
Wild Death Valley
March 13 – 18, 2026
2 Spots Left
Oregon, USA
$7,495
May 30 – June 5, 2027
Limited to 8 Guests
Experience the stunning beauty of two of the West Coast’s most iconic photography destinations—Oregon’s rugged coastline and California’s legendary redwood forests—all in one amazing workshop. Both areas have their own unique character and photographic opportunities for every skill level.
Walk among the giants of the ancient redwood groves where lush ferns and vibrant rhododendrons light up the misty forest floor. Early June is the perfect time to capture dramatic light and the quiet, expansive scale of the Redwoods, a dream setting for atmospheric images.
Oregon’s coastline offers dramatic sea stacks rising from the surf along broad sandy beaches where tidal pools teem with marine life.
This workshop is a combination of field and classroom learning, focused on helping you adapt to the changing conditions of forest and coastal photography. In the field, you’ll get hands-on instruction on composition—learning how to use leading lines, scale and natural framing to create strong, balanced images. We’ll cover the creative use of polarizers to manage reflections and contrast when working with wet foliage or tidepools. You’ll also learn how to capture motion blur with water to add energy and texture to your shots.
In the classroom, you’ll get image reviews and guided post-processing sessions. These will give you immediate feedback to help you refine your technique and turn your field work into polished final images.
Muench Workshops is an Authorized Permittee of the National Park Service.
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, local conditions, and other factors.
Arrive Eugene Airport (EUG), Eugene, Oregon before 2:00 PM today. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
We’ll meet you at the airport and head to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area and our oceanfront lodging.
After our sunrise photo session, we head to Shore Acres State Park, visiting the formal gardens of a former lumber baron’s estate, some fantastic rock formations, and crashing waves. We’ll end the day with sunset at Bandon beach and our lodging overlooking the sea stacks that make Bandon a favorite destination for nature photographers.
We’ll have more opportunities to work the incredible coast at Bandon for sunrise and sunset. After a visit to Coquille River Lighthouse, we’ll have one of our signature image review and instruction sessions.
We’ll start the day photographing Cape Blanco Lighthouse at sunrise, then continue to Pistol River State Park, the beautiful Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, and our beachfront lodging in Brookings. Be sure to pack your headlamp for our hike out from the coast at a spectacular location after sunset.
Today we venture to the Redwoods State and National Parks and explore groves of immense redwood trees with lush ferns in the understory. Count on another session of image review and instruction. Lodging for this night and the next in Crescent City, California.
Continuing our adventure in the Redwoods, we’ll visit Del Norte and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks, looking to photograph the majestic trees with blooming Rhododendrons and fog rolling through the forest.
Following a sunrise photo session among the big trees and a hearty breakfast, we’ll drive the Redwood Highway to Grants Pass and get you to the airport.
Flights out from Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (MFR) can be made after 2:00 PM.Moderate: You can handle hikes of 1.5 miles total on uneven ground with 250’ elevation change.
Arrive at Eugene Airport (EUG), Eugene, Oregon before 2:00 PM on May 30, 2027. Depart at Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (MFR), Medford, Oregon after 2:00 PM on June 5, 2027. Air travel delays are common. Please arrive early, possibly even the day prior, so you don’t miss any of the workshop.
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.
You'll learn how to use leading lines, scale, and natural framing to create strong, balanced images. You'll learn to improve your compositions by focusing on spacing and clean arrangement when photographing woodland or forest scenes, and taking advantage of tide pools and small scene opportunities whenever possible. The workshop covers the creative use of polarizers and neutral density filtersfor managing reflections and contrast, as well as capturing motion blur with water to add energy and texture to your shots.
Yes, this workshop is refundable. If you cancel more than 150 days before the start date, you'll receive a full refund. Cancellations made 150–91 days before the start date will receive a refund of payments exceeding 50% of tuition, and 90–61 days before will receive a refund of payments exceeding 75% of tuition. No refunds are available within 60 days of the workshop, but if we fill your space, you'll receive a 100% refund of payments made. All refunds are issued by the same payment method and are subject to a 5% administrative processing fee.
The maximum group size for this workshop is 8 participants, ensuring personalized attention and ample opportunity for one-on-one instruction from the two professional photographers leading the trip.
You'll need a moderate level of fitness, as the workshop includes hikes of up to 1.5 miles on uneven ground with a 250-foot elevation change. Being comfortable with this level of activity will help you fully enjoy the experience.
Pack comfortable hiking shoes, a headlamp for evening shoots, and clothing suitable for variable weather conditions. Bring wide-angle lenses from 14–35mm for landscapes, a mid zoom 24-120mm, and a tele zoom 70-200mm, and a polarizer to manage reflections and contrast.
Yes, all meals, soft drinks, and snacks during the workshop are included. However, alcoholic beverages and any meals before or after the workshop dates are not included.
While travel medical and trip cancellation insurance is optional, it is recommended to protect your investment and provide peace of mind in case of unforeseen circumstances.
70+ new workshops, with 20 brand new destinations!
To join us, sign up for the webinar here.
Register for any workshop before midnight, December 3, 2024, and we’ll apply the $750 discount to your final balance payment.
Offer valid on new registrations only.
This opportunity to showcase your work is only open to folks who have been on a workshop with us.
Register for any workshop before midnight, July 7, 2025 and we’ll apply the $500 discount to your final balance payment.
Offer valid on new registrations only.
Save $750 off workshop. New registrations only.
Discount is applied to your final balance payment.
This offer expires at midnight on December 1, 2025, Eastern Daylight Time.