• Death Valley Intimate Dune Soft Zig
1 1

December 6-10‚ 2025 - Sold Out!

Select the dates below to join the waitlist

Workshop Dates

$2,995
$2,995
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

    Involves hikes generally up to 2 miles round trip across varied desert terrain (uneven ground, gravel washes, sand, rocks), frequently requiring navigation without established trails. Requires stable footing and comfort walking on natural, sometimes loose surfaces.

    More Info 

  • Creative Focus

    Field Sessions & Classroom Instruction

    Our days blend sunrise/sunset field sessions exploring desert textures and intimate compositions with valuable classroom instruction. We'll delve into techniques for seeing abstractly, focus stacking for depth, and utilizing the Rethink Lightroom methodology to bring your vision to life.

  • Group Size

    Limited to 8 Guests

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

  • Location

    Furnace Creek, California

    View Map 

  • Fly To

    Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)

    Check Flights 

Description

Death Valley's scale is immense, but its true magic often lies in the details. This workshop dives deep into the art of intimate landscape photography, guiding you to discover the intricate beauty hidden within the vast desert.

We'll focus on slowing down, sharpening your observation, and finding compelling compositions in subtle textures, patterns, and forms – the delicate tracery on salt flats, the geometry of cracked mud, the interplay of light on rock and sand. Our goal is to help you move beyond the obvious vistas and craft powerful images that reflect a personal connection to these smaller scenes.

Through dedicated field sessions, classroom discussions, and image reviews, you'll learn techniques for effective intimate composition. You'll also master our 'Rethink Landscape' processing methodology in Lightroom – a system designed to enhance texture and nuance, giving you the control to create natural, evocative images that match your vision.

Join us to refine your way of seeing, push your creative boundaries, and translate Death Valley's quiet beauty into your own distinct photographic voice.

Meet Your Creative Guides

  • 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 

Visual Inspiration

Workshop Highlights & Creative Focus:

  • See Beyond the Obvious: Develop your eye for finding compelling intimate compositions and abstract patterns in the desert environment.
  • Master Slow Observation: Learn to connect deeply with the landscape by focusing on subtle details, textures, and light often overlooked.
  • Refine Your Composition: Explore techniques specifically suited for isolating subjects, simplifying scenes, and using light effectively for intimate work.
  • Unlock Your Desert Images: Learn the 'Rethink Landscape' processing methodology to enhance texture, manage desert light, and achieve natural, nuanced results in Lightroom.
  • Experiment & Grow: Be encouraged to try different approaches (lenses, B&W, ICM) to push your creative boundaries.
  • Personalized Guidance: Benefit from focused attention and tailored feedback from two instructors in a small group setting (max 8).
  • Develop Your Unique Voice: Gain skills and confidence to translate the quiet beauty of intimate landscapes into your own distinct style.

Logistics:

  • Lodging: We have secured a block of rooms at The Ranch at Death Valley (part of The Oasis at Death Valley) with a special group rate of $209/night (plus tax). This central location within the park provides comfortable accommodations and convenient access to many excellent areas for intimate landscape photography. Detailed booking information will be provided upon registration.
  • Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own transportation to/from Death Valley (The Ranch) and during the workshop. A standard passenger vehicle is sufficient for reaching all planned locations, as we will focus on areas accessible via paved or well-maintained gravel roads. Carpooling is encouraged for field outings.

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: Arrival, Orientation & Desert Vision

  • 4:00 PM: Meet at the hotel (Furnace Creek) for introductions & workshop orientation.
  • Evening Session: Classroom presentation on seeing intimate/abstract desert landscapes & working with light.
  • Group Dinner: Optional group meal at a local restaurant.

Days 2-4: Daily Rhythm - Explore, Refine, Process

  • Early Morning Field Session (Pre-sunrise - mid-morning): Photographing intimate landscapes and patterns in prime morning light (e.g., badlands, salt flats, playas). Focus on observation and composition.
  • Midday: Brunch/Lunch break.
  • Afternoon Classroom Session: Group image reviews followed by Rethink Landscape processing instruction in Lightroom (desert-specific techniques, guided practice).
  • Late Afternoon Field Session: Return to the field for shooting intimate scenes and abstracts in the soft, late-day light until sunset.
  • Evening: Dinner on your own. Optional evening classroom for more review, Q&A, or deeper dives into techniques.

Day 5: Final Field Session & Conclusion

  • Early Morning Field Session (Pre-sunrise - ~10:00 AM): Final opportunity to practice finding and creating intimate desert images.
  • Mid-morning: Return to Furnace Creek for check-out / break.
  • Concluding Session (~11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Final image review, wrap-up discussion, and thoughts on continued creative growth.
  • ~1:00 PM: Workshop concludes.

What's Included:

  • Expert Instruction & Guidance: Field guidance and classroom instruction focused on intimate landscapes from David Kingham & Jennifer Renwick (4:1 ratio).
  • Small Group Environment: Max 8 participants for personalized attention.
  • Image Development & Critique: Classroom sessions on "Rethink Landscape" processing (intimate focus) and group critiques.
  • Collaborative Workshop Zine: A curated 8x8 keepsake featuring participant images, delivered post-workshop.

What's Not Included:

  • Transportation: To/from Death Valley and during the workshop. Carpooling encouraged for daily field locations.
  • Lodging: (Group rate block available).
  • Meals: All meals are the responsibility of the participant.
  • Death Valley National Park Entrance Fee: Or valid park pass.
  • Travel Insurance: Strongly recommended.
  • Personal Items: Camera gear, desert-appropriate clothing (layers!), hiking essentials, reusable water bottle, etc.

Your Commemorative Workshop Zine

As a special part of your Exploring Exposure workshop, we create a unique, tangible keepsake: a custom-designed 8x8 Zine featuring images from you and your fellow participants. It’s a beautiful way to remember the shared adventure and the landscapes explored.

More than that, the process encourages you to mindfully review your work, finalize your processing, and select your most meaningful images for inclusion. About a month after the workshop, you’ll share your selections with us. We then handle the curation, layout, and printing, sending you this beautiful collective memory to hold onto. It’s one more way we support your creative journey, even after the workshop ends.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are spouses/partners welcome?

Our workshops are designed as immersive group learning experiences. Participation in all activities, including field excursions and instructional sessions, requires full registration and payment of the workshop fee. Therefore, spouses or partners who wish to join must register as participants.

Will I have cell service during the workshop?

In many remote areas we visit, cell service and Wi-Fi can be extremely limited or non-existent during field excursions. Expect potential periods of being offline. Service is typically available at our accommodation, but cannot be guaranteed everywhere. We carry a satellite communication device for emergency use.

Will weather cancel the workshop?

Often, dramatic weather provides the best photographic opportunities! We prioritize participant safety, but the workshop will proceed in most weather conditions. Locations or schedules might be adjusted if conditions pose a significant safety risk (e.g., hazardous roads, extreme events). We encourage embracing the elements! Please note that no refunds or rescheduling are offered based on weather circumstances.

Do the instructors photograph during workshops?

Our commitment is first and foremost to your learning and creative exploration. While you might see us create some images during our time in the field, it's always with an educational purpose in mind. We might photograph to:

  • Walk you through how we evaluate and compose a scene, sharing the excitement and challenges together.
  • Demonstrate a specific technique (like focus stacking, long exposure, or ICM).
  • Make images during our field sessions that reflect the specific locations and conditions you're experiencing. This provides highly relevant examples for demonstrating the Rethink processing workflow, directly applicable to the images you're creating on the trip.

Engaging in the creative process alongside you can be instructive and helps foster a shared experience and connection within the group. However, this never takes precedence over providing personalized attention and ensuring you have the support you need to develop your vision. Our focus remains squarely on you.

Detailed Fitness Requirements & Terrain

Physical Activity Level & Terrain: Easy to Moderate

This workshop balances easily accessible roadside locations with short hikes required to reach unique photographic opportunities within Death Valley's diverse landscapes.

  • Mix of Activities: We will utilize a combination of shooting near parking areas and undertaking short hikes to access canyons and dunes.
  • Hiking Distances: Hikes will typically be short, generally 1 to 2 miles at a time.
  • Terrain: Be prepared for varied and often uneven terrain. We will be walking directly on canyon floors, which may consist of gravel, rocks, and uneven surfaces without established trails. Hikes towards sand dune areas primarily involve walking over mostly level ground, potentially including sections of rocky terrain requiring careful navigation. The final approach, perhaps the last 1/8 mile or so, will involve walking on the dunes themselves, which can be physically tiring despite the short distance on sand.
  • Fitness Expectation: Participants should be comfortable walking 1-2 miles at a time over uneven, potentially loose or rocky terrain, including canyon floors and the approach to dunes. Good balance is essential for navigating this ground safely while carrying gear. You should also be capable of carrying your camera equipment for several hours, including during hikes. Be prepared for the unique exertion of walking on sand for the final portion of the dune approach.

How to Get There

  • We recommend flying to Las Vegas, from there it is a 2 hour drive to Furnace Creek.
  • We recommend using Google Flights to find the best option for where you are coming from.

Cancellation Policy

We put a lot of care into planning intimate, high-quality workshop experiences. Because our group sizes are small and significant logistical planning begins well in advance, we must adhere to a firm cancellation policy. We strongly encourage you to purchase trip insurance to protect your investment should unforeseen circumstances arise.

  • Initial Payment: An initial payment is required to secure your spot in the workshop.
  • Cancellation More Than 90 Days Out: If you need to cancel your registration more than 90 days before the workshop start date, we will refund your initial payment, minus a $100 administration fee.
  • Cancellation Between 60 and 90 Days Out: If you cancel fewer than 90 days but more than 60 days before the workshop start date, your initial payment becomes non-refundable. However, should we successfully fill your spot from a waiting list or new registration, we will refund your initial payment, minus a 5% payment processing fee.
  • Automatic Final Balance Payment: The remaining balance for the workshop will be automatically charged to the card used for the initial payment 60 days prior to the workshop start date. We will send a courtesy reminder email a few days before this charge occurs. It is your responsibility to ensure your payment information is up-to-date. If you need to use a different card for the final payment, please contact us well before the 60-day deadline.
  • Cancellation Within 60 Days (After Automatic Final Payment): If you cancel fewer than 60 days before the workshop start date, after the final balance has been automatically charged, all payments made (initial payment and final balance) are non-refundable. This is why we strongly recommend trip insurance. However, should we successfully fill your spot from a waiting list or new registration, we will refund your total payments, minus a 5% payment processing fee. We will make a reasonable effort to fill the spot but cannot guarantee it, especially close to the start date.
  • Process & Policy Understanding: All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email or US mail. Please understand that this policy applies regardless of the reason for cancellation, including medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances. There are no exceptions.
  • Trip Insurance is Highly Recommended: Again, to safeguard against unexpected events (personal/family emergencies, illness, travel delays, etc.) that might prevent you from attending, we strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and interruption insurance. This can help cover your workshop fees and travel expenses should you need to cancel within the non-refundable period. These are just suggestions, and we have no affiliation with them, but you might consider providers like TravelGuard, World Nomads, or Allianz Travel. Please research plans carefully to ensure they meet your needs.
  • Workshop Cancellation by Exploring Exposure: We reserve the right to cancel a workshop if the minimum participant enrollment is not met or due to other unforeseen circumstances (e.g., leader illness, park closures). If we must cancel a workshop, you will be notified as soon as possible and offered the choice of transferring your registration and payments to a future workshop or receiving a full refund of all payments made directly to Exploring Exposure. Exploring Exposure is not liable for any other expenses you may have incurred, such as airfare, lodging, or rental cars. Trip insurance can often cover these associated costs in case of workshop cancellation by us, providing another reason for its purchase.

Have Questions?

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

Customer Reviews

Based on 8 reviews
100%
(8)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
W
Will Varnell
Best workshop I’ve ever attended.

David and Jennifer were a great team and did a superb job in organizing daily trips, lectures, and portfolio reviews. All outings were of high quality and easy to get to. This workshop rekindled my love and excitement for photography. The workshop participants were all at a high level in both knowledge and artistry. Both instructors were very helpful for technical problems in the field with David using Canon and Jennifer using Nikon. We all enjoyed the camaraderie over the workshop and I liked it so much I signed up for the Yellowstone workshop later this year. I also received a book of a selection of photos taken by the participants which was a reminder of how well everyone did over the week. In summary, this is a low key, non competitive and warm workshop that will go a surprisingly long way in improving your technical and conceptual expertise in photography.

S
Summer Macey
Chicken Soup for the Creative Soul

No one knows Death Valley and all it has to offer – from grand scenes to intricate details – better than David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick. Their passion for the landscape is palpable and they really impressed upon me the value of discovering your own unique artistic vision and finding beauty in the quieter, smaller scenes of nature. David and Jennifer delivered a top-notch workshop that was deeply thought out and well-organized, complete with a pre-workshop zoom meeting to meet the group and cover the itinerary and packing list. They included a variety of field locations as well as classroom time to share images and review processing techniques. Their down-to-earth friendly approach attracts like-minded participants that made for a fun week. It was a special experience - like chicken soup for the creative soul - and I can’t wait to join them again in the future.

B
Bill Bomberry
A fun loving and great learning experience!

This workshop was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience! David and Jennifer set the tone for a fun loving, growth experience. A milieu was established where photographers of all experience levels were welcome and provided with the appropriate level of input and feedback. I was gently pushed beyond my comfort zone which is a great place to learn! I highly recommend their workshops.

M
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!

12

Other Workshops

View all