Planit Pro
Weekend Clinic
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 4 - 5, 2023
Optional Meet & Greet 7 pm, February 3
Two Day / Two Evening Workshop
$495
12 Participants Max
Workshop Highlights
Learn how to harness the incredible planning power of the Planit Pro planning app from the co-creator of the Planit Pro video tutorials, and apply your new knowledge to two full moonrises in the field!
You will learn how to plan and execute basic and advanced photography projects with the utmost precision:
Milky Way
Panoramas
Time-lapses
Solar and lunar eclipse sequences
Star trails
Deep-sky astrophotography of nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies
Sunrises/sunsets
Moonrises and moonsets
Meteor showers
You’ll learn everything you need to know to set up your camera to capture stunning images - guaranteed!
Want to photograph the Milky Way, perfectly positioned in the sky? Planit Pro will show how it will look on any date and time, anywhere in the world. Would you like to find the exact time and date when the moon (any phase) or the sun will rise or set over your favorite landmark during your lifetime? Easy! The Sun/Moon finder does just that. How about planning for the Orion Nebula or the Rho Ophiuchus Molecular Cloud to set right next to your favorite mountain top? No problem.
This workshop takes you through each step needed to plan a photo project with the Planit Pro app. You’ll begin with learning how to position the camera/scene pins and create basic and custom markers to represent structures like buildings and trees.
You’ll then explore the planning tools available in the Planit Ephemeris - Moon & Sun Rise & Set, Twilight, Sun/Moon Position, Stars and Star Trails, Milky Way Center, Milky Way Seeker, Meteor Showers, Timelapse, Eclipses, Exposure, and many more.
You’ll see how to use Planit’s Virtual Viewfinder to simulate the EXACT image you’ll capture, right down to the best focal length lens and the precise moment to press the shutter release button.
Finally, you will apply what you’ve learned to photograph the full moon rising on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Dr. Mike Shaw will be your workshop instructor and field guide. He is the author of the forthcoming new 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.”
Workshop highlights include:
Two days of indoor instruction on the Planit Pro app in our comfortable, private, executive meeting room
Two evenings of field practice on the full moon rising.
Expert, personal instruction for planning stunning nightscape and astrophotography images of the Milky Way, star trails, constellations, panoramas, time-lapses and deep-sky objects; anywhere in the world and for any date
Practical tips and techniques for astronomical observing; and photography
Mike’s original Night Photography Plan - template and instructions for its use
Workshop Structure & Itinerary
Daytime Class Sessions and Night Photography Field Sessions:
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. The two evening photography sessions are where you will apply your planning expertise to photograph the full moon as it rises.
Friday, February 3, 7 - 9 pm. Optional Meet & Greet meeting in the lobby of the Country Inn & Suites, Roseville, Minnesota.
DAY / NIGHT ONE:
Saturday, February 4, 9 am - noon Workshop begins in our private meeting room at the Country Inn & Suite (See map below). Mike will give a workshop overview and agenda. You will have your first learning session with Planit. You will learn about camera/scene pins, markers, setting up the app for your camera, how to change the date and time, how to change the lens focal length, how to access the Virtual Viewfinder, and how to save a project as a plan. You will also prepare a plan for the moonrise later that afternoon.
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).
Saturday, February 4, 1 pm - 6 pm Drive to a nearby location to observe/photograph the full moon rising (approximately 4:15 pm). In case of truly inclement weather, we will conduct indoor practice sessions using Planit’s time-lapse, panorama, and depth-of-field tools.
Saturday, February 4, 8 pm - 10 pm Return to our private meeting room in the Country Inn and review the full moon photography experience. We will compare our planning expectations with our observations, and note any lessons learned. In case of inclement weather, we will continue the indoor practice sessions.
DAY / NIGHT TWO:
Sunday, February 5, 9 am - noon We will continue learning Planit Pro, and explore the different tools, features, and recommended ways to apply them. You will learn how to plan projects with the Milky Way, panoramas, time-lapses, solar and lunar eclipse sequences, star trails, deep-sky astrophotography of nebulae, star clusters and galaxies, and meteor showers. You will also receive Mike’s Night Photography Plan template and learn how to use it with the aid of Planit Pro.
Sunday, February 5, 1 pm - 4 pm We will continue learning Planit Pro in our private meeting room at the Country Inn & Suites., and explore the different tools, features, and recommended ways to apply them.
Sunday, February 5, 4 pm - 6 pm Drive to a nearby location to observe/photograph the full moon rising (approximately 5:20 pm). Workshop concludes after this field session.
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 Country Inn and Suites in Roseville, Minnesota (see map):
Address: 2740 E Snelling Service Dr, Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: (651) 628-3500 .
We have arranged for a block of rooms with either two queen beds or a single king bed at a special rate of only $99.00 per night. Mention the Mike Shaw Photography workshop when you call to make your reservation (not available online). You are free to stay at other nearby hotels; there are many choices. Please contact us if you require assistance with accommodations.
Pricing
$495/Person
Workshop Includes:
Two days of private, small-group classroom sessions on night photography, astronomy and image editing
Two evenings of photographing the full moon
Mike’s original Night Shooting Plan template and instructions for its use
Detailed learning sessions with the Planit Pro app
Welcome Packet with a complete 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. 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 below 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 and Covid-19 vaccine confirmation during checkout. You can review the waiver and Covid-19 vaccine confirmation 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 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 Welcome Packet when you register)
Planit Pro App
Planit Pro installed on a smart phone or tablet. There is no laptop version available…yet!
Install the basic app ($9.99). You will learn about additional add-on options during the workshop
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(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
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
Cable shutter release (I don’t recommend “wireless” shutter release devices since they often don’t work in the field)
External intervalometer
Extra flashlight
Personal Gear:
Snacks
Water / hot drink in a thermos
Hand warmers
Laptop for downloading & editing your images during the class sessions
Winter clothes in layers
Winter boots, hat & gloves
Winter jacket
How to Prepare
Physical Fitness:
This workshop involves short hikes (quarter-mile or less) 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 Welcome Packet (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 Welcome Packet. 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
