Amazing locations: We're going to visit some of my favorite "secret spots" that I have discovered during my many years exploring the Badlands.

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Flexible and advanced learning: This workshop focuses on making compelling nighttime landscape photos. We'll discuss in great detail both theory and practical application, and together we'll take these concepts from the classroom to the field. We'll discuss a range of topics including star tracking, exposure blending, star trails, light painting, noise mitigation and removal strategies, and digital darkroom techniques for optimizing your night photos. My goal is to ensure that the photographic opportunities are intense and rewarding, the critique sessions constructive, and the overall experience friendly and enjoyable. 

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Workshop location: The workshop is based in Wall, South Dakota (just outside Badlands National Park), where we will conduct all classroom activities. We'll make several daily trips into the National Park for photography.

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Physical requirements: We won't be doing much hiking on this workshop, and most of our photo locations can be reached fairly easily. That said, the terrain in the Badlands can be uneven, and we may have some short but steep climbs. You don't have to be an athlete for this workshop, but if you have physical limitations, please contact me before registering so we can discuss whether this workshop is appropriate for you.

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Skill level: Photographers of all skill levels will benefit from this workshop, but if you are new to photography, you might want to learn basic skills elsewhere before signing up for this class. You don't have to be an advanced photographer to take this workshop, but participants are expected to have a working knowledge of their camera and other photographic equipment.

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General schedule: Please note that each day’s schedule might vary according to weather conditions. Flexibility is key to successful photography, so expect that plans might change. 

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Day 1: We meet in the afternoon for an initial "meet and greet" event (time and place to be determined prior to the workshop start). I will give an opening presentation, provide an overview of the workshop activities, answer questions, and make plans for our first evening shoot. After, we'll head out for sunset, and then we will stay out for a few more hours. Once it gets dark enough for Milky Way photography, we'll get started with the fun stuff!

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Days 2-4: Be prepared for three full days of intense workshop activities! If we have good weather, we'll be out late each night, so we won't get up to photograph sunrise unless bad weather ruins our plans for the previous evening. After breakfast, we will have classroom activities throughout the day (with meal and personal breaks as appropriate). Classroom activities will include presentations about night photography techniques, digital darkroom processing, and daily critique sessions. In the late afternoon, we head back into the field for our sunset and night photography sessions. 

 

On Day 4, we conclude the workshop after our night shoot. This gives everyone a chance to sleep in the next morning before traveling back home or to their next photo destination. 

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Lodging: Lodging is not included in the workshop price. There are plenty of lodging options in Wall. As Wall is an extremely small town and all of the hotels are within a block or two of each other, feel free to chose lodging that best fits your needs and budget. 

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Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own transportation to, from, and during the workshop. The closest major airport to Wall is Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) which is 55 miles away. Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD) is another option, just over four hours away. 

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Payment policy: The workshop fee is for instruction only. All other expenses, including transportation, accommodations, National Park entrance fees, and meals are the responsibility of the participant. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required to secure your spot on this workshop. The remainder will be collected 90 days prior to the workshop start.

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If you cancel within 90 days before the start date, a partial or full refund of the workshop tuition might be available as long as we are able to find a replacement (minus a non-refundable $500 administration fee). We try to be flexible about emergency cancellations; just contact us and we’ll do our best to work it out!