Night Sky Landscape Photography

Participants in this 3-day course will learn about image composition, how to place subjects in the frame, and how to tell a story with their images. Instructor Stan Honda will teach participants how to take a naturalistic approach to their photography and how to use foreground objects, like trees or geological formations, to enhance compositions with stars in the background. Participants will also learn proper exposure for night photos, concentrating on producing single frames of the sky. Finally, Stan will instruct participants on image processing to bring out the best in each photo.

We will meet at the Fall River Visitor Center each day and travel together to various sites in RMNP using Conservancy vehicles. Registration includes all required fees and permits for Rocky Mountain National Park.

Who: Participants ages 16 and up. This is a Level II course. Expect short-distance walks throughout the day, primarily on level terrain.

When:

• Friday, September 6, 2024, from 2:30pm to 11:30pm,
• Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 2:30pm to 11:30pm,
• Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm

Where: Fall River Visitor Center, 3450 Fall River Road, Estes Park, and various field locations in Rocky Mountain National Park

What to bring:

• 10 Essentials for Field Courses,
• Sack dinner on Friday and Saturday,
• Digital SLR or mirrorless camera,
• Kit lens, wide angle wide-aperture lens preferred,
• Sturdy tripod,
• Headlamp or flashlight with red light,
• Remote release.

About your instructor: Stan Honda is a New York-based photojournalist now specializing in night sky landscapes. He has been an artist-in-residence at seven national parks and several solo gallery exhibits were produced from that work. He previously has taught weekend night sky workshops for the Conservancy.

Visit Stan’s website: stanhonda.com

Conservancy members get 15% off individual registration when you use the discount code in your membership email! Limit 2 per membership.

Not a member of the Conservancy? Learn more and join here: Conservancy Membership

If you have questions about this course, please contact the Field Institute by email at education@RMConservancy.org or by phone at 970-586-3262.