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Banff at Night Seeing in the Dark

In October 2017 I had the opportunity to join the Banff at Night: Introduction to Astrophotography Workshop put on by Paul Zizka and assisted by Kahli April Hindmarsh and Jeff Wallace. If you want to dip your toe in the astrophotography pool than this is the place to do it and these are the people to do it with.

This was a two day/night workshop which started off with some classroom introductions to astrophotography. After the initial technical talk it was time to head to the field and play.

The moon was slowly starting to pass behind the mountain and casting a shadow across the trees on the islands at Two Jack Lake creating this lovely silhouette.

The initial excitement of the workshop was wearing off as I stumbled through the dark around Two Jack Lake when I finally settled on a composition I liked. It took me so long to find something I liked I was beginning to panic that I wouldn't be able to get anything good before the end of the night.

I had an idea to get some star trails in before my battery died. Thanks to a bit of assistance from Jeff I managed to get my tripod in the lake and focused to capture this as one of my last shots of the night.

The following afternoon we gathered again in the classroom to review the night before and do some critiques. Seeing the amazing work everyone did the night before was inspiring and just made me want to get out again.

The weather was not looking too promising for stars but Paul had a trick or two up his sleeve thanks to his awesome friends who came out to Lake Minnewanka to model for us on a paddle board and canoe. Everyone was pumped to get some people in their photos!

Of course with so many people running about with headlamps there is bound to be some illuminations. Turning it to your advantage is always helpful.
Storm brewing at our second location, Vermilion Lakes. Flashes of Aurora tease us behind the clouds.

After two great nights it was time to head home and contemplate all I had learned.

What better place to stop and contemplate a great weekend with a morning cup of java.

Created By
Flora van Wageningen
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Credits:

Flora van Wageningen