Workshop Details

Planning
Planning your night shoots is an important part of being able to create compelling and purposeful images. Some of our night sky subjects will include Orion, the Winter Milky Way, the Milky Way core, star trails and hopefully the aurora will make a showing.

Astrophotography Techniques

  • Blending – using different exposures, images at different times (blue hour, twilight) but at the same tripod location
  • Stacking – a method for dealing with noise at higher ISOs.
  • Tracking – using a star tracker (two trackers will be available for use, participants will share if they don’t have their own)
  • Tracked panoramas
  • Focus stacking at night

Editing
Once you’ve collected data, you need to process it. We’ll go over how to blend images, how to bring out details using Lightroom then Photoshop, and what programs you can use for stacking, panoramas, time-lapses, etc.

Included in the Workshop:
  • In-the-field instruction
  • Classroom session
  • Use of certain equipment
Not Included in the workshop:
  • Accommodations (a booking code is available at Lake Louise Inn upon registration)
  • Transportation to and from Banff National Park
  • Transportation during the workshop
  • Park Pass
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals
  • DLSR or mirrorless camera
  • Tripod
  • Star tracker if you have one
  • Remote/Intervalometer/Shutter Release
  • Extra batteries
  • Extra memory cards
  • Laptop
  • Variety of lenses
    • Wide angle, fast lenses are ideal nightscapes for example
    • Mid range or longer lenses for Orion, star trails
  • Snacks
  • Hot drinks in a thermos, water
  • Appropriate clothing and layers for the weather
  • Hat/toque, gloves, mittens
  • Good sturdy and warm boots, hiking poles if needed
  • Microspikes
  • Headlamp
  • Hand/toe warmers

The workshop plan is tentative and will be adaptive to conditions and weather. Participants should be prepared to shoot at any time during the night. Our potential locations include Emerald Lake, Lake Louise, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Morant’s Curve, Abraham Lake, and locations around the Town of Banff. Everything is easy access and only requires short walks from the parking areas.

For those staying at the Lake Louise Inn, check in is at 4 pm, after which we will have a meet up and pre-shoot discussion. Location at the hotel TBD. A few weeks before the workshop a survey will be sent out to all participants and your instructor will be in touch regarding potential plans based on weather forecasts in the days before the workshop begins.

Our goal is to get out as much as possible at night, supplementing in-the-field time with some potential sunset or sunrises. The classroom procession session will ideally be held Sunday afternoon.

Approximate times of key transitions (time will shift forward slightly each day):
Sunset: 6:25 pm
Blue Hour: 6:45 pm
Astronomical Twilight: 7:35 pm
Night Time: 8:15 pm
Milky Way Rise: 4:40 am
Astronomical Twilight: 5:40 am
Blue Hour: 6:55 am
Sunrise: 7:30 am

By registering for this event you agree that you have read and understand the following.

Registration is non-refundable but is transferable. 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.

If the remaining balance is not paid in full, your spot will be forfeit without any refund of deposits or payments already made.

Participants understand that weather and conditions are unpredictable or difficult to forecast. There is no guarantee that we will see northern lights or specific natural phenomena. You acknowledge that travel with a group involves compromise to accommodate goals, desires, personalities, abilities, and physical capabilities. Itineraries are planned, but flexible, and no part of the schedule can be guaranteed. You understand that no discounts or refunds will be given in the event of any changes.

Only in the event that the country or the venue is unable to host the workshop (such as a lockdown situation), participants will be given the option to postpone or receive a refund.

Please ensure you can travel and abide by all health and safety travel recommendations for Canada and your home location if you are booking a spot. It is your responsibility to ensure you can make the workshop. Participants must have travel and medical insurance.

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, weather and travel delays, 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. You are also responsible for selecting activities that are appropriate to your physical abilities and interests.

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Alberta without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. The parties may bring an action concerning this Agreement only in the Province of Alberta.

Your attendance at any event confirms that you have read and accepted the terms of this liability waiver. By signing up for this event you understand that you are attending at your own risk.

“I have attended several of Monika’s workshops in Waterton and Banff. I have also had the pleasure of hearing her talk at the Banff Centre and in Pincher Creek at the Lightchasers Conference. Monika brings an enthusiasm and sense of wonder to all of her workshops and classes. Technically sound, very well organised and – lots of fun! Her sense of humour helps students to relax and “be in the moment.”

Monika’s technical knowledge of settings and composition really help to make improvements in your photography skills. Her willingness to follow up and help long after the workshop is over is really important. There are always lots of questions AFTER the classes and Monika is always available and gracious. Highly recommended for the newbie or experienced photographer for any type of photography. But her Astrophotography workshops will open up a whole new world!”

– Duncan MacFarlane

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“One night I spent some time on Bumble with a glass of wine looking to see if there was anybody interesting out there. A lot of left swipes and then the last person. Identified only by a nickname and one picture. A closer look, a big sip of wine, and I deleted my profile on the app and immediately signed up for Monika’s workshop. Because night photography with a group of strangers is way better than swiping right on a man wearing a papier-mâché deer head mask and carrying a wooden gun.

Seriously though, Monika’s night photography workshop was a great time. Even in these weird Covid times Monika took time in a pre-workshop video conference to give us some great tips, explanations of techniques, settings, and more. On day one of the workshop, we went out to a couple new locations and Monika took time with every participant to help us out with our composition, settings on our camera, making sure that everything was going well. The second night, the weather wasn’t very cooperative, but there was still some interesting techniques learned. A few weeks later we did the processing workshop, and I learned a lot from Monika about the post processing and how to make those images look as stunning as you want them to be. I would highly recommend Monika‘s photography workshops; they’re way better than a date with a dude wearing a deer head mask.”

– Erin Ghostkeeper

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“Monika’s passion for wild spaces and dark skies is infectious. Whether it’s taking in one of her talks, or alongside her out in the field, she is always so generous in sharing her experience and knowledge in helping you to capture your own incredible images. She keeps you safe and the energy level high, even in the wee hours of the morning, or when Mother Nature is throwing everything your way.”

– Sharon Mulligan