Dark of the Moon Night Photography in the Ancient Bristlecone Pines

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/6/0/6/event_83722022.jpegDark of the Moon Night Photography in the Patriarch Grove of Ancient Bristlecone Pines

Three nights; arriving Friday, August 17, 2012 and departing Monday, August 20, 2012

PLEASE DO NOT RSVP 'YES' HERE UNTIL YOU ARE ENROLLED AT THE POINT REYES FIELD INSTITUTE. You cannot pay and register on Meetup!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN: To register click here (http://www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=229078) or call the Point Reyes Field Institute (http://www.ptreyes.org/fieldinstitute/classlistphotography.shtml) at (415) 663.1200 x 373.

NOTE: This workshop is full (as of May 8, 2012). I encourage adding yourself to the waiting list by calling (415) 663.1200 x 373 in case there are drop-outs.

Join award-winning photographer Harold Davis, author of the bestselling Creative Night: Digital Photography Tips & Techniques (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0470527099/bearhomecom/) (Wiley), for a once in a lifetime adventure high in the White Mountains of Eastern California. Harold will have the assistance of Steven Christenson, a 2010 Astronomy Photographer of the Year, and co-founder of Star Circle Academy, and Eric Harness, faculty member Star Circle Academy.

The gnarled, ancient, and beautiful Bristlecone Pines are the oldest living things on planet earth—but their isolated location makes photography, particularly at night, logistically difficult. Locations in the White Mountains are among the least light polluted in the continental United States, and a frequent favorite destination of astronomers. The workshop is timed to coincide with the dark phase of the moon to maximize the possibilities of combining star circle photography with imagery of the ancient trees.

The workshop will be headquartered near the remote Patriarch Grove at the Crooked Creek Research Station, making access to many fabulous locations easy. There will be ample time for night photography of the ancient Bristlecone Pines in the Patriarch Grove, as well as well as both day and night photography in the incredible environs of the White Mountains, with views to the west of the grand Sierra crest, and to the east of the great basins and ranges stretching to Death Valley and beyond.

During the day, we will take advantage of the unique workshop location for photography, particularly considering issues of composition in relation to the ancient Bristlecone Pines. Besides photographing Bristlecone Pines and the magnificent scenery, there is a picturesque abandoned mining settlement within a ½ mile walk of where we will be staying, and wild Bighorn Sheep are a possibility in the area. Classroom demonstrations will cover use of an intervalometer (interval timer), minimizing noise in long exposures, safety at night, post-processing night photos, and more.

The workshop includes lodging and all meals at the Crooked Creek Research Station, which is located at about 10,000 feet elevation. While accommodations are dormitory style, excellent and plentiful meals are provided.

Note that reaching Crooked Creek requires a drive of about 15 miles along primitive roads on the crest of the White Mountains where cell phone coverage is unavailable.

Curriculum

Friday, August 17, 2011:

5PM Meet at Crooked Creek Research Station
5-6PM Orientation, night safety, night photography overview
6-6:45PM Dinner
7:15-11PM Night photography, Patriarch Grove

Saturday, August 18, 2011

optional early morning shoot

9-10AM Breakfast
10-12:00 Classroom (Harold Davis): Night Photo presentation, previous night's shoot, interval shooting
12:00-12:45PM Lunch
1PM-3:00PM Explore the environs of Crooked Creek and/or the Patriarch Grove in daylight
3:00-5:00PM Classroom (Harold Davis), Night photography in Photoshop
5PM Early dinner
6:00 PM Carpool to Barcroft Research Station past the restricted gate, proceed on foot for the ½ mile hike to the observatory above Barcroft. Depending on conditions, photograph above Barcroft, then proceed back down to Patriarch Grove for light painting and other activities. Return Crooked Creek c. midnight.

Sunday, August 19, 2011

optional early morning shoot

9-10AM Breakfast
10-12:00 Classroom (Steven Christenson): Alternatives to Photoshop, Night photo planning tools
12:00-12:45PM Lunch
1:00-2:30PM Local exploring and hiking
3:00-5PM Classroom (Eric Harness): Light painting at night, digital night panoramic photography
5:30-6:30PM Dinner
7PM - 11PM Night photography, Patriarch Grove; Light painting at Crooked Creek

Monday, August 20, 2011

optional early morning shoot

8:30-9:30AM Breakfast
9:30-10AM Workshop wrap-up