Be prepared for possible temperature extremes and sudden changes in weather. Be aware that mornings can be cold and midday very warm. Often we will be out in darkness before sunrise and after sunset, please bring a flashlight.

More Information LODGING: The workshop is being held during high season, lodging often fills to capacity months in advance. Participants need to contact lodging directly and reserve their room upon registering for the workshop, if not earlier. Even if one has not registered for this workshop but is considering it, we recommend making reservations (be mindful of the cancellation policy). In Death Valley, about a year before the workshop, we will have 11 rooms reserved. Before contacting Stovepipe Wells Village, please contact us at 719-635-6268 for the group code. TRANSPORTATION: Most people flying to this workshop will find flying into Las Vegas, NV (about 2.5 hours to Death Valley; about 4 hours to Twentynine Palms) to be the best choice. Driving Conditions: We will usually be driving on paved roads and well maintained dirt roads, however, our itinerary takes us to The Racetrack to photograph "the moving stones". The road to The Racetrack is a bit rougher, sometimes requires an SUV or other capable higher clearance vehicle. For this reason we recommend renting a higher clearance vehicle. Note: Road conditions vary from year to year and roads can close due to rain (mud). Andy will provide participants with a hand radio to communicate while driving. When possible we prefer that participants car pool with each other to help limit our impact and get to know the other participants. If you wish to share a vehicle with another participant during the entire workshop, please let us know and we will put you in contact with others who wish to do the same; coordinate travel arraignments directly with them.

Equipment Recommendations: Bring all camera equipment including the camera's manual. We recommend using a polarizing filter with many photographs on this workshop. To blur cloud motion on a bright day, consider bringing a 9 or 10 stop neutral density filter, this filter can be the screw on type. Andy does not recommend variable ND filters. Andy combines images of various exposures in post processing (HDR). Andy will be happy to teach participants his field technique for capturing high dynamic range images (requires a cable release with some cameras). A lens range from 16 mm to 200 mm after the lens multiplication factor is recommended. However, we think participants should bring their entire range of lenses. We recommend shooting with a sturdy outdoor tripod that can adjust from standing height (without cranking up a center post) to very close to the ground. This type of tripod does not have attachments from part way down the legs to the center post; i.e. the legs can move independently. Please use a cable release or know how to work the camera's timer delay to avoid camera shake. If you have Photoshop questions, then please bring a laptop with Photoshop loaded and updated.

The Fine Print We do not guarantee the weather. Workshop fee does not include transportation, lodging or meals. Maximum number of participants is 10. Our itinerary does fluctuate year to year. We may not visit every location visited in previous years. We require an acknowledgment of risks be signed before going into the field. We will send the acknowledgment of risks upon registration, please return it at the start of the workshop. In the event Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. (RMRPI) cancels a workshop due to unforeseen circumstances such as inability to obtain permits, instructor injury, death… Then, RMRPI will refund fees collected by RMRPI for the affected workshop. In the event of a natural disaster, government closure or other happening of this nature that causes a workshop to be canceled, RMRPI may be unable to refund workshop fees. If this happens then funds collected by RMRPI will be applied as credit toward a future workshop of the participant’s choosing. RMRPI will not be held responsible for other expenses (airline tickets, hotel deposits, rental car…) that may be associated with any canceled workshop.

To be as prepared as possible for this workshop, please review the 2 videos, 7 lessons and 10 workshop handouts found at the link below:

Field Lessons and Handouts

Below please find the PDF handouts recommended for this workshop. One needs to print or download to a digital device these documents before the workshop from the link above.

For this workshop we recommend that participants:

*Print: Blank Workshop Locations Visited.

*Print or download to field digital device: Night Photography Rule of 400.

*Print or download to field digital device: Night Photography Instruction.

*Print or download to field digital device: CFDER Field Reminder (This is useful to those new to our workshops and/or trying to develop a useful field workflow.)

*Print or download to field digital device: Steps to Capture Panorama Photographs

*Print or download to field digital device: Hyperfocal chart for camera’s LMF. (Unless you already have a depth-of-field app on a smart phone.)

*Print or download to digital device: Andy’s Camera Settings (Only if unsure about what the camera’s settings should be.)

*Print or download to digital device: Tripod Tips and Techniques (Only if one is new to tripod use or are considering a tripod purchase.)

ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® & POST PROCESSING VIDEOS

Series of video lessons teaching post processing for Landscape and Nature Photographers. Excellent for beginners and intermediate users of Adobe Photoshop.

Photoshop Video Instruction

BRING Flashlight Tripod Spare Camera Batteries Camera's Manual Lots of Memory Filters Extra Shoes and Socks Hiking Boots Warm Clothes Oh Yes! Don't Forget the Camera

2018 Group Photo

View workshop videos and photos. Membership not required.

View images in the Death Valley Participant Gallery

QUESTIONS? Call 719-635-6268 or e-mail: andy@rockymountainreflections.com Click Here for Complete Workshop Schedule

Rocky Mountain Reflections Photography, Inc. is authorized by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, to conduct services in Death Valley & Joshua Tree National Parks.