SK Death Valley Workshop

January 13, 2009 ·

Michael Reichmann

Zabriskie Point – Dantes View – Rhyolite Ghost Town
Twenty Mule Team Canyon – And Much More!

A Limited Availability 5 Day Landscape Photography Field Workshop.

March 4 — 8, 2004

Conducted by Steve Kossack

About The Workshop

F-8 And Be Thereworkshops and tours presents a limited availability workshop in spectacular and colorful Death Valley California. From Thursday, March 4th through Monday March 8th we will be photographing and exploring some of the most exciting terrain in the west. We will be chasing color and light from the lowest place in the lower 48 states (Badwater) to vistas over 5,000 ft above the valley floor!

This workshop will be led by Southwest photographer Steve Kossack. Steve has been a frequent co-instructor on many Luminous Landscape workshops. This workshop’s size and design will provide the flexibility to travel and photograph the available color during our 5 day shoot. The principal discipline will be landscape photography in the field.

Where is Death Valley?

Sandwiched between the Panamint and Funeral ranges in Eastern Central California, with portions spilling over into Nevada, Death Valley is now the largest National Park in the western hemisphere. With good roads and open spaces, it is an easy drive from Las Vegas, Nevada. Its variety and geology make it a unique experience. Its lack of rain fall and moderate temperatures make it a wondrous location in the spring.

Zabriskie Point

To my mind the most spectacular and colorful sunrise location found anywhere. The masters of landscape photography have all worked here. This one is not to be missed for any photographer. And you won’t!

Dantes View

Overlooking the entire valley from an elevation of 5,475 this panorama is simply breath taking.

Badwater

The lowest place in the western hemisphere. It’s salt flats and possible reflections make it photographic gem.

Eureka Dunes

Sand dunes are found in two locations in Death Valley. We will visit both.

Who Is This Trip For ?

It’s for you if:

— You like working in the field from sunrise to sunset.

— You want to learning about landscape location and light.

— You are working with a DSLR or film and want field advise on best practices

— You want to learn about equipment and strategies used in landscape photography.

— You like traveling, making images and new friends with like minded people.

This Workshop

This workshop is small by design. It will allow for ALL levels of photographic experience. There will be no lectures or product endorsements. Personal instruction will be available at all times. The opportunity to photograph and share with the group will always be present. Print discussions will be a part of our workshop. We will be discussing shooting strategies, digital transfer and storage processes as well as workflow in the digital darkroom for those that are interested.

Weather, Equipment, Etc.

Death Valley in Spring is most accommodating. The average high temperature in March is 80 degrees, with an average low of 53. Death Valley is in a rain shadow and does not receive much annual rainfall. Weather is not much of a concern here, but one can only hope! 🙂 Our accommodations will provide for most battery recharging needs. You can do this trip with 35 MM, digital or medium format gear. A tripod is a must.

The Schedule

You will need 5 days. Two of them are weekend days.

Thursday March 4th

Arrive Las Vegas Nevada by mid afternoon. Transportation to all locations, including the return to Las Vegas on Monday is provided. A sunset shoot if travel times permit at Stovepipe Wells Sand Dunes.

Friday, March 5th

Sunrise and A.M. shoot at Stovepipe Wells Sand Dunes. Mid day: Rhyolite Ghost town-Titus Canyon (if road is accessible) Sunset from Keene Wonder Mine.

Saturday, March 6th

Sunrise From Aguereberry Point and exploring the ghost town and mines of Skidoo. Mid day: Artists Drive, Twenty Mule Team Canyon. Sunset at Dantes View.

Sunday, March 7th

Sunrise and A.M. shoot At Zabriski Point. Mid day and Sunset on the Big Pine road. We’ll see and photograph Scotty’s Castle, Ubehebe Crater, Crankshaft Junction. Sunset at either The Race Track or Eureka Sand Dunes (road dependant).

Monday, March 8th

A sunrise shoot of choice depending on departure times and the return drive to Las Vegas.

Please Remember

Death Valley is one of the most inhospitable places in the world. We may be subject to road closures. The area holds many treasures at various altitudes. We will have ample substitutes if our schedule is disrupted. There will be lots of shooting and field travel. The days will most likely go from well before sunrise and end well after sunset. Lots of battery power, storage capacity, film, determination, smiles and stories will be needed (Rock & Roll trivia will be provided) 🙂

Why Our Workshops are Different

Our workshops are…

A TOTAL experience. Unlike some that…

— force you to meet in distant places, or find lodging in places with which you have no familiarity.

— that also require a car rental that may be unsuitable for the workshop activities

We take care of you from the moment you arrive at the airport until your arrival back for your flight home! You are free to do what you came for —landscape photography. We take care of everything else! Bring your gear and enjoy, with no worries about anything that may have been left to you to arrange, and that might go wrong.Your hotel accommodation is included as part of the workshop fee.

Our workshops…

— are small and intimate. We don’t feel you can learn in an environment that has unlimited group size, as some do. It’s not possible to dedicate enough time to you personally in a large group. We want to know your photography needs and provide the inspiration or help that you came for. It’s all about YOUR photography!

Our workshops…

— travel together. We provide the transportation everywhere. This is important for three reasons.

Reason #1. We often go places that require experience and the right equipment. Places that can be very difficult and dangerous for those without either. We don’t want you racing to catch up. We don’t want you lost, and we don’t want you to have to hurry though your shoot just because others have left the area you are enjoying.

Reason #2. We become a family like group. We get to know each other. The learning experience is shared during travel. This adds to the discipline and dedication and enjoyment. Being able to share thoughts and strategy with leaders and participants adds much to the learning process. Worrying about losing a group or being lost yourself, does not!

Reason #3. We are truly excited and happy with the friendships that are made during our workshops. There is just no describing the fulfillment of finding people that have the same interests that you have. Most come for the photographs and also go home with new friends!

Our workshops…

We have set itineraries. We have the experience to plan and take advantage of the time in the field. We have photographed in all locations previously and know the best places at the right times. Ours are professional workshops. Every hour is planned! Our goal is to put you in as many possible photographic situations as possible. Some attendees have come back with over two thousand frames! Unlike some informally constructed trips that shoot for a few hours, serendipitously, we plan so that our days take advantage of the area. We don’t change base locations, no need to pack up everyday and carry everything with you. We base in ONE hotel and One area and cover it completely! We can do this because we’ve eliminated the wasted time. You benefit from our years of previous experience.

The Cost

The cost of this trip is USD $1,595. This includes all transportation to and from all shooting locations as well as pick up and drop off at Las Vegas Nevada. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from Las Vegas.

Your hotel and motel accommodations are also included.

Although we will most likely eat our meals together, sometimes a break is nice. Therefore, you will be responsible for your own meals.

Bring your equipment & food money and we’ll take care of the rest.

The full workshop payment of $1,595 will be required when you register. If you need to cancel before Jan 4th, 2004, a full refund (less $200) will be provided only if a replacement for you can be found.

If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund.

This workshop is limited to only 9 participants

To register or to find out more, please e-mailSteve Kossackatf8andbethere@cableone.netor telephone Steve at1-928-634-8071.

Steve Kossack is an experienced photographic guide to the American Southwest. His tours and workshops, operated under the nameF-8 And Be There, allow visitors to this region to discover and explore some of the best photographic locations in the region in the company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide and instructor.

You can view some of Steve’s photographyhereand read more about his tours and workshopshere.

Steve has been co-instructor on manyLuminous Landscapeworkshops and has been highly regarded by participants. Several have subsequently hired him for private tours of the region.

This workshop is not operated by the Luminous Landscape nor associated with it in any way. But I can recommend Steve to you as a fine instructor and guide.

Michael

Avatar photo

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.

You May Also Enjoy...

Returning Home

August 4, 2012 ·

Michael Reichmann

  Please use your browser's BACK button to return to the page that brought you here.


Panasonic LX1

January 13, 2009 ·

Michael Reichmann

Photo Courtesy PanasonicI don't usually pay a lot of attention to digicams. They come and go from the market with alarming speed. There are seemingly