Tenerife: Landscape photography, coaching workshops 5 hrs.

Bring your camera, then learn to really see. This five-hour Tenerife workshop pairs personal coaching with striking natural settings, from Anaga’s misty laurel forest to Teide’s volcanic rock. I like the freedom to choose a favorite location and the small maximum group of three. I also like that you can use an iPhone or other mobile camera, not just a DSLR.

The main consideration is that this is not a sightseeing tour with a fixed route. You need to know your camera’s basic controls, and the best experience requires sturdy footwear, patience, and a willingness to work on one image rather than simply collect scenic snapshots. Hotel pickup may also bring an extra charge, plus a €25 cash travel fee is noted.

• Choose your setting: Pick from six very different photo locations, including Anaga, Tenerife’s volcanic coast, Teide National Park, and the Chinyero lava fields.
• Learn by doing: Detlef Schmalow works directly with you on image ideas, viewpoint, framing, and light.
• Small and personal: The group is limited to three participants, with individual appointments available every day.
• Bring any capable camera: Manual camera controls are recommended, but mobile phones such as an iPhone are welcome.
• Useful take-home extras: You receive five card motifs and a photo guide with creative and technical tips.
• Plan for the terrain: Closed-toe shoes are required, and a tripod is recommended, though an extra tripod is available.

A five-hour lesson built around your image

This is best understood as a private-style photography coaching session in the open air. The central idea is simple but important: a strong photograph comes from the connection between your subject, the chosen section of the scene, your viewpoint, and the available light.

That sounds basic until you try it. Tenerife makes the lesson especially useful because the island changes sharply from coast to mountain. In one session, you might work with black volcanic rock and moving Atlantic water, or with twisted forest branches and drifting mist. The setting gives you plenty to study, but the point is not to race between viewpoints.

Before the date, you discuss your preferred location, meeting point, and start time by phone or email. Individual appointments are possible every day of the week, which is helpful if your holiday schedule already includes beach time, a Teide visit, or a rental-car day.

The group limit of three matters. You will have more opportunity to ask questions than on a large photo walk, and Detlef Schmalow can adjust the coaching to your level. Beginners can work on camera basics and composition. More advanced photographers can focus on visual choices, filters, perspective, and light.

The workshop is taught in German and English. Some content may be presented in its original language, so it is worth confirming your preferred language when arranging the session.

What Detlef Schmalow teaches in the field

The instructor, Detlef Schmalow, is an award-winning photographer with many years of experience. The strongest part of the format is the direct, practical approach. You are not simply told that a view is beautiful. You are encouraged to decide what your image is about, then work out how to show it.

That can mean choosing a smaller part of a wide scene instead of photographing everything at once. It can mean changing your height, moving your position, waiting for a different moment of light, or considering how a long exposure might treat water and clouds.

A verified participant, Angelika from Germany, found the coaching useful with both a DSLR and a mobile phone. She also praised Schmalow’s careful selection of photo subjects and clear explanations. That combination is worth noting: this is not a session aimed only at serious camera owners.

The workshop follows a learning by doing approach. You should expect to handle your own camera rather than watch a lecture. That makes the experience a good fit if you have taken photos for years but still rely on automatic settings, or if you want help turning technical features into deliberate choices.

You should already be familiar with your camera, and manual settings are recommended. A tripod is useful for steady compositions and longer exposures. You may bring your own, and an additional tripod is available.

Anaga and Playa de Benijo: Atlantic drama

Playa de Benijo is the choice for a strong coastal session. The beach is reached by a spectacular road through the Anaga Mountains, so the journey itself may offer photo opportunities. Anaga’s laurel forest adds a second visual mood before you reach the shore.

At the beach, symbolic rock formations rise from the Atlantic setting. The appeal is not just the beach but the combination of dark rock, open water, and the rugged Anaga surroundings. You can work on how much of the scene belongs in the frame, rather than automatically using the widest view.

The location has a practical drawback. A beach and mountain road session requires proper footwear and care around uneven ground. Sandals and flip-flops are not allowed, and closed-toe shoes are required. A sun hat and sunscreen are also sensible items to pack.

If you want the most obviously coastal option, Playa de Benijo is a strong pick. It also suits you if the journey through Anaga is part of the appeal, not just the final viewpoint.

Anaga laurel forest: branches, moss, and shifting mist

The Anaga laurel forest offers a very different lesson. Gnarled branches twist into natural tunnels, with moss and lichens adding texture. Steep mountain ranges and coastal views appear around the forest, while clouds may rise over the ridges and spill back down.

This is a place for close attention. The main challenge is avoiding a cluttered frame. Twisting branches can make an exciting subject, but you need to decide which lines lead the eye and which details distract from the image.

The forest is also light-sensitive in the best possible way. At special moments, sunlight can pass through mist and create a softer, more atmospheric scene. Of course, mist and sunlight cannot be ordered on demand, so you should treat those conditions as a bonus rather than a promise.

I would choose this option if you enjoy mood, texture, and woodland detail more than grand mountain panoramas. It may be less suitable if you want a guaranteed sunset or a wide, open horizon.

Punta Negra and Charco el Diablo: a pure lava study

At Punta Negra, Charco el Diablo offers a session built around lava formations. The rock shapes create many possible compositions, and the location is considered especially suitable for sunset photography.

Volcanic rock rewards careful framing. Instead of treating the shore as one broad scene, you can search for repeating shapes, channels, edges, and contrasts between rough rock and water. The coaching format is useful here because Schmalow can help you decide which section carries the strongest visual idea.

Sunset adds another layer, but it also means changing light during the session. You may begin with a clear study of the lava and finish with warmer tones. A tripod and, if you own one, a neutral-density or polarizing filter may help with certain techniques, although the supplied information does not require either filter.

This is a good choice for you if Tenerife’s volcanic character interests you more than forests or high mountain scenery. As with any coastal lava site, wear firm shoes and take care near uneven surfaces.

La Guancha and Charco del Viento: water working through lava

Charco del Viento in La Guancha is another Atlantic location, but its appeal comes from motion. Water enters between lava arms, and even a slight swell can show the force of the sea.

That makes the spot useful for exploring shutter speed and timing. You can work on showing water as a sharp burst or as a smoother movement, depending on the image idea and available equipment. The setting is also promoted as a strong place for sunset photography.

The coast here is not a passive backdrop. The water changes the scene from moment to moment, which gives you a natural reason to slow down and take several versions of the same composition. A tripod can be particularly helpful when you are testing different exposures.

The trade-off is that active Atlantic water and lava formations call for sensible positioning. Closed shoes are not just a rule here; they are the practical choice. If you want a calm, controlled session, the forest may suit you better. If you like movement and changing conditions, Charco del Viento has more to offer.

Teide National Park and Roques de García

Roques de García is the grandest option in the group. The rock formations near Pico Viejo and Teide were shaped by erosion over millions of years, creating large sculptural forms. The area has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.

One formation is known as the Finger of God. You can work with the scale of the rocks, the mountain setting, and the open sky. The setting is also described as suitable for night photography, with the Milky Way visible under the right conditions.

That last point is important. A night workshop is possible, but you should discuss the timing and plan carefully before booking. A five-hour session at night is a different experience from a daytime visit, with different clothing, light, and camera needs. The supplied information confirms that workshops can take place at any time of day or night, but it does not promise a particular astronomical condition.

Teide is the best choice if your goal is dramatic volcanic scenery and large-scale compositions. It may be less appealing if you prefer intimate details or coastal water. Mountain conditions can also differ from those at sea level, so bring suitable clothing in addition to the required closed shoes.

Chinyero: black lava and bright pine forest

The Chinyero route offers a close look at Tenerife’s volcanic past. The island’s most recent volcanic eruption took place in November 1909, and the Chinyero volcano sits at about 1,560 meters.

Here, dark brown and black lava blocks form channels and rough surfaces. Pine forest adds a strong color contrast, with light green foliage against the volcanic ground. The area is often above the clouds, creating another possible layer in the composition.

This is a rewarding location if you like structure and contrast. You can compare hard lava lines with the softer shapes of trees, or use the volcanic field as the main subject. The setting may also help you think about how color and texture carry an image when there is no ocean or famous landmark in the frame.

The drawback is that the scene may feel more austere than Playa de Benijo or Charco del Viento. You are choosing it for geology, contrast, and unusual forms, not for a classic beach photograph.

What the $118 price includes

At $118 per person, the value depends on how much you want from instruction. You are paying for five hours with a specialist rather than simply for transport to a viewpoint. The small group size and individual scheduling make the price easier to justify if you have a clear photography goal.

Mineral water, still water, and coffee are included. A snack was also appreciated by Angelika, who described the five hours as well filled and specifically praised the tasty refreshment. Meals are not included, so plan to pay for lunch yourself if your timing calls for it.

The price does not cover every transport cost. Hotel pickup can be arranged on request, with an additional charge. A €25 cash travel fee for the journey to and pickup from the hotel is also specified, payable at the end of the workshop. Because the transport wording includes both an extra pickup charge and this flat fee, confirm the exact amount before you book.

The white Range Rover Evoque with a white roof tent is the identifying vehicle. Meeting time and location are arranged individually, so you should have clear instructions before the day.

The workshop also includes five card motifs and a photo guide with creative and technical tips. Those extras will not replace the live coaching, but they give you something practical to revisit after leaving Tenerife.

Who should book this workshop?

I would recommend it most strongly to photographers who want personal feedback rather than a large group excursion. It suits beginners who want to understand manual controls, as well as experienced photographers who want help with composition, perspective, and light.

It is also a good match if you are traveling with only a phone. The workshop specifically allows mobile cameras, and Angelika found the instruction helpful for both her DSLR and phone.

You should be comfortable with the basic operation of your camera. The session is not presented as a complete introduction for someone who has never used a camera. You also need to be ready for uneven outdoor locations, changing weather, and a fair amount of standing or walking.

Children under 16 are not permitted, and the experience is not suitable for people over 95. Bring sunscreen, a sun hat, and closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and bare feet are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the workshop, and you can reserve now while paying later. That gives you some flexibility, but the key decision is still the location. Contact the provider with your first and second choice, then ask how the timing fits the light you want.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want to improve your photographs while standing in front of real volcanic coast, forest, or mountain scenery. The strongest reasons are the three-person maximum, flexible appointments, mobile-camera coaching, and Detlef Schmalow’s direct teaching style.

Skip it if you want a fast sightseeing loop covering every major viewpoint. You will choose a preferred setting, then spend time working on images there. That slower pace is the value of the workshop, not a flaw.

For the clearest choice, pick Playa de Benijo or Charco del Viento for Atlantic water, Anaga for forest and mist, Teide for monumental rock and possible night photography, or Chinyero for lava and pine contrast. Confirm transport fees, bring sturdy shoes, and arrive with one photographic question you want answered. That will help you get much more from the five hours.

FAQ

How long does the photography workshop last?

The workshop lasts five hours.

How much does the workshop cost?

The listed price is $118 per person.

What languages are available?

The workshop is offered in German and English. Some content may be presented in its original language.

Can I use an iPhone or another mobile camera?

Yes. Mobile cameras, including iPhones, are accepted. A camera with manual settings is recommended, but the workshop is not limited to DSLR or mirrorless cameras.

Which locations can I choose?

You can discuss your preferred location from options including Playa de Benijo, the Anaga laurel forest, Punta Negra and Charco el Diablo, Charco del Viento, Roques de García in Teide National Park, and the Chinyero lava fields.

Is hotel pickup available?

Hotel pickup can be arranged on request. An additional charge may apply, and a €25 cash travel fee for the journey to and pickup from the hotel is specified.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes. A tripod is recommended but not required. An additional tripod is available.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.