Orion Workshops

Orion Workshops™ – Free Nighttime Photography Classes

Since 2011 I have been gathering friends and family members to teach them nighttime photography tips than in 2013 on a trip to Bryce Canyon I signed up for a ranger class on the same subject. The class was canceled due to the ranger getting sick and I offered to teach it, the students responded very well and I was asked to do another class the last night I was there. Since then I have taught nighttime photography classes in Joshua Tree National Park, Zion National Park, Mojave National Preserve and Yosemite National Park.

I do this for fun and to help spread the knowledge I have with others, I also learn a lot from the people attending the classes, which makes it even more fun. My plan is to do about four a year and the spaces are limited, keep checking back here for where the next class is, I always update it once I have a secure date.

Basic skills you will learn:

• Correct settings for your camera
• Focusing in the dark
• Adjusting your exposure with histogram
• Finding the North Star

Star Trails over Yosemite Valley mountains

Advanced skills you will learn:

• Painting with artificial lights
• Star trails
• Night landscapes and the Milky Way

Equipment you will need:

• SLR or DSLR Camera (media card too :)!)
• Camera tripod (the sturdier the better)
• A finger to press the shutter button (very important)

The Milky Way near Red Rock Canyon State Park

Suggested equipment:

• Wide Angle Lens (the wider the better and low F stop but not necessary bring what you got)
• Intervalometer or remote control
• 2-4 extra batteries (your batteries will die quickly)
• Headlamp (preferrable red)
• Chair for those long exposure times
• Sweater or jacket, it gets cold by 3am
• Snacks and drinks

Current schedule:

Saturday June 13, 2015 – Joshua Tree National Park