Northern Lights Photography Workshop
Event Details
Learn how to predict, locate, and photograph & the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) during a potential live Aurora Borealis event — intended for all aspiring aurora photographers of any skill level. Don’t wait for the big shows, learn to chase minor to moderate aurora displays which happen more often and can provide stunning shows to the eye and camera. By the end of the workshop, you will have the skills and confidence to capture stunning images of the northern lights, wherever your adventures take you.
Location: In-person workshop on northern Lake Huron shoreline / Bruce Peninsula / Georgian Bay area. Accommodation options will be provided once the workshop is scheduled, based on the selected location, which will be determined by weather conditions and the potential of moderate aurora activity.
Workshop Course Highlights
Overview
- Open to all skill levels, from complete beginners to seasoned photographers.
- Small group sizes (5-7 participants) to ensure personalized instruction and plenty of one-on-one attention.
- Hands-on guidance in aurora photography techniques.
- Learn essential skills in the field, under the stars during a real aurora chase.
- Reservations supported allowing flexibility for short-notice workshops.
- Personalized aurora forecasts leading up to workshop date.
Aurora Training
- Learn the basics of northern lights forecasting; interpreting real-time space weather data in the field, how to anticipate intensity of an upcoming display, and estimate lead time and preparation.
- How to choose locations based on weather conditions, anticipated aurora display strength, and other variables.
- Adapting exposure settings in response to changing aurora activity.
- Beyond Focus; Learn to nail down sharp images during aurora substorms.
Photography Skill-Building
- Step-by-step walkthrough of common workflow scenarios for achieving the best results from your northern lights photos.
- Learn to focus on the night sky and elements around you in the dark.
- Set it and forget it – basic timelapse workflow techniques.
- Panoramic techniques for capturing big northern lights displays.
- Overcoming the challenges of light pollution in night photography.
- “Working the scene”—enhance your captures by identifying compelling foregrounds, compositions, landmarks, and unique elements.
How It Works
Due to the unpredictable nature of aurora chasing, a reservation system is used to provide flexibility for short-notice workshops. Participants will receive personalized forecasts leading up to the workshop announcement. Participants can simply RSVP to be enrolled in the workshop. If unable to attend the workshop, they will remain in the queue and continue to receive forecasts and details about the next workshop date.
View More Details
Preliminary Queue: All participants who signup for the workshop will be entered in a queue as multiple workshops will happen each month depending on aurora activity. The queue is limited to a small group of participants. Workshop participants will receive personalized forecasts of potential upcoming aurora activity leading up to a potential workshop date.
Tentative Workshop : Once aurora potential and weather forecasts look favourable, participants will receive details with a tentative date, time and general location by email. Notifications will typically be sent 1 day in advance but occasionally notice may be shorter due to shifting conditions and/or solar storm arrival times.
RSVP: Once a workshop is announced (the day of), attendees can decide if they want to attend the workshop or wait for the next one. This method provides flexibility based on the unpredictable nature of the aurora and reduces your stress as life carries responsibilities. Participants do not need to worry about not being able to attend a workshop with little notice. The first 5-7 participants who RSVP will be included in the workshop; total participants will be determined on location. Attendees who do not RSVP will stay in the queue and continue to receive forecasts and updates for the next scheduled workshop date.
Go-Time: On the day of the workshop, the final manifest of attendees who submitted a RSVP will receive instructions and details of the location where the workshop will take place. Location will be chosen for weather, lesson planning, safety and night photography potential. While most minor to moderate displays can be seen on camera, many shows can also be visible to the naked eye and can be a jaw-dropping experience — every show is unique.
When the Aurora Doesn’t Dance
Aurora chasing is unpredictable, and there’s no guarantee of seeing the northern lights. If the lights don’t appear during the workshop, we’ll still cover all the settings, preparations, and techniques with simulation. If the northern lights are not captured during the workshop session or I’m not satisfied with the outcome, attendees will be offered the option to be included in the next available workshop at no additional cost, until the group successfully photographs the northern lights.