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The Rise
Three Night Astro Workshop

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Overview

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Join me for three nights as we capture the rise of the Milky Way’s galactic core from the wild and beautiful West Coast. This time of year offers some of the best conditions for nightscape photography, with the core rising above reflective lakes, winding rivers, dramatic canyons and waterfalls. We’ll also head out late afternoon to capture the spectacular sunsets the West Coast is famed for, making the most of the golden light before transitioning into nightscape photography under the stars.

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Over the course of the workshop you can learn:

  • How to plan and shoot the rising Milky Way core in complimentary alignment with striking natural landscapes.

  • Techniques for capturing sharp stars and clean, balanced foregrounds.

  • The best settings suited to your gear

  • The essentials of panoramas, star tracking, stacking and exposure blending.

  • My full post processing workflow in Lightroom, PTGui and Photoshop.​

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Daylight hours will be spent in the classroom, where I’ll guide you step by step through editing your nightscapes.

We’ll be based at Riverstone House, my home on the banks of the Taramakau River between Greymouth and Hokitika where you will enjoy your own private king or queen bedroom.

With a flexible itinerary shaped by the group’s goals and the weather, we’ll aim to visit some of my most beloved locations close by.

 

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What to bring

  • Mirrorless or DSLR camera

  • Ideally a fast, wide, prime lens; - f/1.2 through to f/2.8, 16mm through to 40mm for the best results

  • Spare camera batteries and SD cards

  • Sturdy tripod

  • Leveling base - example

  • Indexing rotator - example

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

  • Remote shutter/intervalometer if not inbuilt into your camera 

  • Laptop or desktop with Lightroom and Photoshop installed and a minimum of 16GB RAM

  • Thermal base layers

  • Warm jacket

  • Gloves

  • Sturdy and warm footwear

  • Hat, hood or beanie

  • Head torch with a red light

  • 2-3 lens cloths

  • Water bottle

  • Snacks

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If you are missing any of these items, please speak to me about borrowing equipment.

Whats Included

  • 3 nights of nightscape tuition in the field 

  • 2 post processing tuition sessions 

  • Small group size ensuring plenty of 1:1 tuition and uncrowded shoots

  • Accommodation with your own private king or queen bedroom

  • Travel during the workshop in a comfortable 4WD Landcruiser

  • Daily continental breakfast supplies that you can help yourself to each morning.

  • A selection of hot and cold beverages, and homemade baking will also be available throughout the workshop, along with hot drinks offered out in the field under the stars

  • Riverstone has a full chefs kitchen with all the essentials provided for self catering, to maximise shooting time

  • DOC concession fees

  • Comprehensive Safety Management System

  • Pick up/drop off at Hokitika airport if flying

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

Whats not Included

  • Flights

  • Visas

  • Personal, equipment and travel insurances

  • Lunch and dinner

  • Snacks

  • Alcohol

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Physical Difficulty

A reasonable level of fitness is required to fully enjoy this workshop, as we will be standing for extended periods at night in cold conditions.

Most shooting locations are accessed via short walks along bush tracks, river edges, or the coastline. Terrain can include uneven or icy ground, rocky beaches, steps, and occasional uphill sections, and participants will need to carry their own camera equipment.

Some locations are easily accessible directly from the vehicle, while others may involve longer walks of approximately 30–45 minutes each way, depending on the overall fitness and ability of the group.

If you have any fitness, mobility, or health concerns that may impact your participation, please let me know in your application form so we can discuss suitability and any possible adjustments.

Why this workshop and why the West Coast?

The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island is one of the most dramatic, untouched and photogenic regions in the country, with wild coastlines, ancient rainforest, snow capped mountains, reflective lakes, and some of the darkest skies in the Southern Hemisphere. The constantly changing weather and light mean no two experiences here are ever the same, with every trip offering something unique.

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With very limited numbers, there’s plenty of time for hands on guidance, questions, and the ability to work at your own pace without feeling rushed.

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Unlike many photography tours, this workshop has been designed as a relaxed, small group experience focused on both learning and creativity, not as a rushed “tick the box” tour. We won’t be constantly moving from place to place or packing up each morning to head to the next accommodation. Everything is based here in my corner of the Coast, allowing for a far more flexible and enjoyable experience, especially after late nights out shooting under the stars. It gives us the freedom to properly chase conditions, adapt to weather and light, and make the most of opportunities as they arise, with plenty of rest in between.

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My workshops are conducted safely and legally, with the appropriate Department of Conservation concessions and permissions in place to operate on public conservation land, alongside a comprehensive independently audited safety management system for client safety and peace of mind.

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Being born and raised on the West Coast also allows me to share not only the iconic locations, but many lesser known places that most visitors would never discover on their own. Combined with my background in hospitality, my ultimate goal is to ensure you feel comfortable, well looked after, and leave with both new skills and unforgettable memories.

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Rachel Roberts Photography

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