Big Bend National Park Photography Workshop

All workshop excursions will be based out of the Chisos Mountains Lodge, which is within Big Bend National Park.

Chisos Mountains Lodge
1 Basin Rural Station
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
Phone: 877-386-4383 or 432-477-2291
Website: https://www.chisosmountainslodge.com

Approximately a week before the workshop we will e-mail all registered participants with a detailed agenda, map, etc. So that you’ll know what to expect, here’s our tentative agenda:

Day 1 – 4:00 PM – Meet on the patio outside the Lodge. We’ll cover the agenda for the next 2 days before grabbing something to eat and heading out to take photos for the evening.

Day 2 (AM) – We’ll head out early for sunrise photos/opportunities/exploration before returning to the Lodge for one on one instruction on Processing/Editing images.

Day 2 (PM) – We’ll head into Terlingua for dinner and photography in the area. We will be out late this evening, probably returning to the Lodge well after midnight.

Day 3 (AM) – We will likely have additional opportunities for sunrise images, followed by a wrap up before check out at 11:00 AM.

Post-workshop – We will provide additional video courses on editing based on images taken during the class.

For our transportation we will be taking personal vehicles but between Barry and I we can carry 4 or 5 participants for those who prefer not to drive their own.

DSLR camera – Crop Sensor or Full Frame
Wide angle lens – The wider the better.  For a full frame, 14mm would be best and for a crop sensor a 12mm.  I suggest exploring renting a lens through a local camera shop or online through BorrowLenses.com, lensrentals.com or if you’re in the DFW area try aperturent.com.  You will also want something with a large aperture so look for an f2.8 or larger.
Mid-range (24-100) zoom lens – This will be used primarily for landscapes rather than night sky so there’s not a need for an f2.8 aperture.
Long telephoto lens – If you have access to one, a long telephoto will enable you to capture potential wildlife and unique landscape shots.
Tripod –  The sturdier the better as we will be taking up to 30-second exposures and there can be a breeze.  It doesn’t need to be tall, just sturdy.
Remote shutter release – Alternatively, an understanding on how to set a 2-second shutter delay for your camera.
Headlamp – You’ll need a way to light your feet as you walk around.  Some areas are rocky and contain cacti as mentioned earlier.
Apps (optional) – Consider downloading/purchasing the PhotoPills or TPE apps if you plan on doing more night sky photography.  It’s also great for planning sunrise and sunset outings.
Batteries – Bring an extra battery if you have one. If not, make sure you have your charger.
Storage – An extra SD or CF card (maybe 2 or 3…)
Lastly, bring a desire to learn and have fun!  You’re going to walk away with a great experience and a much better understanding of how to take amazing Milky Way images.

Bring something to take notes with.

Despite the warm weather we will likely experience, plan on wearing long pants. There are cacti and other plants that can leave a nasty scratch.

Bring insect repellent. We will have some in case you forget.

No need to worry about water or snacks; we’ll have both available at all times.

The drive to Big Bend is by itself fully loaded with jaw-dropping vistas, make sure you take the opportunity to grab some shots along the way!

Once you get to Big Bend, the landscape is a bit mind bending. There are SOOO many different geological photography opportunities and terrain that runs the gamut from flat pan to Emory Peak at nearly 8,000 feet.

As much as we’d like to set the temperature and control wind and rain for the workshop we simply aren’t that good. We will do our best despite any weather obstacles to make sure you leave with a wealth of information and practical experience.