Capturing Yellowstone's Night Sky

Capturing Yellowstone’s Night Sky

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Dates:
August 1 - 4

Location:
Gardiner, Montana

Meals Included?:
No

Instructors:
Kevin League, M.A.

Age:
18+

Program Type:
Field Seminars

Sold out: Please sign up for the waitlist.

Yellowstone is famous for so many great reasons – the geothermal features, abundant wildlife, and notoriety as the world’s first National Park, to name a few. However, very few know of the park’s other unique attribute – its amazing night sky. Nighttime holds a special allure and stillness in Yellowstone, showcasing a pristine example of the nighttime wilderness few around the world get to see. You will learn to capture Yellowstone’s summer Milky Way with your camera, as it shines with its colors and mysterious textures, while the constellations reign overhead in their myth and lore. You will spend evenings into the night, combining classroom instruction to learn the technical concepts of astrophotography with lots of in-the-field time to capture Yellowstone by starlight, perhaps with a chorus of wolves and a shooting star or two!

About the instructor

Kevin is a Helena, Montana based award-winning professional landscape, lifestyle, and wildlife photographer, capturing Montana and the western United States' most beautiful, fleeting, and fascinating moments. He has been a student of photography for several decades beginning as a teenager when his parents handed down their 35mm film Nikon cameras to him. Fast forward a few decades later, Kevin would establish his photography business in 2015, and in 2020 he opened a gallery in downtown Helena, fulfilling a lifelong dream and quickly becoming one of Montana's favorite new visual artists.

Inspired by early conservation photographers, Kevin believes his ability to share the beauty of our last best places will inspire others to respect, protect, and enjoy them. Kevin has dedicated his life to conservation through his photography, educational workshops and throughout a career protecting natural places that has spanned over 20 years with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Testimonial

"I very much enjoyed and learned a lot from our workshop leader, Kevin League. He was knowledgeable, easy going and flexible and when a thunderstorm rained on one of our Milky Way shoots, he said "Lets work on shooting lightning bolts instead!" As a result, rather than be disappointed, we were excited by that prospect. So much so that when the lightning got a little close, Christian had to herd us reluctantly back on the bus. And, as usual, the volunteers were amazing and special people. Christian went above and beyond to be helpful. Driving back to the Buffalo Ranch after midnight, he smoothly avoided all the critters that came out on the roadway at that hour - bison, deer, elk, and a baby skunk! Christian, Rita, Holly and Hannah were all so enthusiastic in their love of Yellowstone and their time spent with Yellowstone Forever at the Buffalo Ranch. They all helped us plan our off-time with suggestions for hikes and photo locations. Their knowledge of the Park and its inhabitants was impressive." - Patty, MT

Download Program Information:

Capturing Yellowstone's Night Sky Course Letter

More Information:

Lodging | Age Restriction Details

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.

Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.

Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.

Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.

Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.

Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.

Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.

Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.

Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.