RMNP Night Sky Photography Workshop with Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom

Rocky Mountain National Park - Night Sky Photography Workshop

With Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom

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Join Nikon Ambassador, Kristi Odom and Mike’s Camera, Jennifer Pinckney for an adventure under the stars! Colorado is known for its incredible stargazing, that paired with expert photographers, get ready to take some photos that create awe. This adventure takes us to some of the most spectacular spots in Rocky Mountain National Park alongside Kristi and Jen who will help teach you how to photograph this amazing spectacle. We have timed our workshop to give us a good chance to photograph the Milky Way.

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Today we will meet at 3pm at our Vert Co-working lecture space in Estes Park (1230 Big Thompson Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517) with your cameras and a notepad. We are going to start with a one hour lecture then an early group dinner. Kristi and Jen will be around to help you get your camera set up and ready for our adventure into the park. We will then pile together in cars and drive to our first location in Rocky Mountain National Park.

We will stay at the lower part of the park. With lakes in the foreground, we will set up to capture time-lapse of the sunset, then if the stars make an appearance, hopefully be set up for the Milky Way when it comes out at around 10:30 and stay out until 3am. Before it comes out, Kristi and Jen will be on hand to help you set up and be ready.

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Today we will meet at 3pm at our lecture space in Estes Park with your cameras and a notepad. We are going to start with a one-hour lecture on editing your images and answering any questions from the night before. We will have a pizza delivered for the group as we prepare to enter Rocky Mountain National Park! We will carpool together to the alpine! We will set up close to our vehicles with a spectacular view of the mountains to photograph more time, followed by another chance to see the milky way. The alpine provides a totally different view of the park, with snowcapped mountains and vistas for as far as the eye can see. A perfect backdrop for our last night in Rocky Mountain National Park.

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Backup day in the park in case of bad weather. If the weather holds on the 8th and the 9th, then tonight we will meet at Mike’s camera in Boulder to share our photos! We will have a celebration of the night sky with your amazing photos as well as a few tasty treats! Kristi and Jen will be on hand if you have any questions about your editing. Also learn about the amazing final products! Mike’s will be on hand to answer questions about printing, papers and how to create the final product that will make your images come to life!

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What you will Learn:

• Time-lapse Photography
• Night Sky Photography (we will be focusing on single exposure night sky images)
• Use of Filters
• How to photograph star trails
• How to create motion in Landscapes with filters and long exposures
• Milky Way Photography (We will teach you in classes and in the field techniques to capture the night sky, but nature is unpredictable, so we can’t guarantee that the sky will be clear for the stars and Milky Way.)
• Editing your night sky photos
• Editing time-lapse

Required Equipment and Accessories :

Astrophotography requires a professional level camera and lens in order to be successful and get the image results you are looking for.

If you do not have a professional level camera or lens, we would highly recommend purchasing or renting them. You can work with our rental department to see if we have what you need available. Email them at [email protected]

• DSLR or Mirrorless camera with non-Extended "native" ISO to at least 12,800 and shutter speeds to at least 30 secs
• Wide angle lens with a aperture of f/2.8-4 or larger and a full frame equivalent of 14 - 35 mm
• A sturdy tripod (long Exposures require it to be very stable)
• Intervalometer, wireless remote or shutter release cord
• Extra batteries
• Headlamp with a red filter
• Small flashlight

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• Warm clothes (as the night gets later it does get cooler)
• Gloves and hat
• Hiking Boots
• Sunscreen
• Snacks and beverages
• Personal Toiletries for overnight Camping
• Small camp pillow
• Personal Water Bottle
• Bug Spray
• Folding camping portable chair, We do a lot of standing
• Apple airtag

About your Instructor: Nikon Ambassador Kristi Odom

Conservation photographer and Filmmaker, Kristi Odom, has worked in some of the earth's most remote locations to help document stories that will help protect our planet's biodiversity. She is an internationally awarded photographer, an associate fellow of the International League of Conservation Photographers, a Nikon Ambassador and a motivational speaker.

She believes strongly in the power of photography to help create positive change and ultimately help protect the planet's wildlife. A photographer and filmmaker, her work focuses on connecting people emotionally to animals and celebrating those who fight to protect the natural world.

Her accolades include over 60 international photography awards. She also was included in National Geographic’s 2021 collection for Best Animal Photos and her work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Her work has appeared either online and/or in print for the following clients: National Geographic, Washington Post, New York Times, Forbes, Rollingstone, NIkon, Microsoft and Outside Mag.

Host or Publisher Mike's Camera