Interested in a friendly, informative night photography workshop at otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park? Or the dinosaur sculptures of Borrego Springs? Join us under the stars.

The workshop will cover the basics of night photography, composition, creativity, tips, techniques, Milky Way, star trails and more.

This is a great workshop for anyone who wants limitless photography opportunities in the safety of a group environment. And you’ll learn a lot and have fun along the way!

What are the locations like?

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.
A beautiful view of Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.

Joshua Tree is a paradise for creatives, especially when paired with the night sky. Creativity abounds. The never-ending backdrop of alien landscapes guarantee an incredible creative experience.

I regard Joshua Tree as my spiritual home for night photography. With its Joshua Trees, alien rock formations, abandoned ranches and more, it’s easy to see why.

Borrego Springs

Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.
Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.

You want to photograph enormous dinosaur sculptures under the starry night sky, don’t you? I thought as much.

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 photographing the Milky Way and constellations.

Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.
Amazing horse sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.

One of Borrego Springs’ iconic features is the Galleta Meadows Estate. This features a striking collection of metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda. These colossal sculptures, ranging from prehistoric dinosaurs to mythical creatures, dot the desert landscape. They create 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. They are fascinating subjects for long-exposure shots, bringing an otherworldly quality to the desert nightscapes.

Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.
The enormous rattledragon, underneath the starry desert sky at night.

What will you learn?

Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.
Otherworldly Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.

Quite a bit, if you wish. You may learn various light painting techniques, night photography, composition, creative and practical techniques, Milky Way photography, star trails, light painting techniques and more. All of this is presented in a very friendly, helpful, and accessible manner.

You’ll also be among numerous creative photographers. This offers you the opportunity to make friends, work together on photos, and share in the experience in a safe environment.

Arch Rock, Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.

Furthermore, this isn’t one of those workshops where the instructors are inaccessible in the field. Both of us will be available throughout the evening to help, should you want that. Also, we will issue small 2-way radios to everyone, so you may ask for help or coordinate with others. This is for your convenience as well as for reasons of safety.

With personalized attention, you’ll learn to navigate your equipment with confidence and capture the celestial dance above the distinctive landscape of Joshua Tree and Borrego Springs. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of the desert night as you hone your photography skills. You’ll leave with a portfolio of mesmerizing astro-landscape photography and a smile on your face.

Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.
Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.

Timothy Little

Otherworldly landscape, Joshua Tree National Park, underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.
Otherworldly landscape, Joshua Tree National Park, underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.

Timothy Little is a gifted nighttime landscape artist based on Cape Cod. Since 2006, he has used his moonlit and starlit photographic art to connect the natural beauty of “the Cape” with the inherent solitude of night. His portfolio is exclusive to night photography, making him the only area artist specializing in this genre. He also specializes in photographing abandoned scenes in the southwest United States.

The horse sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.
The horse sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.

His work has been featured on Space.com, the Cape Cod Times, Cape Cod Life, Visit Massachusetts, and several other New England based publications.

In addition to creating art, he shares his knowledge through group workshops and guided night tours.

Ken Lee

Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.
Joshua Tree National Park underneath the starry desert sky at night.

I am devoted to teaching night photography, light painting, star trails and Milky Way photography. Whether that has been through the Night Photo Summit, my own workshops, or writing here at Photofocus, I hope to help you on your journey through night photography.

My photos have been featured in National Geographic Books, Omni Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Westways Magazine, and numerous other publications.

Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.
Amazing sculptures of Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night.

When is the night photography workshop?

The workshop will run from June 6-10, 2024. For more information about the Joshua Tree and Borrego Springs night photography workshop, please click here.

In a poll in the Harvard student newspaper, 59% of students polled thought this was AI-generated art, not the night photograph it actually is.
The enormous 350-foot long rattledragon sculpture in Borrego Springs will leave you in awe.
Abandoned ranch, Joshua Tree National Park, underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.
Abandoned ranch, Joshua Tree National Park, underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.
A larger-than-life sculpture at Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.
A larger-than-life sculpture at Borrego Springs underneath the starry desert sky at night. Photo by Tim Little.