Nelson Ghost Town Dark Sky Edition

  • Attendees: 10

  • Three nights in Nelson (15 hours of access)

  • 9 Hours of educational modules.

  • Physical Effort : Moderate (See Physical Requirement section below.)

  • Skill Level: All

  • $1695 per person ($250 deposit reserves.)

  • Add Goffs for $300

A Night Photography Adventure

It's all about the dark!

Looking for a weird and interesting place to photograph under starry skies and in the safety of a group? We've taken our always-sold-out ghost town workshop and deleted the moonlight! If you've attended our full moon events here, a completely different experience awaits you.

Topics We'll Cover

- Setting your gear up for success after dark

- Focus stacking for night.

-High ISO Photography

- Star trails.

- Stacking and tracking for lower noise.

- High ISO Processing Workflows.

- Night Time HDR processing.

- Light Painting

- Blending foregrounds and skies.

Nelson Ghost Town - What Is This Place?

Gas pumps, old cars, rickety buildings, soda machines, creepy dolls, crashed aircraft, and a phone booth.

Located 43 miles southeast of Las Vegas, Nelson Ghost Town is a privately owned, self contained collection of weirdness and wonder…and it’s growing.

The Spaniards called it El Dorado thanks to gold discovery which would eventually lead to one of Nevada's biggest mining booms of the time. These days, the mines remain and what little gold left untouched inside them isn't worth the cost it would take to extract.

Over the last several years, the property has become a stop over for tourists, adventure seekers and has occasionally served as the backdrop to movie and television productions. Thanks to the owner's self described "hoarding tendencies," unique and interesting subjects continue to get added to the grounds as he scours the southwest for anything and everything that he thinks belongs there.

While they welcome visitors during daylight hours, try as you might to shoot after dark and they will run you off quicker than a flash flood. The owners are rightfully protective of their jewel of the desert and as one of the signs says "You Better Not Be Here After Dark." That is, unless you have their blessing.

Our three night workshop gives us access to everything that Nelson has to offer and is set on both sides of a rarely travelled, dead end road a few miles from the Colorado River.

Travel / Logistics / Other Considerations

  • Travel, including airfare, rental car, and lodging, is the responsibility of each attendee. The nearest airport is McCarran (Las Vegas), and our presentations will take place in Boulder City. A host hotel will be available at a discounted group rate. If you prefer, there are plenty of other hotels nearby.

  • Our shoot location is about a 30-minute drive from the hotel, mostly along the highway—an easy route you’ll memorize after your first trip.

  • Meals are on your own. While Boulder City offers several restaurant options, there’s nothing near the workshop site, so plan to bring food and drinks with you. Keep in mind, the desert air is very dry—water is essential, even at night.

  • On site, you’ll have access to a working bathroom, and in most areas you should be able to get a cell signal.

Special Guest

I am thrilled to welcome this workshop’s special guest and personal friend, Mr. Ken Lee.


Ken is an accomplished light painter and author who has been featured in National Geographic among others. Much of his work is instantly recognizable thanks to his unique style. Ken is also known for his incredible star trail compositions that incorporate cars, busses, buildings and landscapes from Joshua Tree to the Trona Pinnacles and beyond under moonlight and starlight.

Physical Requirements (New)

Participants should be in good physical health. A disruption to the group due to 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.

Welcome to Goffs

About 90 minutes south of Nelson lies the little Route 66 town of Goffs, a micro-community cared for by some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet.

For photographers drawn to the echoes of the past, Goffs is a treasure. You’ll find the locally famous Mojave Road Bus, vintage railroad signals and signs, a replica train station, and even a caboose converted into living space. Add in old mining equipment, windmills, gas pumps, weathered cars, and the distant rumble of freight trains—and you’ve got a full night of atmospheric shooting. Look closely and you may even spot a quirky collection of gnomes and frogs tucked away on the property.

Like Nelson, this is an enclosed, private site—a safe, welcoming space where we have full permission to photograph everything. Better yet, you can stay overnight in one of the on-site trailers. Imagine finishing your shoot, walking a few steps to your trailer, and calling it a night. If you prefer a hotel, Needles is the closest town, about 30 minutes away.

Our visit includes a BBQ hangout followed by a curfew-free night of photography—shoot as late as you like. The add-on price for this experience is $300 per person, which covers access, dinner, and overnight lodging in a camper trailer.

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. You can secure your space with a $350 deposit with the remainder due 90 days prior to our event. The Nelson Ghost Town workshop is $1695. Add the Goffs Bonus night (includes shoot and lodging) for $300.

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."