Our night photography workshops kicked off in 2012 with nights in the gold rush boom town of Bodie, California. Over time we found that it’s often best to have two nights in the Park, after two practice nights, with post-processing sessions to help produce stunning results. It’s a somewhat specialized gig. We love supporting our local parks and non-profits, but we’re able to offer more affordable options when we’re not writing checks in the thousands of dollars (before all of the other expenses of operating a travel and photography business) to pull one off.
On some of our longer headline workshops in Yosemite and Death Valley we emphasize guiding and photography, more of a photo tour format with less time covering post-processing. Many of our clients are comfortable with their post-processing tools and workflow. They’re more interested in being in the right place at the right time, for great subjects in solid compositions in prime seasonal conditions, in interesting weather, at a time that offers favorable light.
Other clients want a shorter workshop at less cost (even lodging and food can be expensive in national parks). And include the post-processing. This is that shorter, more affordable weekend workshop with a balance of instruction (if you like), shooting, and post-processing, without the cost of national park lodging or special access to Bodie. It’s like the first two days of our Bodie workshops, without the extra cost of a Bodie permit, and the days off work required. Learn and practice landscape and night photography in a weekend! In recent years, as sensors, software and accessories have improved, we have evolved our lighting techniques, our exposure techniques, and our post-processing tools and techniques. So this can also be a good fit for past clients wanting to see how our techniques have evolved, or to add more post-processing than we might have gotten to in a more shooting-oriented tour.
June can offer scattered rain showers during the afternoon, a colorful sunset and potentially rainbows as the storms clears, followed by clear skies for milky way photography under a dark night sky. We’ll spend two nights practicing night photography at iconic sites at Mono Lake and up in the Yosemite’s Tioga Pass area. Weather and photographic opportunities will influence our daily itineraries. This time of year we’ll have a nice position for the Milky Way galactic center. We can discuss and demonstrate capturing star trail and time-lapse sequences for those interested. Want to see how starry landscape sky stacking compares to AI noise reduction? You can shoot for both and decide in post.
The daylight hours during the approximately 48 hours of the workshop will be divide between landscape photography and classroom sessions. The two days in Mono Lake and Tioga Pass area will offer landscape photography, with favorable timing for wildflowers in the area. You will have two trip leaders. Jeff and Lori live locally, and each have 200+ nights experience leading groups for day and night photography in the area.
Please note that the Tuolumne Meadows / Tioga Pass area is at elevations of 8560-9975 feet. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about being at altitude for a few hours on a night or two.
Sample Itinerary
To ensure you get the best pictures and to accommodate for any adverse weather, we keep the exact itinerary flexible. The following is an example of what to expect, though it may change slightly as necessary during the workshop.
What’s included:
What’s not included:
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