Star Tracker Nightscapes Photo Workshop
Death Valley National Park, California
April 23 - 27, 2025
Meet & Greet 6 - 7 pm, Wednesday, April 23 in the lobby of The Ranch at Death Valley Hotel, Furnace Creek
Sold Out!
Four Day / Four Night Workshop
$2,295
8 Participants Max
Workshop Highlights
Join Mike and a small group of seven other nightscape photographers in this immersive, four-day and four-night astrophotography workshop in Death Valley National Park!
This astrophotography workshop is for photographers with mirrorless/DSLR cameras & lenses. You will learn how to do tracked astrophotography with lens with focal lengths between 14 mm - 500 mm.
This workshop will take place during the days just after April’s new moon for the darkest evening skies possible. It will also occur during the best time of the year to photograph the rich variety of deep sky gems that are found along the Milky Way’s central band and near its galactic core.
Death Valley National Park has been designated a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park by Dark Sky International - the highest rating of darkness.
New to astrophotography? This is the perfect workshop for you! You’ll learn everything you need to know to set up your camera and star tracker for both wide-field and deep-sky astrophotography. You will also have ample opportunity to hone your astrophotography skills at night in the beautifully dark skies of Death Valley National Park.
Post-processing of your images is a key astrophotography skill and we cover it in depth. You will see how to use PixInsight, Photoshop and other specialty programs to make your astrophotography images come alive! We’ll cover basic editing, color balancing, curves, stacking, background removal, histogram stretching, star removal/replacement and much, much more.
This workshop also unlocks the secrets of the deep sky and tells you the best objects to photograph. You’ll learn about the most prominent (i) galaxies & galaxy clusters, (ii) emission, reflection, planetary & dark nebulae, and (iii) open and globular star clusters. You will discover where you can find each one in the sky, and when are the best dates & times to photograph them.
You’ll also learn how to stack multiple tracked images captured with a mid-range to wide angle lens (tracking & stacking) for widefield images with incredibly detailed resolution.
Heard about “deepscapes?” They are the latest trend in deep-sky images and yes, we cover deepscapes too!
Finally, you’ll have four nights to apply your skills and bring home images you never would have thought possible!
Dr. Mike Shaw will be your workshop instructor and field guide. He is the author of three night photography books, “The Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography (2023)”, “The Complete Guide to Landscape Astrophotography,” and “Creative Nightscapes and Time-Lapses.” Mike is also the co-creator of Planit Pro’s video tutorials.
Workshop highlights include:
Four nights of guided star tracker nightscape photography in Death Valley National Park
Four days of small-group, indoor sessions
Expert, personal instruction for designing, creating and post-processing stunning deep-sky astrophotography images of galaxies & galaxy clusters, emission, reflection, planetary & dark nebulae, open and globular star clusters; along with wide field tracked images of the Milky Way and prominent constellations
Practical tips and techniques for astronomical observing; and photography tips to keep you and your camera safe, warm and functioning
Workshop Guide with maps, practical tips, gear recommendations and a detailed itinerary
Workshop Structure & Itinerary
Daytime Class Sessions and Night Photography Field Sessions:
This workshop has two components: (i) Indoor daytime sessions and (ii) night astrophotography sessions in the field. The indoor sessions involve presentations and hands-on practice; topics include both preparation for the field events and post-processing the subsequent images. The night sessions are where you apply your planning expertise to capture deep-sky and wide-angle astrophotography images.
You should arrive in your own vehicle for transportation throughout the workshop, or carpool with a friend. Be sure to bring a warm and windproof jacket, warm boots, and hat / gloves (you never know!).
Sunset: 7:30 pm
Dark night: 9:00 pm - 4:30 am
Sunrise: 6:00 am
Milky Way core rises: ~ Midnight
MEET & GREET / NIGHT ONE - Wednesday, April 23
6 - 7 pm Meet & Greet meeting in the lobby of the Ranch at Death Valley hotel in Furnace Creek (map below). Meet your workshop colleague and share information about your goals for the workshop.
7:30 pm - 3 am Drive to a nearby location for your first night of astrophotography. Practice assembling and polar aligning your star tracker. You will practice attaching your camera to your star tracker and moving your camera around the sky, once attached. You will have the opportunity to capture wide and/or telephoto tracked images.
DAY ONE / NIGHT TWO - Thursday, April 24
1 pm - 3:30 pm Our indoor sessions kicks off with a workshop overview and agenda from Mike. We will start by learning the fundamentals of night sky motion, celestial navigation, and star trackers - why they’re needed and how they function. You will again assemble and practice polar aligning your star tracker. You will also prepare a plan for your astrophotography session later that night. Today, and throughout the workshop, you will have ample time to have all your questions answered in a friendly, supportive environment.
5 pm - 3 am Drive to a nearby location for a wonderful night of astrophotography. Deep-sky targets will include the Rho Ophiuchus Molecular Cloud complex, the Lagoon, Trifid, Eagle and Swan Nebulae near the Milky Way’s galactic core, the North American Nebula and the gamma-Sadr emission region, the Helix Nebula and more. Wide-angle targets will include sections of the the Milky Way. In case of truly inclement weather, we will conduct indoor practice sessions on planning with Stellarium, Planit, PhotoPills and The Photographer’s Ephemeris.
DAY TWO/ NIGHT THREE - Friday, April 25
1 pm - 5 pm You will spend the day in our private meeting room reviewing your astrophotography images from the previous night and applying post-processing methods to enhance them. You’ll also learn more about astrophotography, including additional aspects of astronomy. We will start learning about planning astrophotography session for maximum efficiency, using Stellarium, Planit Pro and other tools.
5 pm We will break early to get some sleep before tomorrow’s early start at 1 am!
DAY THREE / NIGHT FOUR - Saturday, April 26
1 am - 7 am Milky Way arch and core targets, followed by sunrise. Now’s your chance to create a Milky Way arch panorama! You can also explore the deep-sky targets described above in more depth, and with different lenses. Finally, we will witness the first of two stunning Death Valley sunrises across its epic landscapes.
1 pm - 3:30 pm We return to the meeting room to continue our astrophotography image enhancement and post-processing projects. You will learn how to plan astrophotography projects in detail using Mike’s Night Photography Plan template. You will have the opportunity to ask more about specific topics of special interest to you.
5 pm - 7 am Tonight we reap the benefit of our experience during the past three nights. We select the best new targets to capture, or perhaps some favorites to return to, and fill out our repertoire of astrophotography images.
DAY FOUR - Sunday, Sunday, April 27
1 pm - 5 pm We complete our astrophotography processing projects from the workshop for sharing and tie up any remaining loose ends regarding techniques. Hard to believe the past four days and nights have passed so quickly!
5:00 pm - Workshop concludes. We pile in our vehicles, head home and sleep!
Learning Environment:
Mike Shaw Photography workshops are known for their in-depth explanations of essential and highly advanced topics in a friendly, supportive environment. If this is your first one, you will likely be pleasantly surprised by the collaborative atmosphere. These are not competitive, goal-driven events; instead, you will have ample opportunity to explore whatever topic(s) you are most interested in, surrounded by enthusiastic, like-minded individuals. The small group size and Mike’s deep knowledge and extensive teaching experience ensure a genuinely unparalleled learning experience with lots of personal attention. Most workshops feature roughly 50% past attendees - for a good reason!
Workshop Accommodations & Venue
Our workshop is based at the Ranch at Death Valley hotel in Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park (see map below). We have arranged for a block of double queen rooms at a reduced, special rate. You can book your room by clicking the link below.
You are also free to stay at other nearby hotels or campgrounds, although be advised that availability is extremely limited. Please contact us if you require assistance with accommodations.
The Ranch at Death Valley hotel
Address: CA-190, Death Valley, CA 92328
Phone: (760) 786-2345
Pricing
$2,295/Person
Workshop Includes:
Four nights of professional astrophotography guiding and instruction for images of deep-sky objects including nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters. You will also have the opportunity to capture wide-angle, tracked images of the Milky Way, constellations and deep-sky panoramas.
Four days of private, small-group indoor sessions on astrophotography, astronomy and image editing, including stacking for noise reduction
Mike’s original Night Shooting Plan template and instructions for its use
Detailed learning sessions with the Planit Pro app
Options to experiment with astrophotography specialty accessories - filters, focusing aides, trackers, panorama heads, and more
Workshop Guide with a complete gear list and other useful information
Workshop Does Not Include:
Hotel accommodations. You can select a room at the workshop hotel from a block reserved for our workshop - see above. Please contact us if you need assistance
Transportation to/from your home to the workshop meeting locations
Meals, beverages & snacks
Workshop Registration, Payment, and Next Steps
To Register for This Workshop:
Click the “BOOK NOW” button above to register and pay for the workshop. You will be asked to provide your name and contact details, along with the option of either a Full Payment or a 50% Deposit Payment. You will also be asked to electronically sign the standard release waiver during checkout. You can review the waiver HERE.
Within 24 hours, you will receive a confirmation email stating that your registration information & payment has been received, and that your spot in the workshop is secure - welcome aboard!
Next Steps:
You will receive your Workshop Guide once your Full Payment is received. The Workshop Guide has the complete workshop itinerary, venue, gear & software lists, maps, and other important details. Please review it carefully and contact us right away with any questions.
Balance Payment - Your Balance Payment is due no later than 90 days before the workshop begins if you made a Deposit Payment during your initial registration. If you initially made a Full Payment then you’re all set!
Hotel room - You should make your room reservation at the venue hotel as soon as possible. You can stay anywhere else in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area you choose, of course.
Airfare / rental vehicle - You will want to make these reservations at your convenience.
Practice - Now is a great time to start practicing with your camera, especially in the dark. See “Know Your Camera” in the “How to Prepare” section below.
Finally - please contact me right away with any questions. I am here to help!
Cancellation Policy
Recommended Gear
(You will receive a detailed gear list in your Workshop Guide when you register)
Camera / Tracker Gear - the Essentials:
DSLR or mirrorless camera with the ability to manually focus and manual set the exposure (ISO, f-stop & shutter speed)
Lens(es). An 18-55 mm kit lens works just fine. Also great are a wide-angle lens (in the 14 - 24 mm range) or a mid-range lens (in the 24 - 70 mm range)
Tripod / ballhead - the sturdier the better
Attachment plate for your camera/ballhead
Star tracker and associated hardware / power supplies - contact Mike with questions
Programmable cable shutter release for long (several minute) exposures. I don’t recommend “wireless” shutter release devices since they often don’t work in the field
Headlamp with a red bulb
Extra batteries
Extra memory cards
Lens/sensor cleaning kits
Camera & other operating manuals
Allen key and other tools for making adjustments
Camera/gear backpack
Camera Gear - Nice to Have:
Loupe for focusing
Tiffen Double Fog 3 lens filter
External intervalometer
Extra flashlight
Apps
Planit Pro (basic version - $9.99) and PhotoPills installed on a smart phone or tablet.
Gaia and Google Maps
Stellarium
Personal Gear:
Snacks
Water
Portable chair - definitely worth its weight!
Hand warmers (optional - we will have these available)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Insect repellent (you never know!)
Laptop for downloading & editing your images during the class sessions
Warm clothes in layers
Warm boots, hat & gloves
Warm jacket & raincoat
How to Prepare
Physical Fitness:
This workshop involves minimal hikes (quarter-mile or less) from our vehicles to the shooting locations. In most cases we will be setting up right next to our vehicles for easy access. Please let us know if you have any concerns at all in this regard.
Know Your Camera:
If you’ve never used a star tracker before, no problem - that’s why you’re taking this workshop! Just bring it along with the owner’s manual and we will get you set up and shooting in no time.
Knowing how to operate your camera before your workshop allows you to enjoy your time in the field creating images. Time spent practicing at home will yield major returns when you’re in the field. For example, you would be able to spend more time on your astrophotography if you already knew how to:
Set the ISO, aperture and. shutter speed in manual mode (M)
Set your focus mode from autofocus to manual focus, and back again
Display the image histogram on the LCD screen
Display the image histogram in image review
(For DSLR cameras) Enable live view on the LCD screen
Magnify the live view shown on the LCD screen
The level of preparation needed is different for everyone, so if there is anything you’re unsure of, please just ask.
Gear:
A little time at home preparing your gear and electronics will give you peace of mind once you’re in the field and potentially away from reliable internet access.
Review the gear list in your Workshop Guide (provided when you register)
Clean your camera lenses and sensors
Charge your batteries
Download and update all the software you expect to use; again, see the Workshop Guide. You definitely don’t want to waste valuable workshop time on these tasks!
Confirm you have all the necessary charging cords needed for your electronics
Set your camera so that it will only function with a memory card installed
