that calls this park home offers chances to integrate nature into your work. Whether you’re an experienced photographer looking to refine your skills or a beginner eager to learn, the South Dakota Badlands will inspire your creativity and push the boundaries of your photographic vision.

While I was there the last time, I was hoping to explore a bit more of the backcountry which I did. Another goal we had was to photograph the Milky Way. The skies there are very dark and the temptation around all of these pointed, colorful and craggy peaks is just more than one can resist! Well, while we were there we were alerted that we were going to have a rare Aurora Borealis event. This was something I could not believe. My Private Tour client and I stayed out all night for two nights capturing this event as this was a bucket list item for both he and I. We were both elated and exhausted by the end of it. Cards full and happy. I posted a few below. There were so many…

Overall, the experience in the Badlands is one that is difficult to put into words. With all of the History, which I love, it was a great prelude as I cam closer to the Badlands for the first time. The long expanse of gorgeous grasslands were stunning as I imagined photographing big storms that loomed in the distance. As we approached the Badlands National Park, Bison came in to view, grazing wildly in the distance just as you would have imagined years ago. The Park is full of wild animals including Big Horn Sheep, Black-footed Ferrets, Prarie Dogs, Golden Eagles and Pronghorn Sheep just to name a few.

You can see more about the Park here: https://www.nps.gov/badl/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm

Once in the Park, you quickly realize the massive expanse depth of it all. The hills don’t just go up, but massive erosion over the years has created winding canyons and beautiful rock formations throughout the park. Many with mineral formations in color tones of red, orange and yellow. When the morning an evening light hits them, they glow in gorgeous colors!

In this Workshop, I have timed it so that we can enjoy the night sky as well. In September, the Milky Way comes up early in the night, so that you don’t have to stay out in to the wee morning hours to capture it. About an hour after Sunset and it’s on!! The skies are very dark here and the detail is spectacular. I’ll be sharing all of my night sky techniques with the group, including how to capture beautiful foreground with no noise and an accurate Milky Way with no noise, even shot at 4000 ISO or above. It’s very simple!

This trip also includes a dive in to Black and White processing and what a perfect place to do it. Right after Sunrise and right before Sunset when the Sun is still low in the sky we will explore beautiful side light as it spills across the landscape. Capturing this type of light in a location like this is a dream come true. I’ll show you how to process it for gorgeous Black and White images. Not just my way, but how to process for Black and White that fits your very own vision. The goal is really in the capture and there are techniques in the processing to adjust for your own style. Your will see!!

One last bonus for this trip. All participants will receive a free class following this Workshop. Once you are home and have had a chance to load and review all of your images. We will get together one for time. This is free time for you to ask any last questions and see a live demonstration on editing the images that were captured right there on the Workshop.

Join me on this wonderful multi-faceted trip to the South Dakota Badlands. This one is not to be missed!!

Topics we will cover

• How to research potential shoot locations

• How to read the weather and tides to maximize your foreground.

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

• Visualizing your composition, capturing and guiding the viewer

• 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

• Focusing in the dark

• How to capture your foreground at Twlight

• How to stack images for minimal noise

• How to capture and edit the night sky and Milky Way

• 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

About this Trip

Fitness
Average fitness level is great! Distances can be up to 1 mile. Most are very close to the car.

Experience
Aspiring - Advanced. Some trail experience is helpful. Basic knowledge of the camera is helpful but not required.

What’s Included

• Photography instruction and guidance with Professional Landscape Photographer Tommy White

• Lightroom and Photoshop training

• Learning about 3rd party programs like TK Actions, John Weatherby’s Pro Panel, Luminar AI, and Nik by DXO

• 3 full days and 2 nights of Photography and field Instruction in the South Dakota Badlands National Park.

• One on One field guidance in foundational composition and advanced composition.

• Learn how to find balance and harmony in the field and use important elements to frame and support your subject.

• Learning how to identify important foreground elements and how to capture it.

• Focus stacking. How to capture and process it.

• Focal Length Blending. How to capture and process it.

• Angle of View and Perspective. How to “see” it and how to use it.

• Capturing textures, shapes and patterns.

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

• We will learn about Storytelling. How to find and capture your story to enhance your image and tie it all together.

• Guidance and safety throughout the entire trip

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 light 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.