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November 18-22‚ 2024 - Sold Out!

Select the dates below to join the waitlist

December 6-10‚ 2025 - 3 Spots Available

Workshop Dates
Regular price Investment: $2,995
Regular price Sale price Investment: $2,995
Sale Sold out
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  • Experience Level

    Beginner to Advanced 

    This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels. You'll receive personalized guidance to build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses. Expect to be challenged and grow, regardless of your starting point.

  • Fitness Level

    Easy to Moderate

    Hikes up to a two miles (round trip) on uneven terrain. Can be challenging for some, but if you are mostly healthy you will be fine.

    More Info 
  • Curriculum

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    Our days will be split between sunrise and sunset field sessions, with classroom time and breaks in between. You'll learn techniques like: contemplative photography, focus stacking, unique Lightroom methodologies, and developing projects to take your photography to the next level!

  • Group Size

    Limited to 8 Guests

    We keep our group sizes small to ensure the individual attention you deserve.

  • Location

    Stovepipe Wells, California

    View Map 
  • Fly To

    Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)

    Check Flights 

Description

Explore the hidden details of Death Valley through intimate landscape photography, a unique journey that transcends the grand vistas and delves into the subtle textures and whispers of nature. In this immersive workshop, you'll be guided to see beyond the obvious, finding compositions within compositions, transforming rocks, sand, water, and plants into abstract art that tells a story. Engaging classroom sessions will enhance your understanding of abstract and contemplative techniques, helping you to connect deeply with your surroundings. Whether a seasoned photographer or a passionate beginner, you'll benefit from hands-on guidance in using Lightroom and Photoshop to process your images, with instructors simplifying complex procedures into actionable steps. This multifaceted experience is not just about capturing photos; it's about crafting visual poetry and understanding the soul of the landscape, making it an unforgettable exploration of Death Valley's lesser-known beauty.

  • David Kingham

    David is an accomplished professional photographer renowned for his evocative nature imagery. His work showcases intimate landscapes, stunning nightscapes, and masterful black-and-white photography. As the founder of Exploring Exposure, David is dedicated to mentoring aspiring photographers, helping them refine their skills and develop their artistic vision.

    View David's Portfolio 
  • Jennifer Renwick

    Jennifer is a professional photographer renowned for her captivating abstract and small scene imagery. With a keen eye for detail, she uncovers the hidden stories within grand landscapes. Jennifer is passionate about helping fellow photographers discover their unique style and guiding them to express their vision through meaningful projects.

    View Jennifer's Portfolio 

Itinerary

Preparation: Upon registration, a comprehensive itinerary will be sent to you, ensuring all the details are at your fingertips to help you plan your travel arrangements seamlessly.

Day 1: Kickoff and Immersion

  • 4:00 pm: Meet at the hotel for introductions and a warm welcome.
  • Evening Session: Engage in captivating presentations at the hotel, setting the stage for the art of photographing intimate landscapes in Death Valley. We'll discuss composition techniques, lighting, and the unique challenges and opportunities of capturing the intricate details and abstract patterns found within the park's diverse desert environment.
  • Dinner break: Enjoy a delightful meal together, fostering connections and camaraderie among the group.

Days 2-4: In-depth Exploration and Learning

  • Early Morning (sunrise until 10:00 am): Venture into Death Valley to capture the subtle beauty of the intimate landscapes in the soft, golden light of early morning. We'll focus on creating compelling compositions that showcase the park's fascinating geological features, such as the delicate salt crystal formations, the colorful mineral deposits, and the intriguing patterns in the rocks and sand, while harnessing the power of light to evoke emotion in your images.
  • Brunch & Rest: Return to the hotel for a well-deserved meal and a brief rest to recharge for the afternoon sessions.
  • Afternoon (1:00 - 2:00 pm): Engage in an hour-long presentation, delving into advanced techniques for capturing and processing intimate landscapes. We'll then assign a tailored project for you to work on, focusing on specific post-processing techniques in Lightroom to enhance your images.
  • Late Afternoon (3:00 pm onwards): Head back into the park to explore and photograph diverse locations, seeking out the hidden gems and overlooked details that make Death Valley's intimate landscapes so captivating. A convenient sack lunch will be provided to keep you fueled during the afternoon shoot.
  • Evening: Arrive back at the hotel around 6:00 pm for more classroom time, where we'll review and discuss the day's captures, share insights, and provide guidance on refining your techniques. Afterward, take some time to rest and enjoy dinner.

Day 5: Reflection and Farewell

  • Early Morning (sunrise until 10:00 am): Embark on a final morning shoot, putting into practice all the skills and techniques acquired throughout the workshop, focusing on creating a cohesive series of intimate landscapes that showcase your unique vision and style.
  • Brunch & Rest: Return to the hotel for a replenishing meal and a quick nap.
  • Midday (11:00 - 1:00 pm): Gather for a concluding image critique session, where you'll receive valuable feedback and insights on your work. We'll celebrate the progress made and discuss strategies for continuing your photographic journey beyond the workshop, with an emphasis on refining your approach to intimate landscape photography in Death Valley and beyond.
  • 1:00 pm: The workshop concludes, leaving you inspired, enriched, and equipped with new skills, fresh perspectives, and lasting friendships forged through a shared passion for exploring and capturing the captivating intimate landscapes of Death Valley National Park.

What You'll Experience

Intimate Desert Landscapes: Immerse yourself in the intricate beauty of Death Valley's intimate landscapes, from the delicate patterns of the salt flats to the subtle textures of the weathered rocks. Capture the essence of the desert's hidden wonders through your lens, focusing on the smaller scenes that are often overlooked.

Diverse Photography Opportunities: Discover a wide array of photographic subjects, including the abstract designs of cracked mud, the graceful curves of the sand dunes, and the colorful mineral deposits of the badlands. Explore the less-visited areas of the park, such as the remote canyons and washes, in search of unique and compelling intimate landscapes.

Classroom Instruction: Benefit from comprehensive classroom sessions covering composition techniques, creative use of lenses, and post-processing specific to the unique challenges of photographing intimate desert scenes. We'll help you refine your skills and create captivating images that showcase the subtle beauty of Death Valley's intimate landscapes.

Personalized Guidance: Receive one-on-one support from experienced photographers who know the park intimately, ensuring you make the most of your time in the field and develop your unique creative vision.

Why Death Valley Intimate Landscapes?

Unique Photographic Challenge: Photographing intimate landscapes in Death Valley offers a unique challenge, requiring a keen eye for detail and composition. By focusing on the smaller scenes and abstract details, you'll stretch your creative vision and develop new skills that will benefit all aspects of your photography.

Revealing the Unseen: Death Valley's intimate landscapes often go unnoticed by the casual observer, overshadowed by the grand vistas and iconic locations. By exploring these hidden gems, you'll reveal the true essence of the desert and create images that stand out from the typical Death Valley photographs.

Expanding Your Portfolio: Adding intimate landscapes to your photographic portfolio will showcase your versatility as a photographer and provide a fresh perspective on the desert environment. These unique images will help you tell a more complete story of Death Valley's beauty and diversity.

Important Details

Lodging: We have secured a block of rooms at the Stovepipe Wells Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of Death Valley National Park. The special group rate is $229/night, providing a comfortable and rustic base for our desert photography adventures. The hotel offers easy access to many of our shooting locations, making it the perfect choice for this workshop. More details will be provided upon registration.

Image Gallery

What is Included

  • Small class size of 8 maximum to ensure proper attention to each client
  • Two attentive instructors for a client to instructor ratio of 4:1
  • Water and snacks
  • Image Critiques
  • Tailored post processing instruction in Lightroom and Photoshop

What is Not Included

  • Transportation - Everyone will carpool together
  • Lodging - we have a block of rooms held for you
  • Meals - we will be eating some meals together as a group

Safety First

Your safety is our utmost priority, especially when exploring remote locations. As certified Wilderness First Responders, David and Jennifer are prepared to handle any situation, big or small. We also carry satellite communication devices to ensure we can request rescue assistance if needed in areas without cellular coverage.

Responsible

As proud members of Nature First Photography, we are committed to responsible nature photography practices. We abide by and promote the seven principles of this movement to our clients, encouraging them to join us in preserving the natural world we capture through our lenses.

Join Nature First

Legal Compliance

At Exploring Exposure, we operate with the highest level of integrity. We obtain all necessary permits, carry comprehensive liability insurance, and acquire any required certifications to ensure our workshops are conducted legally and ethically.

For this workshop Exploring Exposure operates under a Commercial Use Authorization through Death Valley National Park. We are also an equal opportunity service provider.

Our Teaching Philosophy

At our workshops, we are dedicated to helping you discover and develop your unique creative style through personalized training tailored to your skill level and photographic interests. Our goal is to provide you with a rigorous learning experience, both in the field and the classroom, to elevate your photography to new heights.

Your growth and satisfaction are our top priorities. We put your interests first, focusing solely on your learning experience. Throughout the workshop, we will take photographs alongside you to demonstrate how we approach a scene, share techniques, and foster a sense of camaraderie within the group. However, we will never leave you to pursue our own photographic endeavors. Our attention will always remain on you and your progress.

We regularly check in with each participant to provide helpful feedback and advice on your work, without being overbearing. Our biggest goal is to see you succeed and learn, and we are committed to supporting you every step of the way.

We recognize that each participant joins our workshops at different stages of their photographic development. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced photographer, we are here to guide and assist you. We firmly believe that there is always room for growth and improvement in photography, and we are committed to helping you refine your skills and find your unique creative vision.

Above all, we strive to create a fun, engaging, and rewarding experience for you. Our small group sizes allow us to build strong connections with our clients, fostering a sense of community and belonging. We are driven by our love for photography and find immense joy in witnessing our participants' growth and artistic development.

Join us on this exciting journey of photographic discovery, and let us help you unlock your full creative potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

Yes, but seating is limited. If they come out on location you will have to provide your own transportation, or pay the full price for another seat.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

Cell signal is extremely intermittent in most of the locations we will visit, you should not expect to be connected all the time, at certain locations you may be offline for long periods, enjoy the silence. There is cell service and wifi available in Stovepipe Wells, but it can easily get overwhelmed when busy.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Dramatic weather is when the best photographs are created! Unless there are very dangerous conditions the weather will not stop us, in fact it will encourage us! No rain checks will be given for any weather related circumstances.

Will the instructors take photos during the workhop?

The instructors will take a few photos in a limited manner, this is so you can see how we approach a scene, create comradery with the group, and show you the same type of images you will be taking for our processing session. Our focus will always remain with you.

More Information

Fitness Level

This workshop will include a mix of easy roadside photography plus hiking to access photography locations. Most hiking will not include much elevation change but will include walking over uneven terrain (like in canyons without established trails) and across sand dunes, which can be physical exhausting despite the minimal elevation change. We may also make one or two short but steep hikes to access viewpoints. Good balance and the ability to carry your camera gear for hours at a time will also be necessary. The photography locations for this workshop are between -282 feet and 5,000 feet in elevation. Hiking will typically be limited to 1 to 2 miles at a time.

How to Get There

  • We recommend flying to Las Vegas, from there it is a 2.5 hour drive to Stovepipe Wells.
  • We recommend using Google Flights to find the best option for where you are coming from.

Cancellation Policy

  • If you cancel 90 days prior to the workshop we will refund your initial payment minus a $100 fee.
  • 90 days before the start of the workshop, we will refund your initial payment only if we can fill your spot.
  • The full balance is due 60 days before the workshop. There will be no refunds on the full amount owed. We will attempt to fill your spot, if filled there will be a $100 administrative fee charged and the rest of your payment will be refunded.

There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY, even for medical emergencies. All cancellation requests must be in writing and received either by US mail or E-mail. We encourage participants to purchase refundable airline tickets and trip cancellation insurance. We strongly recommend trip insurance to protect you in the event of an unexpected situation that prevents you from attending the workshop. We recommend Travelguard or World Nomads.

We reserve the right to cancel any workshop if the minimum student enrollment is not met. In the event we cancel a workshop, participants will be given the option to reschedule to a later date or receive a full refund. we are not, however, liable for expenses incurred such as airfare or accommodations, and for this reason we also recommend the purchase of trip insurance.

Have Questions?

Feel free to reach out, we are happy to help!

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Customer Reviews

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Mary B.

What set this experience apart from the other workshops I've taken was the very perceptive and individual attention the instructors gave to each of us. Whenever I needed advice or assistance or a word of support, someone appeared to offer just what the moment required. The Death Valley Small Scenes workshop delivered beyond what it promised. Jennifer, David, and Sarah made sure we had varied challenges and opportunities to grow in our vision and technique for creating intimate responses to a location that can be overwhelming. They missed no chance to help us achieve, uniquely, what we were trying to do. No doubt we all returned with some of our most meaningful images ever. We also returned with something inside that will lead us to create many, many more.

R
Richard Handler

Delightful! This was my fifth photography workshop, but my first with Exploring Exposure. There was a good balance between fieldwork and didactic conference room instruction, meaning a couple of hours of conference daily. All participants were skilled with their equipment, experienced with composition. But there was a wider range of skills with processing in software. This is where the instruction was important. In our conferences, we saw fine details of composition which otherwise we might miss. We learned processing methods from dedicated professionals, and the methods undoubtedly new to most of all of us. Critiquing our photos was valuable. Having three instructors for a group of ten registrants is the highest ratio of any workshop I've attended. Each presented complementary interests. David is a master of processing and a patient thorough teacher. Jennifer shared her wisdom on goals and philosophy. Sarah's meticulous detail work in creating and processing closeups was breathtaking. I've been interested in closeup and macro nature photography since the era of 35mm rangefinders and I learned a lot from her in just a few days. Our schedule was not overbearing. Days started before dawn and finished with a late dinner. By deferring most processing until home, I had enough time for sleep. There was adequate time for lunch and a good schedule of conference room instruction alternating with field trips. I've come away with increased abilities, a finer eye for composition, and better use of software in post. And it was a pleasure to be with a nice group!

E
Ellen Golodner

The workshop with David, Jennifer and Sarah was wonderful. Because of the small group size, it was possible to obtain individualized help in the field and it was easy to ask questions. There was a genuine desire by all of the instructors to make sure that the participants got the attention and help that they needed. Although there was a wide range of experience within the group ("newish" users to accomplished shooters), it seemed as though all levels could get what they needed from the workshop. I really liked the locations that were chosen for the shoots and the fact that we avoided the more typical tourist spots. Overall, a great experience!

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Mark M

Powerful and Profound. I feel like this workshop has opened up previously unseen doors for me and my photography, revealing so much room in which to explore my creativity and vision (and giving me lots more time to do it in, because shooting small scenes can happen anytime, all day long). David and Jennifer are fantastic workshop leaders. Their passion and enthusiasm for photography and especially small scene/intimate landscape photography inspired me to think differently about subjects and compositions, to have an open mind, to experiment, and to have fun. They put so much energy, care, and planning into all our sessions, both inside and outside. In the field, they brought to life the ideas and techniques discussed in the classroom. Sometimes their cameras were used to demonstrate techniques and ideas. Most times they'd walk and talk us through beautiful, breathtaking locations, helping us "see" differently, then cut us loose to capture our own unique visions. Many locations were overwhelming to me at first with their big-ness. Over time, however, I was able to better focus in and find smaller, abstract compositions. This is because David, Jennifer and Sarah made us their number one priority. They were always there for us, always available to answer our questions and give one-on-one assistance (if we wanted it, and I did) as we huddled over our cameras. The mix of classroom time to field work was just right. I enjoyed seeing other student's images each day, which helped me to rethink the scenes I had been at, and further train my "eye" for upcoming photo sessions. And of course, the new friendships formed. Thank you David and Jennifer for all the work and thought you put into creating this workshop, for your caring dedication and commitment to us, and for sharing your enthusiasm and passion as you did.

N
Nick Becker

The "Death Valley Small Scenes workshop was my first photography workshop, and the bar has been set unbelievably high. Jennifer and David are among the best photography instructors (and photographers) in the business. They struck the perfect balance between classroom discussions about technique and creativity, and fieldwork that allowed participants to put theory and ideas into practice. In both the classroom and the field, we were pushed to find and hone our creative voices, and the small group size allowed for instruction that was tailored to our individual levels of experience. This enabled me to make a real breakthrough with my work and vision. I can't praise Jennifer and David enough, and I would book another workshop with Exploring Exposure without hesitation.