Death Valley National Park with Michael E. Gordon (Travel Workshop)

About

Death Valley National Park is a desert wonderland of immense scale, beauty and power. Its 3.3 million acres, the vast majority of which are roadless wilderness, encompass a staggering array of landscapes, unique geologic formations and colorful vistas. The largest National Park in the contiguous United States, Death Valley is both beautiful to behold and rich in history, mood and mystique. Its towering sand dunes, seasonally snow-capped mountains, warm springs and vast empty valleys offer endless opportunity for exploration and ample subject matter for the creative artist. There’s no place on Earth quite like it.

Internationally acclaimed landscape photographer Michael E. Gordon has carefully selected some of the park’s most photogenic locations for this workshop, where outstanding photographic opportunities will be joined with inspirational, creative, and technical discussions. Michael works individually with all students to address their technical and creative challenges. This will be an intensive adventure! Expect pre-dawn starts, late finishes, outstanding locations, and great fun and camaraderie.\

Michael E. Gordon is an award-winning fine art landscape photographer best known for his black and white impressions of California’s deserts which, said Broughton Quarterly, portrays “stunning ethereal beauty from terrain where others see only a bleak landscape.” A lifelong student of nature and wilderness, Michael’s intimate relationship with the natural world yields quiet images of depth and discovery. His work has been written about and published by LensWork; Elements; Medium Format; On Landscape; Outdoor Photographer; SHOTS; Backpacker; B+W Photography (UK); Arte Fotográfico; View Camera; Rangefinder; and many more. His awards and recognition include International Photography Awards, Prix de la Photographie, Paris, and Black & White Spider Awards.

View instructor profile here.

VIDEOS

Please be sure to choose viewing in 720HD!

Originally aired in Japan in April 2015, Michael is one of four Death Valley experts featured in the NHK Great Nature (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) “Death Valley” feature-length documentary film (http://bit.ly/1f84OPe). Stay tuned to the NHK World website (http://bit.ly/1DKnT5O) for the U.S. airing.

Details

IMPORTANT NOTE: Registration is REQUIRED by October 29, 2025 to guarantee lodging at Stovepipe Wells Village, the workshop home base and recommended hote. In-Park lodging availability cannot be guaranteed after October 29, 2025. Camping is an option if rooms are sold out. Additional lodging/camping details will be provided upon request and/or registration.

WORKSHOP DATES

• Wednesday, December 10th, 12 pm – Orientation in Stovepipe Wells
• Thursday, December 11th, 5:30 am-6 pm – Workshop
• Friday, December 12th, 5:30 am-6 pm – Workshop
• Saturday, December 13th, 5:30 am-12 pm – Workshop

TUITION AND DEPOSIT

$1,025 for Members; $1,075 for Non-Members

$200 deposit (The balance is due six weeks prior to the start date. LACP will contact you to arrange the balance payment.)

PAYMENT AND REFUND POLICY

A $200 deposit is required to reserve space in the workshop. The balance is due six weeks prior to the start date. Refund requests arriving six weeks or greater before the start date will result in loss of deposit. Refund requests arriving four to six weeks prior to the start date will result in a 50% loss of the workshop fee. No refunds will be provided for requests arriving less than four weeks prior to the start date. All refund requests must be submitted in writing via email to info@lacphoto.org.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• All instruction and location guiding.
• A trip checklist to assist with preparations will be sent before the workshop begins.
• The workshop is provided under a Commercial Use Authorization from Death Valley National Park.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Nation Park entrance fee ($15-$55 per person depending on mode: https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/fees-2016.htm)
• Airfare, lodging, car rentals
• Camping gear (if camping), camera gear
• Meals are not included, nor are any items of a personal nature.
• Participants will be required to transport themselves to and from our meeting location at Stovepipe Wells, California (in Death Valley National Park).

NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS

Limited to 11 participants

HOME BASE AND RECOMMENDED HOTEL

Our lodging is at Stovepipe Wells Village. Rooms have been blocked for this workshop, but you are responsible for registration and payment. For those traveling from afar, a room has been reserved for you on the night before our workshop begins. You will be provided full lodging details upon workshop registration. Camping is also available for those who prefer this option: http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/camping.htm

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP DESIGNED FOR?

This workshop is designed to accommodate all camera formats and all skill levels. Our goal is to introduce you to the beauty and diversity of Death Valley and to help you advance your photography through creative personal expression.

REQUIREMENTS/PREREQUISITES

Participants must provide their own transportation and camera equipment. A suggested gear list and other workshops details are provided after registration. Participants should be in good physical condition and should be able to comfortably walk 4+ miles each day on uneven terrain (short but steep sand hills, rocky washes, and occasional natural rock steps which may require the use of hands for balance). An SUV or other rugged high-clearance vehicle is recommended (we will be driving dirt and gravel roads) and carpooling to our locations within the Park is required and will be orchestrated daily by Michael.

WEATHER AND CLOTHING

December and March can be quite pleasant in Death Valley National Park. While the floor or Death Valley may see daytime temperatures in the mid to high 80’s, higher elevations are 15-20 degrees cooler. Sunny skies are the norm in Death Valley, but storms can bring cloud cover and rain. Wind is common in the desert and dust storms can suddenly blow up with approaching cold fronts.

Layered clothing is recommended to more easily adapt to the temperature extremes we may encounter. Good outdoor walking shoes are required, and please bring a range of outdoor-worthy clothing that will keep you comfortable in temperatures of low 40’s to mid-80’s. Be sure to bring a good hat with wide brim and lots of sunscreen!

TRAVEL TIME

Anticipate a 4-5 hour travel time (about 250-275 miles) to Stovepipe Wells from the greater Los Angeles area and a 3 hour travel time from Las Vegas.

MEALS

You are responsible for all your own meals/snacks during the trip. A recommended food and gear list will be provided to all workshop participants. Anticipate breakfast and lunch on-the-go and optional group dinners at the Tollroad Restaurant in Stovepipe Wells Village (open 7am-9pm). Stovepipe Wells also has a small General Store with food, beverages, gifts, and gasoline.

INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFO

Please contact Michael Gordon by email – info@michael-gordon.com – or telephone (562) 201-0856.

Add to Calendar