THE PALOUSE is Eastern Washington’s most scenic centerpiece: expansive, colorful, and rich in historical detail.
Join me to photograph the Palouse’s endlessly gorgeous rolling landscapes, barns, agricultural or abandoned vehicles, livestock, and wildlife in eastern Washington and Idaho. Over the past seven years, I’ve repeatedly explored the region to map newly discovered locations and connect with local farm residents to offer this fully guided photography expedition. You’ll receive 1:1 guidance and will learn my advanced techniques to process RAW photos expertly in Lightroom.
Spring in the Palouse: June 18-22, 2025 Open! (only 4 spots left as of October 2024)
(I have added an extra day to this workshop to see even more!)
Absolutely stunning scenery.
Many have called The Palouse “the Tuscany of North America“, but here there are no crowds. In this location workshop, we capture the vivid colors and long shadows of early and late days, as well as sunrise and sunset from the high overlooks. We explore the region shooting rural textures, aged machinery, barns, granaries, wizened trees, livestock, and serendipity along the way. I give group and 1-on-1 guidance, specifically noting techniques and approaches for each location.
We don’t just grab n’ go. You’ll learn to go beyond the postcard and create photographs that capture the history and a sense of the Palouse, even with smartphones. We review Palouse images, and I demonstrate how I artfully crafts RAW Palouse captures in Lightroom to get the best from each RAW capture.
If you love rural beauty, country charm, and amazing photo opportunities, this workshop is for you. Read on...
How much photography experience is needed?
- This workshop is geared for advanced beginner, intermediate, and pro photographers.
- You should know how to set your camera for both Auto and Manual modes. Inquire if unsure.
- If a novice, bring your camera’s manual, or download the manual as PDF and keep it on your phone.
- Non-photographers are also welcome!
- If you don’t own a camera you can still make excellent photographs using your smartphones. [ examples ].
Instructional topics include:
- Beyond the postcard: How to Capture what you see and feel in the moment
- Finding a photo in a vast landscape, creative composition, subject design and visual layering
- Creating dramatic and graphic landscapes
- Creative use of depth of field (DOF) • Dramatic points of view (DPOV)
- Smartphone photography tips and apps extend your mobile abilities
- Field techniques and settings for Dawn, “Blue Hour” and Night
- HDR capture for full dynamic range where light is highly variable (optional)
- Tips for expert processing in Lightroom during our ‘Lab’ session
- Expert techniques for B&W processing with DXO Silver Efex Pro
…more as time and weather allows
Here’s what past participants have said about this adventure:
“Dave provided many opportunities to make our time in the Palouse rewarding and fun. He helped me all weekend to make photos I am proud to share.” Jeff C, Bothell, WA
“DJ’s workshop was the best I’ve done in the Palouse. His friends in the area were generous with their time, and we learned a ton about light, seeing, and being ready for anything.” Ellen O, Wells, ME
“This was my third Palouse workshop and so far the best. Dave was organized, helpful, and easy to learn from. He checked each person’s settings as we waited for that unforgettable owl-filled sunrise.” Patty M, Eureka CA
“Well done Mr. Julian! Thanks again for another great workshop. I just sold two of my truck prints in B&W, so thank you for that idea and encouragement. See you in ’22.” Karen R, Kent, WA
Enjoy country comforts.
We reside and base this year in Pullman, WA at Hampton Inn Express. This is a higher-end Holiday Inn that includes full buffet breakfasts. We’ll also eat most other meals elsewhere as a group. Once you pay your workshop deposit, you can book your room using our discounted group rate by calling (509)-334 4437 and book under “Explore the Palouse” for June 18-22. Check-in time at the motel is usually 3:00pm. Call them if arriving sooner and see if your room is ready. You can also add nights at that rate if you like.
We include:
- Pre-trip group meeting via Zoom in late May or early June (depends on enrollment)
- Orientation meeting and field techniques presentation at the hotel
- Full breakfasts at the hotel each morning, or bagged morning snacks for our sunrise adventure(s)
- Daily workshop transportation in a large rented air-conditioned SUV or passenger van*
- Professional 1-on-1 photography guidance at your own level of experience or need
- Group and 1:1 guidance as needed regardless of group size.
- Professional Lightroom developing workflow and tips
- We can assist in finding carpool partners for those traveling from Seattle
- Snacks and bottled water are available throughout the workshop
- A fun, positive, and memorable learning environment
*minimum of 6 participants to rent the van— otherwise we carpool.
We do not include:
- Transportation to the Palouse workshop or motel.
- Accommodations. Participants should book one of our discounted rooms as described below
- Meals, drinks, gratuities, hotel incidentals or personal expenses
- Basic camera instruction. Please bring a camera you are familiar with. Bring the manual booklet or PDF if needed.
- Individual photography critiques after the workshop. These are available via Zoom on a fee basis after the workshop, and many participants take advantage of this opportunity no matter where they live.
- I also provide 1:1 photography guidance at a day rate before or after the workshop, to go deeper into the region.
Email me if interested.
Safety is a priority:
To respect the people of the Palouse, we never wander into private property without their permission.
Transportation to the workshop home base:
Participants often drive solo or carpool to Pullman, stopping along the way too shoot and arrive on time by 3:00pm latest to check in and be ready to meet in the lobby at 4:00pm for orientation. I can provide ideas on stops en route to the Palouse. Some folks fly into Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) and get to our hotel by taxi, or if we coordinate, I can pick you up.
There may be one pick-up at Spokane Intl Airport depending on our mutual timing. If you want to arrive a day early or stay after the workshop, you can call our motel and book your additional nights at our blocked group rate if you give them enough advance notice. Some guests fly into Spokane up north and rent a car to explore before and after our workshop.
Transportation during the workshop:
When we have more than seven, I rent a comfy passenger van to limit our carbon footprint, and to simplify our logistics. If I have rented a vehicle, the cost will be included in the workshop. If we do not use a van and carpool, I refund unused van rental portion to participants.
Physical: Participants must be able to handle some heat, and get in and out of a multi-seat van without mechanical assistance. This tour is mostly drive-up access or within 50 yards of our subjects, and hiking beyond that is optional. Those with hay fever or pollen allergies and adverse responses to heat should bring sufficient supplements, medications and hydrating products. Bring Bonine, Ginger and maybe a nausea bracelet if prone to transport nausea.
I hope you’ll join us!
$1995
Complete workshop as described above. Maximum of 10 participants.
(I also provide 1:1 photography guidance on a day rate to go deeper into the region. Email me if interested.)
Email Dave with any questions. This workshop usually fills, so it is advised to reserve ASAP with your Deposit or to save time, pay in full.
Here is how to get on board: Please read this completely as there are some new details.
1. Email me first to check if I have openings, and state how/when you will send in your Deposit so I can find it. Include your full name and cell phone number in case I need to reach you.
2. A deposit of $1000 is required to hold your space in the workshop*.
Payment Method Options: (Please use the same method for Deposit and workshop Balance)
Zelle: art@davidjulian.com (no transaction fees)
Venmo: @DavidJulianPhotography (no transaction fees)
Check: Email me for my mailing address to pay by check. (no transaction fees)
*Paypal: use Button below. Credit Card payment via Paypal includes their 3% credit card fee.
(If using your Paypal account balance or bank to fund your Paypal purchase, you will receive a rebate of the automatic 3% fee. Just send me your emailed Paypal receipt)
You may pay Deposit and Balance a different way. Just email me if you do.
Note: Total trip balance is due by May 15 unless arranged otherwise. Most people send in the full amount at once to save time.
3. Download and sign this required Liability Waiver (link to PDF form) and return it by email to become fully registered. Email me with any questions. You are not fully registered until I have your Waiver Form via Email.
4. Be sure to then book your airfare if flying, and hotel room at our hotel using our reserved group rate held under “Explore the Palouse” or David Julian.
5. Email me a copy of your travel and lodging receipts, and if you are sharing (or seeking to share) a hotel room.
Where and when do we meet?
Fully registered participants first meet online beforehand via ZOOM (Date/Time TBA) to discuss the workshop logistics and handle questions. Then, on day one, we meet promptly at 4pm in the motel lobby for a greeting and required orientation. We leave soon after orientation to grab an early dinner and head out to shoot! Be fully checked in, camera kit and tripod with you, and be ready to explore! Please put your cares, appointments, and home behind to fuel a quest for adventure! Please call Dave if running late to arrive at the motel: (2ø6) 364-9ø77
What to bring?
We all want to bring whatever we think we might need but know that the more gear, the more decisions while shooting, which impedes creative seeing. It’s wise to pack compactly for fast and easy load/unloading as we hit several locations per day. Whatever camera you bring will be fine, so long as you know how to use it. Bring the manual just in case. My manual is a searchable PDF on my phone. You don’t need to have pro photo gear. You’ll relax and feel your creativity will flow in the Palouse!
Daily gear:
- Lightweight clothing for hot sunny conditions
- Hiking shoes or sneakers, windbreaker jacket
- ALSO: warm layers, maybe wind pants, gloves, warm hat. We’ve had windy, cold dawn shoots!
- Sunscreen, bandana, sun hat or cap
- Snack bars, spill-proof insulated bottles or coffee mugs, non-DEET repellent,
- Headlamp or powerful LED flashlight for nights. A RED LED is helpful for night photography.
Photo gear:
- One or two camera bodies you know how to use
- Wide angle prime or zoom lens
- Medium prime or zoom lens
- Telephoto prime or zoom lens of at least 200mm
- You can optionally rent gear at Glazer’s (Seattle) or at Lensrentals.com or BorrowLenses.com
- Polarizing filter. • consider an ND 10 filter for special effects
- I use K&F anti-static UV filters for every lens so I’m never cleaning grit off lens elements.
- I use these awesome LensPens and lens cloths frequently. Get a few as they eventually get dusty.
- 64 or 128gb Prograde Gold SD cards, batteries, and charger. Charge batteries before the trip!
- Consider a RainSleeve in case we get a shower during a great shoot
- Fit all in one photo pack, or other bag with a COLOR name tag or fabric loop to identify easily.
- Tape your name on your tripod and camera bag. Airline luggage will not fit our daily van.
- Label your photo stuff! I use a Brother® label maker, even for SD cards. Frog tape can work too.
- Download the offline Google Map for the Palouse Region as cell service / GPS is often spotty
- Consider a lightweight PowerBank phone charging a phone just in case.
- Hand sanitizer and of course a face mask.
- No DRONES during the workshop.
David Julian is a Seattle-based photographer and educator. Between editorial, corporate, and entertainment assignments, he teaches photography and creative development. He has led dozens of workshops at Maine Media Workshops, Santa Fe Workshops, Anderson Ranch, Vancouver Photo Workshops, Lepp Institute, Photographic Center Northwest, Luminous Works, School of Visual Arts, and on small-ship adventures. He is an adjunct photography faculty at The University of Washington and Seattle Creative Academy. His projects have taken him to Venezuela, Ecuador, Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands, India, Indonesia and Europe. His articles and interviews have appeared in Nikon World, Outside, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, After Capture, SHOTS, Outdoor Photographer, SHOTS, Rangefinder, Digital PhotoPro, FujiLove, and Digital Photography School. Check out his photography podcast episodes on Hit The Streets.
He is an official Fujifilm X CREATOR photographer and shoots exclusively with Fujifilm gear. Ask him why! Dave also leads annual photo-cultural tours in Cuba and other destinations. **Dave’s website. Dave’s email.**
ASK DAVE ABOUT HIS 2023 EASTERN CUBA TRIP THIS DECEMBER!
Cancellations:
• If we cancel the trip due to unforeseen events, all deposits and balances are 100% refunded and fully-registered participants are automatically prioritized for the next Palouse Workshop.
• The Deposit of $800 reserves your spot and is a non-refundable** initial payment toward the total cost of the workshop. The balance of the workshop fee is due 75 days prior to the first day of the workshop. We will send a request email to those registered with a deposit. If you need to cancel your attendance to the workshop, let us know ASAP. We will advertise the opening to others. If someone else signs up to fill your spot sooner than 30 days prior to the start date, we will refund a portion of total fee minus any fee expenses incurred. Inside of 30 days of the workshop, the deposit will not be refunded unless a waitlisted person fills the spot.
* If flying in, it is advised to buy inexpensive trip insurance.
** Notify me asap of unusual cancellation circumstances for potential consideration.
(updated February 28, 2024)
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