Death Valley & Eastern Sierra Photography Workshop

February 22-28, 2026

“Personally creative expression through the art of photography”

Spend a week with three experienced instructors in two extraordinary settings: Death Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. The opportunities to develop your artistic capabilities and make personally creative photographs are endless. We will explore the seemingly endless forms of the Mesquite Dunes, the color and textures throughout Death Valley, the hidden geodes of Titus Canyon, the towering, snow-covered peaks of the Eastern Sierra, the sculptural boulder fields far below in the Alabama Hills, the unique rock formations below Westgard Pass and the almost ghost town of Keeler. But this is much more than a tour. Between photo outings, we’ll dive deep into the art of photography through image reviews, lectures, demonstrations and discussions.

The three instructors, Bruce Barnbaum, Al DaValle and Mark Gardner fully cover today’s photographic field and have well over 100 years of combined experience. Bruce is an expert with traditional film photography and has a lot of knowledge of digital methods as well. Al and Mark are experts in digital photography. Click on each instructor’s name to view their websites. All three are deeply committed to helping you advance your art of photography. From the technical to the artistic, these three will answer your questions and offer suggestions for your further development. Whether you’re working digitally or traditionally; whether your interest is color or B&W; whatever your favorite subject matter and experience level, this workshop is for you.

More than a tour, this workshop offers

  • An open minded and supportive learning environment for expanding your vision and creativity.

  • Seasoned instructors focused on you, your experience and your ability to express yourself visually.

  • An emphasis more on your heart and mind and less on the equipment you use in making your images.

  • Help with the technical aspects of photography to better express your vision and creativity.

  • 1-3 photo sessions per day in locations with endless opportunities for iconic and personally expressive images.

  • Indoor sessions with deep image reviews, discussions, demonstrations and instruction.

  • Long days, tired but invigorated minds and bodies and a clearer path for your creative journey.

Workshop Details

The workshop begins in Death Valley at the Stovepipe Wells Village on Sunday, February 22 runs until noon Saturday. February 28. We plan to meet for dinner on Saturday, February 21 at Stovepipe Wells. Please make your travel plans with that in mind, so you don’t miss any of the workshop. If you plan to fly, we suggest that you fly into Las Vegas.  Half-way through the workshop, we’ll move from Stovepipe Wells Village to Lone Pine for the remainder of workshop. You can fly back from Las Vegas, Reno or Los Angeles.  If you want to share a rental car, let us know and we'll connect you to other participants.  During the workshop, we will carpool to our various outdoor field destinations. Detailed travel information will be sent to you once you apply for the workshop.

Our accommodations and workshop meeting room are at the Stovepipe Wells Village in Death Valley and the Dow Villa Motel in Lone Pine. You’ll find both extremely comfortable. We have reserved a block of rooms at Stovepipe Wells for the first half of the workshop and at the Dow Villa for the second half. Once you sign up for the workshop, we will provide you with the information needed to book a room in each of those blocks.  You can, of course, make your own lodging or camping reservations elsewhere. If you plan to do either, please let us know where you will be staying. The workshop fee does not include lodging or meals.

The fee for this week-long workshop is $2525. The workshop fee does not include lodging or meals. You reserve your place in the workshop with a non-refundable deposit of $350 or the full fee of $2525 online by clicking HERE. Final payment is due 6-weeks prior to the start of the workshop. If the workshop is cancelled for any reason, you will receive a full refund of any fees paid.

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Mark at 360-472-0191 or markbgardner@outlook.com. Thanks!

Images from Death Valley & the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains