Capture sunrise and sunset in two of South Dakota’s wildest places. We’ll start among the rugged formations of the Badlands and finish in the pine-covered hills and granite spires of the Black Hills, learning as we move through the landscape.
Dates: October 7-11, 2026
Location: Wall and Custer, SD
Cost: $1099
Photograph two of South Dakota’s most iconic landscapes in one field-based workshop. This five day trip combines the rugged formations of Badlands National Park with the forests, granite spires, and rolling hills of the Black Hills. We will work the landscape from sunrise to sunset and use the shifting Western light to explore composition, depth, and technique. Because this is a destination photography workshop, all learning happens in the field with real scenes in real conditions.
We will begin in Wall for the Badlands portion. After two and a half days, we travel to Custer and spend the rest of the workshop photographing Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, and the surrounding Black Hills.
Dates: October 7-11, 2026
Price: $1099 ($550 nonrefundable deposit due on registration. Final payment is due 90 days before the workshop)
Location: Wall and Custer, South Dakota
Bryan Hansel Photography is an authorized permittee of the National Park Service and operates under a Commercial Use Authorization from the National Park Service.
Overview
This workshop is designed for photographers who want to grow their landscape photography skills while exploring two contrasting environments in one trip. The Badlands offer eroded formations, layered ridges, and open skies that change quickly with the weather. The Black Hills provide a different set of challenges with ponderosa forests, granite needles, lakes, wildlife, and rolling terrain. Photographing both regions in a single workshop gives you a wide range of subjects and compositional opportunities.
What You Will Learn
Instruction is entirely field-based. You will receive one-on-one guidance during sunrise, sunset, and the softer light that surrounds those times of day. The goal is to help you work more efficiently in the field, recognize strong compositions, and understand how light interacts with the landscape.
Here’s what you’ll learn in the field:
- How to approach unfamiliar landscapes and quickly find strong compositions
- Working with the harsh midday light of the West and turning it into something useful
- Techniques for shooting dramatic skies, layered ridges, and complex foregrounds
- Creating depth in wide-angle images using line, shape, and light
- Balancing exposure for high-contrast scenes using filters
- Developing an efficient field workflow that includes scouting, shooting, and simple reviews
- Tips for photographing wildlife when opportunities appear
You will also receive video lessons before the workshop that cover core technical concepts. This allows our time in the field to remain focused on photographing.
Itinerary
This itinerary is flexible. Because I lived in Rapid City and know these locations well, I adjust the schedule according to weather, lighting, and field conditions.
Day 0: Arrival in Wall
Arrive in Wall, South Dakota. You will need a park permit, which you can get earlier in the day or at the entrance gate.
Day 1: Exploring the Badlands
We meet before sunrise and photograph the first light in the Badlands National Park. After the morning session, we take a break at the hotel. In the afternoon, we head back into the field and stay through sunset.
Day 2: Full Field Day
Sunrise in the park followed by a late morning break and lunch. We return to the field in the afternoon and continue through sunset. Bring breakfast for the morning session because we will stay in the field longer.
Day 3: Scenic and Transfer to Custer
We photograph sunrise in the Badlands. After breakfast, we check out and visit Scenic, a classic South Dakota ghost town. Once we finish photographing there, we drive to Custer. After everyone settles in, we head into the field for an evening session.
Day 4: Photographing the Black Hills
We begin at sunrise and end at sunset with breaks for meals. Lunch will be in the field or at a nearby café depending on where we are working. If we are near Custer in the evening, we will eat dinner there. If we are farther out, we will choose a location closer to where we are photographing. Some drives can be up to an hour each way, but we keep logistics manageable so we stay focused on photography.
Day 5: Final Sunrise Session
We photograph the sunrise and stay in the field until the morning light fades. The workshop ends after the final session.
Why Photograph the Badlands and Black Hills
The Badlands present a landscape shaped by erosion and time. Layers of sediment create ridges, spires, and sharp formations that catch light in dramatic ways. Weather can move through quickly, which creates constantly shifting skies and opportunities for unique images.
The Black Hills feel completely different. Granite needles rise above lakes and forests. Ponderosa pines add shape and texture. Wildlife is common and may include bison, pronghorn, or bighorn sheep. This region offers more intimate scenes along with wide views.
Working in both areas during the same week gives you a diverse range of photographic challenges and a richer learning experience.
Additional Information
Workshop type: This is a destination photography workshop. The goal of destination workshops is to emphasize experiential learning by spending more time in the field. Learn more about workshop types.
Maximum number of participants: 10
Level: All levels are welcome. A digital camera is strongly recommended.
Activity level: Most shooting areas are close to parking lots, but we may hike up to 3 miles round trip on moderate terrain at a comfortable pace. If you prefer not to hike, there are often good compositions near the vehicles.
What’s included in the workshop fee: Quality small group and one-on-one instruction. Conference room for classroom time. Fun!
What’s not included in the workshop fee: Transportation to the destination city and photography locations. Carpooling is encouraged. Lodging. Meals and drinks. Park permits.
Lodging partner: After registration, you will receive details about the room blocks. We use two hotels during the week: three nights in Wall and two nights in Custer.
Workshop Dates: October 7-11, 2026
Check-in date: October 6
Check-out date: October 11
Getting there: Badlands National Park and the town of Wall are about 55 miles east of Rapid City along Interstate 90. Minneapolis is roughly a 7.5 hour drive. Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the closest airport. It is approximately a 1 hour drive from both Custer and Wall. Custer is located in the Black Hills. There are several routes between Scenic and Custer and we will discuss options on the transfer day.
Weather: Weather in October is ideal for photography. Average highs in the Black Hills are near 58°F with lows around 33°F. In the Badlands, highs average about 60°F with lows around 39°F.
Equipment list: After registration, you will receive a suggested equipment list and participant package. The package will discuss equipment options, photography techniques and more.
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Please, read the Registration and Cancellation Policies at the link. The policies apply to all workshops without exception.
About Your Instructor
Bryan Hansel is a professional outdoor photographer and long-time workshop leader who has photographed the Badlands and Black Hills for more than twenty years. His workshops focus on field experience, personal attention, and encouraging photographers to build confidence and curiosity through practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Badlands and Black Hills Photography Workshop
You will spend five days photographing the dramatic landscapes of the Badlands and Black Hills. Expect hands-on guidance, personalized feedback, and local insight to help you capture sunrise, sunset, wildlife, and iconic scenery. Instruction is field-based, so you learn while actively photographing the locations.
This workshop focuses on landscape and wildlife photography in the Badlands and Black Hills. You will practice working with light, composition, and depth, as well as capturing bison, bighorn, and other wildlife if encountered. Sunrise and sunset sessions provide the best opportunities for dramatic shots.
No. Photographers of all levels are welcome. Instruction is tailored to your skill level in the field, so you can focus on improving at your own pace.
Most shooting locations are near parking areas. Some sessions may include hikes up to 3 miles round trip on moderate terrain. If you prefer not to hike, there are good photo opportunities near the vehicles.
A digital camera, a sturdy tripod, and a wide-angle lens, mid-range zoom, and a telephoto are the essentials. After registration, you will receive a full equipment list covering recommended lenses, filters, clothing, and backup items.
October is ideal for photography in both regions. The Black Hills typically reach highs near 58°F, while the Badlands average around 60°F. Nights are cooler, so layers and warm clothing are important.
Transportation is not provided. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and between locations. Carpooling is encouraged to reduce traffic and make it easier to stay flexible with the schedule. Our group needs to have five or fewer cars during the workshop outings.
After you register for the workshop, you will receive information about recommended hotels and room blocks in Wall and Custer. You are responsible for reserving your own rooms directly with the hotels. We stay three nights in Wall for the Badlands portion and two nights in Custer for the Black Hills.
Absolutely. Many participants choose to extend their visit to explore more of the Badlands and Black Hills. In addition to the workshop locations, nearby attractions include additional hikes through Badlands National Park, hikes in Custer State Park, the Needles Highway, and visiting the caves in Wind Cave National Park. You might also visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear Butte, and Spearfish Canyon if time allows and we don’t visit it. Other notable sites within a few hours’ drive include Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, Jewel Cave, the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, and Dinosaur Park in Rapid City. Vedauwoo in Wyoming is farther away but could be included as part of a longer road trip.
There are so many areas in the Black Hills that we won’t have time to visit during the workshop, but these destinations offer excellent opportunities for photography, hiking, and exploration. If you decide to stay longer, you are responsible for booking your own hotels and accommodations. I can suggest local viewpoints, short hikes, and restaurants for an extended stay.
A guided workshop allows you to benefit from my years of experience in the Badlands and Black Hills. I provide personalized instruction, field-based feedback, and guidance on the best locations, lighting, and timing. This way, you can focus on photography while I help you make the most of your time in these landscapes.