One of the most spectacular natural regions in the U.S. -- and one of the least known photogenic areas -- is the Bentonite Hills in central Utah.  The striations of color and the incredible graphic designs seen both from the ground and from a drone are as beautiful as it gets. Join Jim for an extraordinary tour in the American Southwest and visit places you've most likely never heard of such as Long Dong Silver, Goblin Hills and the Moonscape Overlook. The itinerary also includes stunning portions of Capital Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park.  We take advantage of the best light -- sunrise and sunset -- and after dark we'll photograph the Milky Way which is seen so brilliantly in the desert sky.  Jim will paint with light foreground rocks and trees to frame the dazzling night sky.  On this trip you'll take the best landscape images of your life.  Drones are welcome.  We can't fly them in national parks, but most of the places we visit permit drone photography.

ITINERARY

Day 1, Friday, April 17  

Fly or drive to Salt Lake City, Utah and arrive on this day.  Meet Jim at a to-be-announced place in the airport no later than 3pm.  From here we drive about 3 1/2 hours to our hotel in Torrey, Utah where we have dinner and overnight.

Days 2 - 4, Saturday - Monday, April 18 - 20

For the next three full days, we photograph some of the most unique and spectacular landscapes the American Southwest has to offer.  We photograph early in the morning to catch beautiful sunrise lighting as well as in the late afternoon for sunset.  At night, the Milky Way is dazzling in the desert, and we'll capture it in all its glory. During midday, a siesta is on the agenda to rest up so we can catch up on our sleep and review our images already taken.

Arch.  We will also do awesome night photography involving painting with light in combination with long exposures for the Milky Way. 

We overnight in Torrey, Utah for 3 nights and then on the 20th we drive to Moab and overnight there for more incredible photography. 

Day 5, Tuesday, April 21

Before breakfast we leave the hotel and drive to Dead Horse Point to photograph the stunning vista. This view will seriously blow your mind! From here we drive a 1/2 hour to the Green River Overlook for another spectacular view.  In the late afternoon, we take a private 4x4 jeep tour down into Canyonlands to several beautiful areas including one of the many goosenecks of the Green River which makes an outstanding wide angle shot as well as a great pano. Overnight Moab.

Day 6, Wednesday, April 22

We have one more sunrise shoot this morning before we head back to Salt Lake City.  Expect to arrive at the airport no later than 1pm so you can arrange your return flight home from 2pm onwards.

NOTE:  FITNESS LEVEL

Most of the locations we visit can be photographed either from the parking area or after a short walk on level ground. A few places require a walk up to a mile one way, but it's very easy walking.  There is essentially no elevation gain.