Skip to content

Repeat Class: Intro to Star Trails: 1/3 - How to Capture Star Trails (FREE)

Photo of Michael Spears
Hosted By
Michael S.
Repeat Class: Intro to Star Trails: 1/3 - How to Capture Star Trails (FREE)

Details

DOORS OPEN AT 845

Note: This is a repeat class for those that may have missed the first class or those that just want a refresher before the field trip.

NOTE: Session 1: How to photograph star trails & session 3: Hands-on post-processing, will be in the classroom. Session 2: Will be on location in South Florida (Room for 8 students)

A Star Trail is a type of photograph that uses long exposure times to capture diurnal circles, the apparent motion of stars in the night sky due to Earth's rotation.

Session one is to introduce Star Trails Photography to photographers with little or no experience in this field.

NOTE: If you are familiar with and/or experienced in Star Trails photography, this workshop probably isn’t for you.

During the first 90 minutes of the class, we will examine the following topics:

· The different types of star trails and how to capture them.

· Specific photographic equipment to make star trails photography possible.

· Locations and how to find “dark sky”.

· How to determine the best time of day-month-year.

· Weather conditions and forecasting.

· Apps & software.

· Exposure, white balance and focusing techniques.

In the last half-hour you will be asked to demonstrate some of the techniques you have learned. It is important to understand these techniques and how to set up and use your gear.

Fee: Free for sessions 1 & 3

Field Trip Cost: $25.

You must RSVP and pay for session 2, Field Trip to South Florida, no later than Saturday morning of the first session. There is only room for 8 people and there will be a waitlist. If you sign up and don’t pay by the first session you will forfeit your spot and it will go to the next person on the list. There are no refunds unless the field trip is cancelled due to weather.

What you will need to bring to class: All participants that are attending the field trip (Session Two) will need to bring the following:

· An interchangeable lens camera (DSLR or mirrorless).

· A "fast" wide-angle lens (f2.8 or faster and 10 - 30 mm or wider) prime or zoom.

· A sturdy tripod.

· An intervalometer – either remote (wired or wireless) or built-into the camera.

Optional, a cell phone with the following apps installed:

· PhotoPills ($10.99)

· Dark Sky Map (Free but may be outdated) or Meet Star Gazers (Free)

· Clear Outside by First Light Optics (Free)

· Windy by Windy SE (Free)

Late comers are always welcome and stay as long as your schedule permits. Please don't feel obligated to stay the whole two hours. We know your Saturday hours are valuable.

Do You Want to Continue the Learning After the Class and Get All Your Questions Answered?

Join fellow students and FCCP photographers for an enjoyable lunch at O'Keefe's Family Restaurant. O'Keefe's is where many of the locals gather. It’s definitely a local’s place and the prices reflect it. No purchase is required to join the discussion at O'Keefe's following our class.

***

Upcoming FCCP PhotoTours for 2024.
FCCP offers some of the most affordable instructional PhotoTours you can find anywhere. Our PhotoTours combined expert photography instruction (certified instructors), bucket list locations (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park) and safety (retired medical professionals travel on all tours)

Feb 21 - 26: Winter Tour to Yellowstone National Park with Snow Coach Tour
May 15 - 21: Spring Tour - Western Montana Ghost Towns & Yellowstone NP, Montana
May 22 - 28: Spring Tour - Yellowstone NP & Western Montana Ghost Towns, Montana
July 17 - 23: Summer Tour - Glacier National Park, Montana
September 18 - 24: Fall Tour - Yellowstone National Park & Grand Tetons, Wyoming
October 16 - 22: Fall Colors - Yosemite National Park, Light and Landscapes, California

***

My Recommended Retailers

Where you buy your gear matters. You expect to get what you ordered and you want to pay a low price for it. The retailers I recommend below are the ones I trust for my own purchases.

B & H Photo and Video — (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/Great-Deals/ci/16478/N/4280521071?BI=4308&KW=&KBID=4736)

Adorama — The Photography People — (http://www.adorama.com/?kbid=64386)

**Lensrentals.com** — Rent the Best Cameras & Lenses Available (http://www.pjatr.com/t/TUJGRktHSkJGS0dJS0xCRkpOSkVN)

***

FCCP Membership Options:

Reminder to Pay Your Monthly/Ann­ual Optional Dues

Basic Membership — $50

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=T6Z2N536CPWLS

Supporter Plus Membership — $100

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NNJJ7XVB3FST4

We accept all major credit cards. We also accept Cash App, Venmo and Apple Cash/Pay. Contact us via email for additional options or to pay via phone, FCCP_Director@me.com

Photo of Florida Center for Creative Photography group
Florida Center for Creative Photography
See more events
Okeefe's Tavern
1219 S Ft Harrison Ave · Clearwater, FL