Tenerife: Landscape photography, coaching workshops 5 hrs.

Tenerife gives you a rare choice for a photography lesson: crashing Atlantic water, misty laurel forest, black lava, pine trees, or the high volcanic scenery of Teide National Park. Detlef Schmalow’s five-hour workshop is built around your picture idea, then works backward through location, perspective, and light to help you make the image stronger.

I like the personal scale, with no more than three participants, and the freedom to arrange the day around your holiday plans. I also like that you can bring an iPhone, not just a serious camera. The main consideration is that this is coaching, not a sightseeing tour with a fixed route. You should be ready to use your camera manually, walk on sturdy ground, and take an active role.

Key points at a glance

• Choose the setting: Pick from six striking areas, including Anaga, Teide, Chinyero, and several Atlantic viewpoints.
• Learn by doing: Detlef Schmalow works directly with you on composition, perspective, exposure, and light.
• Small group format: The workshop is limited to three participants, which gives you room to ask questions.
• Mobile cameras welcome: You can work with an iPhone or another phone camera, as well as a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
• Flexible scheduling: Workshops are available every day, with individual meeting times arranged before the date.
• Useful take-home material: You receive five card motifs and a photo guide with creative and technical tips.

A photography lesson shaped around your picture

The strongest feature here is not simply the scenery. Tenerife already supplies dramatic scenery in abundance. The useful part is learning how to turn that scenery into a deliberate photograph.

Before the workshop, you discuss your preferred location, meeting point, and start time by phone or email. That matters because the six suggested areas offer very different subjects. A beach at sunset calls for a different approach from a foggy forest or a starry volcanic plateau.

Detlef Schmalow is the photographer and instructor. He teaches in German and English, and the workshop suits both beginners and more advanced photographers. You should already be familiar with your camera, and it should have manual settings. That requirement keeps the session focused on making pictures rather than spending the whole time finding the shutter button.

The teaching method is practical. You bring an image idea, consider which section of the scene deserves attention, then work on your viewpoint and the available light. You are not simply told where to stand and when to press the shutter. You get a chance to test ideas and adjust them as the scene changes.

That approach is particularly useful if you own several cameras. One participant used both a single-lens reflex camera and a mobile phone during the session and came away with a better understanding of each. You can expect direct answers to camera questions, with an emphasis on learning through practice.

Six places, six very different subjects

You do not visit all six locations in five hours. Instead, you choose the area that best fits your interests and the conditions on the day. Here is what each option offers.

Playa de Benijo and the Anaga coast

Playa de Benijo is a strong choice if you want the Atlantic to dominate your photographs. Symbolic rock formations rise from the beach, and the setting offers a clear sense of Tenerife’s rough northern coast.

The drive through the Anaga Mountains is part of the photographic experience. The road passes through laurel forest and provides its own viewpoints, so your camera may come out before you reach the beach. The combination of winding mountain scenery, forest, sea, and rock gives you several types of subject in one outing.

The drawback is practical: this is not a polished urban viewpoint. You need closed-toe, sturdy footwear, and the beach setting is best suited to someone comfortable walking over uneven ground. If your priority is an easy, short-access location, ask about the exact meeting point and walking requirements before booking.

The Anaga laurel forest

The laurel forest offers a quieter kind of drama. Gnarled branches, moss, lichens, steep mountain slopes, and coastal openings create layers that reward careful composition.

Clouds often rise and fall over the ridges. At the right moment, mist and sunlight can change the entire mood of the forest. That makes this a good setting for learning how light affects a scene, rather than treating light as a fixed backdrop.

Forest photography can also be demanding. Branches and leaves easily turn into visual clutter, so you will need to decide what to leave out. This is exactly where coaching has value. A small change in viewpoint or focal length can make the difference between a busy frame and a clear one.

Punta Negra and Charco el Diablo

Punta Negra is the volcanic option by the water. The lava formations have unusual shapes, and the area offers a wide range of subjects rather than one single famous viewpoint.

This location is especially suited to sunset work. You can practice using the fading light on black rock and moving water, while working on foreground, texture, and the balance between sky and shore. A polarizing filter or grey filter could be useful, although neither is required.

The coast brings its own limits. Rock and water call for care with your footing, and the best photographs may require patience while you wait for the light or wave action to settle into the composition you want.

La Guancha and Charco del Viento

At Charco del Viento, the Atlantic pushes between arms of lava. Even a modest swell can make the water feel powerful as it enters the rock formations.

This is another strong sunset choice, but it gives you a more active subject than a quiet beach. You can work on timing, watching how each movement of the water changes the image. The setting also gives you a chance to explore color and contrast between the sea, lava, and evening sky.

As with the other coastal locations, sandals and flip-flops are not suitable. Closed shoes are required, and sturdy footwear is a sensible choice for any session around volcanic rock.

Roques de García in Teide National Park

Roques de García is the high-altitude choice, with huge eroded rock forms near Pico Viejo and Teide. The rock formation often called the Finger of God gives you a recognizable subject, but the broader setting offers plenty of other angles.

Teide National Park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. Its open volcanic setting is particularly good for bold shapes and simple compositions. The scenery can also work after dark, when the stars and Milky Way become the subject.

Night workshops are possible, which makes this the most specialized option. If you are interested in night photography, ask about the timing, equipment, and exact plan in advance. A tripod is recommended, and an additional tripod is available if needed. The high, exposed setting also makes sun protection and suitable clothing important, though the stated essentials are a sun hat, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes.

Sendero del Chinyero and the 1909 lava fields

The Chinyero area shows a different side of Tenerife’s volcanic character. The most recent eruption on the island took place there in November 1909, and the lava fields remain the main subject.

Dark brown and black lava chunks form rough channels and broken textures. Light green pine forests provide a sharp color contrast. Much of the area sits at about 1,560 meters, often above the clouds, giving you a chance to work with simple color blocks and strong geological forms.

This is a good pick if you prefer texture and structure to crashing waves. It also offers an opportunity to discuss how a photograph can show scale, direction, and the path of a lava flow without relying on a single landmark.

What five hours can realistically teach you

Five hours is long enough for focused coaching, but it is not a full photography course. The benefit comes from concentrating on one location and making several attempts rather than rushing through a checklist of sights.

You can expect to work on the connection between your idea and the frame. That may mean deciding whether the rocks, water, trees, or sky should carry the picture. From there, the instructor can help you assess your perspective and use the available light with more purpose.

Beginners should find the format approachable if they are willing to use manual controls and ask questions. More experienced photographers can use the time to refine habits, test a new approach, or get a second opinion on composition. The small group size helps here. With a maximum of three people, your questions are less likely to get lost in a crowd.

You should not book this expecting a long lecture or a stream of technical theory. The emphasis is hands-on practice. That suits many people, but anyone looking for an organized class with slides, formal modules, or detailed post-processing instruction will need to adjust expectations.

Bringing a camera, tripod, or phone

The equipment advice is straightforward. Bring a camera with manual settings if you have one, and be comfortable with its basic operation. A tripod is recommended for long exposures, low light, and night work, but it is not compulsory.

An extra tripod is available, which may help if you are traveling light or sharing equipment. A polarizing filter and grey filter may also be useful, especially around water, bright skies, and sunset, but you do not need to own them to take part.

The workshop is also open to mobile photography. That is a real advantage for anyone who wants better results from an iPhone or another phone rather than buying a dedicated camera. You can learn how to choose a stronger viewpoint, control distractions, and make better use of light even when the phone gives you fewer manual controls.

Bring a sun hat and sunscreen. Wear closed-toe shoes, ideally sturdy ones. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, and bare feet are not allowed, which is sensible given the volcanic ground, forest paths, and coastal rock.

Timing, meeting points, and transport

Workshops are offered every day, and individual appointments are possible. You arrange the start time and meeting point before the workshop, which makes it easier to fit the session around flights, day trips, or other holiday plans.

The standard meeting arrangement is discussed directly. Hotel pickup may be possible on request, but it carries an extra charge. A travel and pickup charge of EUR 25 is payable in cash at the end of the workshop. Confirm exactly how that applies to your meeting arrangement before the day, especially if you are relying on hotel collection.

The vehicle is a white Range Rover Evoque with a white roof tent, making it easier to identify the instructor. Refreshments include mineral water, still water, and coffee. Meals are not included, so lunch is at your own expense if your timing crosses the middle of the day.

Because the location is selected rather than fixed, the final travel time and walking demands can vary. Ask about those details when you arrange your meeting point. The five-hour duration refers to the workshop, not necessarily every minute of driving to and from a distant hotel.

Is $118 a fair price?

At $118 per person, this is not a bargain sightseeing outing, but it can be good value if you want personal instruction. The small group limit, the flexible scheduling, the choice of photographic setting, and five hours of coaching all add value that a standard island tour does not provide.

The price makes the most sense for someone who will actively use the advice. If you bring a camera on automatic mode, avoid asking questions, and mainly want to be driven to scenic places, you may not get the full benefit. If you want help with composition, manual settings, and seeing familiar scenery in a new way, the cost is easier to justify.

Remember the possible EUR 25 cash travel charge and any meal costs. Hotel pickup may cost extra as well. These are modest details, but they affect the final total and should be included in your budget.

The take-home material is practical rather than flashy: five card motifs and a photo guide with creative and technical tips. That gives you something to review after the session, especially if you want to repeat the techniques elsewhere on Tenerife.

Who should book this workshop?

I would recommend it most strongly to a solo photographer, a couple, or a small group of friends who want instruction tailored to their level. It works particularly well for someone who has a good camera but feels unsure about manual settings, composition, or choosing the best viewpoint.

It is also a good fit for a phone photographer. You do not need expensive equipment to take part, and the basic lessons about light and framing apply to any camera.

The workshop is less suitable for children under 16, people over 95, or anyone who cannot manage uneven ground in closed shoes. It may also disappoint you if you want a fixed sightseeing itinerary with many stops. You are choosing one photographic setting, then spending time working with it.

Should you book it?

Book this workshop if you want more than a scenic drive and would like direct help making better photographs. Detlef Schmalow’s practical style, the three-person limit, the choice of six distinct locations, and the welcome given to mobile cameras make it flexible for a wide range of ability levels.

Before paying, decide which subject interests you most: Atlantic water, laurel forest, lava, pine trees, or stars above Teide. Then confirm the meeting point, hotel pickup cost, walking conditions, and whether you need a tripod. If you are prepared to learn by taking pictures rather than simply collecting viewpoints, five focused hours can be a worthwhile part of your Tenerife holiday.

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. A EUR 25 travel and hotel pickup charge may apply and is paid in cash at the end. Hotel pickup can also involve an extra charge.

Which languages does the instructor speak?

Instruction is available in German and English.

Who leads the workshop?

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

Can I use an iPhone or another mobile camera?

Yes. Mobile cameras, including iPhones, are welcome.

Do I need a tripod?

A tripod is recommended but not required. An additional tripod is available.

What locations can I choose from?

Options include Playa de Benijo and the Anaga laurel forest, Punta Negra and Charco el Diablo, Charco del Viento at La Guancha, Roques de García in Teide National Park, and the Chinyero lava fields.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is possible on request, but it may cost extra. A EUR 25 travel and pickup charge is payable in cash at the end of the workshop.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are at your own expense. Mineral water, still water, and coffee are provided.

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.