Andrew Lake Northern Lights Photography Workshop
Date: Sept 16-20, 2021
Tickets: $3599 + GST (Photographer)
$3149 + GST (Non Photographer)
25% is due immediately to book your spot in this Northern Lights photography workshop. A payment plan can be offered. Full amount due by June 16th, 2021. Please review terms and conditions listed below.
Class size is limited to 6 photographers. 4/6 remaining. Non photographer companions welcome!
Develop your northern lights and astrophotography skills during this exclusive four night workshop focused on teaching you all the techniques you need to photograph the world at night. This small group workshop ensures the best experience for night photography at Andrew Lake and one-on-one time with the instructor.
Andrew Lake sits almost precisely on the 60th Parallel North, meaning you are practically guaranteed to see Northern Lights anytime there is a clear night. There are no sources of light pollution nearby, so the skies are very dark. The fly-in fishing camp is well equipped and provides photographers with a unique setting to experience Aurora Borealis.
Mid-September is also when the fall colours start to come in. Larches will be yellow, and the aspens and various other foliage will be showing off a range of yellows, oranges and reds.
Activity level required is low for this workshop. The bush is quite thick around camp, but it is possible to explore a little ways. Boat trips take you to beaches and forested areas. The Runway, where you land from Fort McMurray has the largest area to walk around and explore. Otherwise you’ll be travelling by boat!
What is Covered:
Planning: Planning your night shoots is an important part of being able to create compelling and purposeful images. We will go over how to read aurora data in a classroom setting and real-time at night. Participants will learn what conditions would be best for their home locations as well – unfortunately the further south you go, the less likely you are to catch a good show.
Settings: Shooting at night requires you to use your camera in full manual mode. We will go over ISO, white balance, aperture choices, and shutter speeds.
Focusing: One of the most difficult parts of shooting at night is getting your focus correct. We will cover techniques for this and the situations where you would want to use certain techniques.
Included in the Workshop:
- Flight to Andrew Lake from Fort McMurray
- Accommodations (two people per cabin)
- Private cabins (bunk beds with mattresses)
- BBQs
- Propane stoves
- Fireplace
- Meeting room with Satellite Wifi
- Power – generator runs at certain time intervals
- Main Lodge
- Hot and cold running water
- Showers and flush toilets
- Private cabins (bunk beds with mattresses)
- All meals prepared by a Red Seal Chef
- Classroom sessions
- Access to boats for fishing or touring around
- Guided tour to trappers cabins
Not Included in the workshop:
- Beverages (can be ordered ahead of time)
- Transportation to and from Fort McMurray
- Travel insurance
What to Bring – Photography:
- DLSR or mirrorless camera
- Tripod
- Remote/Intervalometer/Shutter Release
- Extra batteries
- Extra memory cards
- Battery chargers
- Laptop
- Variety of lenses
- Fast lenses are ideal for night photography
- Range of wide to mid focal lengths are ideal for Aurora
- Long lenses for wildlife, detail shots, etc.
- Headlamp
What to Bring – Personal:
- Snacks (can be ordered through Andrew Lake) – all cabins have small fridges/freezers. Soft coolers are better than hard plastic ones.
- Toilet paper & paper towel
- Dish soap, scrub brush (cabins have pots, pans and cooking utensils)
- Appropriate layers (Fall temps vary from +20 to -5C):
- Rain gear
- Rubber/waterproof boots
- Hat, gloves
- Warm layers for standing around at night
- Hand/toe warmers
- Masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Sleeping bag & pillow
- Towel & Toiletries
- Hand/toe warmers
- Masks
- Hand Sanitizer (Monika Deviat Photography will also carry this during the workshop)
Workshop Outline:
The workshop plan is tentative and will be adaptive to conditions and weather.
TBD:
- Virtual pre-adventure meet up
- Short presentation on aurora photography
- Q&A – photography
- Q&A – Andrew Lake
Sept 16 – Thursday:
- Participants meet in Fort McMurray for flight to Andrew Lake
- Settle into cabins and camp tour
- Review aurora techniques and help with camera gear
- Night shoot
Sept 17 – Friday:
- Sunrise shoot (if weather looks promising/depending on how late we shot aurora)
- Morning boat tour to trappers cabins
- Image review and Q&A from first shoot
- Free time
- Night Shoot
Sept 18 – Saturday:
- Sunrise shoot (if weather looks promising/depending on how late we shot aurora)
- 3 one-on-one 30 minute afternoon sessions with Monika
- Night shoot at the Runway
Sept 19 – Sunday:
- 3 one-on-one 30 minute afternoon sessions with Monika
- Fall colour shoots
- Night shoot
Sept 20 – Monday:
- Pack up
- Fly from Andrew Lake back to For McMurray
TBD:
- Virtual Meet up – processing session, image reviews and critiques, Q&A.
Max Photographer Participants: 6
Check out my scouting trip from September 2020, where even KP1 predicted nights were amazing!
Andrew Lake Lodge:
http://andrewlakelodge.com/
Travel Alberta:
https://www.travelalberta.com/ca/
By registering for this event you agree that you have read and understand the following.
Registration is non-refundable but is transferrable. If you can find someone to take your spot and buy your ticket from you, this is acceptable. Email monika@monikadeviatphotography.com to confirm a transfer.
Please ensure you can travel and abide by all healthy and safety travel recommendations for Canada, Alberta, and your home location if you are booking a spot. It is your responsibility to ensure you can make the workshop. Participants should have travel insurance.
A participant may not attend if they have any symptoms of COVID-19, travelled internationally within 14 days of the workshops or have had close contact with a confirmed case and are required to self isolate. Participants should have medical/illness/emergency insurance.
Only in the event that the venue is unable to host the workshop (such as a lockdown situation), will participants be given the option to postpone or receive a refund.
If the participant does not/cannot partake in any activities throughout the workshop for any reason, no refunds of any kind will be provided.
Catching the Aurora Borealis is never guaranteed. At Andrew Lake the main limiting factor could be weather. During my scouting trip, I saw the aurora every night it was clear, even with KP1 predicted. However, there is always a possibility that the Northern Lights will not be visible for the duration of the workshop. While unfortunate, please note there will not be any refunds of any kind should this occur.
Monika Deviat Photography reserves the right to cancel the workshop at any time. The cancellations could occur for a variety of reasons, such as a minimum number of participants is not met, family emergency, unforeseen circumstances impact the worksop, etc. In the event of cancellations that are under the control of Monika Deviat Photography, participants will receive a full refund for the workshop. No compensation would be made to participants for any other associated costs such as, but not limited to, travel, hotels, etc. Participants should have travel insurance.
You, for yourself, your heirs, executors or anyone else who may claim on your behalf, hereby waive, release and forever discharge, Monika Deviat/Monika Deviat Photography, assistants, and affiliates, representatives, executors, and all others from any and all responsibilities or liability from personal injury, death, damage to property or loss of any kind resulting from participation in a photography workshop event.
This release extends and applies to, and also covers and includes all unknown, unforeseen, unanticipated and unsuspected injuries, damages, loss and liability. You are responsible to research the event and bring the proper gear.
Your attendance at any event confirms that you have read and accept the terms of this liability waiver. By signing up for the Northern Lights Photography Workshop you understanding that you are attending at your own risk.
