Mark, the author of The Light of Midnight: Photographing the Landscape at Night and After Midnight: Night Photography by Example, will demonstrate field and digital darkroom techniques with special emphasis on shooting and processing the Milky Way and moon in relation to the night landscape. He’ll cover strategies, tips and techniques on:

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• Camera settings — Shutter speed, aperture, BULB, ISO, white balance

• Determining nighttime exposures

• Using the histogram

• Taking High ISO test shots

• Composing and focusing in the dark

• Using LiveView at night

• Capturing detail in both the landscape and sky

• Photographing the Milky Way, stars, planets, moon, moonlit landscapes, meteors, Northern Lights and other celestial phenomena

• Shooting long exposures by ambient light, from seconds- to hours-long

• Shooting time-lapse sequences and creating time-lapse movies

• Shooting time interval sequences

• "Painting" with artificial light

• Capturing stars as points of light, as trails and as circles

• Photographing lightning

• Shooting portraits that include the Milky Way and night sky using flash and LED lights

• Noise Reduction in-camera and in post-processing

• Processing a variety of night images

• Software used to seamlessly blend night sky and landscape images, while reducing noise

• Sharpening night images

• Specialized software for star stacking

• Blending multiple exposures for depth of field, noise reduction and expanded exposure latitude

• Creating night panoramas

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Mark plans to stay out shooting until midnight and later, visiting wilderness landscapes as well as artificially lit scenes. Possible field locations include the area’s numerous lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, waterfalls, marshlands and quaint villages.  

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Indoor instructional sessions will begin in late morning so that participants get appropriate rest. 

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Come expand your image-making beyond daylight shooting, creating images that evoke the majesty, awe and wonder of the Adirondack landscape, the crescent moon and Milky Way!

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Camera Skills Needed

All skill levels are welcome.

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Users of all types of cameras may attend. However, digital SLR and mirrorless cameras are preferred for their ability to provide immediate feedback and instant access to the images. Without one, you will not be able to take full advantage of the indoor sessions in this workshop.

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Description of skill levels - click here.

Computer Skills Needed

A basic understanding of digital workflow and some working knowledge of Lightroom, Photoshop or other RAW processing software will be helpful.  A laptop computer with a program to store and view images is highly recommended.  Mark will be glad to answer your image processing questions.

Other Considerations

Locations visited during this workshop are easily accessible and do not require any strenuous hiking or climbing.

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As with all outdoor pursuits, some risk is inherent; all participants will be required to sign a waiver prior to the workshop.

Group Size

10 participants max.

Registration Fees

$1125

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A deposit of $250 is required at time of registration. Deadline for early registration discount is June 11, 2023. Click here for information on any other discounts that may be available.

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Details

Dates and Times

The program begins Sunday August 13th at 5:00 pm and ends Thursday, August 17th at noon.  

Where to Meet

Participants will gather at the Marina Motel.  

Directions

The Marina Motel is located at 6 South Shore Road, Inlet New York 13360.  For driving directions go to Google Maps and enter the motel's address as your destination. If you have further questions don't hesitate to contact the motel at (315) 357-3883.

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Lodging

Lodging is the responsibility of the participant and is not included in the registration fee.

We suggest the Marina Motel for this event. Contact them at (315)  357-3883 for reservations.  

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Meals

Meals are the responsibility of the participant and their cost is not included in the registration fee. Mark will work with the group to organize meal times and locations.

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Getting to the Event

The two nearest airports are Syracuse Hancock Internation Airport and the Albany International Airport. Rental cars are available at both locations.

Transportation During the Event

Participants’ vehicles will be used for transportation during field trips. We are adamant about carpooling as much as possible to minimize the number of vehicles needed for any given field trip, as well as to lessen our impact on easily damaged roads and trails. Note that the instructor is not allowed to provide transportation for participants during the event.

The Program Schedule

Day 1

Participants gather at The Marina Motel. Dinner and opening presentation by Mark Bowie. Night photo shoot.

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Day 2, 3 & 4

Participants may shoot sunrise on their own. Breakfast. Instructional presentation by Mark on camera settings, focusing techniques, determining exposures, photographing the stars, moon, Milky Way, meteors, auroras and other celestial objects, and capturing detail in both landscape and sky. Instructional presentation by Mark on processing night images in Lightroom, Photoshop, and star stacking and noise reduction programs. Group critique of participants’ images. Sunset, twilight and night photo shoot.

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Day 5

Participants may shoot sunrise on their own. Breakfast. Instructional presentation by Mark on processing night images in Lightroom, Photoshop, and star stacking and noise reduction programs. Group critique of participants’ images. Workshop wrap-up.

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Note - The actual itinerary may vary considerably from this due to weather and other conditions that cannot be anticipated.

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What To Bring

Important: Mark has provided additional information regarding your needs for this program. Click here to view or download that information. Please contact him directly with questions: (413) 4342-9125 or mbowiephoto@gmail.com.