Workshop FAQ’s

How many participants are allowed to attend?

A total of 6 students may participate in a workshop. Limiting class sizes allows me to provide you with the best learning environment possible. My goal is to provide you with expert guidance, instruction, and personal attention according to your learning styles, so I never bring my own cameras to a class!

Is this workshop for beginners or professionals?

Our workshops are designed for both amateur and professional photographers. However, participants should have a working understanding of their cameras’ settings, Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, and a basic understanding of file organization.

What is a typical 3 day workshop schedule like?

  • Meet at 10am or noon for landscape astrophotography tutorial about understanding the night sky, planning your shoot, camera settings, etc.
  • Break for 2-3 hours
  • Leave 2 hours before sunset
  • Sunset shoot
  • Travel to first night sky shooting location
  • More instruction on camera settings, composition, and focusing at night
  • Shoot at 2-3 locations throughout the night, spending roughly 2-3 hours at each location, capturing various compositions, receiving additional instruction on camera settings, capturing the Milky Way, creating star trails and much more
  • Break around 4am
  • Meet 2 hours before sunset (Depending on time of year)
  • Sunset shoot (Depending on time of year)
  • Travel to first night sky shooting location
  • More instruction on camera settings, composition, and focusing at night
  • Shoot at 2-3 locations throughout the night, spending roughly 2-3 hours at each location, capturing various compositions, receiving additional instruction on camera settings, capturing the Milky Way, creating star trails and much more
  • Break around 3am
  • Meet at 12pm for overview of technique and advanced post processing (4-5 hours)
  • Group dinner at a local restaurant

What is a typical 5 day workshop schedule like?

  • Meet at 10am or noon for landscape astrophotography tutorial about understanding the night sky, planning your shoot, camera settings, etc.
  • Break for 2-3 hours
  • Leave 2 hours before sunset
  • Sunset shoot
  • Travel to first night sky shooting location
  • More instruction on camera settings, composition, and focusing at night
  • Shoot at 2-3 locations throughout the night, spending roughly 2-3 hours at each location, capturing various compositions, receiving additional instruction on camera settings, capturing the Milky Way, creating star trails and much more
  • Break around 4am
  • Meet 2 hours before sunset (Depending on time of year)
  • Sunset shoot (Depending on time of year)
  • Travel to first night sky shooting location
  • More instruction on camera settings, composition, and focusing at night
  • Shoot at 2-3 locations throughout the night, spending roughly 2-3 hours at each location, capturing various compositions, receiving additional instruction on camera settings, capturing the Milky Way, creating star trails and much more
  • Break around 3am
  • Meet at 12pm for overview of technique and advanced post processing (4-5 hours)
  • Group dinner at a local restaurant
  • Break until following day
  • Meet 2 hours before sunset (Depending on time of year)
  • Sunset shoot (Depending on time of year)
  • Travel to first night sky shooting location
  • More instruction on camera settings, composition, and focusing at night
  • Shoot at 2-3 locations throughout the night, spending roughly 2-3 hours at each location, capturing various compositions, receiving additional instruction on camera settings, capturing the Milky Way, creating star trails and much more
  • Break around 3am
  • Meet at 12pm for overview of technique and advanced post processing (4-5 hours)
  • Group dinner at a local restaurant

What will I learn during a night sky photography workshop?

  • A comprehensive understanding of the night sky (Earth’s orbit, location of the Milky Way, meteor showers, moon cycles, etc.)
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the night sky (Earth’s orbit, location of the Milky Way, meteor showers, moon cycles, etc.)
  • Recognize the importance of planning for your shoot
  • Understand the differences between shutter speed/aperture/ISO/white balance, and more
  • Learn how to focus your lens at night
  • Begin to master the art of capturing the Milky Way, create star trails, panoramas, composites, and more
  • Learn about light painting
  • Understand noise reduction (how and when to use it)
  • Receive personal tips and special techniques
  • Learn how to blend multiple exposures together in post processing using Adobe Photoshop
  • Gain new skills with advanced post processing methods in Adobe Bridge & Photoshop

What do I need to bring for the workshop?

  • A DSLR or mirrorless camera with the ability to shoot clean images at high ISO settings ranging from 2000 – 3200. Make sure to read through our ‘Best Equipment for Night Photography’ article.
  • 2-4 extra batteries (depending on your camera body)
  • 32gb memory card (we will be shooting in RAW format all night)
  • A wide angle lens, at least 24mm or wider, and f/2.8. I prefer to shoot with a wide-angle zoom lens for additional flexibility. For example, a 14-24mm or 16-35mm. You can rent lenses and camera bodies from Borrow Lenses or Lens Pro To Go for the workshop if needed. Brad will work with each participant to confirm they have proper equipment for their workshop.
  • External Intervalometer (Click HERE for an example)
  • A sturdy tripod
  • Headlamp (Must include a red light. Click HERE for an example) and flashlight
  • Warm/Layered Clothing (it can get very cold)
  • Extra food and/or necessities you may require (coffee, hot chocolate, and teas will be provided during the workshop)
  • You will not need your computer during the shooting portion, but I recommend all participants bring a laptop to the post processing tutorial with a copy of Bridge & Photoshop installed. You can install a 7 day trial from Adobe. Click HERE for more details.

What kind of physical shape do I need to be in for your workshop?

Easy

Expect to walk less than 1-2 miles round trip on flat, fairly even ground, with very little elevation change, no steep hills or inclines and even footing with very little loose gravel that may cause unstable footing. Trails are in good condition and low risk. Accessible to all fitness/experience levels.

Moderate

Expect to hike 2-4 miles round trip. Trails may have more inclines, hills or elevation changes, but should be manageable by anyone who is moderately active. Terrain may have loose gravel, narrow paths, and/or simple switchbacks.

Strenuous

Generally, 4+ miles round trip on a more technical trail with inclines or steep hills, a long, steady climb, many steps, rocks or scree. Footing is usually irregular, uneven or otherwise more advanced. Sturdy shoes with tread should be worn and hiking poles may be recommended.

*Please check the workshop’s ‘Physical Difficulty’ for classification.

What if we experience inclement weather during the workshop?

Ultimately, weather is an uncontrollable factor with night sky photography. Regardless of the conditions (for example, a freak blizzard) we will stay out and shoot as long as it is safe to do so. I suggest all participants attending my workshops to arrive one day prior and stay one day later (if possible). If weather becomes an issue, we may need to be flexible and shoot the night before/after the scheduled workshop dates. Clouds play a significant role while capturing the night sky. However, even during completely overcast conditions, I promise you will come away with beautiful images, knowledge, and capabilities of capturing the night sky.

Am I allowed to bring a spouse or friend who will not be taking pictures?

Sure you can! However, due to additional permit fees, materials, logistics, etc… a 50% additional fee will be charged per person.

Booking & Refund Policy

Unfortunately, I am unable to give refunds due to unforeseen weather events during our workshop. However, I will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your schedule and needs. For more info regarding refunds and/or rescheduling, please read our Terms & Conditions.

Why don't you release workshops 2 years in advance?

We here at Goldpaint Photography are able to assure our client’s that we are appropriately operating under the provisions set forth under each governing agency. In most locations we operate in, permits are not available until 6-12 months prior to the workshop date. If a future permit holder advertises their workshops before they are awarded permits, they are in violation and risk being denied their Commercial Use Permits (CUA’s) for that class. We won’t waste your time or money and you can be sure your interests as well as your safety continue to be our priority.

How can I be notified of future workshops?

The BEST way to be notified of future workshops is to sign-up for our newsletter HERE. We generally release workshop schedules in October for the following year. However, we open up enrollment to our Goldpaint Photography Alumni first, followed by our newsletter subscribers, and then social media outlets.

Additional Questions

If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by sending an email to info[at]goldpaintphotography.com.

  • Brad Goldpaint“Two great passions of mine are wilderness travel and experiencing the drama of a night sky. I combine my passions with photography by teaching night sky workshops to people just like you. Come explore the magic of the Milky Way with me as it travels each night over unique landscapes within the Western US.”