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Dark Sky Reserve

4 Days | 3 Nights

 

When - 17th - 20th October 2025

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Where- Twizel, accommodation TBC

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Location - Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve

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Cost - $2490.00 including accommodation- 10% deposit to secure your spot) 

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Maximum Participants - 3

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Skill Level - Any!

Overview

Hooker Lake
Hooker lake stack 4
Lake Pukaki - Final Edit
Hooker Lake 20mm - PS Edit
Castle Hill (1 of 1)
Alexandrina Low Pano - edit copy

On this adventure we'll be heading to the stunning Mackenzie region where the Milky Way will be rising in the sky right on dark.

We'll be based in Twizel, the gateway to Aoraki Mt Cook National Park which boasts some of the most crisp and clear skies on the planet.
 

The workshop commences Friday 23rd of May and concludes Monday 26th of May 2025.


The exact schedule will be determined according to the whole group’s photographic objectives and the weather. I keep a flexible itinerary to accommodate this.

Places we may visit include Hooker Lake, Lake Alexandrina, Lake Pukaki, Lake Ohau, Lake Tekapo, Church of the Good Shepherd and many more.

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You'll learn;

  • How to plan your compositions using apps such as Photopills 

  • How to focus at night

  • Settings and methods specific to your gear and skill level

  • Single frame exposure techniques 

  • Blended exposure techniques 

  • Milky Way panoramas (mosaics)

  • Stacking 

  • Post processing using Photoshop, Lightroom, plugins, PTGui, Auto Pano Giga,  Sequator and Starry Landscape Stacker

  • Specific topics discussed and tutored will depend on group ability, skills and understanding.


 

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What to bring

  • Mirrorless or DSLR camera

  • Ideally a fast, wide, prime lens; - f/1.4 through to f/2.8, 16mm through to 24mm for the best results, although up to f/4 is fine if your camera has high ISO capabilities. 

  • Spare camera batteries and SD cards

  • Sturdy tripod (essential)

  • Lens heater (not essential but very helpful if you have a bulbous lens that is prone to fogging up)

  • Remote shutter/intervalometer (again, not essential but very helpful)

  • Laptop or desktop with Lightroom and/or Photoshop installed.

  • Thermal base layers

  • Warm jacket

  • Gloves

  • Sturdy and warm footwear

  • Hat, hood or beanie

  • Head torch with a red light

  • Lens cloths

  • Water bottle

  • Snacks

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Whats Included

  • 4 days and 3 nights of landscape Astrophotograhy tuition in the field at epic locations

  • Private accommodation in Twizel with your own bedroom (TBC)  

  • Continental breakfast supplies

  • 2 intensive post processing tuition sessions to make your images pop

  • Travel during the workshop

  • DOC concession fees

  • Comprehensive Safety Management Plan

  • Digital workflow sheet spilling all my secrets on how I plan, shoot and edit an image from start to finish.

Whats not Included

  • Personal, equipment and travel insurance

  • Meals, except continental breakfast supplies

  • Snacks

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Terms & Conditions

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