Death Valley Workshop - December
December 7th to 11th, 2026
This multi-day workshop visits some of the iconic areas of Death Valley National Park in California. During the course of this workshop, we will visit a variety of unique scenes in the park, ranging from badlands, salt flats, overlooks, sand dunes, canyons, and more.
In addition to guiding you through the park to these areas, We will provide photography instruction along the way. Topics will range from capturing a well-exposed image to composition, fieldcraft, and more advanced techniques like exposure bracketing and focus-stacking during the workshop. During the mid-day downtime, we will be available to review editing techniques and have more in-depth discussions of topics we touch on in the field.
Our instruction is a mix of group and individual instruction during the workshop. We cover the broad concepts as a group when we visit locations and then more individual attention while we are photographing to help answer specific questions you may have.
We keep the workshop size small. This allows the individual attention to maximize the value you can gain from the workshop with one-on-one instruction to work on specific skills for you. It also helps give us plenty of room to work at various locations so we aren’t in each other’s way.
Death Valley
$1995
Dec 7 - 11,
2026
Two
Instructors
8 spots
of 8 Left
Fitness Level
Moderate
Itinerary
The conditions can vary depending on the weather and we will adjust locations depending on which will present the best photographic opportunities. Due to this, the itinerary listed below is focused on the activity and not the location to allow for flexibility during the workshop.
December 7th, 2026 - Arrive in Death Valley National Park. We will meet late in the afternoon for introductions, orientation to the workshop, and safety talks. Once we complete that, we will head out to photograph the sunset and associated golden light.
December 8th, 2026 - Early morning with sunrise. Then lunch with a brief break mid-day. Reconvene with a “classroom” session and then back into the field for sunset photography.
December 9th, 2026 - Sunrise photography. Followed by lunch with a mid-day break. Reconvene with a “classroom” session and then back out for sunset photography.
December 10th, 2026 - Another sunrise in the park. Mid-day break and lunch, then reconvene with a “classroom” session and then back out for sunset photography.
December 11th, 2026 - We will photograph scenes at sunrise on our final morning together. After the sun rises and we have captured what we can, we will have a brief Q&A session to answer any final questions and close the workshop out. The workshop ends by mid-morning to allow checkout from lodging.
Classroom sessions noted are group instruction on specific topics and typically include a look at photo editing and photo editing workflow, plus deeper dives into topics as determined by participants. The goal of these sessions is to review topics that are causing you trouble in the field so we have time to understand them better and then put them into practice during the on-location photography sessions.
Locations we visit during this workshop include:
Badwater Basin
Zabriskie Point
Twenty Mule Team Canyon
Dantes View
Mesquite Sand Dunes
Golden Canyon
Desolation Canyon
Mosaic Canyon
Workshop Information
Fitness:
Moderate to Difficult
The majority of this workshop takes place at overlooks or driveable locations. There are certain spots where a 1 to 3-mile hike is necessary. Also, we will spend time in the sand dunes on multiple outings, where hiking can be difficult because of the soft sand. Because of this, good physical condition is required. (If you have questions - please contact me BEFORE registering.)
Lodging:
This multi-day workshop is based out of the Furnace Creek/Stovepipe Wells area inside the park.
You are responsible for your own lodging arrangements. There are a couple of campgrounds in the park, plus a small number of hotels in either Furnace Creek or Stovepipe Wells.
Transportation:
You are responsible for your transportation to and from the workshop.
You are also responsible for your transportation from place to place during the workshop. Carpooling is encouraged amongst workshop participants at your discretion. Carpooling helps when we visit locations with limited parking as well. A high-clearance SUV is recommended for some of the dirt roads we will be traveling on.
What to Bring:
Please reference my Preparing for a Landscape Photography Workshop page for what to bring and prepare for before a workshop. We will communicate additional information via email prior to the workshop.
Included in Workshop:
Landscape Photography Guiding
Landscape Photography Instruction
Not Included:
Transportation To/From/During Workshop
Lodging
Meals
Anything not listed as included.
We recommend travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
Payment Terms:
Your spot for the workshop is only confirmed when a $300 deposit is received. The remaining balance is due no later than 60 days before the workshop's date. Please review the workshop's Terms and Conditions before registering. Payment of workshop fees means you accept the Terms and Conditions of workshop registration.
Registration:
Jeffrey Tadlock
Jeffrey is a professional landscape photographer based in Ohio who enjoys photographing landscapes across the United States. He has traveled with camera in hand across the US - from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the highest points in the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Jeffrey has a passion for helping fellow landscape photographers work on growing their landscape photography skills. He emphasizes understanding and practicing exposure fundamentals so photographers are positioned to exercise their creative vision without the technical side holding them back. He also emphasizes more than the technicals by also helping people learn to enjoy the process of landscape photography and the natural surroundings.
Jeffrey has led numerous workshops in the Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee, and California regions. His familiarity with the workshop locations will help ensure you walk away from the workshop with images to add to your portfolio and new confidence in your landscape photography.
The Instructors
Michael Rung
Michael Rung is a photographer based out of north Texas, but he's passionate about exploring woodlands and photographing forest streams and waterfalls, subjects not generally found in Texas. He found his passion for such scenes, and photography in general, in Ireland and has also spent time in northern Arkansas photographing its lesser-known yet equally beautiful waterfalls.
As someone who deeply appreciates the beauty and magnificence of the natural world, Michael feels strongly about protecting the authenticity of nature photography through representational work. To him, it's not just about capturing visually stunning images; it's about preserving genuine moments and scenes that evoke a sense of wonder and awe.
After close to three decades working for the same company, where he was largely responsible for the coaching and development of others, Michael stepped away from his corporate career in early 2022 to pursue his passion for nature and landscape photography, and teaching, full-time.
