DV / AH Pre-Reg Sarah Lyndsay

Why do you want to join us for this Death Valley and Alabama Hills Photo Tour?

If we get a windy day, we will likely head into the sand dunes to photograph. Not only are the dunes arguably at their most photogenic in these conditions, but it’s also a very unique life experience. There is very little risk to your gear (especially if you use a water cover). However, you will get pelted with sand, and it will get everywhere: in your eyes, your lips and ears, in your socks and shoes, and in any open pocket or pouch or backpack. Are you up for this kind of adventure?

Landscape photographers famously hate clear skies. But believe it or not, there’s no place in the world I’d rather photograph in clear skies than Death Valley. There are so many beautiful patterns, shapes, textures, and colors that appear there only in direct light. And some of the best photos to be found in the park are the small scenes at your feet. Forget epic skies, there’s mud cracks down by your toes!!!

Are you convinced that clear skies make for amazing photos if you ditch your expectations, and open your eyes and mind to a different way of seeing?

Physicality and Fitness Level

I rank the physical demands of this tour as a 6 out of 10: doable for most people, but you’ll be tired by the end. Through our morning and evening hikes (plus meandering around in the field), we often cover 4-5 miles or more per day. On average, we do a 15-20 minute hike each way in the morning, and another 15-20 minute hike each way in the evenings. Some locations have only a 2 minute walk, while others like the sand dunes require at least 30 minutes of walking to get to our location. We try to mix up the long and short hikes as much as possible, but ultimately the conditions we experience will dictate where we go on a day to day basis.

The hiking is hardest in Death Valley, then very minimal once we arrive in Lone Pine. In Death Valley 80% of the time the walking is gentle, but the miles can add up. Much of the terrain we will be walking over, while it is gradual, is rocky. It can be easy to slip or trip if you don’t have good balance and mobility. Hiking in the sand dunes can be tiring, although we go at a pace the whole group can manage. Additionally, there is a ridge hike we do that has a short but steep section (with a longer, but easier bypass route). We’ve never had any issues getting all our groups up this section, but if you feel less than “able bodied” please let us know so that we can determine if this is the right trip for you.

For reference, our participants are generally between 50 and 70 years old, and we’ve never lost anyone yet! (Well, there was that one guy…)

Does this trip sound like something you’re ok with physically?

What is one skill or technique you’d love to learn or improve during this tour?

In addition to photographing landscapes, are you interested in learning about and photographing environmental portraits?

If you’ve been on a photo tour or workshop before, please tell us your favorite and least favorite aspects of those trips.

If you’ve never been on a photo tour or workshop before, please tell us your favorite joke.

Do you wish to pay the lodging supplement for your own private room during the tour? (You will be billed at the same time the balance is due, 90 days out from the tour).

Any specific questions you have for us about the tour?

Last step before putting down your deposit: please read and agree to our social contract.

This is a group trip, and morale is a key factor to everyone’s enjoyment. Our awesome groups are built on a foundation of mutual respect, love of the outdoors, and photography stoke. In other words, if you love photography, love being outside, and love other people who love being outside doing photography, you will fit right in.

We do everything in our power to get you to awesome locations in light that brings out their best. No question we are going to see some amazing sights. But we also believe that no matter what the light is doing, or what location we are visiting, there are opportunities to engage with the landscape, to appreciate being outdoors, and to have a blast taking pictures. If you feel the same way, come join us!

By contrast, if you look for what’s “wrong” with a location or the light, or seek out opportunities to complain, you probably shouldn’t join this tour.