Astrophotography & Landscape Workshop

Acadia National Park

October 23, 24 & 25

LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE

$675.00 per person

does not include travel insurance, meals, transportation, and lodging.

Open to Beginners & Intermediates

Join Seacoast Photography School to capture the Milky Way over some of the most spectacular landscapes on the Atlantic Coast of Acadia. You will enjoy a four day landscape and three night astrophotography workshop that will go into the mid to late morning hours after midnight. This is required to capture the right orientation of the milky way. Because of less light pollution, Acadia has the best dark skies on the East Coast. The fall is an ideal time to explore Acadia’s scenic overlooks, photograph the coastline, and capture the Milky Way. We will focus specifically on landscapes and nightscapes shooting the Milky Way over the most photogenic spots Acadia has to offer. Since we will be photographing towards the ocean, the light pollution is almost nonexistent in this particular area, making it ideal for astrophotography. While this workshop is primarily focused on Astro shooting at night, we may also have time to capture the sunrises, sunsets, and daytime images during the trip.

The following itinerary is subject to cloud cover, and will be adjusted according to the weather conditions so you can make the most of this trip. Our workshop will be during the best time of year to capture a south-East facing Milky Way over Maine’s rocky coastline, when our galaxy is visible after midnight. This workshop caters to those who relish nature's beauty and value camaraderie in a small group. It's open to photography enthusiasts of all levels. 

Tentative Itinerary:

As photographers, checking the weather is one of the first things we do when planning a shoot, especially with weather conditions in Maine are always subject to change. We will continually check and update the itinerary based upon the forecasts. Therefore, the following agenda may be changed to accommodate the best conditions to capture the night sky.

Wednesday, October 23rd:

• 3:00 PM: Meet in the front lobby for introductions, discussions on destinations, and photography insights.

• 4:30 Golden Hour sunset light house photo at Bass Harbor Light

• 7:30 optional group dinner.

• 10:30PM Pending Cloud Cover – Depart for Boulder Beach, to catch an amazing night sky from Otter Cliff Rock. Here we will capture the boulder rocks and ocean views with the iconic cliffs and pines of Acadia National Park in the background. Photographing Milky Way may continue late, Saturday agenda will be adjusted to accommodate.

Thursday, October 24th:

·       Time: TBD - post-processing lesson to work on the images that you have captured from the previous night, to learn post-editing techniques. At a nominal fee, post-processing 1 on 1 sessions can be scheduled after you return home to continue the editing process

·       4:30 Golden Hour Otter Point, with amazing views of the coastline.

·       7:30 optional group dinner.

·       10:00 Star Trails at Jordan Pond.

Friday, October 25th:

• Pending Cloud Cover 5:00 AM: Sunrise shoot; mid-morning coffee/breakfast break at the hotel.

• 11:00 AM: Check-out and departure.

Please note that itineraries are subject to change based on weather and lighting conditions to ensure the best photographic opportunities. While we cannot guarantee specific conditions or compositions, we strive to be in the right place at the right time for optimal lighting. All activities and times are optional, with periodic trips made to and from the hotel based on group preferences. We encourage participation whenever possible.

This workshop is mainly focused on Night and Milky Way Photography. However, we will also photograph landscapes during the blue and golden hours, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn about landscape astrophotography.  What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructors are experienced photographers with extensive backgrounds who will help you take your photography to the next level.

Instructors:

David Mazur (Canon) and Mike Sheets (Nikon) will personally help you capture the best possible images during this photography workshop. They will show you the best techniques to shoot the Milky Way, from the basics to the most advanced techniques like star-tracking, and they will also run post-processing sessions to take your photos from good to great.

Workshop Details:

• Limited to 12 participants, non-photographer companion drivers are welcome to travel.

• Carpooling encouraged but not mandatory.

• Activity level involves short drives and low-impact walking to photography locations.

• Perfect for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced photographers.

Accommodations:

Participants are responsible for lodging, transportation, and meals. A block of rooms under Seacoast Photography School is reserved at the Bar Harbor Motel, 800-388-3453. Information can be found at https://barharbormotel.com Be sure to make you reservation by calling the motel under the Seacoast Photography School room block to extend cancellation policy. Hotels are located in ideal spots with short drives to the shooting locations. It also puts us in close proximity to the beautiful and quaint town of Bar Harbor where there are plenty of amenities and restaurants.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 USD is required for registration. Final payment is due 30 days before the workshop's start. Deposits are non-refundable upon payment, except if your spot can be filled. A 50% credit of the deposit fee will apply to future workshops.

To register for this workshop please fill out the workshop form below.

We will get in touch with you to confirm your registration.

What You’ll Need:

·   Layers to wear at night (base layer, windproof layer).

·   Hiking boots for hiking over rocks and uneven terrain).

·   Hat and gloves for the night photography sessions in case it gets cold.

·   Mirrorless or DSLR camera.

·   Sturdy tripod and a remote shutter optional intervalometer (if not built into your camera)

·   A wide-angle lens, such as 14-24 mm.

·   A medium zoom lens, such as 24-70 mm.

·   A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens.

·   Headlamp for the night shoots.

·   Lens warmer to prevent humidity from fogging up your lens.

·   Lens wipes for keeping your equipment clean and ready

·   Laptop for the post-processing

Optional accessories

· A star-tracker.

· A laser for doing the polar alignment.

What You’ll Learn:

·       How to photograph the night sky and star trails using foreground and composition techniques

·       Camera instruction with personalized and individual attention.

·       Guided trips to Acadia’s most photographed night sky spots

• Overview of astronomy topics relevant to night photography

• How to capture stunning Milky Way photographs

• Optimizing camera settings for ISO, aperture, exposure, and color temperature

Workshop Possible Side Effects:

• Sense of Wonder

• Stress Reduction

• Focused Attention on the Present Moment

• Increased Positive Mood Affect