Utah Badlands Drone Workshop

Apr 15-19, 2024 - 1 Spot Left!!

Learn how to take amazing aerial shots on our Utah Badlands Drone Photography Workshop! We'll visit many of our favorite areas where you'll capture incredible shots from above. During our 5 days together you'll learn many advanced aerial photography and post-processing techniques. If the weather doesn't permit safe drone operation, we'll get out our regular cameras and tripods and shoot the best light. Expect plenty of individual attention with a small group of only 5 participants.

Tuition

$2195
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Max Group Size

5 Students Max

Instructor(s)

Nickolas Warner

Physical Intensity

Highlights

Capture the beautiful Utah Badlands from the aerial perspective.
Learn the best tips and tricks for aerial photography.
Transportation is provided for all workshop outings so you don't have to worry about the rough roads.
Visit many off-the-beaten path locations for aerial photography (photos not shown on the webpage to help conserve these areas).
Expect plenty of individual attention with a small group of 5 participants.
Learn aerial specific post-processing techniques.
Enjoy beautiful spring conditions in April.
In the event we cannot fly due to weather, we have lots of great locations for your regular camera and tripod.

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Itinerary

In order to give our clients the best possible photography experience, we keep the itinerary flexible to account for weather, conditions, and group interest. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1: We begin at 4PM in Hanksville UT with a short orientation session and classroom style instruction. When we're done, we grab a quick bite to eat and head out to shoot sunset from a location deep in the badlands.
Day 2: We wake up early to and capture sunrise shots of some colorful bentonite hills. We return for breakfast and hold a post-processing session where we'll cover our favorite techniques to enhance your aerial images. With overcast conditions, we venture out mid-afternoon and fly over several areas of badlands, culminating with a colorful sky at sunset!
Day 3: After driving some rough 4x4 roads, we drone at first light over some incredible formations with unbelievable textures, patterns, and colors. We return for breakfast and battery charging. After a midday break, we regroup for some image critiques and suggestions. For sunset we fly over some new areas of badlands coupled with layers of beautiful cliffs.
Days 4: With overcast skies this morning, we don't have to leave as early. We fly over some amazing colored badlands with intricate fractal patterns. At midday we hold another classroom session and then venture out to photograph a big viewpoint that looks even more amazing from the air!
Day 5: We venture out deep in the backcountry again for one of our favorite secret spots for drone aerials. You'll love the varied images you come away with. We return to Hanksville in time to check-out and we say our good-byes no later than 11AM.

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Drones

We will be watching the weather closely and go to locations with best chances for incredible aerial images. We'll also be monitoring the potential for strong winds and storms. If weather conditions are not suitable for flying a drone, we'll resort to our DSLR/Mirrorless cameras and tripods and there are a plethora of great locations to shoot from ground level.

All participants are responsible for flying their own drones. Action Photo Tours is not responsible for any drone malfunctions, crashes, or accidental damage. If you crash or damage your drone, there are no backups for you to use unless you bring a second drone. If weather conditions are unsafe for flying, we will not have any drones in the air. None of the areas we visit require any sort of technical flying. All are wide-open landscapes with no obstacles.

We highly recommend that you learn the basics of flying BEFORE coming on the workshop. The instructor can help you with improving your image acquisition, but they cannot fly nor operate your drone.

All participants need to bring at least 3 batteries for their drones. When we are on the road for a longer period of time, we'll have a portable charger so you can recharge your batteries.

Filters are highly recommended for your drone, especially if you want to shoot any video. We recommend the circular polarizer and ND combo filters sold by companies like Polar Pro.

You will need to be able to download your drone images after each outing onto something like a laptop or portable hard drive. If you lose your drone, you don't want to also lose the images you worked so hard to acquire! You can also bring multiple memory cards and swap those out between flights if that helps you feel more comfortable.

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Logistics

Please arrive in Hanksville, UT prior to 4PM on the first day of the workshop. Lodging is not included in the workshop but we have a block of cabins reserved for our guests at Duke's Slickrock. You can call them to reserve your cabin at our group rate. You will need lodging for four nights.

All transportation during the workshop is included in lifted 4x4 trucks. However, there is no public transportation to Hanksville so you'll need your own vehicle to get there. The nearest major airport is SLC International.

Everyone on this trip should be in reasonably good physical condition. We aren't planning any long hikes, but the uneven terrain, sand, and steep uphills can make short hikes seem much harder. You should be comfortable walking around 1-2 miles per day while carrying your gear.

We are keeping the itinerary flexible since we can't control the weather. Don't worry - we'll make the best possible use of our time. Our job is to get you the most stunning photos and help you learn as much as possible!

The weather is highly variable in early spring. It could be sunny and warm or a cold front might come in and bring some rain and snow. The nights will be cold, so you will want warm layers. It can also be windy in the spring so come prepared with a wind/rain jacket. Please see the gear list further down.

Food options are limited in Hanksville. If you have specific dietary needs, it might be best to pick-up food in a larger town before arriving in Hanksville. The cabins all have microwaves and fridges.

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Pricing

$2195/person + Tax

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Trip Includes:

5-Day Intensive Photo Workshop with 1 Pro Instructor.
All Ground Transportation in Lifted 4x4 Trucks.
Specialized drone instruction
Post-processing instruction and image critique.
Park Entrance Fees

Trip Does NOT Include:

Transportation to/from your home to Hanksville, UT.
Hotel Accommodations
Meals, Snacks, and Beverages.
Instructor Gratuities.

When you complete the checkout process, you will be given the option to either pay the full amount or put down a 50% deposit. If you pay the deposit, we'll send you a payment link for the remaining balance when we're approx 120 days out.

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Recommended Camera Gear

Drone and controller. We recommend one of the newer models for best image quality.
At least 3 drone batteries, battery charger, and extra propellers.
ND and or Circular Polarizer Filters for the drone.
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body and Lenses (in case we can't fly). We recommend a wide angle zoom in the 16-35mm range along with a mid-range zoom in the 24-70 or 24-105mm range.
Tripod (in case we can't fly).
Extra memory cards and cleaning supplies.
Comfortable backpack that can carry your drone, camera gear, snacks, and water.
Laptop or external hard drive to back up your photos.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy footwear, hiking socks, and long pants .
A rain jacket and a couple warm layer since it can get cold at night.
Headlamp with fresh batteries.
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Warm Hat & Gloves.
Water bottle
Trekking Poles - bring them if they help you for the short hikes.

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Trip Advisor

Nickolas Warner

Photography Instructor

Nickolas Warner is an award-winning photographer with recognition by the Epson Pano Awards, International Landscape Photographer of the Year, and Outdoor Photographer. He has a particular interest in extreme and unusual locations. His travels have taken him to some fascinating locations, but the American Southwest is his favorite place to photograph.

Nickolas spent the past decade guiding in Alaska, where he provided instruction on photographing the aurora borealis, and shared his knowledge of the far north’s rugged terrain and resilient wildlife.

When not guiding, Nickolas enjoys long distance hiking and extended backpacking trips through remote wilderness areas.

Artist's Statement: "The more one travels, the more one sees how small our world is. Landscape photography is often an idyllic vision of nature that stretches the truth. While most of my photos are taken in the wilderness, the reality is that modernity and progress has shrunk the wild into small islands of untouched land, flanked on all sides by development and exploitation. Before becoming a full-time photographer, I pursued a career in sustainability. While I've since changed directions, I still have a strong sense of urgency to protect nature and keep the wild wild. I hope my photos can inspire others to explore and let our world be untamed."

See Nickolas' portfolio: Nickolas Warner Photography