Education

Alaska Aurora Winter Photo Workshop

Aurora Borealis Under the Solar Maximum

As autumn settles in and nights grow long, aurora season begins in Alaska. This year is especially exciting because we are still at the height of the solar cycle—a time when the Sun is most active, showering Earth with bursts of charged particles that fuel breathtaking aurora displays. What is the Solar Cycle? The Sun…

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Sonoran Secrets Photo Workshop Arizona

Salt River: Arizona’s Hidden Gem

Why We’re Drawn to the Untamed Action Photo Tours has built its reputation on guiding photographers off the beaten path, especially in the desert Southwest. We’ve made it our mission to reveal places that most people pass by—locations that surprise, inspire, and stay with you long after you’ve packed up your tripod. So when we…

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Patagonia Peaks and Pumas Photo Workshop

In the Realm of Giants: Peaks, Pumas, and Patagonia

There are few places on Earth that stir the soul like Patagonia. Here, at the southern edge of the world, jagged peaks spear the sky, glaciers tumble into turquoise lakes, and the wind carries the raw song of untamed wilderness. It’s a land of drama and silence — a place where every sunrise feels like…

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Moab Monsoon Photo Workshop

Chasing the Monsoon: A Photographer’s Paradise

The monsoon season in the Desert Southwest is magical—an ever-changing dance of light that transforms an already beautiful landscape into something otherworldly. For us at Action Photo Tours, this is one of the most exhilarating times to be out with our cameras. When storms roll in, the atmosphere itself becomes electric: dramatic skies, vibrant rainbows,…

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Using Blend Modes to Enhance Your Landscape Photography

Blend modes are one of the most confusing aspects of Photoshop. First off, there’s twenty-seven of them. Further adding to the confusion, many of them have similar names or do similar things. As you cycle through the blend modes, it’s hard to know exactly what’s happening, and their names do little to prepare you for…

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Photographing Blue Hour and Twilight

Better than golden hour? Photographing Twilight

In the world of photography, golden hour gets all the praise. Warm side light and colorful clouds at sunset may make for dramatic photos, but don’t put your camera away when the color fades. Often, the most interesting time of day can happen after the sun has set. This period of time is called twilight…

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Tips for Photographing Brown Bears Wildlife Photography

Power & Beauty: Photographing Brown Bears

Join pro-photographer David Swindler as he shares his best tips and tricks for photographing brown bears in the wild. Watch the video below where David will talk in-depth on the following subjects: About Brown Bears Safety Bear Activities When To Go Where to Go Photo Gear Shooting Techniques Putting It All Together Join Us for…

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Five Tips for Shooting a Telephoto Lens In the Field

5 Tips for Shooting Telephoto Lenses

Learning how to use a telephoto lens is an important skill. We see a lot of mistakes people make in the field and it ends up impacting their ability to get sharp shots. In this informative video, David Swindler shares his must-know tips on how to use long telephoto lenses for outdoor photography, from landscapes…

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How to Photograph the Aurora Borealis Northern Lights

How to Photograph the Aurora Borealis

Watching the aurora borealis as it dances across the sky is both mesmerizing and spectacular. Being able to photograph it effectively requires specific skills. During this talk, David Swindler will give you the tools to capture your best aurora shots, covering topics such as forecasting, gear selection, in-field technique, and post-processing.  Watch the video below…

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How to make photography backpack lighter

Make Your Photography Backpack Lighter By Asking These Five Questions

If you have ever brought too much camera gear on a hike or backpacking trip, you need to read this article!

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Cypress Swamps
Nov 1-5, 2026

Faroe Islands
Oct 5-11, 2026

Wild Scotland
Oct 10-18, 2026

Death Valley Photo Workshop Mobile

Death Valley
Nov 11-16, 2026

Alaska Aurora Borealis
Feb 23-Mar 2, 2027

Wild China
Feb 23-Mar 5, 2027

From Amazon to Andes
Apr and May, 2027

Galapagos Islands
May 1-10, 2027

Death Valley & Stars
Mar 13-18, 2027

Monument Valley & Native Cultures
Apr 4-9, 2027