Night Sky Workshop Details

This is a two day overnight workshop in Grand Teton National Park.

Read the details or go to the Sign Up Form

Information That Pertains To Each Workshop Level

Information That Pertains To Both Workshop Levels

Itinerary

Night Sky Workshops begin at 4pm prior to the actual night session.  You will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the Jackson Hole Photography Studio.   At the studio we will begin a two hour instructional session during which we will dicuss the principles of night sky photography, review the equipment involved and how to operate it.  We will practice night shooting with your own equipment at the studio. We will also discuss the night session location and all related details.  Please note that night session locations are never the same twice.  The actual location of your night session will depend on many factors including weather, wildlife interference, where the stars and the moon will be in the sky at the time of your night session, accessibility, road conditions and more.  All will be discussed.  Afterwards you will be returned to your hotel no later than 7pm to rest up for your night session.

Depending on the actual time of your night session (see Session Times below), you will be picked up at your hotel sometime during the night and driven to the night session location.  The drive to locations inside Grand Teton National Park can take an hour or more.  Wildlife are very prevalent during night hours requiring much lower dirving speeds.  Everything takes longer.

Once there, the night session location will be checked for wildlife and and any other conditions that may have adverse impact on your night session.

Afterwards, everybody can begin setting up their equipment.  We must always keep in mind that everything in the sky is moving and will not wait.  A night session is a race against the clock.  Everything must be done correctly and on time to avoid missing the entire event.

You will take many pictures during a night session.  Long exposures are common which makes everything take longer.  The camera cannot be touch or jiggled in any way during an exposure.  Movement around your tripod and others will be minimal at best.

As the night session draws to a close we will pack up and return to the hotel.  Again, when we finish will depend on the actual date/time of you workshop.

After everybody has had time to catch some sleep and get a good breakfast, we will again drive to the studio to review our night session results.  Expect to be picked up from your hotel around 11am.  At this point you may want to check-out of your hotel.  At the studio we will go over post-processing techniques that can enhance night sky imaging.  By 2pm you will be driven back to your hotel or the airport if you wish.

As you might have realized by now, night sky shooting is difficult for many reasons and not all of those reasons have to do with the camera.

Safety

Just like other workshops, wildlife safety will be reviewed.  Wildlife encounters during a Night Sky Workshop are unlikely.  But, it does not hurt to be prepared.

General Information

What To Expect

Days can be warm, but working outdoors for several hours overnight can be more than cool.   Dropping to 30 degrees at night is not uncommon.  Layered clothing is key and glove liners might be welcome when working with camera gear on a cold night.

The night can be fairly bright during a Full Moon session.  But, the night will be very dark during a New Moon session. Flash lights are provided and are always used during set up.  We use very bright flashlights that won't wear down over night.  We also use multiple lights known as "Big Larry".  They are extremely bright.  But, when it comes time to shoot, all lights are off.  No vehicle interior lights on.  No vehicles running.  No noise.  Complete silence.  We will be in total darkness with just the stars shining above.  Some may call it spooky.  Some people can become a little uncomfortable at first when in total darkness and complete silence out in the open where the wildlife roam.  If so, the vehicle won't be far away.  More likely, however, you will be completely overwhelmed with a clear view of the night sky so typical of Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park.  Something many people never get to witness.

Okay, back to Earth.  Restroom facilities are located throughout the park. But, there may not be one anywhere near the night session location. So, plan ahead.  Most park restrooms are not heated.  They are very basic.  Heated washrooms with running water typically found at lodging facilities, restaurants and key points of interest are usually not open during the night.

Something To Mention

The Jackson Hole Valley and Grand Teton National Park like many high altitude places do not have poisonous snakes.  No need to worry about those little cirtters!

What To Bring

Wear comfortable shoes or boots.  Not all areas will be paved and walking on uneven rocky ground and in sage will be required.

About clothing:  Locals in Jackson say there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.  Layered clothing is most important.  During the summer months light jackets serve as good windbreakers and tend to be water resistant.  Long sleeved sweatshirts with hoods are good to have.  Short sleeved tee-shirts are important too.  Denim jears or good walking pants work out best.  But not too thin.  Don't want that wind blowing through.  Heavy gloves won't be needed during the summer months.  But during March thru late April and again during mid-September into late October the heavier jackets, ankle high boots and gloves will be more than welcome.  Thin glove liners work well when using your camera out in the cold, especially at night.  And let's not forget hats.  Hats are important no matter what season.  A simple hat or cap will provide sun protection during the day and warmth at night.

Bring any medications you might need.  Keep a personal list of any medications you expect to be taking during the workshop.  There are several pharmacies in Jackson that can fill a perscription.  Otherwise, aspirin is about all you will find at the C-Stores in the parks.

Spare perscription or reading glasses if you use them.

Photo gear you should have:

A digital camera of at least 24 mp.  A low noise full frame DSLR works best.  Also bring spare batteries; battery charger and memory cards sufficient for holding several hundred pictures.  You won't need a zoom lens or telephoto lenses during a night session.  Instead, you will want your best "prime" wide angle lens.  Prime means "not zoom".  A 24mm lens is good.  A 20mm is better and a 14mm is golden.  Sometimes a fish-eye can be interesting.  But, fish-eye lenses have a lot of distortions that can require extensive post-processing.  Your lens needs to be f2.8 or faster.  And bring your best tripod.  A ball-head is best for night sky shooting.  Most three-way heads will not tilt back far enough for the elevation angles required.  A camera cable release is important.  A wireless camera trigger would be better.  If you bring wireless we will need to be sure your wireless is not on the same channel as others.

That's it.  Easy peasey!

Lastly, talk with us before you run out to buy all new camera equipment soley for attending a workshop.  All the things you will need can be rented at much less expense. With some advance discussion, we can provide you with everything you need or augment what you already have.  This is also a great way to find out what equipment you actually like.

COSTS

Night Sky Workshop In Grand Teton National Park

Basic:

Advanced:

PAYMENTS

30% due at confirmation of reservation.

70% due 14 days prior to workshop.

CANCELLATION REFUNDS

60% of all payments made up to 14 days prior to workshop.

Session Times

Night session times are based on the New Moon and Full Moon phases plus where the Milky Way and important stars are located in the sky on the day/night of your Night Sky Workshop.  The best workshop dates are listed on the Moon Phases - 2019 page and have already been chosen because they are ideal for night sky shooting.  Dates are identified by New Moon or Full Moon.  The Full Moon dates are ideal for photographing the full moon with Grand Teton or surrounding terrain included in the frame.  Nights during a full moon tend to be fairly bright.  The New Moon dates are best for photographing the Milky Way and stars.  Nights during a new moon are extremely dark.  Even so, terrestrial subjects and events can be included in the frame when using the proper night sky imaging techniques.  Once you identify the date or dates of interest, we can predict the actual night session hours.

Now The Big Disclaimer

Night sky shooting is very difficult and unpredictable.  Weather and low lying clouds can be problematic.  Night sessions are sometimes cancelled when uncontrollable conditions arise at the last minute.  In those cases, the night session can be rescheduled for the next night.  We are willing to do this at no extra cost because we realize how difficult it is to pull off a successful night session.  You on the other hand must be prepared to spend an extra day/night in Jackson at your own expense.  Please let us know if you can agree to these conditions when you submit your reservation form.  Please note too that cancellation refunds based on unforeseen and uncontrollable weather conditions are not possible.

What's Included

*** Workshop Transportation & Guide...

*** Photography instruction and assistance every step of the way...

*** Flashlights...

*** Workshop vehicle first aid...

*** Bottled water...

*** Bear spray for each person in the workshop (just in case)...

*** All Workshop Expenses...

What's Not Included

*** Park Entrance Fees...

*** Rental photography equipment if required...

*** Meals...

*** Tips...

*** Miscellaneous Expenses Not Relating To The Workshops...

*** Gifts, tee-shirts and other souvenirs...

Jackson Hole Photography Studio is a permittee of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Jackson Hole Photography Studio owns and operates a full time commercial photography studio in Jackson, Wyoming offering many services including this workshop.

 Read more about it here.