Winner of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year | Full Story >
⊕ WORKSHOPS / FALL COLORS IN COLORADO AT NIGHT
Learn to capture peak Fall Colors with the Milky Way and moonlight in the Colorado Rockies. Led by Astronomy Photographer of the Year Brad Goldpaint and expert Evie Wilder. Limited to 8 participants in each workshop.
Group Size
8 Participants + 2 Instructors
Physical
EASY – We’ll be very close to our vehicles
Elevation
~8000 – 9700 feet
§ 02 · AVAILABILITY
38°52'59.99" N -106°56'22.19" W
Duration
5 Days + 3 Nights
Moon Phase
Waning 80 - 50%
Deposit Due Today
$1,947.50 USD
38°52'59.99" N -106°56'22.19" W
Duration
3 Days + 2 Nights
Moon Phase
Waning 0%
Deposit Due Today
$1,497.50 USD
Price includes classroom sessions, the 60-page+ workshop booklet, and in-field shoots. Meals, lodging, and transportation not included.
§ 03 · The Experience
Spanning over 1.6 million acres, the Gunnison National Forest is filled with rugged peaks, alpine meadows, and large aspen groves that come alive in the fall. For a short window each autumn, these groves ignite in a fiery display of golden hues, deep reds, and alizarin crimson, creating a stunning transformation. As twilight fades, the landscape transitions into a rare opportunity to capture autumn’s spectacle combined with the Milky Way and the night sky.
During these workshops, we will shoot from a variety of locations, including large overlooks, aspen groves, and panoramic viewpoints in the Colorado Rockies. We’ll head out before sunset to capture soft light filtering through the trees. Once Earth’s shadow meets the horizon, we’ll turn our attention to photographing the night sky with rugged mountain peaks and the setting Milky Way.
4-hour post-processing tutorials and a 65+ page in-depth workshop booklet are designed to develop your editing workflow and bring your images to life. Our classroom-style tutorials walk you through our workflow using Adobe Bridge/Lightroom and Photoshop, while the booklet details every step of the process, ensuring you can refine your images long after the workshop ends. We will cover RAW adjustments, exposure blending, panoramic stitching, star trails, and more.
§ 04 · What you will capture
These images represent a sample of what’s possible from the locations we’ll visit.
§ 05 · The Itinerary
A detailed itinerary is sent to every participant, months before arrival. Below is the rhythm of a typical day and adjusted nightly for weather, clouds, and what the group needs.
TUE · Sep 29
10 AM classroom session covers the syllabus, post-processing booklet, and waivers. 4:30 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph through the night, capturing nautical twilight and the night sky.
WED · Sep 30
4:30 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph through the night, capturing nautical twilight and the night sky.
THU · Oct 1
4-hour post-processing session at 12 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
FRI · Oct 2
4:45 AM meet-up and carpool for sunrise shoot. After a long break, 4:30 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph through the night, capturing nautical twilight and the night sky.
SAT · Oct 3
4-hour post-processing session at 12 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
WED · Oct 7
10 AM classroom session covers the syllabus, post-processing booklet, and waivers. 4:30 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph through the night, capturing nautical twilight and the night sky.
THU · Oct 8
4:30 PM meet-up and carpool to sunset location. Photograph through the night, capturing nautical twilight and the night sky.
FRI · Oct 9
4-hour post-processing session at 12 PM in Photoshop and Bridge, followed by group dinner.
§ 06 · What's Included
01
5-Day: Three night sessions under the stars plus one sunrise.
3-Day: Two night sessions
02
One or two four-hour classroom sessions covering RAW adjustments, exposure blending, panoramic stitching, and advanced night techniques in Bridge & Photoshop. See itinerary for details.
03
A comprehensive, printed booklet covering every phase of planning, shooting, and post-processing the night sky in Bridge & Photoshop. This booklet is yours to keep and cannot be purchased elsewhere.
04
A four-hour orientation covering equipment, camera settings, mobile apps, and how to find and photograph the Milky Way using a variety of techniques.
05
Brad and Evie are with you every step of the way. With a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio, no one gets left behind.
06
Workshop details are sent in advance with travel information, camera gear recommendations, planning apps, ‘What to Bring’ list, and a detailed, hourly itinerary of what to expect.
↳ NOT INCLUDED: Travel to and from Crested Butte, CO · Lodging · Meals · Camera gear rental · Trip insurance
§ 07 · Your Instructors
Lead Instructor
“Two passions of mine are wilderness travel and experiencing the drama of a night sky. I combine my passions with photography by teaching night photography workshops to participants of all skill levels.”
– Astronomy Photographer of the Year
– Published in National Geographic, BBC, NASA, Outdoor Photographer
– Leading workshops since 2012
Co Instructor
“I love to wander and explore! I’m looking forward to sharing my passion for the night sky, wilderness and wildlife while helping people understand that you don’t have to fear the wild side of our planet.”
– Wildlife and night sky photographer
– Wilderness guide
– Specialty: Wildlife & lunar landscapes
A NOTE FROM US
To provide you with the best learning environment possible, we limit our group size and never bring our own cameras to a workshop.
§ 08 — CURRICULUM
01
Weather predictions, exposure guides, Milky Way tracking apps.
02
Shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance and more for astrophotography.
03
Manual techniques when autofocus fails.
04
Capture every stop of dynamic range in a single trip.
05
Multi-row panoramas of the galactic center of the Milky Way.
06
Combine multiple exposures in Photoshop.
07
How and when to use noise reduction.
08
Long-exposure and stacking workflows for star trails & stacking images.
09
Low-level light painting techniques. How and when to use artificial lighting.
10
How and when to use different moon phases to illuminate your foreground.
11
Lossless adjustments covering all phases of post processing.
12
Learn color grading techniques for accurate imagery of the night sky.
§ 09 — Testimonials
“I have taken Goldpaint workshops since 2012, and each time I come away with more night photography skills. The addition of Evie in 2025 as co-instructor is a total win. They teach with patience and clarity, and they make it fun for all. Those who take the challenge will embark on a remarkably rewarding journey.”
“The Fall Colors at night workshop far exceeded my expectations in every way. Along with Brad and Evie’s support, it was a fabulous learning experience in a new and beautiful part of the world. I have been on many Goldpaint workshops and have never been disappointed. Great experiences all.”
“I recently took my first Brad Goldpaint workshop in the Colorado Crested Butte area. Brad and Evie Wilder were amazing instructors! They did not bring their cameras, so their focus was dedicated to the participants. I was able to take in what I needed to learn to plan, shoot, and process these types of images. I look forward to the next one!”
§ 10 · FAQ's
If your question isn’t covered here, we’re always here to help.
How are your workshops different from other photography tours?
Unlike standard photo tours that prioritize the instructor’s images and itineraries, my workshops focus on you.
Groups are capped at 6 – 8 participants so every person gets one-on-one guidance on technique, composition, and post-processing.
Some of my workshops use moonlight to naturally illuminate foregrounds, creating distinctive images unlike any other workshop has offered.
Do you bring your cameras to the workshop?
No. I leave my camera at home, every workshop, every time.
Your workshop is about your interests, your growth, your images, and your experience.
This commitment sets my workshops far apart from the rest, ensuring each student has my undivided attention.
How many participants can attend?
6 participants with 1 instructor, or 8 participants with 2 instructors. Never more.
This allows one-on-one attention and room for everyone to explore.
Often joined by night sky expert Evie Wilder, these workshops blend fun, adventure, education, and community for photographers of all levels.
What will I learn?
Our workshops cover the full spectrum from planning, learning how to capture the Milky Way, and post processing your images. You’ll learn to scout locations, select the right gear, adjust camera settings for different environments, and learn new shooting techniques.
Whether you’re new to night photography or refining your craft, you’ll gain practical skills to plan, shoot, and edit your night images.
Are these workshops for beginners?
Our night photography workshops are intended to accommodate photographers of all skill levels, from novice to professionals.
Beginners receive foundational instruction on gear selection and basic camera settings, while advanced participants delve into creative composition and sophisticated post-processing methods.
Our goal is to ensure everyone progresses at their own pace in a supportive, fun environment.
How physically demanding are the workshops?
Each workshop carries a difficulty rating.
Easy: 0.5-1 mile on flat, stable terrain.
Moderate: 2-4 miles with some elevation and uneven footing.
Strenuous: 6+ miles, technical trails, steep grades. These are only conducted in a private workshop setting only.
Check each workshop page for specifics.
What is your cancellation policy?
Due to the nature of outdoor photography workshops, we cannot offer refunds for weather-related events. We ask all participants attending our workshops to ‘come a day early, stay a day late.’ If rain is forecasted during our scheduled outings, we may offer additional shooting time. We do not offer refunds for government shutdowns and other uncontrollable factors. However, we do our best to accommodate your needs with flexible itineraries where possible. For detailed information on cancellations, rescheduling, or other terms, please review our Terms & Conditions.
§ 11 · BTS
Good times from our previous workshops in Colorado during the peak of fall colors.
§ 12 — Reserve Your Seat
Total Workshop Cost
$3,895 USD / per space
Deposit Due Today
$1,947.50 USD
· Remaining balance of $1,947.50 due 120 days prior to the workshop start date
· Deposit is nonrefundable
· Trip insurance recommended
· See our Terms & Conditions
· Questions? info@goldpaintphotography.com
Total Workshop Cost
$2,995 USD / per space
Deposit Due Today
$1,497.50 USD
· Remaining balance of $1,497.50 due 120 days prior to the workshop start date
· Deposit is nonrefundable
· Trip insurance recommended
· See our Terms & Conditions
· Questions? info@goldpaintphotography.com
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