Join Adrian Klein for a different experience than the usual Best of the Northwest workshops. In fact, this is a tour due to the remoteness of the area and lack of meeting facilities. If you are into wide open views, dried-up lake beds and playas, sand, cracked mud, old buildings, rusty cars, spring green ground foliage, small rural towns, along with more basic yet comfortable accommodations, then this is the tour you have been looking for. From the Alvord Desert to a couple other semi-dried up lake beds we will be a small group touring and photographing through the Oregon Outback in spring over 5 days and 4 nights.

In April, typically the area is pretty dry with comfortable highs in the 50° to 60°F range with chilly nights in the 30's°F, which means cool, crisp mornings. I have experienced a variety of weather in spring and fall, including rain, snow showers, warm sun, and gusty wind, all on the same day. Snow melting from the Steens Mountains should provide interesting opportunities on the playa. What we plan to photograph will range from close-ups staring at the ground to wide-open scenes where we can see for miles, including exploring the Alvord playa by both foot and vehicle. This is also a great region to photograph minimalist landscape scenes. While the focus will be photography, there will be limited downtime; both locations have rustic hot spring facilities. Please read the details below for more essential information.

We also plan to get special access to old historical homesteads to photograph which are being preserved for future generations. Lastly, while meals will primarily be on our own there is one very unique restaurant that we plan to have dinner at for those that are interested.

What's included

Multiple Field Locations

A chance to photograph a variety of scenes and subjects throughout the tour. Being in the field will be the focus of this event.

Guidance and Instruction

We are here to help you throughout the weekend, whether you have just a couple questions or many.

Peer Interaction

A chance to have fun and enjoy being around other photographers from being in the field to meals and traveling together. I regularly hear good feedback about this.

Image Review

Time will be limited yet these will be an option as time allows for those that are interested 1:1.

What's not included

Transportation

Participants are responsible for transportation. Car-pooling is encouraged from each of the two locations we will be based out of. Most roads are paved yet be prepared for driving on dirt and gravel.

Lodging

We will provide information for you to book a cabin or similar structure at the suggested locations, but it might only be available if you book early. Both locations are one of the few lodging options

Meals

Participants are responsible for meals. Given the remote location, there will be few, if any, opportunities to eat at a restaurant. Bringing meal supplies and snacks will be a necessity.

Travel Insurance

Always suggested if you have concerns about getting a refund should the trip be cancelled, or you need to cancel.

We will be focused on spending time photographing in the field as this is a tour event.

The first two nights will be based out of Alvord Hot Springs Campground (near Fields, Oregon) where we will photograph out on the playa, a small town, and one or two other locations. If we are lucky, the Steens Mountains will have a coat of snow.

That will be followed by two nights at Summer Lake, Oregon where we will have a chance to photograph a couple other lake beds. One will have water and the other is mostly dry.

Traveling between the two locations is a 3.5 hr drive, with a full-size grocery store stop as needed for any supplies you might need for the remaining days.

There will be some downtime at each location for those who want to recharge or enjoy the hot springs.