· WORKSHOPS / DEATH VALLEY NP
Join our Death Valley photo workshops and night sky tours under some of the darkest skies. Led by Astronomy Photographer of the Year, Brad Goldpaint and expert Evie Wilder. Limited to 8 participants.
Group Size
8 Participants + 2 Instructors
Physical
Easy – Short Walks
Elevation
~250 ft. Below Sea Level
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
§ 02 · AVAILABILITY
NEW WORKSHOP
36°30'19.40" N -117°04'45.87" W
Duration
5 Days + 4 Nights
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
Moon Phase
35-60% (Moonset followed by dark skies)
· No payment now – pre-registration is free to join
36°30'19.40" N -117°04'45.87" W
Duration
7 Days + 6 Nights
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
Moon Phase
0% New Moon
Price includes single-occupancy lodging, classroom sessions, the 60-page+ workshop booklet, and in-field shoots. Meals and transportation not included.
§ 03 · The Experience
Spanning 3.4 million acres, Death Valley National Park is a landscape of stark contrasts that defies expectations. Towering sand dunes rise and fall like frozen waves, cracked salt flats stretch toward the horizon, and colorful badlands bear the scars of centuries of erosion.
In March, milder temperatures and occasional bursts of wildflowers soften and add fleeting contrast to this arid expanse. Beneath some of the darkest and driest skies in North America, this workshop focuses on the soft glow of the setting moon illuminating the desert’s intricate textures and color-rich landscapes, while the arid clarity makes the Milky Way blaze with unparalleled brilliance.
This seven-day workshop is designed for all skill & fitness levels. Immersing you in the heart of Death Valley’s dramatic landscapes while combining infield shooting, classroom tutorials, and a comprehensive 60+ page booklet that’s yours to keep.
§ 04 · What you will capture
These images represent a sample of what’s possible from the locations we’ll visit.
§ 05 · The Itinerary
A detailed itinerary is sent to every participant, months before arrival. Below is the rhythm of a typical day and adjusted nightly for weather, clouds, and what the group needs.
SAT · Mar 6
Group introduction and welcome dinner.
SUN · Mar 7
10 AM classroom session covers the syllabus, post-processing booklet, and waivers. 4 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light from 2 to 3 locations throughout the night.
MON · Mar 8
5 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light from 2 to 3 locations throughout the night.
TUE · Mar 9
4-hour post-processing session at 1:30 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
WED · Mar 10
4:45 AM meet-up and carpool for sunrise shoot. After a long break, 5 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light from 2 locations throughout the night.
THU · Mar 11
4-hour post-processing session at 2 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
FRI · Mar 12
4:45 AM meet-up and carpool for final sunrise shoot. Workshop concludes at 9 AM.
SUN · Mar 14
Group introduction and welcome dinner.
MON · Mar 15
10 AM classroom session covers the syllabus, post-processing booklet, and waivers. 4 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph moonset and the Milky Way from 2 to 3 locations through the night.
TUE · Mar 16
5 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph moonset and the Milky Way from 2 to 3 locations through the night.
WED · Mar 17
4-hour post-processing session at 12 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
THU · Mar 18
4:45 AM meet-up and carpool for final sunrise shoot. Workshop concludes at 9 AM.
§ 06 · What's Included
Lodging Included
Private, single occupancy rooms are included, located inside the park and only minutes from our photography locations.
· Inside-the-park accommodation
· Single occupancy rooms for each participant
· Walking distance to shops and restaurants
01
7-Day: Three all-night sessions under the stars, plus two sunrises.
5-Day: Two all-night sessions under the stars, plus one sunrise.
02
One or two four-hour classroom sessions covering RAW adjustments, exposure blending, panoramic stitching, and advanced night techniques in Bridge & Photoshop. See itinerary for details.
03
A comprehensive, printed booklet covering every phase of planning, shooting, and post-processing the night sky in Bridge & Photoshop. This booklet is yours to keep and cannot be purchased elsewhere.
04
A four-hour orientation covering equipment, camera settings, mobile apps, and how to find and photograph the Milky Way using a variety of techniques.
05
Brad and Evie are with you every step of the way. With a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, no one gets left behind.
06
Workshop details are sent in advance with travel information, camera gear recommendations, planning apps, ‘What to Bring’ list, and a detailed, hourly itinerary of what to expect.
↳ NOT INCLUDED: Flights · Transportation · Meals · Park entrance fees · Camera gear rental · Trip insurance
§ 07 · Your Instructors
Lead Instructor
“Two passions of mine are wilderness travel and experiencing the drama of a night sky. I combine my passions with photography by teaching night photography workshops to participants of all skill levels.”
– Astronomy Photographer of the Year
– Published in National Geographic, BBC, NASA, Outdoor Photographer
– Leading workshops since 2012
Co Instructor
“I love to wander and explore! I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for the night sky, wilderness and wildlife, while helping people understand that you don’t have to fear the wild side of our planet.”
– Wildlife and night sky photographer
– Wilderness guide
– Specialty: Wildlife & lunar landscapes
A NOTE FROM US
To provide you with the best learning environment possible, we limit our group size and never bring our own cameras to a workshop.
§ 08 — CURRICULUM
01
Weather predictions, exposure guides, Milky Way tracking apps.
02
Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance and more for astrophotography.
03
Manual techniques when autofocus fails.
04
Capture every stop of dynamic range in a single trip.
05
Multi-row panoramas of the Milky Way.
06
Combine multiple exposures in Photoshop.
07
How and when to use noise reduction.
08
Long-exposure and stacking workflows for star trails & stacking images.
09
Low level light painting techniques
10
How and when to use different moon phases to illuminate your foreground.
11
Lossless adjustments covering all phases of post processing.
12
Learn color grading techniques for accurate imagery of the night sky.
§ 09 — Testimonials
“Brad is the best night photography workshop instructor I’ve ever had. His in-field guidance, organized locations, and detailed post-processing materials made this the most valuable workshop I’ve attended.”
“I just wrapped up my 2nd photography workshop with Brad, and it was even better than the first. Brad is a truly exceptional instructor: prepared, thoughtful, kind, fun, incredibly patient, and able to meet every student exactly where they are while helping them grow their skills and confidence. Beyond teaching, he goes above and beyond in every possible way, creating a supportive, encouraging environment where everyone feels comfortable, included, and motivated to learn together.”
“Brad is one of the best, most patient teachers I know. His combination of fantastic locations, gentle guidance during shooting, and hugely informative post-processing sessions can’t be beat. He keeps his workshops small, never brings his camera, and always keeps his good humor, even at 4 o’clock in the morning.”
§ 09 · FAQ's
How are your workshops different from other photo tours?
Unlike other photo tours that prioritize the instructor’s images and itineraries, our workshops focus entirely on you and your learning experience.
Do you bring your cameras to the workshop?
No. We leave our cameras behind, every workshop, every time.
Your workshop is about your interests, your growth, your images, and your experience.
This commitment sets our workshops far apart from the rest, ensuring each student has our undivided attention.
How many participants can attend the Death Valley workshops?
Both workshops in Death Valley will have a maximum of 8 participants with 2 instructors.
This 4:1 ratio allows one-on-one attention and gives everyone room to explore the diverse area.
What will I learn during the Death Valley workshops?
Our Death Valley workshops cover the full spectrum of Night Photography from planning, learning how to capture the Milky Way, and post processing your images. You’ll learn to scout locations, select the right gear, adjust camera settings for different environments, and learn new shooting techniques.
Whether you’re new to night photography or refining your craft, you’ll gain practical skills to plan, shoot, and edit your night images.
Are these workshops for beginners?
Our photography workshops are intended for photographers of all skill levels, from novice to professionals.
Beginners receive foundational instruction on gear selection and basic camera settings, while advanced participants delve into creative composition and sophisticated post-processing methods.
Our goal is to ensure everyone progresses at their own pace in a fun, supportive environment.
How physically demanding are the workshops in Death Valley?
Our Death Valley workshops are rated EASY. We will be taking short walks on uneven terrain each night. Participants should be prepared to walk 1/4 – 1/2 mile each night.
What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the nature of outdoor photography workshops, we cannot offer refunds for weather-related events. Typically, we ask all participants attending our workshops to ‘come a day early, stay a day late.’ For our Death Valley Workshops, we have already included the extra day to accommodate a flexible itinerary.
We do not offer refunds for government shutdowns and other uncontrollable factors. However, we do our best to accommodate your needs with flexible itineraries where possible. For detailed information on cancellations, rescheduling, or other terms, please review our Terms & Conditions.
§ 10 · BTS
§ 11 — Reserve Your Seat
36°30'19.40" N -117°04'45.87" W
Duration
5 Days + 4 Nights
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
Total Workshop Investment
$4995
· No payment now – pre-registration is free to join
· Nonrefundable deposit of $2,497.50 will be due when enrollment opens
· Lodging included – single occupancy
· Trip insurance recommended
· See our Terms & Conditions
· Questions? info@goldpaintphotography.com
36°30'19.40" N -117°04'45.87" W
Duration
7 Days + 6 Nights
Lodging
Single Occupancy Included
Total Workshop Investment
$5995
· Remaining balance of $2,997.50 due 120 days prior to the workshop start date
· Lodging included – single occupancy
· Deposit is nonrefundable
· Trip insurance recommended
· See our Terms & Conditions
· Questions? info@goldpaintphotography.com
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