Eclipse Workshop

January 13, 2009 ·

Michael Reichmann

Sorry — Sold Out

If you have not already done so please read the related article on the upcomingLunar Eclipse — May 15th, 2003. This page contains details about a workshop being planned for that week inDeath Valley, California. There are a maximum of just 9 places available.

A Lunar Eclipse in Three Exposures
Credit & Copyright:Stephen Barnesskyoptics.net
Used with permission

The Workshop

It occurred to me as I was planning this trip and preparingthis articlethat though not conceived as a workshop, there might be a group of passionate photographers who would enjoy accompanying me on this shoot. If you think that you might fit this category, here’s the plan…

Monday, May 12: Arrive Las Vegas no later than noon. Drive to Death Valley. We will spent 3 nights in the town ofStovepipe Wellsand will use it as our base of operations.

Tuesday, May 13 — Thursday, May 15: Photograph in and aroundDeath Valley,The Alabama Hillsand possiblyThe Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest(if the road is open). After the eclipse on Thursday evening drive back to Las Vegas. Accommodations in Las Vegas on Thursday evening are included in the Workshop fee.

Friday, May 16: Fly home in the morning

Depending on how many people join we will have room for up to 9 participants, in addition to me, Chris Sanderson — the Director ofThe Video Journal, and southwestern photography guide and teacher Steve Kossack. How many sign-up will determine how many vehicles we need to rent.

Because this takes place during mid-week, and notice is short, I don’t expect a lot of people to be able to sign up. But if you wish to join our group please be aware that this is not a formal workshop. There will be no instruction per-se, though Steve and I will be pleased to work closely with anyone that wants our assistance, and there will be lots of opportunity for discussions about photography and equipment during our long drives. There is also no fixed itinerary. We’re going to explore and shoot when and where we feel like it. Days will be very long — from as much as several hours before sunrise to several hours after sunset. Fast paced and non-stop. We’ll drive many hundreds of miles and meals will be casual and when and where we can find them, though dinners will usually be in decent restaurants. At this time of year it can beextremelyhot in Death Valley, and it could be windy and dusty as well. We could have clouds and not see the eclipse at all. It’s a crap shoot, so to speak. But with some hard work, and some luck, we could end up doing some great photography.

The price for joining this trip is $1,295. This includes transportation during the workshop (you get to and from Las Vegas on your own), all meals (including beer and wine), and all motel accommodations (2 persons to a room) for 4 nights. Registrations are first-come first-served, and full payment is due within 10 days of registration.

About Lenses, Equipment & Conditions

First of all, it will be hot.Really hot. Even in May the average daytime temperature in Death Valley can be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Our SUVs will be air conditioned and so will our hotel rooms. But don’t expect pleasant springtime temperatures when we’re working outdoors. It will also be dusty and sandy, so you can’t be too paranoid about your equipment.

It doesn’t matter whether you’ll be shooting film or digital, 35mm or medium format. But you will need a high quality long lens, something between 300mm and 600mm. A quality 1.4X may also be useful.

Video Filming

On this workshop we will joined byChris Sandersonwho will be filming the workshop forThe Luminous Landscape Video Journal.

Naturally, we will need your consent to be filmed. Once you have registered for the Workshop we will be sending you a Release Form. This will signify your permission to be included in the filming that will be done during the workshop. We will, of course, be providing you with complimentary copies of whatever video or print material comes out of this. Of course this will provide you with a professional quality video record of this trip, something that no other workshop can provide.

Finally, I want to assure you that the filming of the workshop will in no way interfere with the workshop and the time that we spend together. Chris is an experienced filmmaker and will be shooting in an unobtrusive documentary style. Of course, as an experienced cinematographer and director Chris will be available as another resource person to all Workshop members. If you have problem with being filmed during the workshop please ask me for more information, or consider taking an alternative workshop.

Liability Limitation

The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann, our instructors, guides, and cooperating agents aim to provide every participant a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. We act solely as agents for you regarding accommodations, special activities, and travel, by any means, and assume no liability for any act, error, omission, injury, loss, delay, mishap, or damage to persons or property arising from any cause during the course of the workshop or in transit thereto. We can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in the services to be provided. We reserve the right to change our arrangements should conditions necessitate, or to cancel any aspect of the workshop due to exceptional circumstances. In the event that we deem it necessary to cancel the workshop we will provide a full refund which the participant acknowledges as full and final settlement.

As there is always an element of risk in any adventure associated with the outdoors, participants must read this form carefully. This liability release will certify that the participant is physically fit and capable of participating in outdoor photography exercises in field locations, and is fully and completely aware of any associated risks created by field locations and weather.

By joining this workshop I acknowledge that I have read the above information concerning responsibility and release The Luminous Landscape Inc., Michael Reichmann, their guides, instructors and any cooperating agent from any liability. The Luminous Landscape Inc., and Michael Reichmann and will assume no liability for injury, illness, or loss of personal property or expenses thereof associated with workshop participation.

Cancellation Policy

Once you have registered and made your full workshop payment If you need to cancel for any reason you may be given a partial refund, if, and only if a replacement can be found for you. In other words, if we can fill your spot you will be given a refund of $995. If we can not replace you (and we will do our best) then unfortunately your full payment will be forfeit.

Ifwehave to cancel for any reason you will be provided a full refund. We also suggest that you take out trip cancellation insurance so that if you need to cancel due to ill health your airline ticket payment is protected.

What Do I Do Next?

If you’d like to join this workshop thenright nowis the time to register.

Remember, there are a maximum of 9 positions available for this workshop. When they’re spoken for, that’s it. To fill out theRegistration Formsimply click on the registration link below. If you have any questions before registering,click hereto send me an e-mail inquiry.

— REGISTER —

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Michael Reichmann is the founder of the Luminous Landscape. Michael passed away in May 2016. Since its inception in 1999 LuLa has become the world's largest site devoted to the art, craft, and technology of photography. Each month more than one million people from every country on the globe visit LuLa.

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