Eastern Sierras Fall

Oct 30-Nov 4, 2024 - Sold Out

Variety is the name of the game on this 6-day photo adventure. We'll explore our favorite locations along the Eastern Sierras such as the Alabama Hills, the Bristlecone Pines, Mono Lake, Eureka Dunes, the Owens Valley, and many hidden gems. You'll photograph crazy rock formations, arches, hot springs, jagged mountain peaks, pastoral valleys, alpine lakes, ghost towns, sand dunes, and much more. Night photography is also an option if skies are clear! Although we aren't planning any long hikes on this workshop, some of the locations are at high altitude which can make it feel more taxing. All participants will need to be able to walk at least 2 miles with their camera gear for the best photos. Supercharge your adventure by adding our Death Valley and Beyond Workshop Nov 5-10, 2024!

Tuition

$2995
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Lodging Included

Max Group Size

2 Instructors
Max 8 Students

Instructor

Ryan McGinty
A.J. Rich

Physical Intensity

Eastern Sierras Fall Autumn Photo Workshop California

Highlights

Photograph the vibrant fall colors along the Eastern Sierras corridor.
Explore the many arches and bizarre rock formations at the Alabama Hills.
Experience the dramatic and and often snowy Eastern Sierra Mountains.
Walk among the ancient bristlecone pines, capture the tufa formations at Mono Lake, and photograph steaming hot springs and alpine lakes.
Photograph the undulating patterns and curves of the remote Eureka Dunes.
Transportation is provided to/from Las Vegas. No need to rent a car!
Take your photos to the next level with in-field instruction and digital darkroom training by our pro photographers.
When skies are clear, we'll incorporate some night photography.
Supercharge your trip by adding our Death Valley and Beyond Workshop Nov 5-10, 2024.

Itinerary

The exact itinerary will be kept flexible to account for the weather and current conditions. The itinerary below is just an example of what you can expect.

Day 1: Meet at 10AM in Las Vegas for pick-ups at the airport. We'll immediately hit the road towards Lone Pine, CA. We'll check-in to the hotel, hold a short orientation session, and then head out for our first sunset shoot among the arches and rock formations of the Alabama Hills.
Day 2: We get up early for a short hike into the Alabama Hills for our sunrise shoot. The snow-covered peaks in the background light up brilliantly! We return for breakfast and check-out, heading up to Bishop, CA where we'll be based for the next 4 nights. For our sunset shoot, we decide to photograph the fall colors and an interesting lake with some very bizarre formations!
Day 3: We capture a phenomenal sunrise at the hot springs and return to town for breakfast and a short midday break. That afternoon, we drive high up into the mountains to photograph the ancient bristlecone pines. Their gnarled bark and interesting textures create some unique photo opportunities. We return to town after sunset.
Day 4: It's another early morning as we make our way to the mythical Mono Lake for sunrise. We explore tufas of all shapes and sizes. We grab breakfast and then head up to explore a ghost town. At sunset we photograph some of the brilliant fall colors against the mountains.
Day 5: We photograph sunrise at a clear and calm alpine lake with reflections galore. After breakfast, we start the long drive out to the remote Eureka Dunes. We'll hike into the dunes and find some fantastic compositions free of footprints. Listen closely, and you'll hear the sands sing! We return to town well after dark.
Day 6: It's hard to believe it's our last day together. We capture sunrise in the pastoral Owen's Valley before checking out of the hotel. We start the drive back to Las Vegas, arriving at the airport around 2PM.

Eastern Sierras Photo Workshop Mono Lake Ryan McGinty

Eastern Sierras Photo Workshop Death Valley California Autumn

Logistics

Plan to arrive in Las Vegas prior to 10AM on the first day. We will pick everyone up at the airport and start driving immediately to Lone Pine, CA. We will be providing all ground transportation during the workshop so there is no need for you to rent a car. We will return to Las Vegas between 2-3PM on Nov 4th. If you are also doing the Death Valley & Beyond Workshop with us, you will need your own lodging for the night of Nov 4th in Vegas.

Five nights of double occupancy hotel lodging are included in the workshop price. Single occupancy is available for an additional charge (see Pricing section below). You can select double or single occupancy when booking. Please note that meals, snacks, and beverages are not included in the workshop price.

Our itinerary is flexible since we don't know what Mother Nature will throw at us. Some years we get early snowfall that can hamper access to some of the higher elevation locations. But not to worry. If that happens, we have many Plan B locations that are equally stunning and will make great use of your time. Plus, the Eastern Sierras look really nice with a dusting of snow! Our dates are also timed for fall colors along the Eastern Sierras, but again, that could shift +/- 1 week depending on local conditions. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary based on safety concerns and current conditions.

We'll set aside time for post-processing and image critique throughout the workshop. There is no need for you to bring a laptop unless you want to download and or edit your images during our time together. All levels of photographers are welcome on this workshop and we'll tailor the instruction to the unique needs of the group.

No long hikes are planned on this workshop but you should be able to walk at least 2-miles with your camera gear in tow. Note that the hiking will be more difficult at high elevations and on the sand dunes.

Eastern Sierras Photo Workshop Death Valley California Alabama Hills Lathe Arch

Eastern Sierras Photo Workshop Mono Lake Moon

Pricing: 6 Days + Lodging

$2995/person + Tax

Save 10% by Joining Our Loyalty Program

Trip Includes:

6 Day Intensive Photo Workshop with max of 8 participants and 2 pro instructors.
Five nights double occupancy hotel lodging. Single Occupancy available for an additional $400.
All ground transportation to/from the Las Vegas Airport.
Photography guiding and instruction throughout the trip.
Post-processing and image critique sessions.
Park Entrance Fees and Permits.
Pre-Workshop Zoom Meeting.

Trip Does NOT Include:

Meals, beverages, and snacks.
Transportation to/from your home to Las Vegas.
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, you will be sent a payment link for the remaining amount due approx. 120 days before the workshop. Please see our Terms and Conditions.

Recommended Camera Gear

Sturdy tripod and ballhead
Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera Body.
Wide angle lens in the 14-30mm range. For night photography, you will need a lens that is at least f/2.8 or faster.
Mid-range zoom lens in the range of 24-100mm.
Long telephoto lenss for landscape compression and wildlife encounters. We recommend something in the 100-400mm range.
Circular polarizer filters for your lenses. If you like shooting with grads, bring them along.
Extra batteries, memory cards, and cleaning supplies.
Remote cord for your camera.
Cover for your camera/lens to protect against weather and high winds.
Laptop if you wish to backup your photos or do some editing during the trip.

Personal Gear List

Sturdy hiking footwear, hiking socks, and hiking pants.
A rain jacket and several warm layers (upper and lower body) as it can get very cold in the high country.
Headlamp
Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat, Warm Hat, and Gloves
Water bottle or hydration bladder.
Hiking poles if you like having them.

Eastern Sierras Photo Workshop California Photo Tours

Eastern Sierras Photo Workshop Death Valley California Alabama Hills Mobius Arch

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Ryan McGinty

Photography Instructor

Ryan McGinty is a seasoned landscape photographer living in the Palouse area of southeastern Washington. His first-hand experience in this unique agricultural area makes him the perfect instructor to lead people to out-of-the-way places for those once-in-a-lifetime rainbows, sunsets and sunrises in the beautiful rolling hills. He loves chasing the light and diligently checks weather apps to get the latest sun and rain predictions, cloud formations, wind and temperatures for the best locations and light.

His interest in photography started at an early age and continued in college with graduate work at Brooks Institute of Photography. His experience in portrait, wedding, film, and medium and large format photography give him an extraordinary background for his award-winning landscape photography.

His passion for the Palouse is only exceeded by his passion for photography and his desire to show people his favorite places. He takes a legitimate interest in his clients and strives hard to ensure they get the best shots. His photographs have been published in books, calendars and travel guides.

A.J. Rich

Photography Instructor

Ever since he was young, A.J. Rich has had a passion for all things visual. Growing up on the edge of St. George, Utah, he often sketched his favorite sports players and designed logos for his youth sports teams. A.J. also spent countless hours around his childhood home climbing rock mesas and exploring the unknown, including at nearby Zion National Park.

After graduating with a degree in graphic design from Brigham Young University in 2001, A.J. worked in the graphic design field for 20 years. In 2006 A.J. picked up a camera and, drawing on his art background, he has been a successful Getty Images contributor. In recent years he has focused on landscape photography—where his true passion lies.

Today the quest for the “timeless story” drives A.J. on all his outdoor adventures. While out in nature he seeks the ethereal and spiritual planes, and if he can capture them in a photograph, even better.

Currently A.J. works by day as a graphic designer and art director for BYU Brand & Creative, always dreaming of and planning for his next photography journey.