JOSHUA TREE and
Borrego Springs
Attendees: 10
Five nights (nearly 25 hours) of field shooting.
9 Hours of educational modules.
Physical Effort : Moderate (See Physical Requirement section below.)
Skill Level: All
$1995 per person
A Night Photography Adventure
June 11-16, 2026
Joshua Tree
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!
But Won't It Be Hot?
We know what you're thinking - why June in Joshua Tree? The main reason for this is due to the Milky Way alignments and rise time during this month. You don't have to stay up late to catch the core, and when it rises it is not buried in the light pollution of Palm Springs.
As far as the temperature goes, you might be surprised to know that in 2025 there were nights that we wore sweatshirts and in 2024 the temperature during out shoot in Joshua Tree did not exceed 72! It is very comfortable! Remember, this is a night photography workshop. Yes, you can expect hot temps during the day but you can enjoy that in air-conditioning.
Borrego Springs is typically in the eighties overnight but it is dry. You may be a little warm, but you won't be hot. We've had no complaints from previous workshop attendees!
Physical Requirements
Participants should be in good physical health. A disruption to the group due to a known health limitations or over-stating capabilities can spoil the experience for everyone, not just you
The field shoot of this event occurs on uneven terrain, around potential obstacles including but not limited to old vehicles, sharp objects, vegetation that could include cactus or pointed branches and desert wildlife - all after dark.
When registering for this workshop, you are certifying the following:
You can carry your camera gear throughout the field shoot without assistance.
You are not taking medications that are known to cause dizziness or compromise balance as a potential side effect.
At least six months have passed since having surgeries that impact mobility including but not limited to knee, shoulder or back correction.
Have not fallen at another group event due to medical or balance issues within the last 12 months.
If it was apparent that you had a mobility or health challenge at a previous event that put you at risk of fall or injury , we may ask for clearance from a health professional prior to approving enrollment.
Cancellation Policy
Deposits & Payments
Deposit due at registration; balance due by the posted deadline.
Unpaid balances by deadline → deposit forfeited and spot released.
Refunds
91+ days before event: Refund minus 30% of tuition.
90 days or less before event: No refunds (deposit or balance).
Participants may sell their space to someone else, but must handle reimbursement themselves.
If Organizer Cancels
You’ll be offered a rescheduled date or credit for another event within 1 year
Early Departure
If participant leaves the event early for any reason, there are no credits or refunds.
Travel Responsibility
Attendees are responsible for their own safety and risks while traveling
How to Register:
Please click the button below to register. The workshop enrollment is $1995. Hold your space with a $350 deposit. The balance due 90 days prior to the start of the event. Please review the cancellation policy below prior to registering for our event.
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."
"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."
