Arches Astrophotography Workshop - June 2021

Arches National Park is the latest Utah park to be certified as somewhere you can see a truly dark night sky. According to IDA, an International Dark Sky Park is a land possessing an exceptional and renowned quality of starry nights that provide abundant opportunities for photographing the night sky.

Join us in June 2021 from sunset to sunrise under moonless skies in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks to capture some of the most stunning geologic formations that make this a monumental backdrop for epic night sky photography.‍

This astrophotography workshop includes four nights of in-depth instruction and guidance that will teach you how to find your way around in the dark to find the best composition (using PhotoPills), what exposures to use for night photography, and how to focus in the dark.

Some of the more popular locations include:

Broken Arch

Delicate Arch

Balanced Rock

Double Arch

Turret Arch

North Window

Wilson's Arch‍

Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks. This red rock wonderland is the perfect place to meet and make new life long friends under the brilliant canopy of some of the darkest skies in the Southwest. Each night our shooting will begin at sunset and conclude at sunrise to be able to maximize our time in the park.We will also spend an afternoon on post-processing techniques that can help you create striking images using Lightroom and Photoshop.Join us for this four night astrophotography workshop during new moon when skies are at their darkest!  There is no place like the Arches for photographing the night sky!‍

Required Equipment and Accessories:

DSLR or mirrorless camera with ISO range to at least 12,800 and shutter speeds to at least 30 secs

Wide angle lens with a aperture of f/4 or larger and a full frame equivalent of 14 - 35 mm

A sturdy tripod

Intervalometer, wireless remote or shutter release cord

Extra batteries

Headlamp with a red filter

Small flashlight

NOTE: If you need to purchase or rent any of the required equipment - please, feel free to contact Craig at 719.930.1301.‍

Recommended Items:

Warm clothes (as the night gets later it does get colder)

Gloves and hat

Hiking Boots

Snacks and beverages

Bug spray

Camping chair or any portable seat. We do a lot of standing.‍

What You Will Learn:

We only teach in our workshops single exposure wide-field astrophotography, which can be best described as landscape photography in the dark, with an emphasis on capturing brilliant Milky Way images using wide-angle lenses.Over the years a variety of techniques have been developed but our shooting time will be focused on getting the most out of your equipment with just a single exposure.This is a great place for the beginner astrophotographer to start their journey or the intermediate photographer to hone their skills before moving on to the more advanced techniques.

-The best times to photograph the Milky Way

-How to find the best dark sky location

-Best equipment to use

-How to focus in the dark

-How to set exposure and ISO

-Rule of 400 / 500 / 600

-Identifying other lights in the night sky

-Post Processing Images using Lightroom Classic CC‍

Photo Pills Class: One afternoon we will teach you all about the PhotoPills App. Work smarter, not harder using one of the most powerful tools a photographer can keep in their pocket. We will teach you how to easily calculate the exact date and time to capture the Milky Way, sunsets, moonrises, star points or star trails to create the scene you have imagined. (*Please have this app downloaded on your phone and review before the beginning of theworkshop.* )‍

What You’ll Need For Processing Class: Digital processing is a crucial step in astrophotography for creating striking images.Laptop computerNotebook paper and pen for keeping notes. You will be given a 4 page "cheat sheet" on the things we covered for you to take home. Make sure you have the latest version of Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC loaded.

More Details:

Participants: Limit 6‍

Experience Level:  Beginner - Advanced.  Beginners and experienced photographers will benefit from this workshop.‍

Endurance Level:  Moderate - All age levels are welcomed. Light hiking is involved, but nothing too strenuous. We’ll drive to each location then hike to the best position. ‍‍

Workshop I Dates: June 6 to June 10, 2021

Workshop II Dates: June 10 to June 14, 2021‍‍

Lodging:  TBD: Our home base for this workshop will be at a hotel located near the park in Moab, Utah where we will have a reserve block of rooms at a reduced rate. You are free to stay anywhere in the area.‍‍

What is Included? ‍The cost of the workshop DOES includes: Photo instruction by Craig Wennersten at multiple locations, deep space observation session and photo editing  using Lightroom / Photoshop classroom instruction.This workshop DOES NOT included: Transportation to / from Moab and during the workshop (we will carpool as much as possible), flights or car rentals, lodging or meals.‍‍

Price:  $ 1,699.00‍

Hope To See You There!  ~ Keep Looking Up!  Please feel free to contact Craig if you have any questions or need any help with your gear or equipment requirements.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Arches National Park, 815 S Main Street, Moab, United States