Learn Astrophotography in Muriwai

📅 Dates: Nightly from Saturday July 31 to Sunday August 8
🕖 Duration: Approximately 8 hours (from 5pm)
🌐 Location: Muriwai Gannet Colony, Auckland

$250 per person

Capture the Milky Way soaring over the gannet colony, one of the only places in the world where you can shoot wildlife and astro at the same time!

In this intensive 8 hour course we’ll teach you everything from basic camera settings, through to advanced post processing.

Create breathtaking multi-row panoramas, and stacked images for superb clarity. Advanced students can try out Star Trackers from iOptron for the ultimate astrophotography experience.

You’ll leave with stunning images and the ability to shoot print-worthy astro photos.

Price Includes:

  • In Depth Tuition from Pro Photographer Charles Brooks

  • Use of Lumix cameras

  • Use of Samyang lenses

  • Use of Syrp Panorama Heads

  • Use of iOptron Trackers

  • Follow-up email with in-depth tutorials

  • Ongoing Support

Topics Covered:

  • Planning your shoot on and off location using a variety of specialist apps

  • Camera settings unique to your camera and lens

  • Creating incredibly clean and detailed images using the stacking technique

  • Shooting vast, highly detailed, multi-row panoramas for truly astounding images

  • For Advanced Students: Setting up, aligning, and shooting on a Sky Tracker

  • Full post-production tuition in a variety of software

Itinerary:

  • We’ll start at 5pm at the lookout carpark off Waitea Road where we’ll loan out any required gear and go through basic settings.

  • We’ll then walk for about 5 minutes to the lookouts and rock platforms to scout during the golden hour.

  • From dusk we’ll shoot and edit the night through.

  • The class will officially finish at 1am, although it’s common for us to continue shooting if the conditions are clear.

Weather:

  • These workshops depend on clear skies, which can be a tricky thing in New Zealand! When you book you’ll be asked to select alternative dates just in case the clouds roll in and we have to reschedule.

  • If the forecast is bad and we have to cancel, we’ll move you to one of the alternative days, or offer a full refund if no date is suitable.

  • We’ll send you a detailed itinerary and weather updates a few days before the event.

Gear:

  • Use your own equipment or try something new from Lumix and Samyang. We bring specialised astro lenses to suit most camera brands.

  • Recommended:

    • Camera Body with max ISO of 12’800 or more

    • Lens between 14-24mm with f/3.5 or lower

  • On the payment page you’ll be asked what camera and lens you’re planning on bringing. We’ll check your gear and then work with our suppliers to make sure you have everything you need to create stunning night-sky images. This can include camera bodies, lenses, and motion-control devices.