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October 7 – 9, 2026
Far from light pollution in the heart of the Gunnison National Forest, this 3-day dark-sky photography workshop in Colorado is designed for photographers who want to experience the Milky Way under truly pristine dark-sky conditions combined with spectacular fall colors. Spanning more than 1.6 million acres of rugged wilderness, this remote region offers jagged peaks, open alpine meadows, and dense aspen groves that explode with color each fall.
During a brief period, the landscape transforms into a mix of gold, orange, and deep red foliage, creating one of the most dramatic backdrops for astrophotography in the Colorado Rockies. When night falls, the absence of moonlight reveals exceptionally dark skies, allowing the Milky Way core to shine above mountain horizons while illuminating the surrounding landscape with starlight. This workshop is focused on true dark-sky night photography. Learn how to capture starlight landscapes in some of the darkest locations in Colorado.
Maximizing your time, this 3-day workshop’s in-field sessions start before sunset, taking you to sweeping overlooks where the Colorado Rockies unfold beneath your lens. We’ll explore dense aspen groves where light filters through golden canopies and photograph from panoramic vistas offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. As the sun sets, we’ll capture rich hues casting deep shadows across intimate groves and expansive valleys. Once Earth’s shadow meets the horizon, we’ll turn our attention to the night sky, where the Milky Way sets over the vast wilderness, offering a breathtaking display of the night sky.
Develop the skills needed to bring your images to life during a dedicated 4-hour post-processing session. This classroom-style training walks you through our complete workflow using Adobe Bridge/Lightroom and Photoshop. Techniques such as RAW processing, exposure blending, and panoramic stitching are covered, along with practical methods to refine your images. A 55+ page in-depth workshop booklet is included, providing step-by-step guidance so you can refine your images long after the workshop ends.
Access to facilities will be limited during our field sessions due to the remote nature of each location. Stops along the route will be planned to accommodate restroom needs.
October 7 – 9, 2026
8 Participants
2 Instructors
$2995
EASY
We’ll be very close to our vehicles
New Moon
0% Illumination
8K – 10K feet
“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.”
“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!”
To provide you with the best learning environment possible, we limit our group size and NEVER BRING OUR OWN CAMERAS to a workshop.
This 3-day workshop begins with a 3-hour introductory class at an indoor facility in Crested Butte, CO. We will have two, in-field photographing opportunities during the workshop and end with a 4-hour post processing ‘classroom style’ session. This workshop will focus on capturing fall colors at night, the Milky Way Galaxy, camera settings, panoramas, distant abstracts of aspen groves, the night sky, and much more. As part of your introduction, you will receive an updated copy of our 55+ page workshop booklet with step-by-step instructions about all phases of post processing for personal reference. During all field work, we will follow “Leave No Trace” principles to minimize any impact on the fragile, wilderness environment. With over 65 topics you will:
We encourage you to visit our ‘Workshop FAQ’s’ page for required equipment during your workshop, itinerary examples, and much more. We’ve also listed additional info below pertaining to this new workshop experience.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND bringing a 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. See the Workshop FAQ’s page for more information regarding renting your equipment.
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND arriving 2 days prior to the workshop start date to acclimate to the elevation.
Weather is more predictable this time of year. Temps will range from 80° – 30°F. Make sure to BRING proper rain gear, a large down/synthetic jacket, and thermals to stay warm at night.
Morning:
10:00 AM – 3-Hour Introduction
A workshop syllabus, post processing booklet, and liability waiver will be provided to each participant at this time.
1:00 PM – Lunch/Rest
Evening:
4:30 PM – Departure
7:00 PM – Sunset Shoot
8:00 PM – Night Sky Shoot
10:00 PM – Return
Evening:
4:30 PM – Departure
7:00 PM – Sunset Shoot
8:00 PM – Night Sky Shoot
10:00 PM – Return
12:00 PM – Post-Processing Tutorial (4 hours)
5:00 PM – Group Dinner
We always leave our cameras behind to keep our focus entirely on YOU.
Our workshop is centered around your learning experience, your perspective, your photographs, and your creative journey. You will always have our full attention, with hands-on guidance every step of the way in a fun, supportive, and safe environment.
This commitment sets our workshops apart and ensures every participant receives our undivided attention.
A total of 8 participants may attend this workshop.
Our workshops cover every aspect of successfully planning and photographing the night sky in the incredible landscapes that surround you. You’ll learn how to scout locations in the Colorado Rockies, master camera settings for low-light conditions, use long exposures to capture detail in your foreground, refine your composition at night, and photograph the Milky Way during our 3-day instruction.
We also dive into advanced post-processing techniques to produce print-ready images in Adobe Photoshop. During the 4-hour post-processing session, we review the full 55+ page post-processing booklet so you feel confident editing your images using these new skills.
This workshop is rated EASY. We will remain close to our vehicles during all in-field instruction.
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.
Fall Colors in Colorado Photography Workshop: October 7 – 9, 2026
$1,497.50
*Must be 18 or older to participate. Prices do not include meals, accommodations, camera equipment, transportation, or incidentals. A 50%, non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space for the workshop. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the scheduled workshop start date. Please pay the balance in full by July 9, 2026, or your space may be forfeited. Please read our terms & conditions for more info.
Participants are responsible for their own meals, accommodations, and transportation, which are not included in the workshop fee. For hotel accommodations, we recommend booking in the Crested Butte, CO area. The workshop’s classroom sessions will take place at an indoor facility. We’ll provide a detailed itinerary well in advance to help you plan your arrangements.
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!
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by sending an email to info[at]goldpaintphotography.com.
Goldpaint Photography, LLC operates under a special use permit on the Gunnison National Forest. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Drones are not permitted during the workshop.