Join us for a four-day workshop in the high desert of Eastern California, visiting exciting locations such as historical Bodie, Mono Lake, Convict Lake, Bristlecone Pine Forest, Sabrina Lake and the Alabama Hills.

This workshop is one of our most diverse. We will spend time shooting landscapes during the day, and the stars once it gets dark. The extreme contrast of the Eastern Sierra is a photographer's paradise from mountains and streams to the alien landscapes of the Alabama Hills. The Eastern Sierra mountain range runs almost 400 Miles in length, so the photographic possibilities are endless. We will begin in Mono Lake and Bodie exploring the north end of scenic highway 395. We will then take you south to explore the amazing areas around Bishop and Lone Pine.

Long before this area was a beacon for landscape photographers it was a hub for rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts who knew of a grand landscape filled with endless possibility to explore, all under one of the state's most amazing views. Spend a few days with the Aperture Academy as we photograph some of the best this area has to offer!

Orientation - We will meet for a workshop orientation the evening before the workshop begins at 9pm. This will be a good chance for everyone to meet and get to know one another before our early start the next morning.

Day 1 - We will begin this workshop by photographing the sunrise over the surreal tufa formations of Mono Lake, one of the most recognizable and iconic locations for landscape photography in the Western United States. From Mono Lake, we will spend the afternoon photographing the ghost town of Bodie. In the late 1800s, the town of Bodie was a thriving outpost in the search for gold, and its more remote location aided its reputation for lawlessness and mayhem. The early 1900s saw a severe decline in population, and ultimately the town was abandoned. Now, thanks to preservation efforts from the State of California, the town is in a protected state of "arrested decay" and a true photographer's playground. You will have ample time to wander the area and capture a true piece of Americana!

Day 2 - We'll visit a few of the local lakes including Convict Lake and June lake and marvel at the views of the Sierra range from along the Owens River. In the evening we will visit and shoot the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest high above the Owens River Valley, photographing the world's oldest living things. The sunset will fade but that won't be the end to our photography. When the sky turns to night we'll capture some amazing night sky imagery with these iconic trees as a subject matter. If you've taken our Dark Side Class this is a perfect follow up course to really put those skills into practice. If you've never taken a night photography course, THIS is a tremendous opportunity to learn a new skill.

Day 3 - We'll spend some more time visiting a few of the local lakes including North Lake and Sabrina Lake. This area has numerous possibilities for capturing diverse and amazing images in one of California's best areas for landscape photography

Day 4 - On our last morning we will explore the other-worldly landscape of the Alabama Hills looking at the famous archways and perhaps the grandest vista of the Range of Light, highlighted by mighty Mt Whitney. This landscape feels unlike anything you have ever seen before! We will then drive back to the hotel and spend the final part of the workshop on the best practices and techniques to post-process your new images.

Lodging from the nights of August 9th through the evening of August 12th is included in the August 2019 workshop. We will be staying in comfortable lodges close to the many diverse landscapes the Eastern Sierra Region has to offer.

For our first few evenings we will overnight at the Lake View Lodge in Lee Vining. The town of Lee Vining, which was originally named Lake View, is at the junction of Highway 395 and State Highway 120, overlooking majestic Mono Lake. This Lodge is centrally located in a region known as the "Gateway to Yosemite.” The lodge is situated among mature trees, expansive lawns and has many brightly colored flowers. There are restaurants, a grocery store, and more within walking distance from your room.

Our next few evenings will be at the Holiday Inn Express in Bishop. The town was named after Bishop Creek, which was named after Samuel Addison Bishop, a settler in the Owens Valley. This hotel has a heated pool, whirlpool and sauna, so feel free to bring a bathing suit and relax!

• A wide angle lens starting at 16-18mm. (If you have a crop sensor you need 16-18mm equivalency. If you’re unsure what this means please email us!)
• A zoom lens that will allow you to zoom up to about 100mm. Longer than 100mm is fine too.
• Be sure to bring your shutter release cord or intervalometer (Ideally a corded model that plugs in as remotes are notoriously problematic.)
• A sturdy tripod that will allow you to adjust for horizontal as well as vertical compositions.
• Extra Memory. Ideally you should have at least four memory cards of 16gb or greater.
• Extra battery + your charger. Long exposure night photography will consume more power than you may be used to.
• Filters. Optional but if you have them, bring them. A polarizer and graduated neutral density filter is a great tool to have along just in case. Your laptop, and a good camera backpack. if you are bringing your laptop and would like to back-up your cards, be sure to bring a memory card reader and an external hard drive.

Meet our master instructors and learn what qualifies them to give you a great experience during your workshops! While you're joining us, you will receive comprehensive digital photography instruction and tutoring by our team of award-winning photographers.

My name is Mike Wardynski, AKA Nature Mike.

I’m a landscape and travel photographer based out of Oakland California. Although the city is where I live, nature is where I feel at home. Growing up in rural Michigan, I had the desire to travel and document my adventure along the way.

After graduating with a broadcasting degree and realizing I was a much better photographer than musician, I packed up my van and headed out west to a little park known as Yosemite. There I would spend the next three and a half years working in the wilderness department for The Yosemite Conservancy. It was during those years that I deliberately made the decision to dive headfirst into the photographic rabbit hole for good. While working in the park, I spent much of my time lugging camera gear around the high country and hanging out with my friends at the Ansel Adams Gallery.

I currently reside in the SF Bay Area where I work as a photography instructor. My travels have given me the opportunity to photograph the erupting Kiluaea volcano from air, as well as document dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. I’ve witnessed unbelievable light unfold before me and in an instant disappear. Those are the moments that I live for. I love sharing my passion for photography and nature with others and I’m grateful for the path that has lead me here.

Scott Donschikowski is a professional photographer, speaker and instructor of photographic arts and digital darkroom techniques. He is a master of the digital workflow, is an Adobe Certified Expert and has taught and lectured all over California about the benefits of becoming proficient in the digital darkroom.

Scott is a versatile photographer, specializing in architecture, lifestyle and landscapes but also having completed work in weddings, editorials, events and product photography. He has worked extensively covering events for the City of San Jose and has contracted his work out to a number of local businesses providing them with his own unique style of photographic imagery.

A tech geek at heart, when Scott is not out taking pictures in his native California, he spends his time writing for numerous blogs, maintaining several websites, reviewing photography gear, and refining his digital darkroom craft. He is also an avid astrophotographer and when the available light runs out, he brings out his telescope and captures images of the heavens above.

The workshop fee is $1,595. (Single Supplement: $700 ) Due to the exclusivity of this trip, and the limited number of seats available, refunds are as follows:

• 100% refundable: 150 days (five months) or greater
• No refund within 150 days or less of the start date
• Seats are transferrable

The workshop/tour price includes:

• Double occupancy lodging in Lee Vining and Bishop (4 nights)
• Transportation from our meeting location, to the other workshop locations, then back to our meeting location.

The workshop/tour price DOES NOT include:

• Transportation to/from our meeting location
• Food
• Alcoholic beverages
• Instructor gratuities
• Travel insurance

• Sierra Day & Night 4-Day Workshop - Jul. 2018
• Sierra Day & Night 4-Day Workshop - Sept. 2017
• Sierra/Bodie Day & Night 4-Day Workshop - Sept. 2016
• Bodie/Mono 2-Day Workshop - August 2015
• Eastern Sierra 2-Day Workshop - August 2015
• Bodie/Mono 2-Day Workshop - August 2014
• Eastern Sierra 2-Day Workshop - August 2014
• Bodie/Mono 2-Day Workshop - August 2013
• Eastern Sierra 2-Day Workshop - July 2013
• Bodie/Mono 2-Day Workshop - August 2012
• Eastern Sierra 2-Day Workshop - July 2012