Overview

Prepare to be blindsided by beauty as we hike through New Mexico's dizzying maze of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness. As if being surrounded by an otherworldly landscape of hoodoos and who knows what else isn't enough, we'll be timing this workshop with the rise and fall of the full moon. Plus petrified wood. Lots and lots of petrified wood.

Watching a full moon rise above or dip below the horizon is a magical experience. We won’t need to burn the midnight oil to see the full moon in all its glory. During each month there is a sweet spot that give us a few chances to see the full moon during the golden hours. Weather-permitting, we will have multiple opportunities to capture this most majestic monthly occurrence.

So get excited for something different and let’s head deep into the badlands. While it may not look like much at first, the extraordinary variety and sheer vastness of this land will excite your senses to no end. We will aim to build a connection with this beautiful landscape and discover its endless compositional opportunities. I will show you my approach under various lighting conditions and we will come away with multiple meaningful images.

The workshop is limited to four participants to allow for ample one-on-one instruction. My focus is on the participants and guidance will be tailored to each individual’s level of experience. I will share with you what I do and what I use for pre-planning and scouting, and the thought processes I go through as I make compositional and camera setting decisions in-field. Interested in getting a sneak peek into some of the topics we will touch upon? See my guides & tutorials.

Since we will be spending plenty of time together there will be ample chances for impromptu technical photography talk and image critique. However, please note that there is no planned post-processing instruction on this tour. Instead, one-on-one lessons can be added separately at a later agreed-upon date between the participant and myself. We may elect to have this lesson in-person or in the comfort of your home via video conferencing of your choosing as long as we can share screens (I’ll choose if you have no preference). Why? First of all, you’re on holiday. Let’s spend less time in front of screens and more time immersed in nature. I’m hoping now and in the future there will not be a cell signal for the duration of the trip. Instead of squeezing in planned processing sessions, we maximize our time in the field and remain nimble enough to follow the light. Second, I personally don’t process in the field. I don’t find it enjoyable. I have a different process when I process and I like to keep the shooting and post work separate.

Post-processing instruction will be adapted for each one-on-one session. This lesson is not included in the purchase price. I will share my entire post-processing workflow starting in Adobe Lightroom and ending in Photoshop. You won't need to buy any extra plug-ins or panels in order to follow along. I don’t put a hard time limit on these. Depending on experience level, expect anywhere from 1-3 hours and the cost is $250. Send me a message if interested in tacking on a session. Bring your questions.

A portion of the workshop fee ($250) is considered non-refundable. If the need for a cancellation arises, this deposit may be applied to a future group workshop or private instruction. Contact me if you are looking for alternative dates, sliding scale or payment plan options, or if you would like to barter for something awesome.

Itinerary

Day 1. Let’s step right into the action and meet at the main trailhead mid-day. I have a good idea of a spot you’ll enjoy. It’s a bit far out but we will see a lot and get to know each other along the way. I’m a large proponent of taking breaks, soaking in the scenery, and shooting when the opportunity presents itself. We will do all three. Upon reaching our final destination, there will be fantastic 360 degree views. Plan on a hike back under the moonlight and stars so don’t forget that headlamp!

Day 2. The day will start in the wee hours of the morning for our first epic sunrise. This time we will take a shorter hike in the northern section of the badlands to a spectacular section of hoodoos that have a tendency to catch the morning light. Expect countless compositional opportunities. Since the goal of my workshops is to increase time in the wild and reduce motorized travel, plan on being out all day. Bring food, water, and maybe more importantly fully charged batteries. During the day, I’ll answer any and all questions you have. We will shoot. We will scout. We will get ourselves in position well in advance for our sunset location. This is going to be fun.

Day 3. This is where we put our knowledge gained over the past couple of days to the test. Did we scout something that would be perfect for sunrise? Or do we want to re-shoot a location to catch epic light? We will be discussing options the day before. Of course I can guide you to a spot, but this is our chance to do something new and unique. If the light is good in the morning, we’ll keep on shooting. If not, we will once again do some image review and opportunistic scouting. Plan on a full day. If you’re up for it, I welcome you to join me for a final sunset in the field.

I’ll send a more detailed itinerary with some specifics upon purchase. But we’re going to stay flexible and opportunistic. And that’s all part of the plan.

Transportation

Transportation is not included. I encourage carpooling and I come equipped with a fully capable 4x4. Regardless, your own transportation is recommended to explore the surrounding parks and hidden gems of New Mexico beyond our time together.

Lodging

Lodging is not included. If you are looking for a bed, I strongly recommend finding a place to lay your head in Farmington, New Mexico. There are multiple lodging options in and around this lively town; however, expect around a 45 minute drive one-way. There are also plentiful areas to camp. I personally will be camping and you are more than welcome to join me. If you need specific recommendations or would like to inquire about renting camping gear, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Food

The goal is to spend most of our time in the field shooting. For that reason, ample food to keep you going for a full day is highly recommended. Due to the potential for students to have food allergies, particular food preferences, or other dietary restrictions, I will not be providing meals of any kind during the duration of the workshop. It will be your responsibility to bring or purchase food for yourself from a local grocery store. However, I’ve learned how to share and will offer snacks during our in-field adventures, plus I’m sure I’ll have an extra can or two of soup laying around.

Recommended Packing List

• Camera (full frame recommended)

• Wide-angle and short telephoto lenses (I exclusively use two lenses for my work: a 16-35mm and a 70-200mm)

• Circular polarizer

• Sturdy tripod

• Cable or wireless remote release

• Memory cards

• Extra batteries and charger

• Backpack with a rain cover

• Appropriate clothing (including warm layers and rain gear)

• Headlamp

• Hat or sunscreen and lip balm