Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography
Night Photography Workshop
Minneapolis, Minnesota
January 15 - 19, 2025
Meet & Greet meeting, 7 - 8 pm on Wednesday, January 15 in the lobby of the Country Inn & Suites, Roseville, MN
Four Day / Four Night Workshop
$1,995
8 Participants Max
Workshop Highlights
Join Mike and an enthusiastic group of other astrophotographers in this immersive, four-day and four-night astrophotography workshop!
New to night photography? This is the perfect workshop for you!
You’ll learn everything you need to know to set up your camera and practice using it to capture stunning images of the Milky Way, stars, the Moon and much, much more.
You will also have an evening of hands-on guided field practice with your own gear where you can capture your first astrophotography image!
Learn how to capture and edit stunning landscape and deep-sky astrophotography images of:
Milky Way
Aurora Borealis
Star trails
Full/crescent moon
Distant galaxies
Comets
Deep-space nebulae & star clusters
And much more!
We’ll begin by exploring the top landscape and deep-sky astrophotography subjects and the best times of year to capture them.
Then, you’ll learn the basic astrophotography gear you need and how to set it up – lens choice, focusing tips, composition techniques, exposure settings and more. You’ll learn when you need a star tracker and when you don’t.
Next, we’ll review a host of useful apps to help you plan your astrophotography sessions for maximum productivity.
Finally, we’ll conclude with extensive practice with astrophotography-specific post-processing methods using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and other specialty tools to bring out the best in your images.
Launch your journey into space in this knowledge-packed workshop, and learn how to bring home spectacular souvenirs to share with your family and friends!
Dr. Mike Shaw will be your workshop instructor and field guide. He is the author of the book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography (2023)” and the acclaimed night photography books, “The Complete Guide to Landscape Astrophotography,” and “Creative Nightscapes and Time-Lapses.” He is the co-creator of Planit Pro’s video tutorials.
Workshop highlights include:
Four days of in-depth classroom sessions on night photography & astronomy fundamentals, including techniques for image enhancement in post-processing
Four nights of astrophotography in the field - capture your first set of night photography images!
Expert explanations and instruction for how to create stunning nightscape images of the Milky Way, star trails, constellations, panoramas, time-lapses, deep-sky objects and more
Practical tips and techniques for astronomical observing; and photography tips to keep you and your camera safe, warm and functioning
Workshop Structure and Itinerary
This workshop has two components: (i) Daytime classroom sessions in our private meeting room and (ii) night photography sessions in the field. The classroom sessions involve presentations and hands-on practice with your gear and images. The evening photography sessions are where you will capture images for post-processing later in the workshop.
You should arrive in your own vehicle for transportation throughout the workshop, or carpool with a friend. Be sure to bring winter clothes, winter boots, a winter hat and gloves, and hand warmers (will be provided if needed).
Night 1 (Wednesday, January 15) 7 pm - Workshop begins. We meet and greet one another during our orientation meeting in the lobby of the Country Inn & Suites, Roseville, Minnesota. Meet your workshop colleague and share your goals for the workshop along with the camera systems you’re using. Mike will give a workshop overview and agenda.
Night 1 (Wednesday, January 15) Following the Meet & Greet orientation and a brief break, we will drive to a beautiful dark location near the Twin Cities. Here, you will receive personal instruction on how to properly focus your camera in the dark, compose in the dark, and what are the best camera and exposure settings for night photography. You can also explore the effects of different lens focal lengths and lens filtersto the best composition and depth of field. After capturing a few trophy images we will return. In the event of extreme clouds or light rain, we will do our night photography sessions in a beautiful wilderness locations outside the National Parks where light painting is permitted.
Day 1 (Thursday, January 16) You will spend time reviewing your images and applying night photography post-processing secrets in our private meeting room at the Country Inn & Suites. You’ll also learn more about the basics of night photography, including a review of the fundamentals of astronomy. After reviewing selected “Astronomy 101” fundamentals, we may then discuss more advanced topics - time-lapses, star trackers, panorama, star trails, and lunar/solar eclipses. You will have ample time to have all your questions answered in a friendly, supportive environment.
Night 2 (Thursday, January 16) We will drive to a new location to take the best advantage of the weather and the interests of the group. You will continue to develop your newly acquired skills as you enjoy a wonderful evening under the night sky capturing breathtaking images.
Day 2 (Friday, January 17) We return to the meeting room to continue our image enhancement and post-processing projects. You will also learn more about specific night photography topics of interest to you, including how to previsualize and plan for an evening of astrophotography. We’ll learn about the different stages of twilight and why they’re important. We’ll also discuss useful apps and software - Planit Pro, PhotoPills, Stellarium and more.
Night 3 (Friday, January 17) We keep an eye on the weather in case high-altitude cirrus clouds appear, giving us a the opportunity for an epic sunset with vivid, pink-tinted clouds. We then prepare for our evening’s night photography projects at new locations near the Twin Cities.
Day 3 (Saturday, January 18) Today in the meeting room you continue your nightscape image projects, we learn about more advanced night photography techniques including image blending, panoramas, stacking for noise reduction, moon sequence images, and meteor shower composites. Time and interest permitting, we may also discuss additional software, such as Starry Landscape/Sky Stacker, Starstax, Sequator, and PixInsight.
Night 4 (Saturday, January 18) Tonight we reap the benefit of our experience during the past three nights. We select the best new spots to visit, or perhaps some favorites to return to, and fill out our repertoire of nightscape images.
Day 4 (Sunday, January 19) We complete our nightscape image editing projects from the workshop in our private meeting room and tie up any remaining loose ends regarding night photography technique. Hard to believe the past for days have passed so quickly!
Day 4 (Sunday, January) 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. Mike Shaw’s workshops generally feature roughly 50% returning attendees - for a good reason!
Workshop Venue & Accommodations
Our workshop is based at the Country Inn and Suites in Roseville, Minnesota (see map below). We have arranged for a block of single King Suites at a special rate. Please call the hotel directly at the number below and mention the “Mike Shaw Photography Workshop” to access the special rate.
Country Inn and Suites
2740 E Snelling Service Dr, Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 628-3500
You are also free to stay at other nearby hotels or at home if you live nearby.
Please contact us if you require assistance with accommodations.
Pricing
$1,995/Person
Workshop Includes:
Four nights of professional photography guiding and instruction under an authorized use permit with the US National Park Service
Four days of private classroom sessions on night photography, astronomy and image enhancement
Mike Shaw’s original Night Shooting Plan and instructions for use
Options to experiment with night photography specialty accessories
Workshop Guide with a complete astrophotography gear list and other useful information
Workshop Does Not Include:
Hotel accommodations, if needed. You can select a room at the Country Inn & Suites from a block reserved for our workshop (Above). There are also many other options nearby. 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 Welcome Packet once your Full Payment is received. The Welcome Packet 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 Lists
(You will receive a detailed gear list in your Workshop Guide when you register)
Camera Gear - the Essentials:
DSLR or mirrorless camera with the ability to manually focus and manual set the exposure (ISO, f-stop & shutter speed)
Lens. 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
Headlamp with a red bulb
Extra batteries
Extra memory cards
Lens/camera cleaning kit
Camera & other operating manuals
Camera Gear - Nice to Have:
Loupe for focusing
Cable release
Tiffen Double Fog 3 lens filter
External intervalometer
Extra flashlight
Star tracker - bring it you have one!
Personal Gear:
Snacks
Water
Portable camp chair
Hand warmers
Laptop for downloading & editing your images during the class sessions
Warm clothes in layers*
Winter boots, hat & gloves*
Winter jacket*
Winter snow pants / snowsuit*
* Detailed information along with suggestions provided in your Workshop Guide
How to Prepare
Physical Fitness:
This workshop involves only very short hikes (few hundred yards) over moderate terrain from our vehicles to the shooting locations. Please let us know if you have any concerns at all in this regard.
Know Your Camera:
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 should know 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
