Mastering the Night Sky

Astrophotography Workshop
Acadia National Park, Maine

Workshop Description:

Unlock the breathtaking beauty of the night sky in our Mastering the Night Sky photography workshop. This hands-on course is designed to empower photographers of all skill levels with the techniques, tools, and knowledge required to capture the celestial wonders that illuminate the night.

Highlights

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of night photography, where you'll master camera settings, exposure techniques, and essential equipment to capture breathtaking nightscapes. Delve into the mysteries of the night sky, learning about celestial events, lunar phases, and the positions of stars, planets, and constellations to perfectly plan your shots. Discover the right gear, from cameras and lenses to tripods and accessories, and learn how to use them effectively for stunning results. Achieve optimal exposure in low-light conditions with expert techniques on long exposures, ISO adjustments, and histogram usage to capture every detail of the stars and the foreground.

Put theory into practice with guided night photography sessions in various outdoor settings, receiving personalized guidance and feedback from experienced instructors. By the end of this workshop, you'll possess the skills and confidence to capture awe-inspiring images of stars, galaxies, and celestial events. Whether you're a beginner eager to explore the wonders of night photography or an experienced photographer aiming to refine your craft, our workshop will equip you with the expertise to illuminate the night sky with your artistry.

Unleash your creativity by mastering the art of star trails, from planning and setup to post-processing. Photograph the Milky Way like a pro, with insights on the best locations, timing, and composition strategies. Enhance your low-light composition skills, incorporating landscapes, silhouettes, and foreground elements to add depth and intrigue to your shots. Elevate your photos with essential post-processing techniques, including noise reduction, color correction, and blending multiple exposures, and experiment with creating expansive night sky panoramas.

Join us and transform your passion into stunning night sky photography.

A Typical Night Mastering the Night Sky

noon to 4:30pm
We will meet you at our designated pickup location, load our gear, and head into the park to scout locations.
during our scouting session, we will utilize the daylight to explore compositions and familiarize ourselves with the landscapes of Acadia National Park
4:30pm to 6:00pm
break for dinner
6:00 pm to midnight
We will meet at our designated pickup location, load our gear, and head into the park for a night of photography under the stars.

Prerequisites: Participants should have a basic understanding of photography fundamentals and be comfortable with manual camera settings.

Workshop Details

Private Tours: available April 15 to October 15
Starting at $ 1,495.00 USD per attendee with a minimum of 2 attendees per tour
3 Day Private Tours
4+ Day Private Tours

Main Group Tour: TBD 2025
$2,395.00 USD per attendee
5 attendees maximum

Duration: a five-day immersive workshop, including field sessions, hands-on practice, and group discussions

We highly recommend arriving one day before the workshop date and departing one day after the workshop date

What you’ll need:
transportation to and from Bar Harbor, Maine
lodging
meals
a national park pass valid through the duration of the workshop
sturdy hiking boots or shoes
the ability to navigate uneven and sometimes slippery terrain in low-lighting conditions
DSLR or mirrorless camera, wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/2.8 or greater, sturdy tripod, external intervalometer, multiple memory cards, two or more batteries, and hand warmers
flashlight or headlamp and spare batteries
smartphone with the Photopills app installed

What we’ll provide:
a full itinerary and daily schedule of events
a group meal at a local dining establishment
choice of a Wildscape Adventures hat or t-shirt
recommendations for local entertainment, lodging, and meals
all transportation around Bar Harbor, ME, as well as to and from Acadia National Park
water and snacks are available in the transport vehicle
detailed astrophotography instruction
guidance with finding composition and understanding the passage of time
tools to help visualize night sky compositions
a one-on-one post-processing instructional via Zoom

What we recommend:
arriving one day before the workshop date and departing one day after the workshop date
bring a laptop and external hard drive for offloading images
multiple lenses for a different perspective

Interested in Mastering the Night Sky?

Fill out some info, and we will be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!