White Sands National Park Photography Workshop
October 13-17, 2023
Dates
October 13-17, 2023
Locations
- White Sands National Park
- South Central New Mexico landscape locations
- Solar eclipse photography session
- Nightscape photography sessions
*Please note that I had listed the possibility of photographing a hot air balloon launch; however, now that is not occurring.
Photographer Level
Advanced beginner to advanced
- Experience with DSLR and/or mirrorless camera body
- Smartphone photographers welcome
- Current hands-on use of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
Physical Conditioning Level
- Able to hike 1/2 mile on sand dunes carrying your tripod and camera pack(1).If you are unable to hike the distance that the group hikes, we can arrange for you to photograph at a closer agreed-upon location while the rest of the group hikes to longer destinations in the dunes. Please contact me to discuss and plan.
- Comfortable hiking at night on uneven ground using a headlamp
Workshop Cost
$985/person plus tax. Limited to 7 participants. (Minimum workshop size = 3 participants)
“Stormy Sunset at White Sands”
“Photographing sunset over White Sands in previous In Light of Nature workshop”
Workshop Description
We will begin our workshop Friday afternoon at White Sands National Park, photographing the golden hour, sunset, and twilight out on the spectacular white gypsum dunes.
White Sands National Monument will be our landscape photography palette for sunrise, sunset, blue hour, and night between Friday and the following Tuesday. We will visit areas outside of White Sands National Park to photograph other scenic landscapes in the region.
Night photography sessions will be chosen with respect to weather, cloud conditions, and NPS permitting.
We will have hands-on post-processing sessions mid-day to learn how to refine your photographs using Lightroom and Photoshop and associated third-party plugins. We will offer a mid-day naptime for rest after our early morning outings.
- The workshop is ideally timed:
- Coincides an annular solar eclipse on Saturday, Oct 14, 2023,
- Coincides with a new moon enabling dark sky night photography,
- A planned hot air balloon launch at White Sands National Park
The white sand does an excellent job of reflecting the colorful New Mexico sky
Required Equipment
- A lightweight jacket (it will get cold during the evenings)
- Two 32 oz water bottles
- Sunhat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle.
- Headlamp, ideally with a red-light option
- DSLR (or mirrorless) camera that you are familiar with
- Smartphone (iPhone, Android, etc.) for unique shots of White Sands
- Lenses:
- 300 mm or longer (prime or zoom)
- zoom lens (e.g. 70-200/300 mm or 100-400 mm)
- wide angle lens (e.g. 16mm – 24 mm, 24-70mm
- A sturdy tripod that can be set low to the ground (sand)
- Extra camera batteries with charger (a car charger is recommended)
- Extra memory cards, card reader
- Laptop computer with an external hard drive(s), Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop installed
- Jumbo Ziploc bags for sand protection at White Sands NP.
Photographing Evening Twilight on the dunes to capture the reflection of sky color off the sand
Expected Physical Demands
- Ability to walk up and down sand dunes.
- The majority of photography locations will be located close (1/2 mile) to our vehicles.
- Ability to walk short distances and set up photography equipment in the dark (pre-dawn).
- Ability to manipulate photography equipment with cold hands in the morning.
- Restrooms are located around the refuge.
What is included
- Photography instruction in the field.
- Photography instruction for nightscape photography
- Post-processing classroom sessions
- Photography of an annular solar eclipse
What is not included
- Lodging (we have a special rate at a nice local motel)
- Meals
- Travel to and from the workshop location
The Belt of Venus and the Earth’s Shadow over the dunes
Sunrise and flowering Yucca, White Sand Dunes
REGISTRATION
Please get in touch with me if you have any questions about this workshop
About the Instructor
I am a full-time professional nature photographer. My images have been published internationally, including magazine covers and have won multiple first-place awards in prestigious photo contests.
- For the past 30 years I have photographed at the Bosque del Apache NWR.
- I know the Bosque del Apache NWR very well and will show you how to optimally photograph it.
- For years I wrote the quarterly “Photo Tips” article for the Friends of the Bosque del Apache newsletter.
- I served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR.
I have a PhD in Physics / Optics and have published multiple research papers on light. In addition to the science of light I have formal training in landscape painting (pastel and watercolor) and am active in the Santa Fe and Taos art scene.
- In my workshops I teach both the science and art of nature photography.
- I teach technique from both landscape and wildlife photography.
- I work individually with you to refine your specific photography desires.
Respect for wildlife and ethical photography is important to me.
- I teach how to find wildlife and photograph it without chasing, or disturbing it.
- I also conduct scientific research (peer-reviewed published) on raptors.
My images are sold in galleries in Taos, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque.
Respect for all abilities is important to me and those that take my workshops. I foster a friendly and non-condescending atmosphere for all photographers in the workshop!
- Everyone is here to learn and improve,
- Photography is constantly changing with new tools and techniques,
- Staying current is vital to success!
Ed photographing the stunning light of New Mexico (unedited iPhone photo)
Your information is safe and encrypted using certified SSL
Follow In Light of Nature
Black Bear spring cub, at ease up in a tree
(c) In Light of Nature Photography, LLC / Ed MacKerrow. All Rights Reserved. No content from this page may be copied, borrowed, or used without the expressed written consent of In Light of Nature Photography, LLC.