2027 Night Sky Photography Workshop at Ft Griffin
2027 Night Sky Photography Workshop at Ft Griffin
Capture the timeless beauty of our home galaxy from one of the darkest skies in North Texas
Quick Facts
Skill Level i
Intermediate, Advanced
Fitness Level i
Very Easy
Terrain
Flat Walkways, Uneven Terrain, Trip or Fall Hazards
Location
Fort Griffin & Shackelford
Tuition
$250
The Experience
Located just a couple of hours west of Fort Worth, this workshop is convenient for anyone in the DFW area. However, we’ve had folks come from around the country for the history and the opportunity to learn light painting, star trails, and timelapse photography. Fort Griffin is also the home of the Texas State Longhorn Herd, often located in the fields where you will set up for the rise of the Milky Way or the setting sun.
What You Will Learn
In the Field
- Tripod setup basics
- Low-light focusing
- Pinpoint star technique
- White balance choices
- Exposure settings guidance
- Foreground composition tips
- Milky Way alignment
- Light painting basics
- Star trail capture
- Timelapse setup
Beyond the Capture
- Milky Way planning apps
- Best dates and seasons
- Dark sky forecasting
- Gear selection advice
- Filter use options
- Screen brightness control
- Night workflow prep
- Editing for contrast
- Enhancing Milky Way detail
- Color balance techniques
Through The Lens
Planning Your Trip
Nearest Airport
Abilene Regional Airport / Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (ABI or DFW)
Lodging Suggestions
Albany Inn or Ft. Griffin Campground & RV Park
Transportation
Your own personal vehicle or carpool
What's Included:
- Park entry fees
- Water and snacks
- Pre-workshop Zoom
- Post-workshop Zoom
- Experienced instruction
- Benton Downs community access
- Future workshop Alumni discounts
What's Not Included:
- Travel to or from the workshop
- Local transportation
- Meals
- Travel insurance
- Lodging
- Extra excursion costs
Itinerary
Day 1-2
Day 1 & 2
The group will gather at 4:00 PM at or near Fort Griffin, with final details shared during the pre-workshop Zoom session. After introductions and a review of the evening’s plan, we will begin by exploring The Flat, the once-rowdy frontier town below the fort where soldiers, buffalo hunters, drovers, gamblers, merchants, and outlaws once crossed paths. The site is tied to stories involving Doc Holliday, Big Nose Kate, and Wyatt Earp, adding even more character to this remarkable setting. As the light softens, we will move onto the fort grounds, where the remains of old structures, barracks, and trees create wonderful foregrounds for sunset, twilight, and the rise of the Milky Way. We typically photograph until around midnight, though you are welcome to continue shooting afterward in the campground or at The Flat. For those attending more than one night, critique sessions are often offered the following day, and a post-workshop Zoom editing session is usually held about two weeks after the final workshop date.
