Description
Dates: September 26-28, 2025
Rain Dates: October 3-5, 2025
Group size: 8 students.
In this workshop, we will focus on the beginner and intermediate skills needed for astrolandscape photography, helping you gain confidence in capturing stunning Milky Way landscape photos. Join me in Sumner, Maine, at the Astronomy Adventure Camp, where we will photograph the starry skies.
This starry sky deep dive photography workshop is an immersive experience that includes two nights of Milky Way photography and sky exploration, and a hands-on processing session via Zoom. This event will take place at an astronomy camp, providing access to telescopes for deep-space viewing! If you have a tracker or telescope, this is an opportunity to view the heavens in a dark sky area.
If you are interested in learning about telescopes and viewing deep sky objects, this is a great opportunity to learn and view the heavens through the available telescopes. Featured deep sky images on this page are from a Seestar S50 and a Unistellar telescopes. Solar viewing is also available using dedicated solar telescopes.
Understanding the movement of the Milky Way is crucial for timing our shots, so we’ll cover the astronomy behind it, including the best times of year and optimal locations for capturing the galaxy. We’ll also focus on problem-solving strategies for potential challenges that may arise during nighttime photography. In addition, participants will engage in best practices to enhance their shooting experience, such as how to prepare for the field and what to bring along.
Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with different compositions and techniques while receiving guidance and support from the instructor and fellow workshop members.
Finally, our online post-processing session will focus on how to bring your images to life in post-production. We will cover software options, editing techniques, and tips for enhancing your photos, allowing you to leave the workshop with beautifully polished images of the Milky Way. Join us for this enriching experience to unleash your creativity and take your astrophotography skills to the next level!
New England weather can be fickle, so we will have a rain date for this event. We must have a forecast of no more than 35% cloud cover to photograph the Milky Way. If the rain date is also not feasible, you can apply the tuition to a future workshop or photo tour.
Overall, temperatures could range from mid-high 70°F down to 40°F, so be prepared. It can become windy as well. Dress in layers, wear comfortable hiking boots, and a warm jacket are recommended. Night shoots can be cold, despite a 70°F temperature. Plan to clothe accordingly.
This class is designed for anyone who wants to become confident in creating stunning Milky Way and night sky photographs.
Learning Goals:
- Learn how to plan for a starscape photograph.
- Learn how to focus at night.
- Understand aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance settings and how they impact a night image.
- Understand how to read the histogram
- Composition with the Milky Way and foreground subjects.
- Predicting the location of the Milky Way.
- Understanding how to read the night sky.
- Milky Way raw processing in Adobe Camera Raw (same engine as LR).
- Stacking light and dark frames for noise reduction.
- Aligning and blending different exposure images in Photoshop.
- View deep space objects through telescopes.
- Optional: If you have a telescope, bring it!
Physical Requirements: The shoots will be at the astro camp. You should wear sturdy footwear.
Optional Excursion: Western Maine was well known for their mines. You have the option to explore mines with a guide during our downtime.
Gear Recommendations
Camera: DSLR or Mirrorless camera required. It must either have a shutter delay or a remote trigger. Participants are expected to know how to operate their equipment. If you have any new gear, it is important to become acquainted with it to get the most from the photo tour.
Lenses: Wide and super wide-angle fast lenses with an aperture of f/2.8 or faster. (14-24mm, 11-16mm, 16 mm, 20mm, and 35mm). Lenses with low coma aberration are recommended.
Tripods: A sturdy tripod is essential for night and long exposure photography. Please note that a travel tripod is not recommended.
Telescope (Optional). Telescope rental available courtesy of the Astronomy Shoppe.
Tracking Device (Optional)
Accessories: Neutral density filters, camera raincoat, red flashlight, headlight, and a dew heater are recommended. A list of suggestions will be provided.
Software: All post-processing will be done using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. Using another tool? No problem, the same techniques apply.
Pre-Tour Zoom: An overview and orientation will be held online prior to the photo tour.
Image Reviews: Feedback will be offered in the field. Reviews of fully edited images will occur during our workshop.
What is included?
| Pre-tour orientation | 1-hour overview of the tour. Expectations, goals, and any wish list items! |
| The Workshop | 2 nights of guided photography in a Class 3 Bortle area (dark sky rating). |
| Post-Processing Session | Image review and post-processing sessions to be held after the event. |
What is not included?
| Transportation | Transport to and around the area is not included. |
| Lodging | Book a room at local hotels or set up a tent, trailer (up to 20 ft), or car camp at the astronomy camp. Registration required. The hotels are available in the surrounding towns. Call the Astronomy Adventure Camp at 603-382-0836 for details about the camp and for booking a campsite. The nearest lodging is in Paris, Norway, and Oxford, approximately 25-30 minutes away. The Norway Inn in Norway, the Hampton Inn in Oxford, the Oxford Casino Hotel in Oxford, and there are bed and breakfasts around the area.. |
| Drinks. | |
| Meals. | |
| Excursions | Excursions, garden entry fees/donations, parking, and the like. (If applicable) |
Tuition $250.00. The amount listed ($260.00) includes the 4% credit card convenience fee. Other payment options are below.
To register, fill out and submit this form.
I also accept Zelle and checks. Contact me if you wish to use either of these.
Please contact me with any questions. Thank you.
To register, kindly follow the instructions below:
These are the links to Venmo, CashApp and PayPal. Venmo verification code 5047. Graphical codes are below. Please consider sending the workshop tuition ($250) as a friend payment, as they all charge fees otherwise. Please be sure to submit the form if you haven’t already, or I won’t have your contact info if paying with cash apps.
I also accept Zelle and checks. Contact me if you wish to use either of these.
I accept Credit Card payments as well. As I am no longer able to absorb their ever-increasing fees, I sadly have to pass their fees on to you. A 4% convenience fee has been added to the workshop tuition for credit card payments.
Note: No physical tickets will be mailed out. You will be registered upon payment and added to the list of attendees. A confirmation email will be sent to you once payment is received. Please contact me with any questions. Thank you.
Venmo verification code 5047
Terms and Conditions
Full payment is required for all workshops, photo tours, or classes (hereinafter known as the “Event(s)”) with a total cost of less than $300. For Events that are in excess of $300, there will be an Event-specific deposit price listed on the website to lock your spot in the Event. Full payment is required 3 months prior to the start of the Event. A separate invoice will be sent for the remaining balance 3.5 months prior to the start of the Event.
Refund Policy: Deposits are non-refundable. Additional payments toward your balance are fully refundable up to 90 days before the tour. If you withdraw from the tour and we are able to fill your spot, we will refund your payments (including deposit), less a $200 administrative fee, and any discounts given to fill the space. Cancellations for an Event where an entrance fee, lodging payment, vehicle, tickets, or another segment where the payment was incurred before the start of the Event by Silvana Della Camera Photography to reserve that segment the attendee will forfeit reimbursement for those fees.
Event Cancellation Policy: There is always the possibility that we may choose to cancel a workshop, photo tour, or class, and we reserve the right to do so at our discretion. This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants. In the case of under-subscription, we reserve the right to cancel the tour. Should that be the case, your registration fees will be refunded in full.
We strongly recommend purchasing gear and trip insurance to cover your costs in case of cancellation, illness, or withdrawal. Cancellations, for any reason, must be in writing (e-mail or regular mail). If we cancel the Event for any reason, a full refund will be given to each participant.
By registering for the photo tour, you accept these terms and conditions.
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