Join San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!) and photography instructor, Frank Turina to learn the ropes of night sky photography. Through this night sky photography workshop we also hope we can inspire participants to become stewards of the night sky and to share their appreciation and wonder of the night sky with others.
SLV GO! is currently spearheading a dark sky initiative in Southern Colorado to establish the Sangre de Cristo International Dark Sky Reserve. Partners across southern Colorado are working together to preserve the night sky through long-term planning, the adoption of responsible outdoor lighting policies, and through public education and outreach.
What You Will Learn:
- How to Achieve Perfect Exposures By Understanding the Histogram
- Finding the Best Composition & Framing
- How to Choose the Correct Focal Length Lens for the Situation
- How to Choose the Correct ISO, F-Stop, Shutter Speed and White Balance for Night Photography
- Techniques for Reducing Noise
- Proper Camera Settings for Landscape Photos
- Techniques for Brightening Up Your Foregrounds
- Long Exposures Up to One Hour for Star Trails
- Star Stacking Techniques
- Using Apps on Your Phone to Find the Milky Way
- How to Work a Scene from Multiple Angles & Focal Lengths
- Techniques for Focusing at Night for SHARP PHOTOS
- How to Use Your Intervelometer
- And Much, Much More!!
The Basics:
Dates
2 Days (1 Night):
Friday, April 21 - Saturday, April 22
Location
Half the park is after dark! With a combination of dry air, little light pollution, and high elevation, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is an excellent and easily accessible dark sky viewing location!
Your Instructor
Frank Turina, a Colorado based astrophotographer and past National Park Service employee for the Night Skies Program, started his journey in astrophotography in 2019.
Group Details
Open to any skill level from beginner to professional. Limited to just 12 photographers.
Physical Activity
Easy to Slightly Moderate. Each workshop student needs to be in decent physical condition. Depending on conditions, we may venture out to to the dunes.
Workshop Fees
Pay $50 today to secure your spot! Limited meals are provided, while lodging and transportation is not included.
What To Bring:
- Warm clothes – fingerless gloves or hand warmers are great
- Sturdy tripod
- DSLR camera
- Extra camera battery
- Extra SD cards
- Wide angle lens – 14mm, 25mm 35mm lens
- Red headlamp or flashlight
- Useful apps: Stellarium, Astrospheric, moonphase, SkyView
- Camera user manual
- Laptop computer with Photoshop (or Lightroom)
Questions?
Contact Dani Robben at danirobben@slvgo.com.