March 23-March 27, 2025:
Workshop Fee: $999
Register Here For March 2025 Death Valley Workshop
For More Information email: pro@pauld.photo
Why Death Valley:
Few places on earth are as inspiring to a photographer as Death Valley. The convergence of color, texture and light transform the barren landscape into a rich palette of limitless photographic opportunities. Join professional photographer, Paul Dileanis, as he guides you through this wonderland of unique rock formations and graceful dunes that have come to define our vision of Death Valley.
What you will learn:
This workshop is open to photographers of all levels. Time will be spent discussing photographic technique, exposure, and use of filters. There will be opportunities throughout the day for one on one mentoring to help you advance your skills. We will work on improving composition and aesthetic issues will be examined with the goal of creating images that reflect your own personal photographic style.
Why attend this workshop?
There are many Death Valley photography workshops to choose from. Here are some reasons to attend a workshop with Paul D Photography:
Workshops are kept small (6-8) to assure individual guidance.
Paul Dileanis is a professional photographer with over 50 years of experience and has been visiting Death Valley since 1972. He has explored much of the park by vehicle and on foot acquiring considerable knowledge of the history, geology and photographic opportunities. Paul began teaching photography workshops in 2006 as an outdoor instructor for REI. In 2008 he started offering workshops through Paul D Photography and San Jose Camera. To date Paul has taught over 200 workshops and inspired over 1000 photographers.
Paul D Photography takes pride in conducting workshops that not only provide quality photographic instruction, but also comply with all State and National Park regulations including obtaining proper permits, insurance, first-aid certifications and adhering to leave no trace principles.
Sample Itinerary (A detailed itinerary will be handed out at the orientation)
Day One: 4:00 PM Orientation – Meet and greet, go over the itinerary and informal instructional session. Sunset Photography at Mesquite Flat Dunes
Days 2 through 4: A typical day will begin before sunrise with a short drive/walk. We will start by photographing the sunrise and then visit several locations throughout the day ending with a sunset location. After dinner, if the weather permits, we will go out to experiment with photographing by moonlight, star trails or painting with light. If conditions are not conducive to night photography we will stay in and talk about photographic technique and post-processing.
During the workshop we will be photographing in as many locations as possible. These will likely include Mesquite Flat Dunes, Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, the ghost town of Rhyolite and the Devil’s Golf Course. Locations we photograph will be dependent on light and weather. Other possible locations include Augerberry Point, Mosaic Canyon and the Amargosa Opera House. I am planning on arriving in Death Valley a day or two in advance to scout access to some of my favorite and less visited photographic locations.
Travel times in Death Valley can be deceiving. Keeping this in mind we will want to allow adequate time at each location in order to focus on getting the best images possible. If time allows we will stop along the way to take additional photographs. It is the goal of this workshop for participants to come away with a better knowledge of photography as well as more than just a few excellent photographs.
Day 5 : Final Day – One more sunrise to photograph and then hit the road for the drive home.
Processing and Critique Sessions
The goal of this workshop is to get out and photograph. Processing and critique sessions will be tailored to the group and scheduled as time permits. This flexibility will allow us to accommodate changes in the weather or lighting conditions and maximizes field time.
Fitness Level
Most of the locations we photograph will be close to parking. However, be prepared to walk up to 2 miles daily carrying your equipment on moderate rolling terrain. This workshop is not physically demanding, but your fitness ensures a more rewarding photographic experience. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Getting to the workshop
Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the workshop.
Map and Drive information from San Jose, CA
Getting around during the workshop
Transportation is not provided. Students need to provide their own transportation during the workshop. We will be carpooling as much as possible.
Lodging and meals
Lodging and meals are not included in the workshop fee. We will be basing the workshop out of Stovepipe Wells. The hotel at Stovepipe Wells is holding 8 rooms for the workshop participants until 30 days before the workshop start date. Specific lodging/camping recommendations and hotel reservation instructions will be made available to registered workshop participants.
Register Here For March 2025 Death Valley Workshop
Payment
Full payment is due at time of registration.
Cancellation Policy
Putting on a workshop takes a lot of time and research, not to mention a significant amount of money for permits, fees and insurance. Consider buying travel insurance. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason.
- Cancellation made more than 90 days prior to the workshop is fully refundable.
- Cancellation between 90 and 45 days prior to the workshop is refundable less $450 fee.
- The fee will be reduced to a $50.00 Administration Charge if we can fill your space.
- Cancellation 45 days or less before the workshop is non-refundable unless we fill your space.
- If we can fill your space you will receive a refund less a $50.00 Administration fee.
License, Bond and Insurance
Paul D Photography is an authorized Permittee of the National Park Service. Workshops are conducted with all permits, insurance, and certifications required by the National Park Service. Instructors are trained in first aid and Leave no trace policies are strictly followed. We want every participants visit to Death Valley to be safe and enjoyable.