Out of Moab 2023
Night Photography and Advanced Post-Processing Conference
September 10-14, 2023
Image by David Kingham
Photograph the dark skies of Moab, learning and processing alongside our night photography experts.
Immerse yourself in the unforgettable night sky destination of Moab, Utah. Spend the evenings photographing the stars and Milky Way against stunning natural arches and red rock desert landscapes. Spend your days alongside the instructors learning advanced post-processing techniques and working hands-on to process your night photos. Explore the town of Moab before heading back out in the evening.
INSTRUCTORS
Out of Moab brings together the best night photography instructors for an intimate and unforgettable teaching experience.
Nick Page
Marybeth Kiczenski
Mike Taylor
David Kingham
Brenda Petrella
Chris Nicholson
Highlights
This is going to be awesome!!!!
LIMITED TO 36 ATTENDEES
6 world-class night photography instructors
Opening reception and dinner/three lunches/closing breakfast
Spend a full day with each team of instructors where you learn/shoot/process and review images together
Field sessions within Arches and Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point and surrounding areas
In September, the galactic core of the Milky Way can be seen right after sunset, making the evenings an enjoyable experience without having to wait until the early morning hours to photograph. You’ll have the chance to photograph and learn alongside a team of two instructors each day in a smaller group setting, making this an enjoyable and hands-on learning experience. While the evenings will be spent out in the field photographing, the following day, you’ll have the opportunity to go over images with instructors and learn advanced post-processing techniques to make your images shine. There will also be times for ask me anything sessions with the instructors, images reviews and more, making this one of the most well-rounded, hands-on and productive conference experiences for photographers.
THINGS YOU WILL LEARN:
- Camera settings and best-practices for desert night photography
- Capture tack-sharp night images every time
- Finding compositions for desert night scenes
- How to plan night shoots
- Photographing stars and the Milky Way
- Capturing star trails
- Capturing night sky panoramas
- Exposure bracketing and blending
- Focus stacking and blending
- Stacking exposures for noise reduction
- Blending foregrounds with the sky
- Post-processing techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop including luminosity masks, smart object techniques, exposure blending and focus blending
- Workflow from capture to print
- Refining vision and style in your photographs
Conference Price
$3200
Reserve with a deposit of $1500. The remaining balance is due 90 days before the event. The event is limited to 36 attendees.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
Opening Night Dinner
3 Lunches
Closing Breakfast
Hands-on instruction from the top photographers in the field
Daily hands-on workshops and in-the-field excursions
Small-group post-processing sessions, image reviews and table side critiques
Private Out of Moab online community to connect with your fellow photographers
A comprehensive online orientation session to help you prepare for your time at the conference
An online image celebration event with instructors after the conference concludes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
Hotel, Airfare, and Transportation
National Park Service Pass
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book my accommodations?
We have a block of rooms reserved at the Springhill Suites by Marriott in Moab, Utah. Booking details will be sent to you when you sign up for the conference. Room rates are $279/night and you may reserve for extra days before and after the conference.
What to expect after I register?
After registering, you will receive a receipt, and we will send out an email with details about the conference including key dates, hotel information soon. Be sure to stay connected via email to receive crucial event communication including surveys about your preferences and updates as needed.
How am I assigned to my field sessions?
Participants will be split into small groups and will work with each group of instructors per day. The instructors will be developing the field sessions in advance of the conference based on their knowledge of the area and what locations will provide the best shooting experience.
What locations will we photograph?
You will head out for an evening of night photography with your group and instructor pair to a location to photograph. The specific locations will be identified closer to the event to account for weather and other conditions, but areas include Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park and possibly other locations in the surrounding area.
What fitness level is required for the excursions?
Some of the excursions will have almost no walk where you can get out of the car and start shooting. Other excursions require a hike with variable terrain including sand dunes and potentially rocky, uneven terrain.
We will split the group to accommodate all hiking abilities when necessary. Comfortable hiking shoes/boots are recommended.
What is the weather like in Moab that time of year?
September is early fall in Utah, and temperatures can still be quite warm. Daytime temperatures average around the mid 80’s (degrees F) and nighttime temperatures can drop into the lower 50’s. Be prepared for warm days and cooler nights. We recommend planning to bring layers to stay comfortable. We will send out a recommended gear list to help you prepare for your trip.
What if it rains?
Be sure to bring appropriate weather gear. Even though we will be in a desert environment and rain will be unlikely, it can still occur if a weather system moves in. Schedules will be re-arranged as needed to accommodate weather conditions.
Who is this event for?
Photographers from beginner to advanced are welcome and will enjoy this night photography conference! We will be immersing ourselves into the world of night photography for 4 days and expect longer fun and photography filled nights!
What photography equipment do I need?
You’ll want a DSLR or mirrorless camera and a sturdy tripod. We’ll share detailed equipment recommendations before the event. A laptop is suggested so you can work on your images during the post-processing and critique sessions.
Will there be a chance to hang out with the instructors?
You bet! Throughout the conference, you’ll be busy shooting out in-the-field together, but throughout the day there will be opportunities to talk or enjoy meals together. There will be plenty of time to ask questions and get to know your favorite photographers.
Will I be sitting in classes all day?
This is a hands-on, immersive photography experience. Over 4 days, you’ll learn new techniques in the field while shooting with some of the world’s best night photographers. You will head out each evening on field excursions and the following day, there will be classroom time during the day to meet with your instructors, practice post-processing, and receive feedback on images.
Do I need a National Park Service Pass?
Many field sessions will occur inside National Parks, so each vehicle entering will need a National Park pass. If you are carpooling with a friend then only one person needs to have a pass. Passes can be purchased online here. You can also pay to enter each location separately during the event at the entrance stations.
Can I bring a non-photographer friend or family member with me?
Of course! However, the group presentations and in-the-field teaching excursions are limited due to space constraints and are reserved for conference attendees only. A meal pass will be offered at an additional charge so that they can join us for group meals.
How do I confirm I am registered for an event?
You can view all of the events you’re registered for by logging into your Out of Chicago account. In the upper right corner of the website, go to “my account” and “my conferences”. You should see your conference listed there. If it is not, please email us at support@outofchicago.com
What if I cannot attend the online orientation or image celebration?
Both the pre-conference and post-conference online sessions will be recorded. Everyone registered for the conference will receive the recording a few days after each session.
What are Out of Chicago’s COVID policies?
With the evolving COVID pandemic, we continue to observe recommendations by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and local guidelines for events. This includes physical distancing, masking, health screening, and sanitation protocols. We may require proof of vaccination to attend the event, as we have for our previous events, along with required masking during indoor conference sessions. This will be determined once we get closer to the event and you will receive any information about COVID requirements in advance of the conference.
What is the refund policy?
You can read the refund policy here.
Other Questions?
If you have any other questions, please email info@outofchicago.com