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December 9-13‚ 2024 - Sold Out!

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Workshop Dates
Investment: $2,495
Investment: $2,495
Sale Sold out
Learn More and Sign Up

  • 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: burning & dodging, using a Wacom table, 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

Join us in 'Death Valley in Black and White: Discover the Mystique of the Desert,' an immersive workshop that transcends traditional photography and delves into the captivating world of monochrome imagery. In the vast and rugged landscapes of Death Valley, we'll explore the diverse textures, contrasts, and shadows that come alive in black and white. From the iconic Mesquite Dunes to hidden gems that whisper tales of the desert's timeless beauty, you'll learn specialized techniques to visualize and capture scenes in a whole new light. This workshop includes both field sessions and classroom instruction, focusing on black-and-white conversion, tonal control, and creative expression to elevate your photography to fine art. Embrace the desert's mystique and embark on a unique journey that will enrich your creative vision and skillset.

Your Pro Leaders

  • 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: Introduction and Preparation

  • 5:00 pm: Meet in the Auditorium at Stovepipe Wells for introductions and a warm welcome.
  • Evening Session: Engage in a captivating presentation designed to prepare you for the workshop, focusing on the unique aspects of black and white photography in Death Valley. We'll discuss composition techniques, tonal contrast, and the importance of visualizing the final image in monochrome.
  • Rest: Take the evening to relax and get a good night's sleep before the adventure begins.

Day 2: Capturing the Light and Lightroom Techniques

  • Early Morning: Rise early to capture the sunrise, focusing on creating strong compositions and leveraging the dramatic light to create striking black and white images.
  • Breakfast & Rest: Return to the hotel for a nourishing breakfast and a short nap to recharge.
  • Afternoon: Participate in a classroom session where we'll dive into our unique Lightroom techniques specifically tailored for black and white conversions. We'll explore tools like the B&W Mix, Tone Curve, and Clarity to create impactful monochrome images.
  • Evening: Venture out for a sunset shoot. Return to the hotel afterward.

Day 3: Advanced Lightroom and Introduction to Photoshop

  • Early Morning: Rise early once again to photograph the sunrise, applying the techniques learned from the previous day.
  • Breakfast & Rest: Return to the hotel for breakfast and a brief rest.
  • Afternoon: Delve into advanced Lightroom techniques, refining your skills in black and white conversions. We'll also introduce Photoshop and explore its powerful tools for fine-tuning your monochrome images.
  • Evening: Head out for another sunset shoot, experimenting with long exposures and creative compositions. Return to the hotel.

Day 4: Mastering Photoshop for Black and White

  • Early Morning: Embark on a final sunrise shoot, putting into practice all the skills and techniques acquired throughout the workshop.
  • Breakfast & Rest: Return to the hotel for breakfast and a nap to recharge.
  • Afternoon: Dive into advanced Photoshop techniques specific to black and white photography, such as dodging and burning, local adjustments, and creative toning. We'll work on refining your images to create final, gallery-worthy prints.
  • Evening: Venture out for one last sunset shoot, focusing on creating a cohesive series of black and white images that showcase your unique vision and style.

Day 5: Critique and Conclusion

  • Early Morning: Rise early for an optional sunrise shoot, allowing you to put your newfound skills into practice one last time.
  • Breakfast & Critique: Return to the hotel for breakfast, followed by an in-depth image critique session. We'll provide valuable feedback and insights on your work, celebrating your progress and growth throughout the workshop.
  • Conclusion: The workshop will conclude by 1:00 pm, leaving you inspired, enriched, and equipped with the skills and knowledge to create stunning black and white photographs of Death Valley and beyond.

What You'll Experience:

  • Black-and-White Exploration: Venture into iconic locations like Mesquite Dunes, Badwater Basin, and our personal favorite hidden gems. Capture everything from sweeping vistas to intimate details, all rendered in dramatic black and white.
  • Creative and Technical Mastery: Delve into specialized black-and-white conversion techniques, learning how to use color to create desired tonalities and elevate your imagery to fine art levels.
  • Classroom Instruction: Benefit from comprehensive classroom sessions covering lighting, locations, and post-processing, including burning and dodging techniques. We strongly recommend bringing a small Wacom tablet, allowing us to demonstrate how this tool can enhance your post-processing journey.
  • Personalized Guidance: Receive tailored support from professional photographers specializing in black-and-white imagery, ensuring your creative vision comes to life.

Why "Death Valley in Black and White"?

  • Stunning Diversity: From carved canyons to vast salt flats and towering sand dunes, the diversity of Death Valley offers endless opportunities for dynamic and expressive black-and-white photography.
  • Hands-On Learning: Your growth as a black-and-white photographer is our priority. Enjoy a mix of field exploration and in-depth classroom instruction to hone your skills.
  • Comfortable Exploration: We'll be visiting during cooler temperatures, allowing a more pleasant experience as you uncover the mesmerizing landscapes of Death Valley's 3.4 million acres.

Important Details

Lodging: We have rooms held in Stovepipe Wells for $229/night. Unless you are willing to camp or drive a long distance each day, this is the only option in the area. More details will be emailed after signing up.

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!

Customer Reviews

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Bob P
Great Death Valley workshop with David and Jennifer

I have been privileged to take a few workshops in Death Valley with David and Jennifer. I am always very pleased with the experience and results. They are incredibly knowledgeable about photographic opportunities in the area and are able to select best locations based on the weather conditions.

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lore m. d.
Black & White Magic

This workshop was nothing short of fantastic. David & Jennifer make themselves available in all aspects of the work. They do an excellent job of scouting locations prior to the workshop to ensure that attendees have the chance to capture the best possible photos while on location. I would strongly recommend taking any workshop from David & Jennifer. They are kind and smart about all things photography.

Death Valley lends itself easily to the black & white format and David & Jennifer are well-placed to ensure that attendees get the best chance to capture those images that most fit one's personal style.

Don't delay, sign up for this unique photography course today!

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