Workshop Details
Planning
Planning your night shoots is a crucial part of creating compelling and purposeful images. We’ll discuss how to choose your location, scout compositions in daylight (or not), understand weather forecasts and light pollution maps, and plan around moon phases and rise/set times. Some of our night sky subjects the Milky Way, Orion setting, star trails, and – if we’re very lucky – Northern Lights. We’ll also go over how to use apps and tools to plan effectively, such as PhotoPills, Sky Safari, and more.
Techniques
For most of the workshop, we will be working on techniques that require or work best with full manual mode. We will go over ISO, white balance, aperture choices, and shutter speeds.
One of the most difficult parts of shooting at night is getting your focus correct. We will cover techniques for this and situations where you would want to use certain techniques.
We can also go over noise stacking, blending exposures, panoramas, and timelapses.
Editing
Capturing the data is just the first step of astrophotography. Processing is where your image comes to life and you can showcase your artistic vision. 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.
Safety & Leave No Trace
These are very important topics for photographers to be knowledge about in order to preserve the places we love to visit, keep wildlife wild and make sure you stay safe and (mostly) comfortable on your adventures.
- Classroom sessions on Night Photography Techniques and Editing
- In-the-field instruction from an expert professional photographer
- 1 Telescope viewing session with the Dark Sky Guides (weather permitting)
- Transportation to and from Waterton National Park
- Transportation during the workshop
- Park pass
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- Meals
- Accommodations
- DLSR or mirrorless camera
- Tripod
- Remote/Intervalometer/Shutter Release
- Extra batteries
- Extra memory cards
- Laptop
- Variety of lenses
- Wide angle, fast lenses are ideal for Milky Way.
- Snacks
- Hot drinks in a thermos, water
- Appropriate clothing and layers for the weather
- Appropriate layers and clothing for hiking (no cotton, quick drying material best)
- Hiking boots, pole, pack, etc.
- Headlamp
- Hand/toe warmers
- Masks
- Hand Sanitizer
The workshop plan is tentative and will be adaptive to sky conditions and weather to make the most of every opportunity. Participants should be prepared to shoot at any time during the night. All locations are very close to the town of Waterton.
Our priority will be maximizing night shooting time. We may also include optional sunset or sunrise sessions depending on weather and how many opportunities we have for stars. The editing and processing session is tentatively scheduled for Sunday afternoon and will give you a chance to review your images and learn how to bring out the best in your night shots.
Activity Level: Moderate – We have the option to hike up Bear’s Hump for one Milky Way shoot if conditions allow and the entire group is up for it. Bears Hump is a steep 2.4 km trail with 213m elevation.
Day 1:
- 4pm Check In at accommodations if needed
- TBD Meet & Greet
- Classroom session + camera practice
- Sunset shoot
- Break
Day 2:
- Night Shoot
- Break
- Sunset Shoot
- Stargazing – location TBA
Day 3:
- Night Shoot
- Afternoon Editing session
- Break
Day 4:
- Night Shoot
- Coffee Chats and Wrap Up
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 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.
