2023 Wonders of Death Valley Photography Workshop
Instructors: Alex Noriega and TJ Thorne
Session 1: January 25-29, 2025
Session 2: February 1-5, 2025
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
Tuition: $2695
Limited to 10 Students Per Session
You may place your deposit to register below under “Payment and Terms”.
Join Alex Noriega and TJ Thorne on a Death Valley Photography Workshop that travels through one of the most stunning landscapes of California. You will enrich your soul, connect to the land, and grow as an artist while also learning the most advanced techniques for capturing the highest quality images possible! This page is a general overview of the workshop. Upon signup, participants will receive an in-depth brochure containing much more information. You can make your deposit payment towards the bottom of the page. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions! You can use the contact page to do so.
OUR WORKSHOP PHILOSOPHY
We believe that the creative path is never-ending, highly rewarding, and self-fulfilling. Our goal is to foster an elevated awareness of your surroundings, to explore and emotionally connect to the aspects of nature that call to you, and to plant seeds of creativity via thoughts and concepts that will open doors into a new way of interpreting the environment through your lens. We believe that opening those doors leads to more personal and expressive style of photography that you will be more connected to. While we are committed to making sure you come away from the workshop with great photos, the true value lies in unlocking your inner artist and invigorating your creative vision.
DATES
Session 1: January 25-29, 2025
Session 2: February 1-5, 2025
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate - Be prepared for hikes that may be 3 miles round trip and on uneven ground. Minimal steep ascents are necessary to get to certain vantages but are not required. The most intensive hiking required will be up and down sand dunes.
TUITION
$2695 per person
This workshop is limited to 10 students per session.
OVERVIEW
Our meeting point will be Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley which will act as a base camp while we venture to various locations within the park. Sand dunes, salt flats, canyons, badlands, and mountains are our focus in the park. Our itinerary for this tour will be flexible in order to chase weather, light, and conditions as they occur. We'll use our experience to put you in the best possible position to make compelling photographs.
You will not only be guided to the best photography locations that Death Valley National Park has to offer, you will also be guided through the entire process of making compelling photographs. From in-field techniques to photo processing, you will be instructed on choosing the best compositions, how to best utilize different types of light ranging from subtle to dramatic, how to capture the proper amount of dynamic range and depth of field, how to approach raw conversion, blending, sharpening, and artistic choices—the whole nine yards! Learn master processing skills from Alex Noriega and discover valuable tools which help you to take complete control over the processing of your images. Instruction goes far beyond the basics, although those who need more basic instruction will certainly be accommodated.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Expert guidance to the best photography locations in Death Valley National Park.
Thoughtful in-field instruction on capture technique including:
Visual exploration of the scene to identify compelling compositions that tell a story.
Thinking beyond the obvious to create unique images that you are personally connected to.
Creative use of every kind of light from soft to direct to backlit. We will explore the potential of all kinds of light and not rely solely on sunsets and sunrises.
Everything technical: compensating for high dynamic range, focus stacking, exposing to the right, reading your histogram, tricks and tips for proper focusing, full manual control of your camera, and everything else!
In-depth processing instruction including everything such as raw processing, blending exposures using luminosity masks, focus stacking, artistic finishing touches in photoshop, and preparation and sharpening for web and print. The processing session will be recorded for you.
Guaranteed adventure with two laid back instructors who are eager to share their knowledge and help you grow as an artist and person.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Transportation
Lodging
Meals and Snacks
We highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance to protect your investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Las Vegas hosts McCarran International Airport (LAS) and is a 2.5 hour drive to Furnace Creek. Los Angeles (LAX) is a 4.5 hour drive.
Both hotel and camping accommodations are available for the workshop.
A standard rental vehicle will suffice for this workshop, though a high clearance vehicle will be helpful. Once the workshop has started we organize carpools to and from most locations within the park.
PAYMENT AND TERMS
A nonrefundable deposit of $695 will be required upon sign up. The balance of $2000 is due 45 days prior to the start of the workshop (Session #1: December 11, 2024 / Session #2: December 18, 2024). After the deposit is paid, a PayPal invoice for the remainder will be sent and payments on the balance can be made at your convenience.
Cancellations that occur more than 90 days before the start of the workshop can be fully refunded minus a $100 administrative fee.
Cancellations that occur 45 to 90 days before the start of the workshop will forfeit their $695 deposit.
Refunds are not available for any cancellations less than 45 days prior to the start of the workshop, but we can typically give you a credit for a future workshop.
If a cancellation less than 90 days before the start of the workshop is filled from the waiting list, a full refund can be offered minus a $100 administrative fee. If you do need to cancel, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so we can alert people on the waiting list.
In the rare event that we need to cancel this workshop due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a credit toward a future workshop. We recommend that you avoid purchasing non-refundable airline tickets, and consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance.
By paying the deposit you are confirming that you have read and fully agree to these terms.
Upon completion of your purchase you will be directed to TJ's website, where you will find some important information that will help you prepare for the workshop.
