Twilight, milky way and Nightscape workshop
In December 2015, Snowdonia National Park was awarded Dark Sky Reserve status, recognising the quality of the dark skies there and protecting them for the future. Anglesey is also undergoing scrutiny to achieve the same status and given the darkness there I have very little doubt they will succeed.
And it’s not just the beautiful dark skies but the landscapes of Snowdonia offer a myriad of epic settings for a wide-angle astrophotography shoot. Glacial carved cwms, thundering waterfalls and of course the impressive peaks that reach to the stars. Anglesey, whilst not quite as epic, offers a host of picturesque spots in stunningly dark places; Penmon point, Ty Mawr lighthouse and South Stack Lighthouse to name a few.
This workshop offers you an opportunity to explore the rugged and beautiful areas of North Wales whilst learning how to capture the light between dusk and dawn. We start with twilight shoots, taking advantage of the magic of Blue Hour to capture local landmarks like the Menai Bridge and the many castles and lighthouses that can be found. We then hunt out clear skies with the aim of capturing some stunning starlit landscapes and there’s even opportunity to capture the Milky Way.
Price
£525
Date
4th-7th April 2019
GROUP SIZE
5-6
SKILL LEVEL
Beginner to intermediate
FITNESS
Easy level. There will be no hiking to summits but weather permitting we will venture into the valleys and cwms at the foot of the mountains.
Included:
- 3-nights accomodation
- Photography tuition and location guidance
- All transport during the week
Not Included:
- Transport to and from the arranged venue
- Personal accident, equipment, and travel insurance
- Food and drinks
The Milky Way above Tryfan and the Ogwen Valley
The Milky Way above South Stack Lighthouse
Caernarfon Castle in the Blue Hour
Daytimes will be spent exploring what the area has to offer with short walks into the valleys and cwms of Snowdonia, giving you a chance to scout areas before returning to them in the dark. Seeing an area in daylight and planning your shoot goes a long way towards not only finding the best compositions but also for your personal safety.
We will look to take advantage of blue hour and photograph the many local landmarks. Lighthouses, castles and of course the Menai bridge are all lit up in the evening, making them perfect targets for those magical twilight hours. We will then hunt out clear skies to capture some stunning starlit landscapes.
Should the skies remain clear we can stay awake until the early hours of the morning and capture the Milky Way as it returns to the night sky, marking the start of Milky Way season. If we’re even luckier, we may even be treated to a display of Northern Lights.
Topics covered:
The magic of blue hour photography
How to scout and plan Milky Way and night shots
How to photograph the Milky Way and stars
Star trail technique
Capturing light trails
Methods of noise reduction and exposure blending
Lightroom editing workflow and extra Photoshop tricks
Penmon lighthouse at sunset
Penmon lighthouse under the Milky Way and Northern Lights
Proposed Shooting Locations
Snowdon Horseshoe and Llyn Llydaw
Ogwen Valley and Llyn Idwal
Llynnau Mymbyr
Llyn Padarn and Dolbadarn Castle
Menai Suspension Bridge
Caernarfon Castle
Conwy Castle
Penmon Point
Ty Mawr Lighthouse
South Stack Lighthouse
What’s in the Night Sky for our trip?
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Venus
Milky Way
Crescent Moon
Pleiades
Zodiacal Light
Northern Lights (if we’re lucky!)
Venus above the Snowdon horseshoe
Where are we staying?
We will be staying in Wales’ only 5-star hostel, The Rocks. Situated in the peaceful and secluded setting of Capel Curig we will have our own private dorm room with stunning views to Snowdon. There is a shared kitchen as well as dining area, lounges and a terrace with a fireplace.
How to get there?
Follow this link for a Google Map pin or if you need any advice then just ask Alyn when requesting to book.
what do you need?
- Camera, lenses, SD card, batteries and tripod
- Outdoor clothes suitable for all weather (waterproofs and sturdy footwear)
- Headtorch (and a backup is advised)
- Personal accident, injury, and travel insurance.
- Laptop (not essential but beneficial for any post-processing tutorials)
How do You book?
Please fill in the form below and Alyn Wallace will get back to you with the full terms and conditions and a booking form. A deposit of £150 will be required to confirm your place with the full amount payable 90 days prior to workshop start date