Custom Photographic Workshop Through Monument Valley - April, June or September 2023
Take a 4 Night Photographic Journey through Native American Culture and Land as You Never Have Before!
Join us in April, June or September 2023 on this Navajo guided adventure to photograph the night sky over the restricted regions of Monument Valley and discover for yourself the untouched splendor of Navajo land.
Monument Valley is one of the most majestic and impressive places on earth. This great valley boasts sandstone masterpieces towering at heights up to 1000 ft. off the desert floor.
The pinnacles of rock are surrounded by miles of mesas, buttes, arches and windblown sand. The landscape overwhelms, not just by its beauty but also by its size.
Our First Night's Journey:
Getting Our Bearings and Fine Tuning Our Gear
On our first night together we will meet up with our Navajo guides and spend some time outside of Monument Valley photographing Aglatha Peak (thought to be the center of the universe by the Navajo), the Forrest Gump Road (Hwy 163) and viewpoints between Bluff, Utah and Monument Valley. This will be a great time to fine tune our gear for the next three nights.
Our Second Night's Journey:
Camp Under The Stars in Hunts Mesa and Capture Amazing Photos
With incredible views and breathtaking scenery, the journey to the secluded Hunts Mesa is a MUST for adventurous photographers looking for a rewarding experience.
We will immerse ourselves in the beauty of Hunts Mesa Monument Valley, with this overnight photographic camping tour.
Hunts Mesa is often referred to as the jewel of the Monument Valley, but accessing this remote destination makes for a rough but exciting off-road 4×4 experience over sand dunes and rocks.
Once we arrive, the majesty of Hunts Mesa overwhelms you, and photo opportunities abound. Views overlook the entire Monument Valley, and there are plenty of amazing spots to set up your camera.
Recommended for amateur or professional photographers, this Monument Valley journey offers award-winning photo opportunities in a landscape unlike any in the world.
- We will begin this safari five hours before sundown. The two-hour drive takes you to the scenic Hunts Mesa overlook.
- At 6,795 feet above sea level, the photo camp overlooks the whole of Monument Valley!
- We will arrive approximately three hours before the sun begins to set. During that time, our Navajo guide will familiarize us with the area including some of the best places to capture sunset photos. Time to get our cameras ready!
- Visitors to Hunts Mesa take great pleasure in marveling at its unspoiled beauty; rich, colorful, dramatic and sheer cliffs, and magnificent panoramas.
- On this photo journey, we will take advantage of the mesa’s many opportunities, you must be willing to “rough it.”
- While we capture the amazing sunset, our Navajo guide will set up camp and make a cedar-wood fire.
- After having an amazing Navajo dinner - we will set out for our night shooting under the stars, capturing the Majestic Milky Way over the entire Monument Valley Vista.
- Our Navajo Guide provides everything for your comfort, including clean sleeping bags, a large spring bar tent, reclining camping chairs, toiletries, and 2 meals.
- Dinner and Breakfast - Navajo style dinner and a continental breakfast the next morning.
- In the morning, we will have plenty of time to explore the area and take once-in-a-lifetime sunrise photos.
- On our descent from the mesa, we will visit some of the area’s natural arches and Anasazi ruins tucked away in labyrinthine narrow canyons and alcoves.
** We will arrive back to the hotel at around 12 noon for some rest and a shower before heading out again for tonight's photographic journey.
Our Third Night's Journey:
Exclusive Journey Through The Monument Valley Floor
On tonight's journey we will travel to restricted parts of the valley, from sandstone buttes and spires to famous monuments like:
- East & West Mitten Buttes
- John Ford’s Point
- The Three Sisters
- Totem Pole & YeiBiChei spires
Our Fourth Night's Journey:
Photograph Monument Valley’s Secluded Arches
On this night we will be photographing the lesser-known section of Monument Valley, home to labyrinth canyons, sandstone arches, and ancient ruins.
Featuring majestic geological formations and ancient artifacts, Monument Valley offers breathtaking views of wide open spaces and some of the darkest skies you have ever been in.
The Monument Valley backcountry is only accessible with a Navajo guide who is eager to share an insider perspective of this iconic area and teach you about Navajo culture and tradition.
We also visit and photograph many other secluded breathtaking arches,
- Big Hogan Arch
- Ear of the Wind Arch
- Sun’s Eye Arch
and more all under the brilliant night sky.
Required Equipment and Accessories:
Astrophotography requires a professional level camera and lens in order to be successful and get the image results you are looking for.
If you do not have a professional level camera or lens, we would highly recommend purchasing or renting them.
- DSLR or mirrorless camera with non-extended, "native" ISO to at least 12,800 and shutter speeds to at least 30 secs
- Wide angle lens with a aperture of f/2.8 or larger and a full frame equivalent of 14 - 24 mm
- A sturdy tripod (long exposures require it to be very stable)
- Shutter release cord or intervalometer
- Extra batteries
- Headlamp with a red filter
- Small flashlight
If you need to purchase or rent ANY of the required equipment - please, feel free to contact Craig at 520.732.1440 to help you get set up.
Recommended Items:
- Warm clothes (as the night gets later it does get cooler)
- Gloves and hat
- Hiking Boots
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and Beverages
- Personal Toiletries for the overnight camping
- Small camp pillow
- Personal water bottle
- Folding camping portable chair. We do a lot of standing.
What You Will Learn:
Techniques we will be focusing on:
- Single shot Milky Way astrophotography
- "Low Level Light" painting techniques
- Introduction to post processing
Against the vast expanse of the starlit sky, the Milky Way provides a spectacular background to the miles of mesas on the desert floor of Monument Valley.
We will also take a look at:
- The best times to photograph the Milky Way
- How to find the best dark sky location
- Best equipment to use
- How to focus in the dark
- How to set exposure and ISO
- Rule of 400 / 500 / 600
- Identifying other lights in the night sky
What You’ll Need For Processing Class:
More Details:
Participants: Limit 8
Experience Level: Beginner to Intermediate - Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is designed for the beginner to intermediate photographer as defined below:
- Beginner I : Someone having a strong knowledge and firm understanding of their camera with "little to no" experience in astrophotography.
- Beginner II : Someone having a strong knowledge and firm understanding of their camera and have "tried" their hand at astrophotography.
- Intermediate : Someone having a strong knowledge and firm understanding of their camera with "some" experience in astrophotography.
Endurance Level: Moderate - Light hiking is involved, but nothing too strenuous. Our guides will drive to each location then hike to the best position.
Transportation: We will car pool to the tribal park and meet up with our guides / outfitter who will provide transportation within the park.
Workshop Dates:
Workshop 1 : April 16, 2022 to April 19, 2023
Hotel Arrival Date: April 15, 2023 or Morning of April 16, 2023
**Welcome Reception Lunch is at 12 noon on April 16, 2023
Departure Date: April 20, 2023
Click here to reserve your spot. *Sold Out
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Workshop 2 : June 15, 2023 to June 18, 2023
Hotel Arrival Date: June 14, 2023 or Morning of June 15, 2023
**Welcome Reception Lunch is at 12 noon on June 15, 2023.
Departure Date: June 19, 2023
Click here to reserve your spot. *Sold Out
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Workshop 3 : September 11, 2023 to September 14, 2023
Hotel Arrival Date: September 10, 2023 or Morning of September 11, 2023
**Welcome Reception Lunch is at 12 noon on September 11, 2023.
Departure Date: September 15, 2023
Click here to reserve your spot.
Arriving In Monument Valley By Air:
*Please plan on arriving in Bluff no later than 12 noon on the first day of the workshop. This may require you to arrive the day before the start of the workshop.
Closest Airports:
The Durango - La Plata County Airport (DRO) is the primary regional airport for southwest Colorado, northwest New Mexico and the Four Corners.
Durango Airport is 2.5 hours from our base hotel in Bluff, Utah
The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG), Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff Airport is 3.5 hours from our base hotel in Bluff, Utah
Rental Cars:
There are rental cars available at both airports.
Lodging:
Desert Rose Resort & Cabins - A Boutique Style Resort offering Affordable Luxury!
Our home base for this workshop will be at the beautiful Desert Rose in Bluff, Utah where we have reserved a block of rooms at a reduced rate for you to make your own reservations. Hotel number is 435-672-2303.
*Note: To receive your reduced rate tell the hotel you are booking with Mike's Camera / Craig Wennersten.
*Please plan on arriving in Bluff no later than 12 noon on the first day of the workshop. This may require you to arrive the day before the start of the workshop.
Price For Workshop:
$ 2,995.00 For Photographer Participant
$ 1,495.00 For Non - Photographer Guest
Click here to reserve your spot.
( Non - Photographer is a person that is not carrying a camera. For this specific workshop everyone attending needs a space reserved for them. Everything below will be included in the non - photographer guest price with the exception of the photography instruction part. )
The cost of the workshop includes:
- 4 Nights of sunset (or sunrise) and astrophotography instruction by Craig Wennersten
- Welcome reception lunch on our first day
- Dinner together on one night
- 3 Nights of Navajo guided adventure
- One night under the stars camping photo journey in Hunt's Mesa with our Navajo outfitter
- 2 Navajo meals on Hunt's Mesa (dinner and breakfast)
- Post processing instruction using Lightroom Classic
- Transportation within the park
- Local guide fees and gratuities
- All permits, access fees and park entrance fees
- Plus...all the Milky Way Bars you can eat! :-). Book Here
This workshop DOES NOT included: Transportation to/from Bluff, Utah, flights or car rental, lodging.
Hope To See You There! Keep Looking Up!
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need any help with your gear or equipment requirements. I am happy to help!
