Conference Schedule

Over 20 speakers will engage with a passionate and dedicated group of photographers and dark sky devotees over 4 full days of presentations, classes and in-field night photography. The speakers will include Nightscaper veterans as well as newcomers. Topics will range from mid- and high-level post-processing, specialties such as light painting and scouting, and general topics such as dark sky preservation, astronomy, national parks and more.

View the schedule below, or download the PDF.

  • 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.
    Registration

    11:00 to 11:15 a.m.
    Welcome & Introductions

    11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Keynote: Launch Your Journey Through the Universe Aboard Spaceship Earth, by Mike Shaw

    12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
    A Nightscaper’s Guide to Astrogeology, by Dr. Bryony Richards
    Astro-Modified Cameras: Benefits and How Best to Use One, by Clarence Spencer (sponsored by Spencer's Camera)

    1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
    Lunch / Vendor Visits

    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Save the Stars!, by Bettymaya Foott
    Nightscapes and Deep Sky Astrophotography for Beginners, by Mike Shaw

    4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
    Best Things I’ve Learned After 7 Years of Milky Way, by Aaron King
    The Art of Composition: Organizing Nature, by Josh Snow

    5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
    Tales of the Night, by Attendees

    6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
    Opening Night Dinner

  • 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
    Portfolio Reviews & Post-Processing Sessions

    11:00 to 11:15 a.m.
    Morning Welcome

    11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Nightscape Photography as Fine Art, by Kristine Rose

    12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
    Light Fantastic: The Colors of Messier, by Dr. Bryony Richards
    Photographing Aurora Borealis, by Dr. Kah-Wai Lin (sponsored by Fotopro and Red River Paper)

    1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
    Lunch / Vendor Visits

    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Tracked Milky Way Panoramas: Planning & Execution, by Dan Zafra
    50 Shades of Blue: Color Theory for Night Photographers, by Jess Santos

    4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
    Planning Successful Night Photography Sessions, by Mike Shaw
    The Secret Colors of the Night, by Matt Hill (sponsored by Calibrite and Novoflex)

    5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
    Panel Discussion: Women in Night Photography
    Gear Checklist for Your Next Astro Adventure    , by Michael Hollender (sponsored by B&H Photo)

    9:00 to 11:00 p.m.
    ★ Star Party hosted with the Amazing Earthfest and Stellar Vista Observatory

  • 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
    Portfolio Reviews & Post-Processing Sessions

    11:00 to 11:15 a.m.
    Morning Welcome

    11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Light Painting Ethics, by Bettymaya Foott (sponsored by the International Dark-Sky Association)
    Stacked vs. Tracked, and How AI is Changing Astrophotography, by Michael Bogue (sponsored by Benro)

    12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
    Deep Sky Astrophotography, by Matt Dieterich
    Tracked Milky Way Panoramas: Putting Things Together, by Dan Zafra

    1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
    Lunch / Vendor Visits

    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Shaping Light, by Joshua Snow
    7 Tools You Are Forgetting to Use in PhotoPills and Planit Pro, by Aaron King

    4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
    50 Shades of Blue: Color in the Digital Darkroom, by Jess Santos
    Chasing Orion, by MaryBeth Kiczenski

    5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
    The Dark Side of Rocket Photography, by Erik Kuna (sponsored by KelbyOne)
    Night Photography in National Parks, by Chris Nicholson

  • 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
    Portfolio Reviews & Post-Processing Sessions

    11:00 to 11:15 a.m.
    Morning Welcome

    11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
    Inspirations Beyond the Milky Way, by Gabriel Biderman

    12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
    What About the Weather?, by Erik Kuna
    Great Milky Way Chase, by MaryBeth Kiczenski

    1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
    Lunch / Vendor Visits

    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    What is Remote Astrophotography, by Matt Dieterich
    Business Fundamentals for Nightscape Photographers, by Kristine Rose

    4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
    My Night Panorama Addiction, by Matt Hill
    Time-Lapse: A Practical Approach, by David Swindler (sponsored by Action Photo Tours)

    5:15 to 5:30 p.m.
    Farewell Remarks

All Days

Vendor booths open ▪ 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(will open at 9:30 the first day)

Sunset ▪ 8:35 p.m.

Milky Way Core visible ▪ 11 p.m.

Night Shoots and Activities

Aside from the Star Party, most evening activities are impromptu, organized by whoever wants to—fellow attendees, speakers, sponsor representatives, etc. A lot goes on after dark, and everyone tends to get involved.

While we are happy to help people connect, we also suggest the conference Facebook group as an ideal place to communicate and plan with your fellow attendees.