Tenerife: Landscape photography, coaching workshops 5 hrs.

Tenerife’s best photo lesson may begin before you lift your camera. Detlef Schmalow helps you connect your image idea with the right location, viewpoint and light, then puts that theory to work at one of the island’s striking natural settings. You can use a DSLR, mirrorless camera or phone.

I especially like the small group limit of three, which gives the coaching a personal feel, and the freedom to choose from six very different places. I also like that Schmalow works with beginners and experienced photographers alike, and that a single session can include practical help with both a proper camera and a mobile phone.

The main consideration is that this is a focused photography workshop, not a broad sightseeing tour. You need closed-toe shoes, a camera with manual options if possible, and the willingness to spend time making pictures rather than simply checking off viewpoints.

Key points

• Choose your setting: Pick from Anaga’s forest and coast, volcanic shorelines, Teide National Park or the Chinyero lava fields.
• Learn by doing: Detlef Schmalow coaches you through image idea, framing, perspective and light while you photograph.
• Tiny group: Only three participants are accepted, and private appointments can be arranged any day of the week.
• Phone-friendly instruction: You can join with an iPhone or another mobile camera, not only a DSLR.
• Useful extras: Mineral water, still water, coffee, five card motifs and a photo guide with creative and technical tips are included.
• Plan for the terrain: Sturdy closed shoes are required. A tripod is recommended, and one additional tripod is available.

What five hours with Detlef Schmalow is really about

This workshop is built around a simple idea: good nature photography comes from decisions, not just scenery. Tenerife supplies dramatic raw material, but your final picture still depends on where you stand, what you include, how you use the light and what you want the image to say.

Detlef Schmalow, an award photographer with many years of experience, teaches through practical coaching. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint and left to work things out alone. He helps you examine the scene and make choices as you photograph it.

That approach suits a first-time photographer who needs clear guidance. It also suits a more experienced shooter who wants a second pair of eyes on composition, manual settings or the use of filters.

The workshop lasts five hours, enough time to work carefully without turning the day into a rushed photo checklist. Since the location, meeting point and start time are arranged individually by phone or email, you can choose a place that fits your interests and vacation plans.

Picking between Tenerife’s six photo settings

The biggest choice is the location. Each option gives you a different subject, light pattern and physical setting, so this decision matters more than the exact meeting time.

You can ask for a coastal session, a forest workshop, a volcanic shore, a high-altitude outing or a lava-field walk. Workshops are possible at any time of day or night, which opens the door to sunset and night-sky photography where conditions and timing suit the chosen place.

Playa de Benijo and the Anaga Mountains

Playa de Benijo is the classic dramatic coast choice. Symbolic rocks rise from the Atlantic, and the beach has the open, elemental quality that makes a strong subject for long exposures, wide compositions and changing light.

The route through the Anaga Mountains is part of the visual experience. It passes through laurel forest and offers photo opportunities before you reach the shore, so the session can begin with mountain roads and lush vegetation rather than waiting until the beach.

The trade-off is practical. You should expect a spectacular mountain setting and a beach reached by a striking country road, but this is not a casual sandals-and-sunbed outing. Bring firm closed shoes and be ready for uneven ground.

Anaga’s laurel forest

The Anaga laurel forest offers a very different lesson. Twisting branches, moss and lichens create natural tunnels, while steep mountain ranges and coastal views appear through the trees.

Clouds often rise over the ridges and drop across the forest. If mist catches sunlight, the scene can shift from dark woodland to a soft, glowing subject in a short time. That makes this a strong choice if you want to work on layers, texture and the careful handling of contrast.

Forest photography can be harder than it looks. There are many possible subjects, and the frame can become cluttered quickly. Schmalow’s coaching is useful here because the challenge is less about finding something beautiful and more about choosing what to leave out.

Punta Negra and Charco el Diablo

At Punta Negra, the subject is lava. Charco el Diablo offers unusual volcanic formations and a broad range of possible compositions, from close detail to more open views of the shore.

This is also one of the recommended sunset locations. Late light can bring out the shapes and surface detail in the dark rock, while the sea adds movement and changing reflections.

You should choose this setting if you want a strong lesson in texture, form and contrast. The black lava may dominate the frame, so careful exposure and composition will matter. A tripod can be helpful if you are working with longer exposures as daylight fades.

La Guancha and Charco del Viento

Charco del Viento is another coastal option, but its character comes from the Atlantic meeting lava arms. Even a small swell can send water between the rocks in a lively pattern.

The setting is about timing. You watch the water, anticipate its movement and decide when a wave gives you the strongest shape. It is a good place to practice repetition, shutter speed and the relationship between solid rock and moving water.

This is also recommended for sunset photography. The location offers color as well as power, but you will need sturdy footwear and care around the shore. The workshop information does not promise a particular sea condition, so the water action may vary on your date.

Roques de García in Teide National Park

For the most monumental setting, choose Roques de García in Teide National Park. The famous rock formations, including the formation known as the Finger of God, sit near Pico Viejo and Mount Teide.

The scale here is the main attraction. Erosion has shaped the rocks over millions of years, creating strong silhouettes and sculpted forms. The park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, and it offers subjects for both daytime compositions and night photography.

This location is especially appealing if you want to photograph stars or the Milky Way. Workshops can take place at night, giving you a chance to work with a tripod and long exposures under the high-altitude sky.

The setting also calls for sensible planning. Teide’s altitude and open volcanic terrain give the images their distinctive character, but the conditions can be different from those at the coast. Ask about clothing and timing when arranging the session, and do not forget the sun hat and sunscreen for daytime work.

Chinyero’s lava fields and pine trees

The Sendero del Chinyero offers a strong contrast between volcano and forest. Tenerife’s most recent volcanic eruption took place in November 1909, and the Chinyero area still shows channels and piles of dark lava.

Light green pine forest breaks up the brown and black rock. The contrast gives you a clear visual structure, with hard volcanic forms beside softer vegetation.

At about 1,560 meters, the area is often above the clouds. That can provide unusual views and changing conditions, though exact visibility will depend on the day. This is a good choice if you want to study color contrast, repeating lines and the way a subject changes at high elevation.

The coaching works for cameras and phones

You do not need a professional camera to take part. Mobile photography is specifically supported, including iPhone use, which makes the experience more approachable for many people on vacation.

If you use a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it should have manual settings. That allows you to work more deliberately with exposure and helps Schmalow address the technical side of your photography.

A tripod is recommended but not required. It becomes particularly useful at sunset, in the forest when light is low, or during a night session at Roques de García. One additional tripod is available, which may help if you are traveling without your own.

A polarizing filter and neutral-density filter may also be useful, especially for water, sky and longer exposures. They are suggestions rather than requirements, so you should not feel obliged to buy extra equipment just for this workshop.

The most important item is familiarity with your own camera. You will get more from the session if you know where the basic controls are, even if you are still learning what they do.

A small group changes the pace

With a maximum of three participants, the workshop can respond to your questions instead of following a fixed lecture. That matters when one person is using a phone and another is working with a manual camera, since each photographer may need different help.

Individual appointments are possible every day of the week. You can discuss your preferred location, meeting point and time in advance, which is useful if you are building the workshop around other Tenerife plans.

Hotel pickup can be arranged on request for an extra charge. The car is a white Range Rover Evoque with a white roof tent, which makes it easier to identify the meeting vehicle.

A €25 cash travel and pickup charge applies at the end of the workshop for the journey to and from your hotel. The supplied details describe this as a flat rate, and hotel pickup itself costs extra, so confirm the exact arrangement before you set off.

What the $118 price includes

At $118 per person, the value depends on how seriously you want to improve your photography. You are paying for five hours with an award photographer, a very small group, local location planning and hands-on instruction rather than a standard sightseeing drive.

The price also includes mineral water, still water and coffee. Lunch is not included, so plan to buy or bring food at your own expense if your timing calls for it.

You take home five card motifs and a photo guide containing creative and technical tips. These are modest but useful extras, especially if you want something to refer to after the workshop.

The extra €25 travel charge and any hotel pickup cost should be included in your budget. If you meet at an agreed location instead, you may avoid the hotel transfer arrangement. Ask about this when you make the appointment.

What to bring for a productive session

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip flops, open-toed shoes and bare feet are not allowed, and that rule makes sense for rocky volcanic ground, forest paths and coastal locations.

Pack a sun hat and sunscreen, even if you choose a forest or high-altitude site. Tenerife’s light can be strong, and a five-hour session gives you plenty of time outdoors.

Bring your camera, spare batteries if you use them, and a tripod if you have one. A polarizing filter or neutral-density filter can add options, but neither is essential.

Keep your setup manageable. The point is to work with the equipment you understand, not to carry every accessory you own.

Who will get the most from this workshop

I would recommend this to adults and older teenagers aged 16 or above who want more than a quick photo stop. It is a particularly good fit if you are visiting Tenerife with a clear interest in nature photography and want to return home with stronger habits.

Beginners should feel comfortable asking basic questions. The practical, learning by doing approach is easier to follow than a technical talk packed with jargon.

More advanced photographers may prefer to choose Teide at night, the volcanic coast at sunset or a location with difficult light. The small group format gives you room to ask about personal choices rather than only general camera operation.

The workshop is also a good option for phone photographers. A recent participant learned to use both a digital camera and a mobile phone more confidently, which shows the benefit of having coaching that does not assume one type of equipment.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed sightseeing tour with many stops, a meal included or a family activity for young children. The minimum age is 16, and the experience is built around concentration, walking and making pictures.

Should you book it?

Book this workshop if you want personal instruction, a carefully chosen Tenerife setting and time to work on real photographs. I especially recommend it to anyone who feels surrounded by beautiful scenery but is unsure how to turn that scenery into a strong image.

Choose your location according to your goals. Anaga is best for forest texture and mist, Benijo and Charco del Viento for the Atlantic, Punta Negra for lava and sunset, Teide for scale and stars, and Chinyero for volcanic contrast.

Skip it if you only want a quick scenic drive or if the €25 cash travel charge and possible hotel pickup fee make the budget uncomfortable. For a committed beginner or photographer, though, five hours in a three-person group with Detlef Schmalow offers a useful mix of instruction, scenery and practical results.

FAQ

How long does the photography workshop last?

The workshop lasts five hours.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $118 per person. A €25 cash travel expense applies for the journey to and pickup from the hotel, and hotel pickup is available on request for an additional charge.

Which languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in German and English.

Who leads the photography workshop?

The workshop is led by Detlef Schmalow, an award photographer with many years of experience.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to three participants.

Can I use an iPhone or another mobile camera?

Yes. Mobile cameras, including iPhones, can be used during the workshop.

Do I need a camera with manual settings?

You should be familiar with your camera, and a camera with manual setting options is recommended. Mobile cameras are also accepted.

Is a tripod required?

No. A tripod is recommended but not obligatory. An additional tripod is available.

Is hotel pickup included?

The meeting point and pickup time are arranged individually. Hotel pickup can be requested for an extra charge, and a €25 cash travel rate applies for the hotel journey.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring a sun hat, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes. Sturdy shoes are recommended. Sandals, flip flops, open-toed shoes and bare feet are not allowed.