Landscape Photography Hike

Explore the South Wonderland of Rocks, an iconic area with some of the largest rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park, on this full-day hike-and-shoot excursion. Workshops are a great place to refine your photographic skills in terms of technique and composition or to work on a new skill you would like to develop. Your instructor and guide, Jon, will provide one-on-one coaching while taking in some of the park’s most stunning natural landscapes and visually interesting cultural sites (with architectural ruins), such as the Wall Street Mill and Wonderland Ranch. This workshop will be relaxed and slow-paced, so you can work on specific techniques while receiving guidance from an experienced landscape photographer. This workshop is open to all levels of experience. Students provide their own photography equipment.

Activity level: Moderate/Challenging

You can expect light walking on maintained dirt trails and pathways, up to five miles, while carrying all camera gear and supplies needed for the day. We will not be returning to cars until the class ends. Please contact us if you have questions about your ability to participate.

PROGRAM AGENDA

We’ll start with a quick workshop orientation session to review camera gear, go over the itinerary, and answer any questions. Then we’ll spend the morning hiking and photographing as we explore several great locations. We’ll take an in-field lunch break and continue hiking to fascinating locations that blend amazing landscapes with man-made artifacts. During the day, you’ll have plenty of time to ask questions and practice your new learning.

Please note: There is no cell service in the park! Please allow ample time to arrive at the meeting location; park entrances may be very busy on weekends (see FAQs). Please make sure you check weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Get to know your instructor:

Jon Norris is a professional landscape photographer and workshop guide, a JTNPA business member, and a Desert Institute volunteer. Jon offers one-to-one and small group workshops, plus photographic adventure tours, in Joshua Tree National Park. He started taking photos at 14 with his trusty Zenit 10, teaching himself the fundamentals of photography via countless rolls of poorly exposed 35 mm film. Born in the UK, Jon spent 25 years working in aerospace engineering (15 years while living in France and Germany). As a recovering engineer, he now divides his time between marketing and photography and lives in Lake Forest, OC.

What's included?

• First aid and emergency supplies for the group

What's not included?

• Admission to Joshua Tree National Park
• Meals, Lodging, or Transportation
• Photography equipment

What's to bring:

The essentials for all field courses:

• Water, between 3 and 4 liters per person for a full day outing
• Food and snacks, easily packed and eaten in the field (please leave no trace)
• Close-toed athletic shoes or hiking boots; no sandals, not even hiking sandals!
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen;  light-colored long-sleeved shirts are recommended and very effective on hot days
• Warm layers for cooler mornings/evenings (it can be surprisingly cold!)
• Backpack to carry food, water, and any personal items you need for the day

Required for this course:

• Digital camera (DSLR or Mirrorless)
• If you have a camera with interchangeable lenses, you may bring multiple lenses (cleaned!) if you would like to, but limit yourself to no more than 2-3 lenses (as you’ll be hiking with them). 
• prime lens around 24mm, a 24-70mm, or a 24-105mm zoom lens (full frame focal length) will work well for most of what we’ll photograph from sunrise to sunset, f4 to f6.5 - doesn’t have to be a fast lens.
• 70-200mm zoom lens – or longer (full frame focal length) will work well for the more intimate photographs that we’ll be shooting.
• Extra camera batteries (charged)
• Spare memory cards
• Camera/lens cleaning supplies
• Your camera manual. You must know at least the basic functions of your camera. We'll go through what else you need to know during the workshop
• Small backpack or camera bag

Recommended for this course (but not required):

• Notebook and pencil are always good to have
• Sturdy tripod
• Remote shutter release
• If you have a circular polarizing filter, bring it (cleaned). Don't forget the filter holders/lens adaptors (if required)