Whether you are taking your first steps toward capturing the timeless beauty of our home galaxy from one of the darkest night skies in North Texas or have countless nights focused on the stars, this workshop can meet your needs.
There are two nights available to capture at least a hint of what those old trail hands saw each night on their long journey north with thousands of cattle. Pick one or both nights to feed your passion for nighttime photography.
Workshop Leader: David Begis
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’s Included:
- Instruction on capturing the night sky using apps to pinpoint the best days/dates years in advance.
- Instruction on focusing in low light to get pin-point stars.
- Composition tips for foreground elements and blending the night sky with foreground elements.
- Recommendations for gear to give you the best results based on your goals.
- Best settings for positive results.
- There will be pre- and post-workshop Zoom sessions to prepare for the trip and gain editing instruction. Editing tips and instructions will also be shared with those interested during the workshop as the schedule permits.
- Water & snacks during the workshop.
- Permits & Park Fees
What’s not included:
- Transportation to or from Ft. Griffin or where you are staying. During the workshop, you may be asked to ride with someone to limit the number of vehicles on the Fort grounds.
- Meals.
- Any form of travel insurance.
Workshop dates - READ CAREFULLY
Whether you are new to astrophotography or experienced, you will enjoy the opportunity to explore the night skies of Fort Griffin after dark.
You must register for each night separately so we can keep accurate track of how many attendees will be there each night. We highly recommend creating an account with us if you haven't already, as this will make the process much simpler.
Location
Ft. Griffin Historic Site & The Flat.
Additional workshop details
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Lodging/Meal information
Most participants stay in Albany at one of the Inns located there. Ft. Griffin does have a campground across the highway from the site. If you have an RV it's a nice place to park and enjoy the evenings after the workshop wraps each night.
No meals are provided
Look for a pre-workshop Zoom about 4 weeks before the workshop to get into more precise details.
Physical Requirements
The distance from where the vehicles will be parked and the furthest location you might want to explore is less than a quarter of a mile over flat ground so unless you have mobility challenges there's shouldn't be an issue. If you have concerns, please reach out before signing up so we can discuss your situation.
It can be quite warm during the afternoon but typically cools off nicely once the sun goes down. Hard to believe but a couple of times some of the women have gotten a chill and needed another layer, particularly as we get deeper into nighttime.
Agenda
The group will gather at 4:00 PM at or near the Fort (final details to be discussed during pre-Workshop Zoom session).
After introductions and discussion around the plans for the afternoon and evening, the group will explore The Flat before heading to the Fort for sunset and the rise of the Milky Way
We typically wrap up around midnight, and will leave the Fort but you are free to continue to shoot in the Campground or The Flat. For those who sign up for more than one night, critique sessions are usually offered the next morning and early afternoon.
We host a post workshop editing Zoom Session typically around 2 weeks after the last day of the workshop. During that session we can take a look at images that were captured and make editing suggestions.
Transportation
Each participant will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the workshop. While we are there, we may consolidate into 3 or 4 vehicles to go to the Fort and The Flat.
Recommended photography gear
DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a wide-angle/large aperture, an ultrawide zoom for night sky, a middle zoom (24mm-70mm) for panoramas and a telephoto lens for wildlife and panoramas. We will discuss lens selection in more detail during the pre-workshop Zoom Meeting.
- A sturdy, lightweight tripod with a ball head and level indicator.
- A remote shutter trigger or an understanding of how to use the shutter delay on your camera if it has one. This is NOT the same as the self timer.
- An extra battery with charger and an extra memory card.
- A headlamp with a red light.
Other recommendations
We will be wandering into some of the native grassy areas and the grass can be deep and contain some sharp edges in addition to the occasionally cacti or thistle. Long pants and long sleeves are highly recommended along with very sturdy hiking boots. Some locations may have holes or small rock piles which can be a painful discovery if strong supportive foot wear isn't worn. We’ll cover in more detail during pre-workshop communications & Zoom session.
Pro Tips
Capturing night skies takes patience as well as the ability to simply enjoy the view. Don't get so caught up in all the technicalities that you forget to FEEL the scene. After all, isn't that what we are trying to do; capture the moment?
Reserve your spot!
Important info! We encourage you to create an account when you register so that future workshop forms will be prepopulated with your data. Shortly after registering, you will receive a confirmation email and a separate email allowing you to pay your registration online. You are not fully registered until your payment is received.
We hope you'll consider joining us for more than one night, as it increases the odds of clear skies. The second night of shooting is ALWAYS more fun, as you are familiar with the area, have seen the images you've already captured, and understand what might be needed to get that one AWESOME image you wanted when you signed up!
