Mesquite Flats Sand Dunes in evening light

Death Valley 2025 Photographic Tours and Workshops

February 23-March 1, 2025 One Space Available

March 2 -8 One space available

Death Valley — stark, beautiful, and a photographer’s paradise. Desert light is unlike any other, and the play of that light on the sand dunes, mud, and badlands offers up endless possibilities to exercise and develop your creativity. Winter is an ideal time to visit Death Valley because temperatures are moderate and days are shorter so several days spent photographing is not as fatiguing — the weary do get some rest!!

There are iconic scenes to be photographed and endless potential scenes of your own design. The thrust of the workshop is on creativity, composition, and the use of light. Looking photographically at a sand dune field for the first time can be bewildering. Organizing the chaos into a beautiful image is the task at hand and it is my job to help you do that better.  Let’s look deeper than the pretty postcard scene to find that vision, that special unique image that is yours alone. Come learn how to “make, not take” photographs. Come join me for a fun-filled trip to the desert where we will explore my favorite places which will quickly become yours as well. Death Valley has color both bold and subtle and  photographs nicely in black and white as well; indeed, the first classic scenes were all black and white. With the ease of producing black and white files from your digital camera we will explore that option at every opportunity.

Who should come?

This is a tour/workshop for intermediate to advanced photographers who want to grow in their craft. The focus is on growing your creativity.  A working knowledge of your camera is essential — menus, knobs — all that stuff in the manual. Bring a PDF on your phone for reference in the field and the hotel in case you are having trouble memorizing all 500 pages.  

Physical requirements

Anyone who is of reasonable fitness can do this trip. Fitness is more of an issue than age ( I am 72). Some locations are almost drive-up while others require walking. The sand dunes are a core attraction for any Death Valley trip and are the most physically demanding. A typical outing in the Dunes is about a 2-mile roundtrip. It takes 20 minutes or so to get into the first shooting location and about the same on the way out from the last set up. Once in the dunes, walking is stop and go; how long the stop is depends on the photo op. Sand is annoying to walk in, but a slow measured pace gets the job done. We will avoid steep climbs and use contours and ridges to lessen the exertion wherever possible.

Suggested equipment

Carry how much you like in the dunes, but one body with a long-range zoom; a 100-400/500mm is ideal for creating the kind of compression that makes all the curves and lines come together. The weight savings of a single body and lens makes hiking much easier. Wide-angle compositions are everywhere as well, but you either add a second body with lens to your burden, or try to change lenses in the dune field. In other locations you will find compositions using the full focal length range of your equipment. The short end of the long zooms works quite well for an assortment of locations. That can work when there is no wind but even with a sensor shutter on latest models you get sand in the chamber, so not great. I will provide a suggested equipment check list in time for you to prepare.

I am a huge advocate for handheld photography that modern mirrorless cameras with image stabilization allow. However, in the dunes, with a 100-500 zoom to get the image compression I am looking for, this often requires focus stacking. I still use a tripod in this situation to get the best stack. If you are not using mirrorless then you may be more comfortable with a tripod in all instances.  So add a tripod, preferably not one that is too heavy, but you need to get the camera to eye level and it needs to be sturdy enough to stand up to brisk wind. Message me with any equipment questions. Not sure about focus stacking? You will be an expert after this trip.

A tripod, water bottle, and perhaps a sweater or jacket to layer up when we stop for a while completes the outfit. A shell can be quite useful when it is windy and some may want gloves in the morning. A broad brimmed hat is a good idea when its warm, and a beanie of sorts when it is not. You can bring more stuff if you can carry it. Generally, we hike in while it is dark with just enough light for foot placement to be at the first shooting location when it is barely light enough to focus. You may want a headlamp. We will photograph with the twilight glow and follow the progression of light, finishing up with black and white monochrome abstract opportunities at the end of the session. Usually, between 2 and 3 hours after actual sunrise we are done and headed back in for breakfast. The reverse holds true for evening light, whether in the dunes or at other locations.

Other first-light locations are less demanding and can be a drive-up like Zabriskie Point or Dante’s View. The evening can be in the dunes which frequently offers dramatic light so we will be alert to that opportunity. The salt flats, or one of several other target-rich locations that are not in the tourist brochures add additional options. Some of those require hiking as well, generally about a mile or less each way, but flat. The clear night skies can offer additional opportunities for those interested depending on how much sleep you require. Sunrise is early, around 06:20 but sunset is also early, around 17:40 (5:40PM) so ample time for dinner and sleep, or even some nighttime photography.

WEATHER

Average temperatures during our visit range from lows in the low 40s with highs in the low 70s. There can be a significant wind chill so be aware, and Dante’s View at an altitude of almost 5,500 feet can be 15 degrees colder. Rain is not usually an issue.

DETAILS

Stovepipe Wells will be our base of operations; the Mesquite Flats dune field is only 5 minutes away although farther to Zabriskie and Badwater.  Stovepipe has a reasonably priced a la cart menu in the evening and a breakfast buffet in the morning.  We will meet on the afternoon of February 23rd for introductions and orientation, followed by an evening session nearby. We will then have 5 full days of photography, photographing where conditions offer the most promise. The extra time on this workshop gives us a cushion against sub-par weather conditions. The usual day will be a morning field session followed by breakfast and then a break for a nap or lunch before heading out for the evening location. If we are going to a more remote location after the morning outing then adjustments will be made.  If you are feeling froggy, then mid day can be about processing. This is your workshop so you get to choose. The workshop officially ends after the morning session on March 1st. This gives 5 full days and two half-day sessions.  

GETTING THERE

Las Vegas (LAS) is the closest airport. There are multiple car rental agencies to choose from. 4WD is not needed for this tour, although some of the shoulders can have soft sand. If we go to the Racetrack a 4x4 will be needed but can be a group expense for the day and need not be a week long rental.

Tuition

This workshop is offered at $1,495 and includes my services for the duration of the workshop.

Group size limited to 4 to facilitate personal attention and reduce impact to sensitive areas.

Lodging, meals, and transportation not included.

I have reserved rooms at Stovepipe Wells and paid the first night’s deposit. I will invoice you for that deposit and you can take over the reservation at check-in.

There is a campground immediately across the road for those so inclined.

COVID vaccination required for attendance.

Rapid test just prior to arrival if sharing a room or vehicle suggested.

Register using the text box below, It is a clickable link.