Back due to popular demand!
Learn how to create stunning images under some of the darkest skies in the lower 48 states! This class will cover pre-trip planning, camera settings and ideal equipment, composition, panorama creation, and post-processing techniques.
Participants will meet at the Sun Valley Museum of Art's Hailey Classroom on Wed, June 5 at 5:30pm to make a pre-trip plan and review camera basics. Carpools will depart for a shooting location in the Wood River Valley by 7pm. Students will discuss camera settings, scout compositions and photograph the sunset and blue hour (twilight) before astronomical twilight (fully dark sky). Once the sky fully darkens (9:30–11pm), participants will practice creating long-exposure compositions of the night sky and the Milky Way. Return to Hailey around midnight.
On Thu, Jun 6, students will discuss post-processing techniques, including light noise reduction, panorama stitching, lens corrections, and image retouching.
Supplies needed for this class:
- Camera—Ideally DSLR or Mirrorless with wide angle lens and low aperture.
- Tripod
- Remote Timer
- Warm Clothing
- Headlamp—Ideally with red bulb
Note:
There are a few phone cameras that can take reasonable night sky images nowadays, but they are fairly limited in comparison to DSLR/mirrorless cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S23, Apple iPhone 14 Pro and newer, and Google Pixel 7 Pro have astrophotography functionality and would require a small phone tripod to keep it steady during long exposures. Post-production would likely be done right on the phone.
Age & ability: 17+, basic knowledge of how to operate your camera in manual mode; advanced photography skills not required.
This 2-session workshop takes place Wed, June 5, 5:30pm–midnight in the field and Thu, June 6, 12–3pm at the Hailey Classroom.
About the instructor:
Nate Liles is a photographer and videographer who creates imagery of the night sky across the Western United States. A landscape photographer at heart, he shoots many different disciplines of photography, mostly in the outdoor space, and feels most at home under a dark sky full of stars. Nate has more than a decade of experience using advanced techniques to create stunning images of the landscape and night sky.
