Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse
Night Photography Workshop
Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota
May 14 & 15, 2022
May 16 Add-On Option
Just Two Spots Left!
Two Day / Two Night Workshop
$795
8 Participants Max
Workshop Highlights
Observe and photograph the full moon as it transforms into the Blood Moon in this easy weekend workshop!
Experience the eerie Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse on May 15, 2022 from a comfortable viewing location near Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, the ideal location to observe it:
The Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse occurs on Sunday night, giving you the full weekend to prepare
The full eclipse sequence will be visible from central Minnesota
The eclipsing moon will be positioned at the perfect location in the sky for fantastic photography
Witness the full eclipse process unfold, starting with the penumbral eclipse at sunset on Sunday evening, the partial eclipse starting at 9:30 pm, and culminating with nearly an hour and a half of total lunar eclipse beginning at 10:30 pm; followed by the same sequence in reverse, finishing at approximately 1:00 am Monday. You can select an optional daytime session on Monday to process your images, as described below.
Your workshop begins on the morning of Saturday, May 14, 2022 in our private meeting room at the Country Inn and Suites. Here, you will explore the astronomy of lunar eclipses and the many different options you have for photographing them. Advanced topics include how to create magnificent lunar eclipse sequences that vividly illustrate show the moon’s appearance changes as the moon passes through the earth’s shadow.
You’ll then spend Saturday evening practicing what you’ve learned with the nearly full gibbous moon to get fully prepared for the lunar eclipse the following night. You’ll also have the option for creating fantastic star trail images, starry sky panoramas, moon sequences, time-lapses and other night photography projects.
You will continue your indoor sessions on Sunday. You’ll enhance your images from the previous night, and create a detailed plan for your Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse projects for later that night. You’ll then embark on a night of wonderful Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse photography; maximum totality occurs at 11:11 pm giving you plenty of time to return home for a restful night.
Optional Add-On: You also have the option of returning to our private meeting on Monday, May 16, 2022 for the opportunity to enhance your eclipse images and complete your eclipse image and time-lapse projects.
Dr. Mike Shaw will be your workshop instructor and guide. He is the author of the highly-rated night photography books, “The Complete Guide to Landscape Astrophotography,” and “Creative Nightscapes and Time-Lapses.” He hosts the annual Aurora Summit conference each year. He is also the co-creator of the video tutorials embedded in the Planit Pro app. He is a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, and is intimately familiar with all your workshop locations!
Workshop highlights include:
Two days and two nights of expert instruction & practice on moon and total lunar eclipse photography / image enhancement
Guided access to hand-picked shooting locations within an hour’s drive of the Twin Cities
Opportunities for photographing and creating star trails, constellations, panoramas, time-lapses, deep-sky objects - and possibly even the Aurora Borealis!
Optional 3rd day daytime add-on for completing your Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse image projects and time-lapses.
Workshop Itinerary
Day 1 (Saturday, May 14) 9 am - Workshop commences. We meet in our private meeting room at the Roseville, Minnesota, Country Inn & Suites (map below). Mike will give a workshop overview and rough agenda. We’ll discuss your goals for the workshop, and the camera systems you’re using. You will explore the astronomy of lunar eclipses and the many different options you have for photographing them. You’ll learn the best camera settings for the different phases of the eclipse, along with when and how to change them as the eclipse proceeds. You’ll also learn how to choose the best lens focal length for the type of image you wish to capture. Advanced topics include how to create magnificent lunar eclipse sequences that vividly illustrate show the moon’s appearance changes as the moon passes through the earth’s shadow.
Night 1 (Saturday, May 14) You’ll spend Saturday night in the field practicing what you’ve learned. We’ll create images with the nearly full gibbous moon to get fully prepared for the total lunar eclipse on Sunday night. We will drive to a scenic dark location within an hour or so of the Country Inn & Suites. Here, you will receive personal instruction on how to properly focus your camera in the dark, compose in the dark, and what are the best camera and exposure settings for night photography. You can also explore the effects of different lens focal lengths and lens filters for the best composition and depth of field. You’ll also have the option for creating fantastic star trail images, starry sky panoramas, moon sequences, time-lapses and other fantastic night photography projects. In the event of clouds or rain, we will do our night photography sessions in a scenic downtown area in the Twin Cities.
Day 2 (Sunday, May 15) We will continue our indoor sessions in our private meeting room at the Country Inn & Suites. You’ll enhance your images from the previous night, and create a detailed Night Photography Plan for your Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse projects later that night. You’ll also learn more about the basics of night photography, including a review of the fundamentals of astronomy. You will have ample time to have all your questions answered in a friendly, supportive environment.
Night 2 (Sunday, May 15) We will drive to a new location to take the best advantage of the weather and the interests of the group. Here, you’ll then embark on a night of wonderful Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse photography! The most important stages of the eclipse take place between 9:30 pm - 1:00 am; maximum totality occurs at 11:11 pm. This timing gives you plenty of time to return home for a restful night with your memory cards filled with images of the May 15, 2022 Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse!
Option: Day 3 (Monday, May 16): You have the option of returning to our private meeting room on Monday, May 16, 2022 during the day to finish your eclipse images and time-lapse projects. This is a great time to bring together all your new knowledge and experience from the previous two days and nights, and to complete your images & time-lapses for sharing and printing.
Workshop Structure
We’ll first meet at 9 pm on Saturday morning, May 14, 2022 in our private meeting room of the Country Inn and Suites in Roseville, Minnesota (See map).
You should arrive in your own vehicle for transportation throughout the workshop, or carpool with a friend. There are no significant hikes as part of this workshop, and you will have easy access to your vehicle.
Food is not included in this workshop. You are free to bring your own food, as well as visit any of the nearby restaurants or shops.
Be sure to bring warm clothes, warm boots or shoes, a raincoat, a warm hat and gloves. It can get surprisingly cold late at night! Hand warmers are often welcome.
Workshop Venue & Accommodations
Our workshop is based at the Country Inn and Suites in Roseville, Minnesota (see map):
Address: 2740 E Snelling Service Dr, Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: (651) 628-3500
For your convenience, we are arranging for a block of rooms with either two queen beds or a single king bed at a special rate, if needed. Details will be provided when you register. You are free to stay at other nearby hotels; there are many choices. Please contact us if you require assistance with accommodations.
We will meet in our private meeting room at Country Inn and Suites in Roseville, Minnesota, during the day on Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15, 2022. Here, we will review and enhance your images, work on time-lapse videos and learn basic & advanced nightscape photography techniques. We will also meet here during the optional daytime session on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Pricing
$795/Person
Workshop Includes:
Two nights (Saturday & Sunday) of night photography sessions in locations within an hour or so of the Twin Cities selected for their suitability for the lunar eclipse
Two days (Saturday & Sunday) of classroom sessions in our private workshop meeting room
Personal photography guiding and instruction throughout the workshop at proven field locations
Indoor post-processing / image enhancement sessions
Mike Shaw’s original Night Photography Plan, template, and instructions for using it to plan successful night photography sessions
Opportunities to try out filters, trackers, panorama heads and other night photography accessories
Welcome Packet with a complete gear list and other useful information
OPTION of adding an additional day of time together on Monday, May 16, 2022 in our private meeting room for finishing your eclipse image and time-lapse projects
Workshop Does Not Include:
Hotel accommodations, if needed. You can select a room at the Country Inn & Suites from a block reserved for our workshop. There are also many other options nearby. Please contact us if you need assistance
Transportation to/from your home to the workshop meeting locations
Meals, beverages & snacks
As you complete your registration and payment process, you will be given the choice of either paying the full amount or a 50% deposit. If you pay the deposit, the balance payment is due no later than 90 days prior to arrival.
Recommended Gear Lists
(You will receive a detailed gear list in your Welcome Packet when you register)
Camera Gear - the Essentials:
DSLR or mirrorless camera with the ability to manually focus and manual set the exposure (ISO, f-stop & shutter speed)
Lens. An 18-55 mm kit lens works just fine. Also great are a wide-angle lens (in the 14 - 24 mm range) or a mid-range lens (in the 24 - 70 mm range). Telephoto lenses (150 mm and higher) are best for closeups of the eclipsed moon
Tripod / ballhead - the sturdier the better
Headlamp with a red bulb
Extra batteries
Extra memory cards
Lens/camera cleaning kit
Camera & other operating manuals
Camera Gear - Nice to Have:
Loupe for focusing
Cable release
Tiffen Double Fog 3 lens filter
External intervalometer
Extra flashlight
Personal Gear:
Snacks
Water
Portable chair
Hand warmers
Laptop for downloading & editing your images during the class sessions
Warm clothes in layers
Warm boots, hat & gloves
Warm jacket & raincoat
