Capture the West 2025
EASTERN SIERRA NEVADA, CALIFORNIA
AUGUST 27-30 (wednesday–saturday)
$2,595 ALL INCLUSIVE
Get inspired and hone your skills on a three day/three night, adventure filled,
Milky Way and landscape workshop in a heavenly setting!
(Limited to Five Students)
This unforgettable Milky Way & Landscape Photography Workshop will explore Mammoth Lakes, Owen’s Valley, and Hot Creek Geologic Site. These gorgeous locations provide a beautiful and unique setting for nightscape images, and the bucolic Owen’s Valley, with its meandering creek, offers tranquil compositions for sunrise. This trip will allow you to explore the moon’s ambient glow as it gently illuminates your foreground composition, revealing rich detail and depth in your images.
Join us to experience the cool mountain air and classic beauty of this amazing destination in the heat of summer. Our small group of five will take advantage of every night to capture the gorgeous night sky as a backdrop to amazing foregrounds that include unforgettable geological features!
WHERE WE WILL TRAVEL
Eastern Sierra Nevada Range
According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey, the region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains provides evidence of ongoing mountain building, meaning that technically they’re continuing to be built. The range is growing by about a millimetre each year. The shape of the mountains are influenced by the shifting of tectonic plates beneath the surface of the Earth.
The Sierra Nevada stretches 400 miles from Fredonyer Pass in the north, to Tehachapi Pass in the south.
The name Sierra Nevada is Spanish for ‘Snowy Mountains’.
Archaeological excavations place the Martis people of Paleo-Indians in the Sierra Nevada during the period of 3,000 BC to around 500 AD.
The Sierra Nevada’s most common nickname is the “Range of Light”. This description comes from the unusually light-coloured granite found on the mountains, exposed by glacial movements.
One of America’s most famous lakes, Lake Tahoe, is found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The lake is 1,000 feet deep.
15% of the Sierra Nevada is listed as designated conservation land. It is home to giant sequoia trees, which grow up to heights of 325 feet.
Mount Whitney is the highest summit in the region, with an elevation of 14,505 feet.
The gold nuggets found in January 1848 on the American River (near present-day Placerville, California) ushered in The California Gold Rush, which occurred in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada until 1855.
Before You Book Your Trip,
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Allow Me to Introduce Myself
It is my privilege to share with you my knowledge of photography, which was instilled during my childhood by my late father and mentor, Lowell Anson Kenyon, Chief of the Office of Photography for the Smithsonian Institution.
My style is upbeat, and enthusiastic, and l provide a positive learning environment that nurtures your art, and grounds you in best practices through personalized instruction. My tips and time-tested techniques will help you pursue your brand of photography with greater purpose and with more intentional creativity.
I hope to share with you my passion, not only for capturing compelling photographs, but also for allowing yourself to be “captured” by the beauty and awe of this place – to connect with nature, and appreciate the relevance of our great western treasures.
These workshops are adventurous, and you will enjoy maximum time in the field.
There is no arguing that golden hour light is wonderful, but you will also learn how to maximize any lighting scenario, simply because we don’t always have the luxury of creating images in golden hour, or under perfect light for that matter. You will also be encouraged to use all of your lenses, whether that be a macro for Autumn still life compositions, or a telephoto to capture intimate landscape details otherwise far from view. Remember, you can always rent lenses if you don’t already own them.
To ensure you receive a well-rounded educational experience, following this workshop, I provide you with two-hours of HD video content from my Digital Darkroom series. The series is suitable for all skill levels in post processing, and use both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. If you are uncomfortable with Photoshop, please know there will be content processed solely in Lightroom.
So join me on Capture the West, where filling you with memories is as important as filling your memory cards with unforgettable images.
Trip Overview
WORKSHOP SNAPSHOT
Dates: August 27–30 (Wednesday–Saturday); Three Days/Three Nights under dark skies
Price per person: $2,595 (Includes all lodging) Deposit of $1,300 to hold your place, with final payment due approximately 120 days prior to the trip.
Group Size: Limit 5 Students
Photography Level: Beginner-Advanced
Terrain: Sandy and rocky terrain, with dangerous cliffs in some areas. All locations will be accessed by paved and dirt roads
Altitude: 7,880’
Activity Level: Moderate activity on rocky, loose gravel sloping terrain
Climate: Typically clear skies. Avg. Daytime temps: 77˚–– Avg. Nightime temps: 46˚
Nearest Town(s): Mammoth Lakes, CA
Airport(s): Reno, NV
Vehicle: All locations are accessible by passenger vehicle with average or higher clearance
Accommodations: Holiday Haus, Mammoth Lakes, Reservations under Christine Kenyon Workshop
itinerary snapshot
TRIP VITALS:
We will begin with a Meet & Greet at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27 at TBD, Mammoth Lakes, CA.
We will leave promptly at 4:00 p.m., after 3:00 p.m. check-in, on August 27 to begin scouting in the field
On Saturday morning, August 30, we will say our goodbyes after shooting sunrise
Detailed itinerary is emailed to you approximately 30 days prior to our start date
SHOOTING SCHEDULE: Our featured locations are all within 30 minutes (one way) of our accommodations. We will alternately scout and catch up on rest during our days, then head out later in the evening hours to our prime Milky Way locations. We will be out late each night, but I will make sure you have plenty of time during the day to recharge your batteries.
LODGING: Your reservations await you at the Holiday Haus, Mammoth Lakes, CA. Reference Christine Kenyon Workshop upon check in.
astronomical snapshot (approximate)
MORNING
Blue Hour: 5:40 a.m. - 5:51 a.m.
Golden Hour: 5:51 a.m. - 6:44 a.m.
Sunrise: 6:07 a.m.
EVENING
Golden Hour: 7:17 p.m. - 8:10 p.m.
Sunset: 7:54 p.m.
Blue Hour: 8:10 p.m. - 8:21 p.m.
Milky Way: 9:34 p.m. - 1:46 a.m.
*This trip features beautiful moonlight as ambient foreground light before the moon sets each night.
We plan to explore breathtaking scenery,
I can’t wait to share some of my favorite locations!
Hope you join us!
This Workshop Includes
I love sharing my knowledge of photography, and I trust these amazing places will inspire you. So come and enjoy an exciting, educational, and fun western adventure, all the while knowing that I am there to guide you through each photographic opportunity.
PLEASE NOTE: We will schedule a pre-trip Zoom meeting within 30 days of the workshop
We Will Explore (subject to change):
Bad Water Basin Salt Flats (Sunset)
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes (Sunrise)
Artist’s Palette
Zabriskie Point
Amazing locations in Alabama Hills for Milky Way photography
Instruction will Include
I will guide you through my workflow in the field, the art of approaching the scene, compositional techniques, scouting and strategy, and some creative philosophy to help you elevate your photography to new heights. From scouting and planning using my recommended phone apps, to my complete Milky Way workflow in the field, you will come away equipped with the knowledge, creative insight, and practical applications to achieve your goals.
instructional nightscape GUIDE
You will receive, via email, my “Capture the Night” guide to nightscape photography (PDF). This guide will review camera setup and settings that optimize your photography for both daytime and night photography.
PERSONALIZED Digital Darkroom INSTRUCTION
At no additional charge, each student will receive a two-hour post processing instructional video (available for download after the workshop), from my Digital Darkroom series, where I fully edit a Milky Way blue hour blend using my post processing workflow, and include the RAW files associated with the video, so that you may process the image alongside the video.
I also include a one and one half hour private session, via video conference, where I personally share with you my workflow, in order to reinforce the process, and answer your questions.
FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN
RECEIVE A DISCOUNT WHEN YOU BOOK
PRIVATE VIRTUAL SESSIONS WITH ME.
This Workshop Does Not Include
No ground transportation, or transportation to or from the workshop
No food/beverages will be provided
There is no insurance provided to cover your travel, trip, your gear, or your vehicle. (Trip insurance is recommended)
No camera gear is provided
There may be little or no cellphone coverage in the workshop locations
What to Bring
GEAR
Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with a wide aperture (i.e., f/2.8 or wider) lens.
Lenses: Wide angle: 14-24mm, Mid-range: 24-70mm, Telephoto: 70-200mm, 80-400mm, etc.(as noted in full frame focal lengths)
Solid tripod and head
Wired shutter release or wireless remote release, for long bulb-mode exposures (if camera is not equipped)
Extra batteries for everything that takes batteries. You’ll thank me.
Extra memory cards, so you don’t miss a single shot
Lens cleaner/blower to save you from dust gremlins
Circular Polarizer (if you only have one filter in your bag, this is it)
3-stop or variable neutral density (nice to have, but not required)
Laptop, or other system to backup your images each day
PERSONAL
Headlamp (did I say bring extra batteries?)
Camera bag + rainfly (yes, even in the desert)
Bring layered, warm, breathable, clothing, including a waterproof shell
Comfortable supportive footwear, wicking socks (wool or synthetic) (keep your feet happy)
Dress for the temps. Layers are recommended. Always check the local forecast as it varies.
Bring snacks and stay hydrated (hydration especially important at altitude)
Consider hand warmers for those early morning shoots, plus warm gloves or fingerless mittens
Trekking poles (better safe than sorry)
Bug repellant (highly recommend Picaridin by Sawyer for the local DEET-resistant night gnats)
Sun Glasses, hat, handkerchief (Desert sand especially hard on the eyes, handkerchief for dusty wind)
Toiletries
Requirements
You are responsible for knowing your way around your camera and its menu system. My time with each of you will be spent learning to capture great images. Please do not burden others, and get less out of this event yourself – know and practice your camera, especially if you will be using any new gear on this trip.
Ability to shoot in a variety of weather and environmental conditions from bright sun to summer storms and at elevations ranging from near sea level to over 10,000 feet in elevation, depending on the workshop.
The ability to hike one to two miles per day over uneven, hilly, and at times rough terrain, however, most locations do not involve much hiking at all.
The ability to remain flexible to make the most out of the often changing environmental conditions.
The ability to work well with others in a group setting.
Our group must stay together. Please do not wander off without telling me of your where abouts. We will be in areas with potential hazards that include exposed cliffs, unstable terrain, and wildlife.
You are responsible for knowing and following all park or jurisdictional rules. Leave No Trace. Let’s leave it better than it was! Thank you!
PLEASE NOTE: All deposits/payments received are non-refundable. Should you cancel your trip for any reason, your deposit (workshops only) may be used as a credit toward another workshop* (minus a $250 cancellation fee), for the current or following year, and 50% of any unused credit may be used for up to two years from the first day of the cancelled workshop.
Trip/travel insurance is highly recommended as no refunds are provided.
*Please refer to my Terms & Conditions when you click on the Book Now button.
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