10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR
DEATH VALLEY N.P | MILKY WAY MADNESS
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA
MARCH 23rd - 29th, 2025
ACTIVITY LEVEL: EAST TO MODERATE
CLASS LIMIT: FULL
INVESTMENT: $3,299.00 / $2,695.00 (ALUMNI)
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
This workshop will mark 10 years of Milky Way Photography Workshops in Death Valley! After a beautiful 1hour 45min drive from Las Vegas, you will find yourself in one of my favorite places in the US, Death Valley National Park. Death Valley is a recognized International Dark Sky Park located in the remote area of eastern California about 100 miles west of Las Vegas, NV. We will enjoy 7 days, and 6 nights with the milky way, thousands of stars overhead, alien like landscapes all around us, and you will have one dramatic portfolio of Death Valley and the Eastern Sierra's at the end of this. After 4 nights in Death Valley, we will venture out to the Lone Pine, CA where we will stay 2 nights exploring the rocky base of the Sierra Nevada range. Here we will photograph stunning arches, mountain scenery with Mount Whitney, and other beautiful landscapes during the day and at night.
You will learn when and where to find the milky way during each month of the year, shoot from the most amazing locations at night and during the sweet light. With in-depth discussions on composition, light painting, focus stacking, timelapse and other tips on post processing your images, and more, you will leave being a confident photographer with some new friends. I find that time, and flexibility are the most important things out in the field, 24 hours can make a huge difference in weather, and in light, so there is a chance we could revisit some locations chasing the best light and photographic potential. This March 2025 will mark my 10-year anniversary here, and I cannot wait to share this with you. This workshop will include a trip to the Racetrack Playa for 1 night. We will drive out there and car camp / tent camp at the Racetrack Playa overnight one of the nights. One lucky photographer will have the opportunity to drive a 4x4 Jeep out there with me. Two Jeeps will be making their way out there, I will be driving the other one.
There are so many dramatic locations to photograph at night and during the day, we will certainly take full advantage of this. We will also set out to capture dramatic sunsets, sunrises, sand dunes, and all of the other unique landscape that the park has to offer including the elusive mud cracks! This is one adventure you do not want to miss out on!
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
THE ALABAMA HILLS WORKSHOP ADD-ON
The Alabama Hills Extension will give you additional nights in nearby Lone Pine, CA. Here we will photograph a few arches at night, and during the day. We will also photograph the tallest point in the lower 48, Mount Whitney. Mount Whitney is less than 100 miles from the lowest point in North America, that is Badwater Basin in Death Valley.
ALABAMA HILLS MILKYWAY
ARCH OF THE HIILS
BOOT ARCH AND MILKY WAY
ALABAMA HILLS | CA
ALABAMA HILLS | CA
REFLECTIONS OF HEAVENDeath Valley National Park, CA
WEATHER
Death Valley is the driest place in the US, but winter months bring some of the only rain of the year. Conditions are usually always clear and warm during the day and comfortable at night. 89f/62f. It's perfect! In the Alabama Hills area, expect the highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's.
LODGING
You have a few options for sleeping arrangements in Death Valley. Furnace Creek Ranch in Furnace Creek would be my go-to here, and a few rooms in Stovepipe wells are also up for grabs. We will be based out of Furnace Creek the entire time in Death Valley. If you wish to camp, there are plenty of campsites at Furnace Creek Campground (where I will be staying). There are also some rustic sites at Stovepipe wells. I would prefer Furnace Creek Campground around $22/night. Please make your reservations well in advance and contact me with any questions about camping. I will help you secure a site when they become available.
(Above) The Ranch at Furnace Creek
DEATH VALLEY GEMINID METEOR | DECEMBER 2021
Camping reservations should be made well in advance.
Overlooking Badwater Basin in Death Valley.
GETTING THERE
If you will be flying in for this workshop, the best airport is Las Vegas, NV. Death Valley is a quick 1hr 50min hour drive from Las Vegas to one of the best National Parks in the US.
CAMERA GEAR
A full list of camera gear will be supplied to upon registering, the basics are a DSLR camera, wide angle lens, a tripod and a cable release. Please check out the "Workshop Overview" page for more information on gear.
HALO ON FIRE22 Degree Lunar Halo over Death Valley
DEPOSIT
A non refundable deposit must be paid in full or partial to reserve your spot on this tour. If you are a JBP Alumni you receive 20% OFF the ticket price. If for some reason you need to cancel, you will be credited that amount towards any future workshop with us. A cancellation Fee of $100.00 will be deducted from your workshop credit if your spot can be filled. Please read additional terms and conditions. Cash refunds cannot be made once your payment has been accepted.
ACTICVITY LEVEL
East to Moderate
The longest hike will be over sand dunes for less than 2 miles round trip on sand. The rest of these locations are pretty easy but expect some area to be uneven terrain. Night shooting requires headlamps, bring sturdy footwear for different types of terrain like sand, rocks, and other tricky ground.
ALONE WITH EACH OTHER | DEATH VALLEY , DECEMBER 2021
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Jeff Berkes Photography reserves the right to make changes to the schedule, dates if need be. We are not responsible for bad weather, delays or cancellations. We are also not responsible for lost or stolen items, injuries, sickness, death or damages to personal equipment and lost of personal travel expense. Failure to comply to park rules, regulations and will result in you being ejected from the workshop. Workshop groups do not have the right to kick other visitors out of any locations. Please respect all park staff and park visitors. Failure to comply with these rules may result in you being ejected from this workshop.
BADWATER AT DAWN
Once in a while snowmelt, and heavy rainfall and bring a lake back to life in Death Valley.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT BELOW ON THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOUR WITH
JEFF BERKES PHOTOGRAPHY
2025 DEATH VALLEY NIGHTSCAPES | 10 YEAR TOUR!!! |
Carefully read our Terms and Conditions before signing up for an adventure.
WORKSHOP ALUMNI: Receive 20% OFF the price listed above