Death Valley is one of the most spectacular areas in the world and the largest national park in the continental U.S. covering more than 3.5 million acres. It offers some of the most diverse and unusually beautiful landscapes imaginable. It actually boasts an elevation at one point that is 282 feet below sea level! 

   Light Fantastic returns to Death Valley for our 16th year. We never tire of returning to Death Valley as it looks different each year and sometimes each day. We have participants who have repeated the tour as many as 7 times. We choose our spring tour in March since, if the rainfall has cooperated, we will have the best chance of a wildlflower bloom and plenty of reflecting pools of water.

Although we re-visit some of the same spots every year it is always a new experience. The dunes are constantly changing (even overnight) and the skies can explode with color at sunrise and sunset.

We will photograph spectacular sand dunes at sunrise and sunset as they light up and cast shadows of dramatic graphic shapes and patterns, and are surrounded by the majestic Panamint mountain range. The sand dunes are all about the play of light and shadow and, as the sun get higher in the sky, the shadows change constantly. At some point, even the footprints are photogenic!  

In the spring wildflowers may blanket the desert floor in certain areas. Although wildflowers are a bonus, the standing water is more spectacular in terms of reflection opportunities. The saltwater pools at Badwater with reflections of the Panamint Range are the best example of the salt phenomena. As the water evaporates it creates new and always changing salt patterns. The saltwater pools at Badwater with reflections of the Panamint Range are the best example of the salt phenomena. 

Sunrise will find us one morning at Zabriskie Point with its world famous rock formations including the Manly Beacon. We will shoot the graphic salt patterns on the Valley floor and the colorful pastel rock deposits at Artist's Palette. The mineral oxidations provide a beautiful array of reds, browns, oranges, pinks, purples and greens.

From the very high vista at Dante's View, we will see the abstract salt patterns far below on the Valley floor at the lowest elevation point, and view the highest point on the North American continent.

We will visit Rhyolite, an authentic miner's ghost town with building ruins, structures that are being restored, and a very unusual art sculpture garden. We will have some fun with light painting after dark.

And, amongst this barren land, the extraordinary Scotty's Castle beckons us with some unusual photo ops. This Spanish style mansion, built in the 1920's is full of interesting architecture, angles and photo opportunities.

Come join us for a truly unique desert experience!

Death Valley weather in spring should be in the 80's during the day and 50-60's at night.

Death Valley is about a 8-9 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay area and about 4-5 hours from the Los Angeles area by car. There is spectacular scenery along Highway I5 from the Bay Area in the spring and crossing the mountains and high desert.

Death Valley is about a 8-9 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay area and about 4-5 hours from the Los Angeles area by car. There is spectacular scenery along Highway I5 from the Bay Area in the spring and crossing the mountains and high desert. If traveling by air you will fly into Las Vegas and can rent a car. It is about 160 miles or appx. 3 hours from Las Vegas, depending on traffic leaving the city. Click here to read a remarkable story about Death Valley:
"A Wildlife Encounter of the Oscar Kind"

Click here to view photos taken by previous Death Valley attendees on our Client Photo Gallery

"Thank you for organizing such a wonderful trip and for your patient and tireless instruction to novices like me. Not only am I a better photographer for the experience thanks largely to Gale's superior instruction, but I have some wonderful memories hanging on my wall." Death Valley 02, V. Lewis, NJ

"My experience was one of the most enjoyable times in my life. The desert is a wonderful place and the companionship was priceless. I wish to offer my sincere thanks for all your hard prep work and great instruction. I know I am much better for the experience, both as a photographer and as a person. It is experiences like this that help make us what we are."Death Valley '05, S. Albrecht, CA

"I will never forget the Death Valley Photo Tour. I will always remember the wonderful people I met, especially you and your great sense of humor, the early mornings, and everyone's beautiful photographs, which were very inspiring. I have come away with more appreciation of a great picture, greater technical skill as a photographer myself, and wonderful memories which I shall treasure forever." Death Valley '05, S. Kuykendall, CA

"I loved the casual and non-competitive atmosphere. I also liked your role as tutor & tour guide rather than that of a professor teaching a workshop. This was exactly my speed." Death Valley, '08, M. Blanchette, NH

"I got a much higher percentage of keepers on this trip than any other similar trip that I've taken. The venue was superb." Death Valley '08, R. Baron, NJ

"Words cannot express how much I enjoyed the tour. The heart and quality of instruction that you brought to the tour made it a more than perfect vacation. I am still basking in the experience. Death Valey, '09, G. Silver, CA

"You are very good at what you do and you work very hard to make your tours a delightful experience for everyone." Death Valley '09, T. Scussel, CA

"Gale, you excel at creating the right ambiance for learning, camaraderie, and synergy. 2010, C. Morton, FL

"You touch people and leave a lasting creative impression." 2010, T. Scussel, Ca

"I had a wonderful trip to Death Valley where I met up with old friends and met some new friends. The sand dunes are AWESOME, like being on another planet. 2011. J. Thornton

" The people made this a tour to remember. You were a terrific sport as well as being super helpful. Thank you! I wish you the best and hope I’ll see you again in the future." 2012, R. Strutzel, FL