Participant Limit: 8
Minimum Participants: 3
Skill Level: Any
Physical Activity: Easy to Moderate (Walking/Standing)
Photoshoot Length:
June 12, 2026: Classroom – 3 hours
June 12, 2026: Trona Pinnacles – 6 hours
June 13, 2026: Classroom – 3 hours
June 13, 2026: Trona Pinnacles – 6 hours
June 14, 2026: Workshop Review & Summary – 2 hours
Cost: $600 per person
Have you ever visited Mars? Well, we may not be capable of taking you to Mars but we can take you to Mars on Earth. Join us on an otherworldly adventure under the stars to explore the Martian looking landscape of the Trona Pinnacles in California.
We’ll visit this Martian land for some stunning sunset photography utilizing the unique tufas as foreground. By night, we’ll immerse ourselves in an alien-like terrain creating stunning foregrounds below the evening stars. You’ll learn how to light paint the scenery at night and capture stunning images of the Milky Way as well as star trails.
If you’re ready to elevate your night photography skills, this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
Trona Pinnacles is a rugged terrain with little to no cell service. Each participant will receive a handheld walkie talkie in case you become separated from the group.
Itinerary:
Friday 6/12/2026
1-4pm – Meet at the Ridgecrest Welcome Center 880 N. China Lake Blvd for orientation, introductions and information about the workshop for shooting the Trona Pinnacles sunsets and Milky Way
4-5:30pm – Dinner
5:30pm – Depart for Trona Pinnacles (30-minute drive)
6pm – Arrive Trona Pinnacles
Sunset Time: 8:06pm
Photoshoot Time:
6pm-Midnight
Saturday 6/13/2026
1-4pm – Meet at the Ridgecrest Welcome Center 880 N. China Lake Blvd for orientation, introductions and information about the workshop for shooting the Trona Pinnacles sunsets and Milky Way
4-5:30pm – Dinner
5:30pm – Depart for Trona Pinnacles (30-minute drive)
6pm – Arrive Trona Pinnacles
Sunset Time: 8:07pm
Photoshoot Time:
6pm-Midnight
We will shoot during sunset, and the magical golden hour and blue hour moments. The stars will show up in abundance and sparkle above. The Milky Way will appear magnificently in the south just after sunset.
Photo Review Date/Time & Location:
Sunday 6/14/2026
1-3pm
Share and discuss your images with the class. We will cover some minor photo editing to make your images pop and standout.
Gear:
- Digital camera (Smartphones are welcome too)
- Wide angle lens (14-35mm with an aperture of f/2.8 or smaller f number
- These are great for wide landscapes and night sky
- Medium telephoto lens (24-70, 24-105mm)
- Bring the scene closer to you
- Sturdy tripod that doesn’t shake with a ball head or pan head mount
- Extra batteries
- Memory cards with plenty available storage available
- Built-in Intervalometer or a cable or remote intervalometer
- Headlamp
- Flashlight
Additional Items:
Image Editing
- Laptop with Lightroom Classic. You can download a free trial for 7 days here.
- Sequator (Free software for PC)
- Hard drive or external hard drive with enough space to store your photos
Clothing
The temperatures can be quite warm during the daylight hours, so be prepared for the heat during the first couple hours during sunset. Nights in June can be comfortable but can also get cool late at night and the skies are usually clear.
- Base clothing, long undergarments
- Comfortable shoes
- Hat/Gloves
Investment
Workshop Fee is $600
What is included:
- Instructional Guide
- Classroom and in the field instruction for mastering sunset and night photography skills
- Light Painting tools available to get creative
- Classroom session including Lightroom & Photoshop techniques and image critiques
What is not included
Airfare
Transportation
Hotel accommodation
Meals
Book your flight
Los Angeles (LAX) — 3-hour drive
Las Vegas (LAS) — 4-hour drive
Ontario (ONT) – 2.5-hour drive
Hotels
There are a number of hotels in Ridgecrest. Check out the list of Ridgecrest Hotels.
Transportation
If you are flying in, we recommend you rent an All-wheel drive or 4-Wheel drive vehicle. The road to the Trona Pinnacles is a dirt road and is a little rough in some areas.
Meals
We can have dinner together Friday & Saturday after orientation and before heading out to the Trona Pinnacles. Everyone is responsible for their own bill.
Cancellation Policy
Participant Cancellations
Your registration reserves a limited spot in a small-group, hands‑on workshop. Because of this, the following cancellation windows apply:
30+ days before the workshop — Full refund, minus a $20 processing fee.
15–29 days before the workshop — 50% refund.
14 days or fewer before the workshop — No refund. If another participant takes your spot, 50% will be refunded back to you.
No‑shows — No refund.
Instructor Cancellations
If the photographer must cancel a workshop due to unsafe weather, illness, or low enrollment, all participants will receive a full refund of workshop fees.
Phodeobug Photography is not responsible for additional expenses such as travel, lodging, or equipment rentals.
Weather & Safety Policy
Most workshops—especially night‑sky sessions—continue in a variety of conditions. However, safety always comes first.
Workshops proceed unless conditions pose a genuine safety risk.
If weather requires adjustments, the itinerary or timing may shift to make the most of the conditions.
If the workshop cannot proceed safely, it will be rescheduled or refunded.
Liability & Personal Responsibility
By registering, participants acknowledge the inherent risks of outdoor and night photography. Each participant is responsible for:
Their own equipment
Their own transportation
Their own personal safety and awareness in outdoor environments
Phodeobug Photography is not liable for loss, damage, or injury resulting from participation.
All cancellation requests must be sent by email to phodeobug@gmail.com.