Mastering Light in Death Valley: 3-Day Photography Workshop with David Kingham & Jennifer Renwick

Photograph the extremes of light and landscape in Death Valley on Capturing Visions: A 3-Day Photography Workshop 2026, a hands-on masterclass led by instructors David Kingham and Jennifer Renwick and produced by the Death Valley Natural History Association. Meet at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center flagpole in Death Valley, California, and spend three days chasing sunrises, sunsets, and star-filled skies across one of the driest, most dramatic parks in the United States. This workshop pulls you into classic park scenes: wind-sculpted Mesquite Flat dunes, the bleached mirror of Badwater Basin’s salt flats, and the painterly streaks of Artist’s Drive. The geology here reads like an open field guide—ancient alluvial fans, dark volcanic outcrops, and evaporated salt crusts that crack into geometric mosaics. Instructors guide small groups through composition, lens choice, filter technique, and mobile scouting apps while emphasizing how to read light across these stark textures. Over three days you’ll practice two dawn shoots, two evening golden hours, and a dedicated night session for astrophotography. Expect fieldwork on uneven sand, gravel, and cobbles with daily walking of two to six miles; caravaning in personal vehicles keeps the group nimble and reduces impact. The program is open to all skill levels: photographers who bring basic camera familiarity will find rapid gains thanks to individualized coaching and hands-on demos. Practicalities are straightforward: the workshop fee covers instruction only—participants arrange their own lodging and meals—and DVNHA members receive a discounted rate. Plan to secure accommodations early; options range from The Ranch & The Inn at Death Valley (The Oasis) at Furnace Creek to Stovepipe Wells Hotel, Panamint Springs Resort, or nearby towns such as Beatty, NV. Bring a sturdy tripod, full batteries, layered clothing for large temperature swings, and plenty of water; signed Participant Agreement and park entrance fees are required. What makes this experience stand out is the combination of technical instruction and intimate, site-specific knowledge. You’re not only learning exposure and composition; you’re learning how those choices change when light grazes gypsum crusts at dawn or when the Milky Way arcs above a salt pan. Proceeds support the Death Valley Institute’s conservation and education work, so your tuition helps preserve the fragile plants, cryptic soils, and night skies you’ll photograph. Whether you’re chasing sharper landscape frames or your first star trails, this workshop turns Death Valley’s extremes into creative possibility. The workshop begins with a meet-up at 2:30pm at the flagpole in front of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center; organizers ask participants to sign the required Participant Agreement before arrival. Bathrooms are limited in the field, so plan accordingly. For camera-specific questions email [email protected] or for program logistics contact [email protected]—both are listed in the registration materials. Bring sunscreen and snacks.