Utah Badlands Landscape and Night Sky

Photography Workshop

Utah Badlands

A Otherworldly Photography Workshop Like No Other!

Join me on an unforgettable journey through the mesmerizing Badlands of Utah! This landscape photography workshop isn't just any workshopβ€”it's an invitation to immerse yourself in a visual paradise. Imagine wildflowers carpeting otherworldly landscapes, surrounded by ancient geological formations standing like sentinels and dark skies that make you feel like you're on another planet.

This isn't just a photography workshop; it's an adventure that promises to leave a lasting impression yearning for more. Learn to capture these unique landscapes under Utah’s remote and dark skies, a perfect combination for landscape and astrophotography lovers!

Join me and let's capture the essence of this otherworldly landscape together.

Vision & Goals

This workshop is intended to inspire and equip photographers of all levels to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of this remote landscape and the night sky. I aim to foster a community of passionate photographers who want to push the boundaries of their creativity and technical skills, producing stunning images that celebrate the wonders of the universe.

Creative Exploration

  • Composition: Master the art of framing your shots to create visually compelling and balanced images.

  • Visual Flow: Learn how to guide the viewer’s eye through your photograph, creating a natural and engaging journey.

  • Visual Narrative/Storytelling: Develop your ability to tell captivating stories through your images, turning each photo into a narrative experience.

Knowledge Expansion

  • Master Techniques and Processes: Learn the best methods to capture each scene, including blue hour blending, focal length and exposure blending.

  • Advanced Editing Skills: Improve your post-processing abilities with post processing tools such as Lightroom, Photoshop, Helicon Focus, and Starry Landscape Stacker.

  • Enhanced Image Quality: Utilize image stacking, exposure bracketing, and color theory to create clear, dynamic, and emotionally impactful photos.

Quality Outputs

  • Stunning Portfolios: Ensure every participant leaves the workshop with a portfolio of stunning landscape and astrophotography images they can be proud of.

  • Ongoing Resources and Support: Provide resources and continued support to help participants refine their skills and produce high-quality images.

Engagement and Community

  • Interactive and Enjoyable Learning: Make learning fun with interactive sessions, real-time feedback, while fostering excitement and curiosity about our environment.

  • Supportive and Collaborative Network: Create a collaborative environment for sharing ideas and techniques, and establish a lasting network of astrophotography enthusiasts.

Itinerary

  • 1 Week Prior: We will have a pre-workshop zoom discussion to walk through logistics of the workshop, discuss concepts and techniques while getting you familiar with the specific locations we will be visiting.

  • Day 1: Let the adventure begin!

    • Afternoon: Will start at our lodging location for the workshop early to mid-afternoon, we will get settled and discuss the first evening of adventure!

  • Day 2-3:

    • Sunrise: We will rise early (around 4-5am) and make our way to a breathtaking location, after capturing a spectacular sunrise we will head back into town and/or our lodging for breakfast.

      • Breakfast

    • Mid-Day: Between 1pm and 3pm we will gather for a classroom session covering photography concepts, post-processing and image critiques.

      • Late Lunch / Early Dinner

    • Sunset: We will head out around 4pm for an ideal sunset location.

    • Based on weather: We will add in a late morning adventure into a slot canyon and a late evening capturing the stars. We will discuss these options on the pre-workshop zoom discussion and on day 1.

  • Day 4: Our final sunrise!

    • Sunrise: We will once again rise early for our last spectacular sunrise followed by a group breakfast!

      • Workshop Ends / Checkout by 11am.

Most days will include walking/hiking approximately 2-3 mile over uneven/rocky and sandy terrain. Though some days could include hiking upwards of 5-6 miles.

Meet Your Guide

Justin Northcraft is an adventurer, photographer, and content creator deeply immersed in the realms of landscape, aerial, lifestyle, and astrophotography. A dedicated creative professional since 2006, Justin currently calls Utah home, drawing endless inspiration from its diverse and breathtaking landscapes. His pursuit of visually compelling content is driven by a commitment to uniqueness and originality.

In addition to his creative endeavors, Justin is passionate about education and fostering lasting relationships with his workshop clients. He believes in the power of sharing knowledge and experiences, creating a collaborative and enriching environment where everyone can grow and thrive. Join Justin on a journey of exploration and learning, and elevate your photography skills while building meaningful connections within a community of like-minded enthusiasts.

Logistics

  • Location: Hanksville, Utah (Google Maps Link)

  • Nearest Airports:

    • Las Vegas - 6 Hours

    • Salt Lake City - 4 Hours

    • Grand Junction - 3 Hours

  • Lodging: Will be shared with participants closer to the workshop.

  • Transportation: Is up to each participant but we will discuss ride sharing during the workshop. Those coming from out of town can also coordinate with other participants. A high clearance vehicle is recommended but not required.

Workshop Pricing

$1,999 Lodging Included

Registration requires a 50% deposit to hold your space. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the workshop. Please see our Workshop Policies for additional information.

What’s Included:

  • 4 Days and 3 Nights of Adventure and Learning

  • Lodging

  • Guidance and Instruction - In Field and Post Processing

  • Group breakfast on the last day

What’s Not Included:

  • Transportation

  • Meals & Drinks

Recommended Camera Gear:

  • DSLR/Mirrorless Camera

  • Lens Focal Lengths Ranging from 14mm to 200mm. A 24-70 being very versatile in this location.

  • Misc Accessories: Tripod, Batteries, Memory Cards, Intervalometer

  • Laptop & External Storage

Recommended Personal Gear:

  • Comfortable clothing & footwear

  • Backpack capable of carrying your camera gear, 2 liters of water and snacks

Weather conditions can vary greatly this time of year, seeing warmer temps as well as evenings close to or below freezing with significant wind and potential for rain. Being prepared and having layers and options for a variety of conditions is best.