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January 14 – 21, 2026
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Death Valley Abstracts
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At a Glance
Location
California, USA
Tuition
$6,495
Dates
December 5 – 10, 2026
Fitness Level
Availability
Limited to 6 Guests
Collections
- Learning Lab
- US National Parks and Wilderness
Death Valley Abstracts Photography Workshop
Death Valley: Salt Pan, Dunes, and More
December 5 – 10, 2026
- Winter light casts long shadows over vast, geometric desert patterns
- Reflections, mudcracks, rippling sand dunes
- Ideal for learning black and white shooting techniques
First light in Death Valley reveals a world unlike any other. As the sun rises, soft golds and blush tones stretch across the desert floor, casting long shadows through the ridges, dunes, and salt flats. This is a place defined by contrast and texture—from the cracked salt polygons of Badwater Basin to the sculpted Ibex Dunes. It’s an environment that challenges and rewards photographers in equal measure.
This workshop centers on desert abstracts, from wide dune curves to close-up studies of color, shadow, and pattern. We photograph at all hours, seeking long early light, the textures of mid-morning, and the cool transitions of dusk. You’ll visit classic locations — Badwater Basin, Golden Canyon, Twenty Mule Team Canyon — but the focus is on seeing beyond the obvious, and making images that are intentional and personal. We’ll explore black-and-white and infrared techniques as well, making use of Death Valley’s stark palette to create bold, tonal compositions.
Throughout the workshop, we combine real-time coaching with focused practice in finding and photographing small scenes, black-and-white conversion, infrared shooting, near/far composition, and the interplay of light and shadow. You’ll come away from this workshop with stronger instincts for composition, camera technique, and post-processing that will continue to improve your photography long after the workshop.
By the end, you’ll have a cohesive set of Death Valley abstracts—photos that move beyond documentation into expressions of texture, rhythm, and tone—and the creative skills to keep exploring beyond the obvious wherever you go.
Your Pro
Itinerary
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
December 5, 2026: Arrival and First Photo in Death Valley
Arrive in Las Vegas before 10:00 AM this day. We recommend staying overnight at the Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas the night before. This hotel night is not included in the tuition.
We’ll meet at the Hilton Garden Inn Las Vegas and depart by 11:00 AM, stopping for lunch along the way to the park. We’ll get our first shoot in at a location not far from the hotel, check in, have dinner, and rest up for the days ahead.
December 6–9, 2026: Exploring Death Valley: Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Dunes, Sunset Chases
Each morning, we will start before the sun rises and head out to discover some beautiful scenes in the soft morning light. We will often shoot during mid-day when the harsh lighting conditions are especially appealing for black and white and infrared photography. And, of course, you can count on us chasing some amazing light during sunset hours. Our precise itinerary will remain fluid as the weather conditions will dictate our daily outings, but you can expect us to visit popular Death Valley highlights such as Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, and Mesquite Dunes, as well as lesser-known sites like Cottonball Basin, Ibex Dunes, and the Joshua Trees at Lee Flats.
We’ll also be stopping for those small details in the sand, rocks, and mud cracks so well suited to monochrome photography. In the field, we’ll focus on patterns and compositions best suited to abstract and black and white and teach techniques you can use to evaluate the dynamic range of your compositions. Our image reviews will be held in a private meeting room, where we will host our signature photo reviews and practice tips for processing in black and white.
December 10, 2026: Final Image Review, Return to Las Vegas and Departure
Our final morning shoot, then breakfast, followed by our final image review. We’ll be on our way to Las Vegas by 11:00 AM, in time for flights anytime after 3:00 PM.
Infrared Photography
In this workshop, we'll create black-and-white images from standard color cameras and also infrared-converted cameras. We'll demonstrate the conversion methods for both in our image reviews. You don't have to have an infrared camera to join in the fun!
But, if you are new to infrared photography and have questions, please contact us, and we'll prepare you to capture a whole new world of beauty. We know that infrared photography can seem daunting and confusing, but capturing stunning black-and-white infrared images is simple.
If you want to convert an existing mirrorless camera, we're big fans of Kolari Vision's system of magnetic drop-in filters. These filters allow you to continue photographing in standard color, or after a quick swap of the drop-in filter, you're ready to shoot infrared. This is the perfect solution for a backup camera, and it means that you don't have to carry a body solely dedicated to infrared, saving weight! Note, this requires that your camera is converted to full spectrum. See their site for details, or contact us and we'll explain it all to you. You can check out their magnetic drop-in filters here.
Fitness
Moderate: You must be able to hike on uneven ground and on sand dunes for two miles or more.
Flights
Arrive McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada before 10:00 AM on December 5, 2026. Flights out can be made after 3:00 PM on December 10, 2026. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
What to Bring
Please see our page How To Prepare For Your Workshop. We will send you a detailed information document 90 days before your workshop. This document will include specifics of where and when to meet, gear and clothing recommendations, and more.
What’s Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single available for $1,100 supplement.
- All meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop.
- All permits and park fees.
- All transportation during the workshop.
- Tips for crew, drivers, and local guides.
- Photographic guiding and instruction from Talor Stone.
- Image reviews and post-processing instruction.
- Adventure, fun, inspiration, and a great time!
Not Included
- Travel to and from Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Unscheduled airport transfers.
- Passport and visa fees (if applicable).
- Any meals or accommodations before or after the workshop dates.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Alcoholic Beverages.
- Medical Evacuation Insurance (required).
- Travel Medical (required).
- Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional, but recommended).
- Anything else specifically not listed as included.
- Single rooming available for $1,100 supplement.
Payment Terms
- Your deposit of $2,495 will hold your space in this workshop.
- The balance is due not later than August 1, 2026.
- All of our standard Terms and Conditions apply.
- Need special payment arrangements? No problem, just ask us.
All participants are required by the National Park Service to sign and return this Acknowledgement of Risk. Nothing in this Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risks and Release and Indemnity Agreement shall be interpreted as the participant and parent releasing Muench Workshops from liability for injuries, damage, death, or other loss to the participant or others that may occur within the jurisdiction of the National Park Service and is caused by Muench Workshops negligence, gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, including but not limited to any negligence with respect to Muench Workshops judgments and decisions, or Muench Workshops failure to take reasonable precautions to ensure it provides defect-free equipment.
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