UTAH BADLANDS SPRING
PHOTOGRAPHY ADVENTURE
May 15-May 19, 2025

Join us for an unforgettable 5-day photography adventure and submerge yourself in the breathtaking beauty of the Utah Badlands. Enhance your photography skills and create everlasting memories during this extraordinary photography workshop.
The Utah Badlands are located in the southwestern part of the state of Utah, covering a significant area of Utah's desert landscapes. This region is a part of the immense Colorado Plateau, renowned for its exceptional geological formations such as towering cliffs, vibrant canyons, mesas, and buttes. The layers of sedimentary rock narrate a rich tale of millions of years of erosion and geological heritage. Famous landmarks within the Utah Badlands include renowned places like Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Goblin Valley State Park. It is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers, offering endless opportunities to capture awe-inspiring images.
Our sole objective during these trips is to ensure that people leave with images they can be proud of, as well as new techniques and knowledge that they can use for a lifetime.

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

Transportation: Salt Lake City, Utah serves as the closest major airport for the workshop. Please note that flight arrangements to and from Salt Lake City as well as transportation to and from the workshop meeting point are not included. However, worry not as transportation within the workshop will be provided using a modified 4x4 vehicle. The workshop commences at 6 pm in Hanksville, Utah, where we will have a warm welcome dinner and a brief introduction.

Experience serene accommodations, strategically positioned near prime photography locations, ensuring convenient access for capturing breathtaking shots during golden hour, sunrise/sunset, and mesmerizing night sky shoots. We have reserved single rooms for our participants, providing utmost comfort throughout their 4-night stay.

+EXPEDITION INCLUDES

5-Days intensive photo workshop in one of the most unique and striking landscapes
Pre-workshop virtual meeting: Before the commencement of the workshop, we will initiate a new WhatsApp group exclusively for our participants. This will provide an opportunity for you to acquaint yourself with all the members of the group as well as enable you to ask questions and make preparations
Post-processing and image review sessions will be conducted with screen recordings available for participants to retain
Exclusive Drone Photography Lessons: Master the art of capturing extraordinary perspectives and breathtaking visuals from unreachable heights and unique angles that cannot be attained through conventional photography methods
Small group size of 4 with one guide who knows the area
Welcome Dinner and Farewell Breakfast
Transportation during the workshop in a modified 4x4 vehicle
National and State Park Permit

-NOT INCLUDED

Flights to and from Salt Lake City, Utah
Transportation to and from Hanksville town
Items of a personal nature
Accommodation (Single room occupancy for 4 nights are reserved for our participants)
Meals (Welcome Dinner and Farewell Breakfast is included)
Alcoholic beverages
Travel Medical, Trip Cancellation Insurance and Equipment Insurance (Mandatory). We have partnered with an insurance agency that allows you to compare policies from various providers and choose the most suitable one for your needs.
Tips, extras, and anything else specifically not listed as included

WEATHER

The average daily temperature at this time of year is around 72°F, which is very mild and pleasant. There's up to 14 hours of sunlight per day and humidity levels are around 41%.

Sunrise: The sunrise is around 6:15 AM local time. As the month progresses, the sunrise gradually becomes earlier, reaching around 6:00 AM by the end of May.

Sunset: The sunset occurs at approximately 8:20 PM local time. As the month progresses, the days get longer and the sunset becomes later, reaching around 8:40 PM by the end of May.

PHYSICAL FITNESS

In order to participate in this trip, it is important that everyone is in reasonably good physical condition. The ability to hike on trails that may be uneven, up to 1.2 miles in each direction, with a daily total of 2-3 miles, is necessary.

When exploring the Utah Badlands, it may be necessary to walk on muddy terrain that has uneven surfaces. Although it is not excessively demanding, it is beneficial to have good balance and mobility.

If you are unsure about your fitness level, please inform us and we can discuss it further. We aim to accommodate the majority of individuals who prefer to avoid extensive walking or strenuous activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Utah Badlands constitute a delicate ecosystem, thus it is crucial to adopt responsible photography practices whilst exploring this pristine region. It is imperative to remain on designated paths, exhibit respect towards nature, and adhere to the Leave No Trace principles.

ITINERARY

DETAILED ITINERARY WILL BE PROVIDED FOR EACH DAY ON THE WELCOME NIGHT

Come on an adventure with us and discover the Badlands! Join us for a 5-day workshop where we will journey to remote locations hidden amidst the Utah wilderness. With our extensive knowledge of the area, we can ensure the best opportunities to capture the awe-inspiring beauty of this untamed region on the Colorado Plateau.

During this photo adventure, we will explore numerous picturesque spots. This area is abundant in striking sandstone formations, including arches, monoliths, endless canyons, red rock, white domes, and an abundance of stunning desert scenery.

In addition to these incredible landscapes, we will also have the opportunity to capture the stars in one of the few remaining dark skies in the United States. With its dark skies and expansive foregrounds, this location provides the perfect setting for astrophotography.

Throughout the workshop, we will keep our itinerary flexible to maximize our chances of capturing the perfect light and colors in this extraordinary place. A typical day will involve waking up early to capture the beauty of sunrise and staying out until after sunset. During the daylight hours, we will rest, engage in post-processing sessions, or continue shooting the endless vistas.

Our experienced Photo Guides will constantly monitor weather forecasts, road conditions, and other factors to plan our days effectively and ensure optimal shooting conditions. Our ultimate aim is to place you in the right locations at the right time, with the best light, for an unforgettable photography experience.

4x4

**We will be exploring the badlands in a modified 4x4 vehicle specially equipped for off-road driving, since the majority of roads in this area are classified as backcountry roads.**

The workshop will start at 5pm with a gathering in Hanksville on the evening of the 15th. We will commence with a delightful welcome dinner and a brief introduction. Afterward, we will venture into the breathtaking desert to explore our first sunset location.
We will embark on a journey to discover the distinctive and remarkable landscapes of the badlands interior starting from Hanksville town. Among various destinations, our goal is to capture the beauty of geological formations including majestic cliffs, colorful canyons, potential wildflowers (although their blooming is not guaranteed, especially during dry years), magnificent buttes, dark skies and much more. The selection of locations will depend on weather and road conditions, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. By utilizing a single base of operation, we offer ourselves significant flexibility in planning the itinerary to make the most of this trip.
Sadly, the workshop comes to an end on the fifth day. With an optimistic weather forecast showing stunning clouds, we wake up early to capture the last sunrise. After returning to Hanksville, we will enjoy a delicious farewell breakfast before going our separate ways. As you travel back home, you will carry enduring memories and captivating photographs from this extraordinary adventure.

Drone photography provides a distinct viewpoint of the awe-inspiring landscapes found in the badlands. This perspective, achieved through height and angles that traditional photography approaches cannot accomplish, allows for the capture of captivating images of buttes and vibrant rock formations.

To successfully capture the vast landscapes of Utah Badlands, longer flights are necessary. It is essential to ensure that your drone has sufficient battery life and to carry extra batteries as backups in order to extend your flight time.

With extensive experience in both the drone and photography industries, we have combined our skills to offer you the opportunity to create stunning aerial shots. Our expertise in drone photography allows us to provide you with great compositions that showcase the beauty of these landscapes.

GALLERY

TECHNIQUES COVERED IN THIS WORKSHOP

IN THE FIELD:

Understanding the light and choosing the best exposure
Composition: Balance and harmony, leading lines and creating depth.
Lens choice: From the wide-angle vista to shooting landscape abstracts with a telephoto lens
Shooting multiple image panoramas
Controlling light in scenes with a wide dynamic range using graduated filters and/or multiple exposures
Shooting stars and night photography (Depending on weather conditions)

PROCESSING:

Using Adobe Camera RAW
Using local adjustments to shape and sculpt the light
Using Photoshop layers to build up image adjustments
Using luminosity masks in Photoshop
Hyper realistic AI RAW editing in Photoshop
Different techniques for blending multiple exposures of the same image
Stitching multiple panoramas together
Sharpening images for web

WHAT TO BRING

A DSLR OR MIRRORLESS CAMERA

The criteria for the type of work we will be engaged in is a camera that can be fully operated manually in order to guarantee optimal exposure

WIDE ANGLE TO TELEPHOTO LENS

For some of the locations, particularly the Night Sky, a wide angle lens really is essential if you want to get those epic landscapes

Sturdy TRIPOD

Since we'll frequently shoot in low light, a tripod becomes an indispensably necessary piece of equipment. Opting for a lightweight carbon fiber model enhances our shooting experience

LANDSCAPE FILTER SYSTEM

Using a neutral density filter with a minimum of 3 stops is beneficial in reducing the exposure and thereby contributing to the blurring of clouds and elimination of ripples on the lake's surface

DJI DRONE Fly More Combo WITH DJI RC 2

Experiment with different angles, heights, and compositions to create unique aerial images

Warm clothes

When packing, it is advisable to include warm clothing. Although you should avoid overpacking, it is wise to anticipate colder, windier, and wetter conditions than you originally anticipate

WATERPROOF HIKING BOOTS

We’ll certainly be walking over rocky and uneven grounds and we’ll also often find ourselves in a muddy conditions

CAMERA BACKPACK

When transporting your camera gear for any duration, a backpack can significantly alleviate strain on your back. Opting for a good backpack, preferably one equipped with robust hip straps, is highly recommended

Laptop with Adobe Camera RAW and PHOTOSHOP

We’ll be shooting RAW, and as part of each day will be dedicated to post processing images a good RAW converter like Adobe

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR & GUIDE

Monish Mansharamani | Founder + Pro Photographer

Monish Mansharamani is a professional landscape and travel photographer based in Oregon. He is completely self-taught and has years of experience in medium format shooting, guiding photo tours, and teaching digital post-processing techniques. His specialization lies in capturing stunning panoramic photographs of fine art landscapes from the United States and beyond.

The majority of his photographs are taken with a superior medium format digital camera, which allows for incredible detail to be captured. His approach to photography is a "slow photography" technique, where he takes his time to carefully observe the scene and capture only a few or a dozen exposures in a span of two hours. This process enables him to truly perceive the essence of the scene and let it reveal itself. Each photograph he captures is unique, and he dedicates a significant amount of effort to ensure that the final image is a true work of art by meticulously processing the image.

As a landscape photographer, his goal is to present views of the natural world in a fresh and unique way. He achieves this through careful composition, attention to detail, and the creative use of beautiful light.

Currently, he fulfills his lifelong dream by leading Adventure Photography workshops all over the world through his company Aventura Workshops LLC.

PAYMENT TERMS

20% deposit is required to secure your spot.
Balance is due no later than 90 days before the Workshop start date.
Flexible payment option available, just ask!
All other Aventura Workshops Terms and Conditions apply.

WITHDRAWAL & REFUND POLICY

If you decide to withdraw and your spot is filled by another person, we will refund the total amount you have paid for the tuition, with the exception of a $250 cancellation fee. On the other hand, if you withdraw and your spot in the Workshop remains unfilled, your refund will be issued according to the following schedule, which is based on the full Workshop fee.

90 days or more: Full refund minus a $250 cancelation fee
60 - 89 days: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: No refund

Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.

DISCLAIMER

We highly recommend that you obtain Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. Your domestic medical insurance and private health plan will not provide coverage while you are abroad. The workshops are always subject to weather conditions as it can be highly unpredictable.