Photographing Palm Springs: The Quirky & Surreal
Photographing Palm Springs: The Quirky & Surreal
- Group Size 6 People Maximum
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Activity Level
Easy
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Travel Style
Photography
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When you join one of our trips, we want you to have peace of mind. In response to COVID-19, we’ve:
- Implemented expansive new safety protocols
- Reduced trip deposits to just $100
- Made it easier than ever to reschedule your trip
Join National Geographic author, photographer, and Palm Springs resident Christopher P. Baker on this one-of-a-kind photography workshop exploring the most striking and photogenic sites in and around Greater Palm Springs. Cameras in hand, embark on exciting day trips to Pioneertown, Joshua Tree National Park, the Salton Sea’s Bombay Beach, and the Galleta Meadows sculptural oasis. We’ll make the most of the gorgeous winter and early spring weather, taking in both the region’s natural beauty and manmade quirks, from a repurposed movie set to towering dinosaurs roaming the desert. Plus, we’ve arranged a harp performance for you in one of the dramatic locations along our route. You’ll learn new photography and storytelling skills with instruction from Christopher on how to compose, use light and shadow, and tell a story with your images—and imagination.
Note on SafetyWe’ve designed this workshop with current health and safety precautions in mind. To maintain appropriate physical distancing, participants will drive in their own vehicles and be responsible for their own lodging and meals. All photography will take place outdoors. Staff and participants will be expected to follow the latest CDC and local guidelines, which include keeping six feet of distance between people who are not traveling together. Visit Atlas Obscura's Trips FAQ for more information.
See here for the latest California travel alerts as well as the California Responsible Travel Code.
- Expert instruction on how to compose, use light and shadow, and tell a story
- Masterpiece Modernist architecture
- A lived-in Western movie set in the High Desert
- An enigmatic offbeat art hub and surreal scrap-metal sculptures
Itinerary
Day 1: Modernism's Place in the Sun
Arrive in Palm Springs in time for a mid-afternoon welcome and introduction, along with an orientation for the exciting days ahead. We’ll then take a tour around historic Palm Springs, stopping to photograph the most iconic of the desert oasis city’s stock of more than 2,000 Modernist homes and public buildings, which define its vernacular style. Mad Men-era retro reigns supreme, with classic convertible cars decorating driveways. We’ll begin at the former Tramway Oasis Gas Station, with its Space Age flying-wedge roof (today it houses the Palm Springs Visitor Bureau) before taking in the seven Steel Houses designed by Donald Wexler. We’ll also photograph a medley of other Palm Springs’ classics, including the “House of Tomorrow” and the Romchamp-inspired Bank of America building. Ol’ Blue Eyes himself would feel right at home! Take dinner and the rest of the evening at your leisure.
Not included
Not included
Day 2: Joshua Tree & Pioneertown
Following your breakfast, join Chris for a one-hour presentation on how to take stunning travel photography. Armed with some new insights, we’ll then head up to Joshua Tree National Park. (Note that participants will need their own vehicles for driving between locations during the workshop.) Here, we’ll have the chance to hike among, and photograph, the incredible granitic rock formations and monoliths, as well as the equally photogenic and wackily eerie Joshua Tree yuccas. This is the High Desert (average elevation about 3,500 feet), and weather can vary markedly in winter: from warm crystal-clear sunny days with deep blue skies to bitterly cold. A blanketing frost or fresh overnight snowfall can make for sensational, eye-popping photography. We’ll explore the park’s distinct ecosystems, including such sites as Skull Rock, Arch Rock, and the Cholla Cactus Garden. We can stop in the park to enjoy picnic lunches, before our afternoon trip to nearby Pioneertown. This quirky desert oasis consists of Spaghetti Western-style edifices built in 1946, originally as a set for Hollywood movies. Today, this one-of-a-kind lived-in “museum” is perfect for a “golden hour” and “blue hour” shoot. After capturing our last shots of the day, head back to Palm Springs and enjoy some rest after an exciting, active day.
Note: This day's itinerary involves approx. 135 miles of driving.
Not included
Not included
Day 3: Bombay Beach & Metal Beasts
Take breakfast at your leisure. We’ll then follow scenic Highway 111 for the Salton Sea, perhaps with a stop for a de rigueur date shake at Shields. This (accidentally) man-made “sea” is now a dramatic wasteland that bears no resemblance to its storied past as a watersports resort. Today’s destination—Bombay Beach—is a fascinating and funky (not to mention colorful) bohemian enclave of eye-popping art. We’ll revel in the photo ops through late afternoon, including more off-beat art at nearby Salvation Mountain, before heading to Borrego Springs to photograph Ricardo Breceda's now-iconic metal sculptures of giant beasts as sunset descends. The early sunset leaves us time for some light painting and night photography together in the desert before we head back to Palm Springs.
Note: This day's itinerary involves approx. 250 miles of driving. Make sure you've got some good playlists and podcasts!
Not included
Not included
Day 4: Slideshow Sendoff
We’ll celebrate our time in these beautiful locations with a final slideshow—a chance to see everyone’s outstanding images, as well as our progress over three full days of shooting. From here, head homeward or onto your next destination. If you’d like to extend your time in Palm Springs, Chris will be happy to offer advice and suggestions.
Not included
Trip Leader
The total cost of this trip is $860 per person. Note that participants are responsible for their own transportation and accommodations.
You’re in good company. Solo travelers typically make up about half of our small groups. With curiosity at the center of our experiences, there’s a natural camaraderie that develops over the course of a trip.
Accommodations in Palm Spring are not included; we encourage locals to join us, and would like to provide participants with as much flexibility as possible. There are a number of options to choose from, depending on your price point and other personal preferences.
You'll need your own means of transport during this trip, as we’ll be driving caravan-style between locations. The workshop begins at 2 p.m. on Day 1 and concludes around noon on Day 4. From here, you can depart for home or, if you'd like to extend your trip, we’d be happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the area on your own.
Travelers should feel comfortable walking one to two miles over the course of each day, spending most of the day outdoors, and remaining on their feet for long periods of time, including walking on uneven terrain. We encourage participants to bring a water bottle, some snacks, a hat, and sunscreen, as we’ll be spending very active, outdoor days together.
- An experienced photography guide accompanying you throughout.
- 24/7 emergency assistance during your trip, provided by Global Rescue.
- Private harp performance.
- Special access to unique places and extraordinary experiences.
- Accommodations during the workshop.
- Meals and drinks.
- Photography equipment.
- Travel insurance (recommended).
- Transportation between locations.
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