Dates: November 10 - 14, 2010
Leader: Moe Witschard
Location: Death Valley, CA
Cost: $995
About the Workshop
Death Valley is a place of extreme desert beauty: dunes, 10,000 foot peaks, dry lake beds, volcanic craters, the lowest place in the Americas, the hottest place in the Americas, spectacularly crisp sunrises and sunsets: it’s all there. This workshop is based in the heart of Death Valley National Park at Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort. This central location puts us within easy striking distance of some of the most iconic desert photographed sites in the Mojave Desert.
November is a great time to shoot in Death Valley. Temperatures are very moderate with daily highs commonly in the lower 80s. Visitor numbers are on the low side. The days are shorter so we can shoot sunrise and sunset every day and still have time for a decent nights sleep.
Each day, we will rise before dawn to be at the morning shooting location well before sunrise. The middle portion of the day will be devoted to processing images, presentations, and critique sessions where we will learn from each other about what works when shooting desert landscapes. You will be amazed at the improvement you will see during the five days. Late afternoon will see us heading out to a new location for a sunset shoot.
It’s hard to pick a favorite Death Valley spot, but for many it’s the Mesquite Dunes. It’s hard to beat the period right after the sun comes over the horizon when the dune crests are receiving direct golden light and the troughs are still bathed in soft, deep blue shadow. Then there’s Badwater, a dry lake bed that’s 273 feet below sea level and covered with a beautiful layer of white salt that is cracked in the most beautiful geometric patterns. With the 10,000 foot Panamint Mountains as a backdrop, this location is hard to beat. One of Ansel Adams’ favorite spots was Zabriskie Point overlooking Golden Canyon, which is also truly amazing.
Gallery
Included in the Workshop
The workshop fee includes 3-1/2 days of workshop instruction, and of course, great picture taking opportunities. The fee also includes a welcome reception with food and soft drinks on the first night as well as a preview of our workshop program.
Needless to say, your fees include the professional instruction of a PAW leader. All workshops have leaders, however a PAW leader is an expert on the location and has proven skills as a workshop instructor. Our instructors are there to help you create better images and fill your portfolios, not theirs. PAW leaders don’t photograph on our workshops; they teach.
The workshop fee does not include meals, lodging or your personal transportation while on the workshop or getting to and from the workshop.
This workshop will allow a maximum of 12 participants. To make sure that everyone gets the help and attention they deserve, we include a qualified assistant on all full workshops. A minimum of 6 participants are required for this workshop.
PAW workshops: the best leaders, locations, and instruction.
Transportation and Lodging
Hotel and Meeting space: For this workshop, we will base out of Furnace Creek Ranch Resort, smack dab in the middle of Death Valley. Our orientation meeting will be at 7pm on Nov. 10, 2010 in the Marquez Room at Furnace Creek Ranch. Please inquire at the desk for directions to the Marquez Room.
There are two options for accommodations. Furnace Creek Ranch provides great accommodations at a reasonable price. Furnace Creek Inn, one mile away, is a beautiful, historical hideaway that caters to those who prefer to be a little more pampered. Either hotel will serve well for this workshop. Free parking is available at both of them. We suggest you stay at either of these locations for the dates of November 10-13, departing on the 14th.
Rates: Rooms at Furnace Creek Ranch have been blocked at $135/night + tax . Be sure to make your reservations by October 4th, 2010 if possible. After this date, reservations will be based on availability. Please check with the hotel about their cancellation policy. When making your reservations, be sure to let them know you are with Photographer’s Alliance Workshops.No rooms have been blocked at the Furnace Creek Inn, but reservations can be made based on availability.
Furnace Creek Inn & Ranch Resort
PO Box 187
Death Valley, California 92328
Phone: 760.786.2345
Fax: 760.786.2514
www.furnacecreekresort.com
Getting to Death Valley
For those flying, the nearest airport is McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, located approximately 130 miles from the hotel. Major car rental companies are available at McCarran International Airport.
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
5757 Wayne Newton Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 261-5211
www.mccarran.com
Schedule
On November 10th, we will meet at 7pm in the Marquez Room at Furnace Creek Ranch for an orientation to the workshop.
Subsequent days will see us rising early to be at the morning shooting site well before dawn. Mid-morning will see us in a meeting space looking at and critiquing the photos we just shot, as well as discussing photographic techniques that we will practice in later shoots. Each afternoon we will head back into the field to sample the magic of a new location during some of the best light of the day.
The workshop finishes around noon on November 14th.
Equipment and Gear
We recommend that you bring the following gear with you on our Death Valley workshop:
- Digital SLR with back up camera that will fit your lenses
- Battery charger
- A few extra batteries
- Memory cards (bring plenty!!!)
- Sensor cleaning supplies
- 12-24mm (for the 1.5x sensor size cameras) or 17-35mm (full frame)
- 28-105mm lens or similar
- 70-200mm , 100-400 or similar
- Polarizing filter(s)
- Lens hoods for all lenses
- Lint-free cloth to clean lenses and air blower for dust
- Lensbaby if you have one or else you can try mine!
Computer / Digital Accessories
- Laptop with charger and photo editing software (Photoshop or Lightroom preferred)
- Portable hard drive as backup.
- Card Reader
- Small jump drive (thumb drive) for transferring images for critique.
- All cables for drives, computer, card readers, storage devices, etc.
Other
- Tripod
- Cable release
- Small headlamp or flashlight
- Photo backpack or bag
- Camera manual
Other Accessories & Clothing
- Hiking Shoes/Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun hat/Baseball cap
- Warm layers, jacket, hat, and gloves. Some fall mornings can get very chilly.
The Leader
Moe Witschard is a commercial and editorial photographer specializing in adventure/outdoor lifestyle, travel, and landscape images. His adventure and travel images celebrate people living in, traveling through, and recreating in beautiful and inspiring places. Landscape photography was the magnet that drew him to this field and it continues to form the core of his fine art work. Moe’s photographic travels have taken him all over western North America from Baja to Alaska, to the Canadian Arctic, Patagonia, Ecuador, East Africa, Thailand, and most recently to the Himalayan country of Bhutan.
Moe loves teaching and working with groups. Prior to his career in photography, a 20 year career in outdoor education gave Moe extensive experience working with enthusiastic learners of all ages. In addition to doing private photography instruction, Moe has instructed photography workshops in Death Valley, Alaska, the Tetons, Glacier National Park, the Smokies, and several other locations. He is known for his contagious enthusiasm, his ability to explain concepts clearly and simply, and his ability to eat Red Vines on a cold day like in this photo.
Moe Witschard has been teaching workshops in Death Valley for the past 4 years and it has become one of his very favorite locations for landscape photography. His multiple trips to Death Valley have given him a good sense of where to be under different lighting conditions and he knows these places well. Beware: Moe’s love for photographing this place is contagious.
Final Thoughts
Several of my favorite images and my best selling fine art print image come from Death Valley. Come join us and experience the magical dance of light in this land of extremes. Death Valley is like nowhere else on earth.
We’ll end your photography dry spell! ~ Sign up today!
