Capturing the Cosmos at
Big Bend 2025
Join us for two full days, and a full three night excursion under the fantastic night skies in Southwest Texas' premiere location for Astro-Landscape Photography: Big Bend National Park!
The breathtaking landscape of Big Bend is only rivaled by the stunning clarity of the night sky above, and we can't wait to guide you through this incredible experience. Our unique workshop focuses on capturing the beauty of both the night sky and the surrounding landscape while teaching you the techniques to do so.
This is much more than just a photo tour; our immersive experience combines classroom-style instruction with hands-on fieldwork, providing you with exceptional knowledge and enhanced skills. With a limit of only 8 students, we ensure that each participant receives personalized attention for a fantastic learning experience. Get ready to create out-of-this-world images that you'll cherish forever!
Adventure Dates
March 28th–31st, 2025
GROUP SIZE
Limited to a small group of 8 students to ensure that everyone receives 1:1 attention
Experience Level
All skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners, are invited to participate in this inclusive photography workshop.
HIKING
This workshop will involve moderate hiking, covering a distance of up to 3 miles, across diverse terrain including rocky and sandy paths.
We will be standing or be on our feet for several hours (don't worry, you can bring chairs!)
MILKY WAY
In the heart of a dark sky, Big Bend, Texas gives us a better view of the stars. Dark skies are the key to Milky Way photography and this is home to the darkest skies in the lower 48.
Desertscape
Beautiful blooming cacti, wildflowers and succulents will be in bloom during the workshop.
GHOST TOWN
Exploring relics of the wild west, steeped in the rich mining history.
Star Tracking
Get creative with learning the different ways of capturing the night sky from trackers to stacking.
Reserve your place now to guarantee your spot in this exclusive workshop that promises to unlock your creative potential.
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Capture Unforgettable Moments
Big Bend National Park is a photographer's paradise, boasting a premier dark sky, diverse terrain, rugged mountains, the serene Rio Grande River, and stunning desert vistas. Our workshop offers you the chance to frame these natural wonders through your lens, creating masterpieces that will leave you in awe.
Explore Hidden Treasures
Discover the park's hidden gems, secret trails, and lesser-known viewpoints that only the locals know. We will also visit the unique ghost town of Terlingua. Our workshop will take you off the beaten path, revealing the in and out of the park's true essence through your lens.
Guidance from Seasoned Photographers
Learn from a team of skilled landscape photographers who have honed their craft in these very landscapes. Gain insights into composition, lighting, and advanced techniques that will transform your photography from ordinary to extraordinary
Golden Hour & Blue Hour Magic
Witness the magic of the golden hours as you capture the interplay of light and shadow against the unique features of Big Bend National Park. Stay up after sunset and learn how to infuse your photographs with depth and emotion during these enchanting moments.
Premier Dark Sky’s
Whether you're a seasoned astrophotographer or a beginner, our workshops will empower you with the skills to capture stunning images of the Milky Way, constellations, and the universe above in an International Dark Sky Park, ensuring minimal light pollution for optimal stargazing conditions. Marvel at the Milky Way's intricate details and witness the majesty of the cosmos in all its glory.
The Team
We are excited to share our love of photography, nature, and adventures with you. Please check out our links below to learn more about us.
Included in the Workshop
PLANNING YOUR SHOT
– Scouting and evaluating conditions
– Composing an image to grab the viewer’s attention
– Composing an image with a person in the frame to show scale and tell a story
– How to work with light and how to find the best light for the scene
– Utilizing apps, such as PhotoPills, for more efficient planning
– Choosing the right lens, find your focal length
– How and when to use filters
– How to shoot with a plan or vision for editing
CAPTURING YOUR IMAGE
- Creative light painting techniques to bring your vision to life
– How to use and capture moonlight in your night scenes
– Histogram: How to read for perfectly exposed images
– Exposure control: How to use ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed in different scenarios
– Creative ways to use lens distortion
– Focus stacking & Focal Length Blends
– Bracketing and exposure blending
– Focusing at night to capture pin-sharp stars and foreground
– Blue Hour Blending: How to capture blue hour & Milky Way
– Stacking for Noise Reduction: how to shoot the proper frames to stack
BRINGING IMAGE TO LIFE
– Lightroom and Photoshop: Learn our post-processing workflow
– How to blend multiple images in Photoshop (Blue Hour Blends, Focal Length Blends, Exposure Blends, Composites)
– Luminosity Masks
– Dodging and Burning
– Blue-hour Blends
– Star-stacking: how to edit starry night skies with Starry Landscape Stacker (or Sequator)
– Understanding layers and masks
– Finishing touches using clone stamp and removing distractions
– Creating Orton glows and painting with light
– Sharpening: Creating sharpness in your final image
Lodging is included for this workshop and we will be staying at the charming Big Bend Station in Terlingua. This cozy base will provide us with a comfortable and convenient place to unwind after a day of exploration and photography. You'll be able to enjoy the stunning desert vistas and share stories with fellow participants, all while surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the region.
Join us during our workshop downtime for an engaging editing session, where we will come together as a group to share our techniques on processing the raw images we took. This collaborative environment will allow us to discuss our individual approaches and enhance our editing skills collectively.
Nervous about being out-of-contact with the family, friends or work? StarLink will be available to connect to for no extra charge. Many of these places have no to spotty cell signal available. As this does take time to set-up and take down, we most likely will have it available during down-times for the workshop.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR THE EPIC ADVENTURE NOW!
Availability is limited, and reservations are first-come, first-served. The workshop is supported by a duo of accomplished photography instructors who will be in attendance throughout its duration. This setup ensures personalized, one-on-one guidance, allowing you to enhance specific areas of your skill set that you wish to refine.
