Fri, Jul 17 · 8:00 PM PDT
We’re scheduling a very special night at the historic Fort Rock Homestead Village where we will have exclusive photography access to all of the buildings and grounds.
Over the course of the night, we are planning to selectively light buildings (both inside and outside) and other structures to provide a variety of photography compositions and make it easier for photographers with a range of photographic equipment to capture beautiful images at night. If you can keep you smart phone steady when you photograph, you should go home happy with your photos.
Time will go fast as we expect to keep busy the entire time: beginning with moonset photography, planning and capturing compositions, and ending with Milky Way astro-landscape photography. This night also also coincides with the beginning of the Perseid Meteor Showers.
ABOUT FORT ROCK HISTORICAL VILLAGE MUSEUM
The Fort Rock Valley Homestead Village was established by the Fort Rock Historical Society to preserve the heritage of early pioneers in the area. The Society acquired around a dozen authentic original buildings and equipment from homesteads in the area and relocated them to the Village. We will be able to access these homestead homes, a church, a school, blacksmith shop, general store, and other buildings.
ABOUT THE FEES
This is a very special event and one of the few outings where we charge fees. This is an uncommon opportunity to have exclusive access to each of the buildings in the Historical Village for three hours. The cost for this access may seem expensive but it is far more reasonable for similar events.
Breakdown on costs:
In addition to the event fees, in lieu of having to provide an insurance binder for our visit, each participant needs to sign the hold harmless agreement with the Fort Rock Valley Historical Society to access their buildings and grounds. This is the same agreement we signed at our last night visit to the museum.
TENTATIVE TIMETABLE
07:30PM Meet near Fred Meyer's Bend Fuel Center to rideshare
PHOTOGRAPHY CONSIDERATIONS
We will arrive early before the gates open to prepare, answer questions, and discuss shooting plans. Then Oscar and Tim L. will begin to set up lights inside and outside of the church, the school, and the general store (gas station). We might illuminate the blacksmith shop as well.
When we are setting up lights, you may want to compose some nice photos of the village with the 19% moon till around 10pm.
In order to maximize the experience, we ask for your preparation and cooperation. The three hours will go fast. You will want to be fully prepared with your equipment as soon as we access the property.
Increased cooperation will be helpful to maximize the experience. We are trusting that all participants work as a team so everyone can photograph all the illuminated buildings and structures. If you are an experienced night sky photographer, please help your neighbor. If you are new to night photography, please be considerate with your neighbors regarding the use of your red light and the suggestions offered to help you succeed.
ABOUT LIGHT PAINTING
For those who are not familiar with light painting, we will be lighting the insides and outsides of key buildings and structures. Low light effects can be accomplished by using constant low light or pulses of light from perhaps a flashlight for a short duration to illuminate objects or a scene. Then, the combination of light painting with longer exposures helps capture effects for artistic results.
Light painting basics:
With long exposure photography, a little light goes a long way towards illuminating the scene.
When light painting, shine the light from the side and an angle to bring out light and dark contrasts in subjects. Avoid direct light on the subject so features are not washed out.
With long exposures, one can walk through the scene with a light to illuminate the subject for a short duration.
Remember the color temperature of your light. With old historic buildings, warmer colored lights instead of bright cool white LEDs would enhance the scene better.
ABOUT NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY
Night Sky Photography involves taking long exposures which requires a solid tripod and a fast, wide angle lens (24mm or smaller and f/2.8 or faster). Since we are doing light painting, slower lenses (f/3.5 or f4) should work with the available light. Additional editing work is usually required to pull details out of the image.
Intervalometers are remote camera releases used in BULB mode to take repeat long exposures without touching the camera to open/close the shutter that could result in camera shake and fuzzy images.
Photographers primarily using smart phones and their low light, long exposure features would benefit from using a tripod or other means to hold their phone steady.
Participants wanting to photograph building and equipment along with the Milky Way should be experienced with doing this kind of night sky photography and the necessary settings. We will help as much as possible.
THINGS TO BRING
Fully charged batteries for all your equipment
You can bring your camera bag for your equipment
Make sure you camera memory card if empty; bring a backup
Small, preferably warm LED lights for lighting a building interior not illuminated
Mirrorless or DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens, preferably in the 14mm to 35mm range, with a wide-open aperture ideally of f/2.8 or lower, although you can probably get away with f/4.
Alternatively, smartphones are getting better and better at night photography, so use yours if that's what you shoot with. But be sure to know how to use its night mode, and bring a tripod and phone mount for it to allow vibration-free long exposures.
A sturdy tripod with a ball head or other type of head
Red headlamp or flashlight (red light preserves night vision); white light is fine while everyone is setting up or breaking down for the night
Dew heater for your lens (not always needed but good to have it in case there is heavy moisture in the air), and a battery pack to power it
Intervalometer or remote shutter release (optional; you can use the self-timer on your camera to set a delay of 5s or so from the time you press the shutter button, to avoid camera vibration when the shutter fires).
Insect repellent is optional for this arid location.
Warm clothing layers as the night progresses.
Water or your beverage of choice, and snacks. Follow pack it in/pack it out etiquette.
PLAN B
The event will not be rescheduled. If the event is cancelled 1) for safety related weather conditions or 2) if the required minimum of 5 participants is not met, refunds will be given. If skies are cloudy, we’ll still have a great time with light painting.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
Night photography has inherent risks as low light conditions increase the possibility of encountering unseen obstacles and hazards. Personal safety has to be the constant focus as locations with unmarked level changes, and abrupt drop-offs. Always SAFETY: before, during, and after shooting.
