Nelson Ghost Town Photography Workshop

JOSHUA TREE and

Borrego Springs

Attendees: 8
Hosts: 2
Five nights (nearly 25 hours) of field shooting.
9 Hours of educational modules.
Physical Effort : Easy to Moderate (Walking on varying terrain, Standing)
Skill Level: All
$1995 per person

A Night Photography Adventure

June 21 -26, 2025

There is nothing more "otherworldly" and meditatve than a night under the stars in Joshua Tree National Park. Well, nothing except three nights under the stars!

Joshua Tree is universally known in the photography community as being a paradise for creatives, especially when paired with the night sky. The never ending subjects awaiting your lens with a backdrop of alien landscapes guarantee every photography an opportunity to have an incredible creative experience.

With personalized attention, you'll learn to navigate your equipment with confidence and capture the celestial dance above Joshua Tree's distinctive landscape. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the desert night as you hone your photography skills, leaving with a portfolio of mesmerizing astro-landscape photography.

Join your host Timothy Little with guest Ken Lee as we venture into the park to photograph some of the very best locations Joshua Tree has to offer. For each evening we will be visiting a minimum of two locations and photographing a mix of nature and abandonment.

Some of the locations we'll be photographing includes Wonderland Ranch, Ryan's Ranch, Cap Rock, Keys View, Jumbo Rocks and more.!

Borrego Springs

Have you ever spent the night hunting dinosaurs, giant scorpions and a serpent hundreds of feet long? Would you like to?

Borrego Springs, nestled in the heart of the Anza-Borrego Desert in California, offers a unique canvas for night photography enthusiasts. Renowned for its status as an International Dark Sky Community, the town provides an exceptional opportunity to capture the celestial wonders above. With minimal light pollution, photographers can explore the art of capturing the Milky Way and constellations against the expansive desert sky.

One of Borrego Springs' iconic features is the Galleta Meadows Estate, home to a striking collection of metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda. These colossal sculptures, ranging from prehistoric creatures to mythical beings, dot the desert landscape, creating a surreal and captivating setting for photography. As night falls, the interplay of these creatures and starry skies adds an extra dimension to these metallic giants, making them fascinating subjects for long-exposure shots and bringing an otherworldly quality to the desert nightscapes.

After our three nights of photographing Joshua Tree, we will head south for two additional nights of photography with a primary focus on these metal sculptures spread across the area.

Here you will have the opportunity to shoot Milky Way compositions and star trails with subjects ripe for light painting.

What We'll Be Covering

Whether you're brand new to night photography or a seasoned professional, we've put together a comprehensive series of learning modules designed to help get you great photographs.

As this is a workshop scheduled to occur close to the new moon, our primary focus will on "astro-landscape" photography. Topics covered will include:

1) High ISO settings, when and why.

2) Low ISO tracking techniques.

3) Multi image stacking for both noise reduction and focus.

4) Weather for Astro : Introduction to astronomy atmospherics.

5) Light painting for Milky Way shoots.

6) Star Trailing and related processing.

7) Beginner and Advance Milky Way processing options using Lightroom and Photoshop.

And more!

In The Field

We understand that everyone learns differently. Our intention is always to be there to encourage you, answer your questions and assist you on your creative journey during this experience. Whether you need extra help, or you prefer to be more of a loner, we'll be there for you in the field when you need us. We are not there to get our own shots but will photograph for demonstration and educational purposes. We're on your time and this event is all about you!

Timothy Little is night photographer, educator and author that lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He's lead over 100 night photography workshops and 400 guided night photography tours.

In his own words " My commitment to you is to offer a fun and educational experience in a positive atmosphere. As my friends hear me say, I don't shoot for NASA and that's my way of reminding you that night photography is art and appreciating these moments under the night sky is why we do this. If you're new to night photography, I hope you get the same feeling of wonder I experienced (and still do) when I attended my first few workshops. And if you've been doing this for a while, I hope meeting new people and seeing these locations continue to energize and push forward your creativity."

Why This Event and These Hosts?

From Tim:

Photography workshops aren't just about learning. They're also about making friends, sharing experiences, laughing, collaborating and returning home with great photography, new or refreshed skills, and memories.

My underlying methodology to this and all of my events is to make everyone feel comfortable and at ease. People get the most out of their time and further tap into their creativity when they are relaxed, feel like they are in a safe environment and have hosts that are highly accessible. Neither Ken nor I will photograph during these events unless it is for demonstration purposes or if there is a point where everyone is happily "doing their own thing."

Some people come to our events because they're looking for a place to start their night photography journey, others are continuing their journey and some are looking to find the right "workshop vibe" in their favorite locations to rediscover their creativity.

Whatever your reason, we are committed to making sure you achieve your goals. Quite frankly, you're probably not going to find two nicer hosts.

Thank you for considering an event with us. We know your time is valuable.

Logistics

Air Travel

Attendees are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation to and from the workshop experience. These are the airport options:

To Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park is located in southeastern California, and there are several airports that you can consider when planning a trip to the park. The closest airports to Joshua Tree National Park include:

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): This is the closest major airport, located approximately 40 miles south of the park. It is a convenient option with various domestic and international flights.

Ontario International Airport (ONT): Located about 120 miles northwest of Joshua Tree, this airport is another option, especially if you can find more convenient flights or better fares.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): While further away (about 160 miles west of Joshua Tree), LAX is a major international airport with a wide range of flight options. The drive from LAX to Joshua Tree takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. San Diego International Airport (SAN): Situated about 180 miles southwest of Joshua Tree, San Diego International Airport is another possibility if you're combining a visit to the park with other destinations.

From Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs, California, is a small desert town located in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The town does not have its own airport, and the nearest airports are some distance away. The closest airports to Borrego Springs include:

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): Located approximately 80 miles northwest of Borrego Springs, Palm Springs International Airport is one of the closest airports with commercial flights. The drive from Palm Springs to Borrego Springs takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

San Diego International Airport (SAN): Situated about 90 miles southwest of Borrego Springs, San Diego International Airport is another option. The drive from San Diego to Borrego Springs takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD): This smaller airport is located in Carlsbad, California, approximately 90 miles southwest of Borrego Springs. The drive from McClellan-Palomar Airport to Borrego Springs takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.

Food and Lodging

Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their food and lodging.

Joshua Tree

This area has MANY restaurants from which to choose especially in nearby Yucca Valley. You will not be disappointed with the offerings. Additionally there are many grocery and supply stores in the area.

Attendees should plan on brining snacks for the night shoots and LOTS of water. It's the desert!

There are many great places to stay in the Joshua Tree, Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms area. Whether you prefer a motel, or the privacy of an airbnb, there is something for everyone. We suggest staying in one of these areas in order to have the best access to the field shoot locations, stores and restaurants.

Borrego Springs

All though this areas is much smaller than Joshua Tree, you will find an assortment of southwest and Mexican fare, burgers and breakfasts. In short, you've got options!

As with Joshua Tree, please plan on stocking up on snacks and WATER for our evening shoots.

There are at least six motels in the Borrego Springs area along with a small collection of Airbnb/VRBO options. Staying in this area results in the shortest drives to and from our photography subjects.

However, Coachella valley is approximately 90 minutes/74 miles away and has a larger selection of lodging if you don't mind the drive time and distance. There are also smaller towns along the way that may have options that meet your needs.

Rental Cars

Attendees will need a rental car for this event due to the amount of locations and distances we will be traveling. Participants who know each other are encouraged to carpool. The longest drives will likely be to and from the airports and for our one way trip from Joshua Tree to Borrego Springs.

"I am a night photographer. I drive long hours in a dusty car listening to weird music, stay out all night creating photos, get dirty, hang out with other creative sleep-deprived weirdos, see the stars drift across the sky, and always find the best taco stands.

I have been exploring the Southwestern United States as well as parts of the East Coast for over nine years, brandishing a camera, tripod, and colored flashlight. I especially love creating night photos of abandoned historical places, unique features, and beautiful landscapes. These are experiences that I absolutely cherish.

I also currently have several books of night photography of abandoned locales released, and more that I am working on with a publisher. My images have appeared in National Geographic Books, Omni Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Westways Magazine, and numerous other publications. I've also won numerous awards."