Dave Morrow Photography: Crater Lake Star Photography Workshops

Monday, January 21, 2013

Crater Lake Star Photography Workshops

Located in Oregon's high desert region Crater Lake is well known for it's unique landscapes, beautiful vistas, and of course clear, dark night skies.

This workshop will take you to some of Crater Lake's best Milky Way, night sky and star photography locations, providing in depth one on one and group instruction along the way. Complete details, including what you will learn below the next photo.
You will learn how to take and edit / post process star trail photos as well as still frame photos during the workshop. This was taken from a view point high above Crater Lake. We will visit a ton of great location within the park during the workshop.
Star Trails Over Crater Lake - Oregon || We will shoot from this location and many more during this year's workshops. 

Overview

During this workshop you will be receiving  in depth 1 on 1 and group instruction, providing beginners with a strong foundation to build upon and already knowledgeable star photographers more information and new views to work with. We will start the workshop out with a sunset shoot, then move directly into our star photography session learning all of the topics provided below. An optional sunrise shoot at another one of my favorite locations is also provided for anyone that wants to join!

This workshop includes 8+ hours of photography instruction and exploration in the pristine wilderness of Crater Lake National Park.  Please reference the "What Will I Learn?" Section for full details on the skill sets and specific instruction you will receive during the workshop. Answers to all other questions you may have as well as signup and payment options are provided below that.

If you're interested in seeing all of my star photos or want to learn a little bit more about myself, the Full Star Photography Portfolio & About Me Page should be helpful.

Please contact me at Workshops@DaveMorrowPhotography.com if you have any questions that are not covered in the following paragraphs starting right below the next two pictures.
A few of my star photography students woke up to shoot sunrise with me after a long night of shooting the stars at Mount Rainier. The lucky ones were still  warm and sleeping :)
A Few Workshop Students Woke Up to Shoot Sunrise After a Long Night of Star Photography - Note: Taken at Mount Rainier National Park

What Will I Learn?

Although I do provide Lightroom and Photoshop tutorials as free and added bonus with the workshop, you do not need to know anything about either program, nor own any post processing programs to get the full benefits of the workshop.

You will receive a copy of my Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorials & Under the Stars Lightroom 4 & 5 Presets and my new eBook, Photograph the Night Sky as an added bonus for attending the workshop. These videos will show you how to fully post process your star shots from start to finish and the eBook will provide you with future reference material for all the skills we cover at the workshop. Upon payment for the workshop you will receive the videos right away, no need to wait til the summer:)
  • Learn the key points of planning for your adventure to the stars or your shoot as some call it.
  • In depth knowledge of "The BIG 3", ISO, Aperture and Exposure and how they pertain to the broad array of night shots you may want to capture.
  • The 500 Rule: Selecting the optimal exposure time for different star photography scenarios.
  • Troubleshooting 101: How to set up for the perfect night shot in any conditions. This includes focusing at night, multiple exposure images, etc.
  • Using your creativity and external light sources to bring the night to life, while still capturing a natural looking and well lit photo.
  • How to capture great shots of the Milky Way and the other worlds that surround us.
  • How to photograph star trails while decreasing noise or light pollution in your shots and a basic verbal overview of using Photoshop Blend Modes to combine these shots.
  • The ability to capture a sharp foreground as well as the Milky Way or stars in the background.
  • Using multiple exposures, settings, and advanced tools to improve the level of your star photography.
  • Depth of Field Blending to achieve ultimate sharpness throughout the entire picture. Techniques provided for night/star and landscape ( sunrise / sunset ) photography. We will cover how to effectively capture the full depth of field using multiple exposures, as well as a verbal overview on how to combine them using Photoshop.
  • Effectively capturing all necessary RAW picture data in the field, to minimize post processing at home and come away with over all better photos. This part of the workshop ensures that you did not blow out highlights, lose dark areas, or degrade any of the color or other picture data while out shooting. It's nice to leave each shoot knowing you got the shots you wanted, without any doubts. We will cover all these bases for landscape ( sunset / sunrise ) and night/star photography.
  • Open floor session. Each one of you provide something you would like to learn and we will all go through the process step by step.
  • The sunset shooting session will also include my "In the Field" landscape photography workflow providing all the tricks and techniques I use to capture all of my non-night related photos.
Anything else you may want to learn, as I stated above, these workshops are anything goes... so ask away:)

The workshop schedule & more details below the following picture.
from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comRead the full blog post here -->http://www.davemorrowphotography.com/2013/12/flyin-high-crater-lake-oregon.html
The Milky Way Rising - Another location we will visit and photograph at the workshop. 


What Should I Bring With Me?

Please note you can take the workshop without all of the following requirements, but I can not promise you will achieve the great results you would otherwise.

A DSLR Camera, any will do, but keep in mind star photography is one of the few fields where a better camera really does help to produce better results. A full frame / 35mm sensor will really help you to capture the best of the stars, but is not required. Renting a camera and lenses is always a great option. There are a bunch of websites that provide this service. Here are a few: Some great & affordable options for full frame rentals are the Nikon D700 or the Cannon 5DMKII.
www.lensrentals.com
www.borrowlenses.com
For those of you from the Seattle Area, Glazer's Camera has one of the best and more affordable rental programs around.

  • A wide angle lens is very important. Any lens between 8mm-24mm will work depending on your camera. You will also need an aperture of at least f/3.5 minimum speed. These can also be rented at the links provided above. I currently shoot with a Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G a Nikkor 16mm f/2.8 fisheye and a Nikon D800 for all my star shots.
  • A tripod. Any will work but the bigger/stronger the better.
  • A big memory card. Two 16-32 GB cards are preferable.
  • Batteries, batteries, batteries, I carry at least 2. Long exposures drain the battery quickly. I also carry a car cigarette lighter plug inverter in my car. It is not necessary, but nothing's wrong with more battery juice for an early morning shoot or a quick power up on the way to a new location. You can find them at Walmart or online for 20-30$. Here is an example.
  • Camera Timer - Even a cheap knock off works, check reviews online before buying these brands to avoid a let down.
  • Waterproof / resistant hiking boots with good tread. We may experience some melted snow on the ground. 
  • Tons of clothes. The weather is extreme on the crater and it's better safe than sorry. A wind breaker is always great to have. Temperatures can range between 40-75 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Gloves
  • Lots of bug spray.
  • A head lamp, It does not have to be anything expensive, but must have RED light option. Something like THIS works just fine.
  • Tasty treats, snacks, food or anything you may like to eat or drink over the time we are together. Food is not included in the workshop cost, nor will it be provided.
  • Water for the night and the next day. A 2 day water supply is the best bet:)

 

Workshop Schedule

We will be meeting at the Crater Lake Lodge Parking Lot in the late afternoon on the date of your workshop.

Upon signing up you will receive an email from me which provides you with the GPS coordinates for this location as well as a map view. The email will also provide you with meeting times and other logistics that you will need for the workshop.

After that I will drive as lead vehicle as we head to our first location for a sunset shoot.

From there we will work our way around to some of my other favorite locations within the park to capture the stars, Milky Way & night sky.

The workshop will end at approximately 2-3AM.

From there you are welcome to grab a quick nap and join me for a sunrise shoot or call it a night.

Workshop sign up right below the next photo!
from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comRead the full blogpost here --> http://www.davemorrowphotography.com/2014/03/what-dreams-become-crater-lake-oregon.html
One of the locations we will be shooting at. Note: There will not be so much snow during our workshop. 

Registration & Payment

The cost of the workshop is 325$.

I limit workshops to 8 students to ensure maximum time with each participant . When the workshop is sold out, you will no longer be able to make a payment by selecting the dates below.

Upon payment you will receive an email providing you with full logistics including meeting times and locations.

My refund and cancellation policy, as well as some other info is included below the sign up and payment section. 

Secure payment is carried out through PayPal, but you can also pay with credit or debit card. Follow the step by step instructions below to pay using either method. I only accept full payments for my one night workshops.
  1. Click on the workshop date in which you would like to attend below. 
  2. A sales page will open showing the date you selected. On the bottom right side of this page, select Submit Order.
  3. Your cart will be prepared for you on a new page.
  4. If you are paying with PayPal you are now at the PayPal log in page. Go ahead and log in to pay.
  5. If you are paying via credit or debit card select the Pay with a debit or credit card option below the PayPal log in area.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me at Workshops@DaveMorrowPhotography.com.  Upon initial email contact I would be happy to talk with you over the phone as well.

To sign up and pay, click the date below in which you would like to attend.

Sign Up - September, 2015 Workshop Dates


Thursday, September 17th, 2015 - 8 Spots Remain

Friday, September 18th, 2015 - 6 Spots Remain

Saturday, September 19th, 2015 - 6 Spots Remain


Cancellation Policy

The workshop will only be canceled if the weather conditions are dangerous and may cause safety issues such as lightening or extreme snow/rain. Due to the dynamic and ever changing weather at Crater Lake, this can only be decided on location at the time of the workshop. Please note, refunds will NOT be given due to workshop cancellation for dangerous weather as denoted above. If you are planning on spending more than 500$ for the workshop + travel included, it may be a good idea to purchase trip / workshop insurance in case of cancellation due to weather or unforeseen events.  Due to the fact that there are many different travel / trip insurance companies out there I do not directly provide any options on this website, but do highly recommend looking into it.


Transportation

You are responsible for your own transportation to/from the workshop and within the park during the workshop. During the workshop I will be driving as the lead vehicle to the different destinations making it easy for everyone to find their way around. I will provide detailed instructions on driving directions, along with other necessary info through email to everyone that signs up. During the summer when these workshops are held you will be able to travel throughout the park with any type of vehicle.


Can I Bring a Friend?

Of course, if your friend is to carry a camera they must pay for the workshop, if they do not have a camera it is free of charge. We are shooting in a National Park after all, I do not own the land, nor care if we have some people that want to star gaze with us:)

Refund Policy

If you are not able to make the workshop for any reason you may cancel up to 60 days in advance and receive a refund of 100$ out of the 325$. Within 60 days of the workshops no refunds can be given. If you can find someone to directly fill your spot this is acceptable as well. The monetary transfer shall be between the two parties and not involve Dave Morrow Photography. Please let me know if you decide to take this route for paperwork reasons.

Lodging Arrangements 

The workshop wraps up around 2-3AM, giving us 2-3 hours before sunrise. Since there is an optional sunrise shoot, I suggest anyone that wants to partake in this shoot take a quick nap in their car.

If you are not planning on shooting sunrise and would like lodging for the night or at any time during your stay Crater Lake's Lodging and Camping Pages have more details. 
Another option is finding a local place to stay on websites such AirBNB & Orbitz. I use both of these sites while out traveling and find them to work very well.

Here are a few more of my favorite star shots:
from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops
from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.com
Nothing's Shocking - Ruby Beach, WACheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops Galaxy Number 9 - Lake Tahoe, NVread more about my trip to Lake Tahoe at www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comSo I figured it was time to give the D800 a run at high ISO and long exposure at the same time. This shot was taken as ISO640 with an exposure time of 628 seconds. I usually don't turn on Long Exposure NR, but for this it's a must. Still a lot of noise in the RAW file, but not enough to destroy the picture. Hope you like it:) from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.com read more at www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comfrom www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops from www.DaveMorrowPhotography.com When We Were Stars - Palouse, WAfrom www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops Come Join Us - Second Beach, WAfrom www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops Star Dance - Rowena Crest, ORread more at www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops The Dream Catcher - Palouse, WAfrom www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops The Night Watch- Ruby Beach, WAfrom www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops A Passing Glimpse - Mount St. Helens, Washingtonread more at www.DaveMorrowPhotography.comCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops When Worlds CollideCheck out my FREE Star Photography Tutorial  and  Star Photography Post Processing Video Tutorial  Ready to learn star photography? My summer star photography workshop schedule for 2014 is now up and running.Under the Stars Night Photography Workshops

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