Night Photography Blog — National Parks at Night

Chris Nicholson

To 100 and Beyond: A Centuple Celebration of 8 Years of Workshops

In 2015, the five of us partners at National Parks at Night had our first meeting, and in 2016 we ran our first five workshops together: chronologically, at Acadia, Zion, Crater Lake, Arches and Death Valley national parks. Tonight, at Bannerman Island in New York, we will run our 100th workshop.

During these 8 years and 100 adventures, we have met and formed bonds with over 700 night photographers who have joined us. They are the people who have made the National Parks at Night dream possible, and our gratitude couldn’t be grander.

With that feeling in our hearts, we never considered celebrating our 100th workshop without our attendees. We instead wanted to host a party to mark the milestone and invite all of our alums to attend. And that’s precisely what we did this past Thursday in New York City.

More than 60 members of the NPAN community gathered in Midtown Manhattan to share our common bonds and the friendships we’ve all developed during this run. There were people who have attended many workshops together, people who haven’t seen each other in a few years, people who had never met before the party—and even one person from our first workshop who we got to see for the first time since then!

We started with a soiree hosted in the studios at NYC Salt, a non-profit high school photography program for underserved youth. (Gabe has been a volunteer for them for over 10 years and the program has assisted in getting many students into college for the first time in their family. If you’re not familiar with NYC Salt, definitely check out their work and their mission. You’ll be inspired—and if you’re inspired enough to help them in some way, all the better!)

Our guests were greeted with some new NPAN swag: a North Face beanie and a special “100 and Beyond” pin commemorating our Centuple Celebration. A few of our longtime brand partners were there as well: B&H Photo, Luxli and Benro all stopped by to share some gifts (more on that below), and Canon was on hand to make two free 18x24 prints for all the partygoers on Red River Polar Glossy Metallic paper.

Everyone mingled, enjoying conversation, along with wine, cheese and a buffet of light food graciously prepared by four of our five significant others (thank you Nancy, Angela, Katherine and Mabel!). In the corner a large-screen television displayed a looping slide show of the group photos from all of our workshops, as well as over 400 photos of attendees at the workshops.

Photo courtesy Angela Weir.

Toward the end of the party the gathering circled Gabe, who emceed some gift-giving. Many of our sponsors also wanted to thank our attendees for their support over the past 8 years. Between them, Acratech, B&H, Benro, Coast Portand, Focus on Stars, Luxli and Tether Tools sent 23 giveaways!

We topped off the afternoon by heading to the roof, where NYC portrait artist Adam Chinitz photographed the group in front of the city skyline.

Photo courtesy Adam Chinitz.

After the party we met at the delectable Pier 57 food court, where everyone broke into groups for dinner. Afterward we continued the roof theme by riding the elevator to the top of Pier 57 and stepping out to a magnificent view of the NYC skyline. We shot there for about an hour, then moved to Little Island, an artificial island park on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, where we shot some more.

Photo courtesy Katherine Moxhet.

The evening ended, and we once again exchanged farewells and until-we-meet-agains with a group of the finest folks we could imagine adventuring with.

One hundred workshops. Wow. At our first meeting in 2015, I don’t think any of us five imagined that number. But here we are in 2023, now dreaming of 200.

For all of you who have shared this ride with us, we thank you. And for those of you who have not shared the ride yet—welcome aboard! We are all eager to welcome you into this dynamic and engaging community, and to seize the night together, to 200 and beyond.

Chris Nicholson is a partner and director of content with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015) and Photographing Lighthouses (Sidelight Books, 2023). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

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Five Questions: Nikon Z 8 for Night, Perseids, Aurora Apps and More

The night photography world is full of questions, and we’re happy to help with answers.

This installment of our “Five Questions” series features inquiries about the new Nikon Z 8, locations to shoot the Perseids, aurora apps, filter systems and an Irix lens.

If you have any questions you would like to throw our way, please contact us anytime. Questions could be about gear, national parks and other photo locations, post-processing techniques, field etiquette, or anything else related to night photography. #SeizeTheNight!

1. The Nikon Z 8 and Night Noise

Question:

Since the Nikon Z 8 was announced this week, do you have an opinion about it with respect to night photography and noise, and how it compares to Nikon’s other mirrorless cameras? I’m currently shooting with a D850, which I really like but it’s getting long in tooth. In your opinion, what is the best high-res Nikon mirrorless camera for night photography at this point? — Jeff

Nikon Z 8.

Answer:

Three of our team members shoot with the Nikon Z 6II, one with the D780 and one with the D5. Between all of us, we’ve shot the Z 7 and Z 9, but none of us owns one, and none of us intends to own one. That tells you something about our preferences, but it doesn’t mean those are bad cameras, even for night photography. Shooting priorities matter.

We haven’t done methodical comparisons between the Z models, and the Z 8 is not yet shipping, so we have no experience with that model. But from our experience shooting Z cameras, here’s what we know:

We have found that the Z 6II has a slight edge in high ISO characteristics, with the Z 9 not that far behind. The Z 8 features the same 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor and Expeed processor as the Z 9, so the former should perform as well as the latter does for a high-resolution camera at night. In other words, the Z 8 is kind of a mini Z 9, so we’d expect the same results.

That would mean the Z 6II would still be the best option for low-light photography in terms of high ISO noise, all things being equal.

However, all things usually aren’t equal. There is a lot that goes on in determining the best noise characteristics of any given camera. You could do a side-by-side test by shooting the same scene with all of same parameters, but that may not be the best test for night photography.

For example, when shooting to freeze star points, you need to use a faster shutter speed on a camera with a higher pixel count than you would on one with a smaller pixel count to achieve the same visual result. This means you need to use a faster ISO on that higher-resolution camera. Now you are no longer comparing apples to apples.

The Z 8 autofocus is sensitive down to -9.0 EV, making it the best camera autofocus for low-light photography.

There are other considerations with the higher pixel count as well. Such as:

  • Do you like to do a lot of star stacking? High-resolution files can really bog down that process due to their sheer size.

  • Do you like to make giant prints? If so, a higher-resolution camera could be a great choice.

  • Another consideration would be the better low-light focusing the Z 9 and Z 8 have—a feature called “Starlight View.” If you have trouble focusing at night, this capability alone may trump everything else.

  • The Z 8 simulates the Z 9 in high-speed capture, advanced auto-focusing capabilities and superhigh-resolution video. If you like to shoot sports and wildlife in addition to night photography, those robust features would be a huge asset.

In short, we have not shot with the Z 8 yet so we can’t really say how it will compare with the other Z models. We do look forward to getting our hands on one and putting it through its paces, but seeing as none of us shoots with the other higher-resolution cameras, my guess is that our collective preference will remain the Z 6II. — Tim

2. Perseids from the Curb

Question:

Can you recommend someplace I could go to photograph the Perseid Meteor Shower where I’d have the possibility of an outstanding foreground and dark sky for the meteors? One caveat: I have a knee issue. — H.

PhotoPills confirms that Great Sand Dunes National Park could be a great Perseids option.

Answer:

It sounds like you need a good roadside location. You also definitely need someplace with a north/northeast view and no light pollution in that direction, nor a mountain range blocking the sky.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is awesome for those criteria. You can shoot roadside and have the dunes in front of the mountains with the sky above. I’d even be tempted to attempt a vertorama with a blue hour bottom and star field above.

Badlands National Park also has some spectacular pull-outs where you could do the same. The beaches of Olympic National Park fit the bill, but the ones with the best foregrounds require at least a little bit of a walk, and slippery stones may be troublesome if the tide is receding. At Crater Lake National Park, shooting from the lodge over Wizard Island could be amazing. — Matt

Note: For more information about shooting meteor showers, be sure to check out our e-book Great Balls of Fire.

3. Tracking Auroras

Question:

Can you share the aurora tracking app that you use? — Deborah C.

Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland. © 2023 Chris Nicholson. Nikon D5 with a Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. 4 seconds, f/4, ISO 6400.

Answer:

The answer is ... several! I’m on Android, and I use My Aurora Forecast. Lance, Tim and Matt are on iPhone, and they use Aurora Forecast (Lance, Tim), My Aurora Forecast & Alerts (Matt) and SpaceWeatherLive (Matt).

We recommend using more than one. Pooling info from different sources can give a more accurate picture of what might happen and where. Also, it can be nice to set up an automated alert—sometimes we can end up shooting auroras on a night we didn’t know they’d happen. — Chris

4. Finding a Filter System

Question:

I’d like to get a filter system that works with my lenses—primarily an 82mm and 95mm. But I also have a very concave lens (the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8), so I’m thinking I need a 150mm system. — Rachna

NiSi S6 150mm Filter Holder.

Answer:

Welcome to the wonderful world of filters! This is a great way to extend long exposures during the day and night.

I’m a fan of square systems, as they offer the most versatility. Going down the path you suggest, I suggest you invest in these three things:

  1. NiSi 150mm Filter Holder for Sigma 14-24mm lens

  2. the adapter rings for 105mm, 95mm and 82mm filter threads

  3. Starter Kit that includes 6-stop, 10-stop and 3-stop graduated 150mm neutral density filters

This is pricey but gets you everything you need, albeit in a big kit. (Most people who invest in 150mm filters find them cumbersome, but that’s the way it goes.)

Alternatively you can use rear ND filters for the Sigma and then use 100mm filters for your other lenses. This would be more cost-efficient, as well as a smaller footprint on your lenses and bag. The caveat is that there are no rear graduated ND filters, so scenes that would normally call for them would need to be shot with multiple exposures and blended in post.

But if you do choose to go that way and use a 100mm square filter system, the NiSi V7 Advance Kit includes pretty much everything you would need except the 95mm adapter. However, the caveat with this system is that the circular polarizer will work only with lenses 82mm or smaller.

Another thought is that most mirrorless lenses are smaller than their DSLR counterparts, and they don’t have bulbous front elements. Therefore, switching to mirrorless also facilitates a more compact and cost-efficient filter system.

Finally, why do I keep recommending NiSi? There are lots of filter systems that are great. I happen to like NiSi because they are a good value. I’ve been using them for more than 5 years and couldn’t be happier. — Gabe

5. Eyeing the Irix 21mm

Question:

I have a Canon R6 mirrorless camera and I’m looking for a good, fast astro lens. I noticed you recommended the Irix 15mm f/2.4 lens. Is the Irix 21mm f/1.4 good for astro too? — Jim

Irix 21mm f/2.8.

Answer:

I’ve shot with the Irix 15mm for years and am quite fond of it. You need to stop down to f/3.2 to eliminate most of the coma. I have not shot with the 21mm yet but will be receiving one soon. Based on their other f/1.4 lenses, I’d expect that you’ll need to stop down to f/2.8 or thereabouts to minimize the coma.

The main thing for you and the R6 is that these lenses are DSLR-mount only. If you don’t mind using the adapter, then I’m sure either would be a great lens for you—the choice just depends more on your style of shooting. The 15mm focal length is quite wide, so you really need a foreground.

My first choice would be the Canon 15-35mm f/2.8, which wide open should get you coma similar to the stopped-down Irix lenses. But if that is not in your budget, I’d go with whichever of those Irix lenses fits your shooting style the best. — Lance

Chris Nicholson is a partner and director of content with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015) and Photographing Lighthouses (Sidelight Books, 2023). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

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Spring Solar Storm Brings a Week of Amazing Auroras

Science makes much predictable, but sometimes the universe still surprises us. It did so again this week, as the strongest solar storm in over half a decade slammed into our planet, creating amazing displays of auroras that extended halfway down the Northern Hemisphere.

The phenomenon started early in the week, when a coronal hole 20 times wider than Earth appeared on the face of the sun. The resulting solar winds were directed right at us, and soon aurora forecasts were sending the Kp index through the atmosphere.

Even before that, reports of Northern Lights were reverberating throughout the night photography world. Over the past 10 days we’ve seen posts on Instagram and Facebook, and received photos and questions from our friends and workshop alums.

Better still, we happened to be running two international night photography tours at the time, both in places perfect for viewing auroras: Iceland’s south coast and Norway’s Lofoten Islands. Both locations provided front-row seats to the most inspiring northern lights show we’ve seen in years.

Below are some of the images we’ve made over the past week and a half.

Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland. © 2023 Lance Keimig. Nikon D780 with a Tamron VR 15-30mm f/2.8 G lens. 6 frames shot at 13 seconds, f/4.5, ISO 5000, stitched in Adobe Lightroom.

Flakstadpollen, Norway. © 2023 Tim Cooper. Nikon Z6 II with a Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. 4 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400.

Iceberg in Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland. © 2023 Lance Keimig. Nikon D780 with a Tamron VR 15-30mm f/2.8 G lens, light painted with a Luxli Fiddle. Exposure 20 seconds, f/3.2, ISO 1600.

Nappskaret, Norway. © 2023 Tim Cooper. Nikon Z6 II with a Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. 2 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400.

Nappskaret, Norway. © 2023 Matt Hill. Nikon Z6 II with a Laowa 15mm f/2 lens. ISO 3200, f/2.8 and 2 seconds.

Lofoten Islands, Norway. © 2023 Matt Hill. Nikon Z6 II with a Laowa 12mm f/2.8 lens. 6 frames shot at 3 seconds, f/4, ISO 6400, stitched in PTGui.

Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland. © 2023 Chris Nicholson. Nikon D5 with a Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. 10 seconds, f/5.6, ISO 6400.

Aurora over Iceland. © 2023 Chris Nicholson. Nikon D5 with a Nikon D5 with a Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. 2.5 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 3200.

More Information

Want to learn more about this solar storm? Check out:

Want to learn more about photographing auroras? Check out our blog posts:

Your Turn

Have you been out photographing the auroras this week? We’d love to see your images! Share in the comments below, or on our Facebook page, or on Instagram (tag us @nationalparksatnight #nationalparksatnight #seizethenight).

And by the way, the show isn’t over. Auroras are continuing to dazzle dark-roaming photographers. So get out there and seize the night!

Chris Nicholson is a partner and director of content with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015) and Photographing Lighthouses (Sidelight Books, 2023). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

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Five Questions: Holiday Lights, Metal Prints, a Southern National Park and More

‘Tis the season of giving. You’ve given us questions, and we’re giving you answers. Unwrap below.

This special holiday installment of our “Five Questions” series features inquiries about photographing Christmas lights, choosing a surface for metal prints, Congaree National Park, Irix and Sony lenses, and how Lightroom affects raw data.

If you have any questions you would like to throw our way, please contact us anytime. Questions could be about gear, national parks and other photo locations, post-processing techniques, field etiquette, or anything else related to night photography. #SeizeTheNight!

1. Dashing Through the Holiday Lights

Question:

I’m hoping you can solve a mystery for me and my photography students. When they created a zoom-blur photo of holiday lights, some streaks were solid and some were dotted. None of the lights appeared to be blinking. So does this have to do with the cycling of new LED lights? The exposure times were 1 second or longer, which I would think would be long enough to compensate for flicker. What’s the solution to get solid lines, if we can? — Kathy E.

This is one of the photos Kathy E. is asking about. Click on the image to view the photo larger and see full the effect. © 2022 James Steele. Nikon D7500 with a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 lens. 1 second, f/11, ISO 200.

Answer:

The intensity of LED lights is controlled by increasing or decreasing the frequency of their flicker. What you’re seeing is a result of that.

We almost never see this effect with photo/video lights because the manufacturers know about shutter speeds and they keep the frequency much faster than any shutter speed that photographers would conceivably use. However, with cheap light sources, like Christmas lights, the manufacturers don’t care; the lower refresh rate of the LED pulsing will be captured by the camera.

So, in short, the lights were blinking—faster than the eye could see, but not the camera’s eye. If you see that some lines are dotted and some aren’t, that means that the lights were cycling at different rates—some fast enough for the shutter speed, and others too slow.

To keep the lines from becoming dotted during a zoom-blur, I would try zooming more slowly during a longer exposure. (Stop down everything, and maybe even add a neutral density filter.) That way the light will have more time to burn into the pixels while they’re pulsing during your zoom. — Matt

Note: For more about how to photograph holiday lights, see Gabriel Biderman’s post “Seize the Season.”

2. Metal Mettle

Question:

What finish do you recommend for metal prints of astro photos from Bay Photo Lab? — Alan A.

When hanging a metal print opposite a window, consider avoiding a high-gloss surface, as the window light will cause glare. High-gloss prints are best hung at a 90-degree angle from a window.

Answer:

This is a very subjective question with answers that depend on two main factors:

1.       What is your personal taste?

2.       Where will the print hang?

I feel that most of my night images benefit from being printed on a more luminous surface. For metal, I tend to print on high-gloss surfaces. Lance prefers the mid-gloss option. My wife prefers my work printed with a satin finish because glare really annoys her. So as you can tell, personal taste can vary from person to person!

However, understanding what each finish can bring to your space—and how it’s affected by your space—is also key. If you are going to hang a print directly across from a window, then satin might be your best option as you’ll want to have minimal glare. I tend to hang most of my prints at a 90-degree angle to the windows, where even high gloss shows little to no glare.

Bay Photo recently announced their Performance EXT coated metal surfaces, which have additional coatings to extend print life in direct sunlight or outdoors. This addresses another important factor: Most of my images are in a bright room, and my oldest Bay Photo metal prints are 5 years old and show no signs of fading. I recently replaced some metal prints from another printer—those were around the same age but were starting to fade. I have not used Bay’s EXT coating yet, but I advise considering it if your prints get direct sunlight.

If you are new to the metal game, I suggest getting a sample pack made in a smaller size before committing to a surface you are unfamiliar with. Bay offers sample packs in 4x6, 5x7 and 8x12 inches with either standard coating or EXT.

Finally, if you are new to using Bay Photo, be advised that they offer a 25 percent discount on your first order. — Gabe

3. Photographing Congaree

Question:

Have you ever photographed in Congaree National Park in South Carolina? It is only a few hours’ drive from my house and I’ve been thinking about going there, but I’m not sure if the park offers many good landscape opportunities. — Arnie

Congaree National Park boardwalk loop trail. © 2016 Chris Nicholson. Nikon D3s with a Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. 1 second, f/11, ISO 800.

Answer:

I’ve been to Congaree several times. It’s a very pretty park, but it’s primarily forest. (Floodplain forest, in particular. More on that in a bit.) As you may already know, forest photography is challenging because it’s very much about making compositional order out of natural chaos. So if you’re into that type of challenge, then Congaree can be amazing. (It’s also good for spider and snake photography.)

There are some other compositional elements to work with, but most take some effort to get to: the Congaree River (which needs to be hiked to), several ponds (which need to be hiked to) and Cedar Creek (which should really be paddled). The one exception is the 2.4-mile boardwalk trail that starts (and ends) behind the visitor center; that trail is an easy way to get around that section of park, and is an attractive subject as well.

My personal feeling is that aside from the annual show of synchronous fireflies, Congaree is better for daytime photography than nighttime, and it’s better still in overcast light or fog.

The park is probably at its aesthetic best when it floods, which happens about 10 times per year—the caveat being that those conditions drastically minimize how much of the park you can access. But even with the restricted access, the reflections of the forest in the floodwater can be ample fodder for photography. — Chris

4. Sony vs. Irix Lenses

Question:

In one of Lance’s presentations he recommended the Irix 15mm T2.6 Cine lens as the best for capturing the Milky Way. I am now using a Sony a7R IV camera body with two different lenses for night shooting: the Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM and the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. What is the possible improvement I might achieve with the Irix lens? — Ed H.

The Irix 15mm T2.6 Cine lens.

Answer:

I’ve looked at your photos, and you do not seem to have a problem focusing, which could have been one reason to switch.

Of the lenses you mentioned you already own, both have some noticeable coma, but neither to a catastrophic level. Stopping down the 20mm to f/2.5 should clear it up nicely. Coma on the 16-35mm will vary across the focal lengths, and with it being an f/2.8 lens, you’d likely need to stop down to f/4 or more to get rid of it.

If you need something wider, or if further testing of the 16-35mm tells you that you need to stop down to f/4 or smaller at 16mm, then the Irix 15mm will probably be a little bit better. Other advantages of the Irix are that it’s a touch wider, and it’s easier to focus and to keep in focus. I like to stop down the Irix to f/3.2 to get rid of its minimal coma.

If those advantages don’t resonate with you, then stick with your two Sony lenses. What you have seems to be working. — Lance

5. Raw Permanence

Question:

When importing, does Lightroom add edits or adjustments? If so, is there a way to import raw files as shot in camera? I was told by another photographer that Lightroom always applies filters or edits on import, so instead of importing directly into Lightroom, she moves images from a card to an external drive, and then imports to Lightroom from the external drive, thus preserving her original in-camera files. — Christie

Answer:

Your friend is partly right and partly wrong.

Yes, Lightroom applies some standard edits. These are the same types of edits that Canon software would apply when importing Canon raw files or Nikon software would apply when importing Nikon raw files. Most of them are under-the-hood stuff, such as sharpness, noise reduction, etc. These are basically the same types of edits that are applied to a JPG when it’s produced in-camera. They don’t really change the look of the image so much as refine it to compensate for imperfections in how the image data was captured.

If there is a change in how the photo looks after importing, the likely cause is that the profile Lightroom is applying in the Develop module doesn’t match the in-camera profile you used when shooting. Immediately upon import you see the camera-generated JPG preview, and then very quickly Adobe updates this preview with their interpretation of that file based on the Lightroom profile that’s being applied. In some cases, this can drastically change the look of your photo. (You can read more about this, and how to fix it, in our post “How to Make Your Lightroom Rendering Look Like Your Camera Preview.”)

Not to worry, though. These settings are not permanent.

In fact, none of the edits that Lightroom applies are permanent. They are simply a recorded set of instructions that tell Lightroom how to render the raw data when you view it on screen or export it later. Those instructions are stored in the catalog database and/or a sidecar file, not in the image file. The actual raw file never changes—only the instructions on how it should be previewed, copied or printed. And those instructions can be reset, altered, updated and reset again, all while never making any change to the raw file.

You can prove this by making drastic changes to a photo in Lightroom and then opening the raw file in another program. When you open it in, say, Nikon Capture NX-D, you won’t see any of the Lightroom edits—because, again, those edits are not stored in the raw file.

Therefore, having another copy of raw files in their “original state” is completely unnecessary—it’s a waste of hard drive space. Of course, we do highly recommend backing up your photo files, but that’s a whole other blog post. (Stay tuned.) — Tim

Chris Nicholson is a partner and director of content with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015) and Photographing Lighthouses (Sidelight Books, 2023). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

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Toys and Tinsel: Our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Here we are again. Another year almost over, another season of thanks and joy upon us.

Along with the season of greetings comes the season of giving, and as we have every year since 2016, we’re here to help with ideas for the night photographer in your life.

We try to mix and match—some things photography, some things national parks; some things serious, some things fun; some things lofty, some things modest. Over 35 products carefully curated for you and yours. There should be something here for every night photographer on your list.

This is our gift to you: to help you find something special for someone special. Your gift to us? You’ve already given it. Thank you for being you, and for being here.

In addition to the blog post below, we’re also providing this gift guide as a free downloadable PDF e-book, so you can read it and reference it on any device, anytime, anywhere. Inside you’ll find products from major brands such as B&H Photo, BenQ, Bay Photo and Vallerret, along with great little finds from smaller companies and startups.

In addition to the product information, the e-book version includes a lot more photos, as well as special discount codes and offers.

Download your copy today by clicking here:

Note: If you decide to purchase any of the items in this gift guide, please consider using the links included, as many generate a small commission that helps us improve the National Parks at Night workshop program.

Acratech

Panoramic Head

Love shooting Milky Way panos? Acratech is here to help! Their Panoramic Head facilitates shooting single- or multi-row panos. It has large-numbered degree scales on both the base and the tilt axis so you can make precise movements between panels. Moreover, the head weighs less than 1 pound and supports over 25 pounds of a camera-lens combo.

Special offer: 10 percent off all Acratech Panoramic Head variants at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Adonit

PD-3A2C Universal World Travel Adapter

We learned about the compact and lightweight PD-3A2C Universal World Travel Adapter from a workshop attendee, and now we always carry one. It’s an ideal all-in-one replacement for most of your individual chargers, featuring two USB-C and three USB-A ports, plus pass-through AC for your laptop. Pairs perfectly with modern multi-voltage power supplies in over 150 countries.

Apple

AirTag

Did the airlines lose your luggage on your last trip? Regrettably this became a common refrain among travelers this year. Several of us at National Parks have been using the Apple AirTags to keep track of our bags during recent flights, and we love them. Using a unique network of connected Bluetooth devices, AirTags can help you locate your luggage when the airlines can’t or won’t. Buy a four pack and use the extras for your keys, backpacks, etc.

B&H Photo

Gift Card

If you don’t know what to give the photographer in your life, then give the gift of choice from the world’s best camera store, B&H Photo. With a gift card they can pick any camera, lens, computer or whatever they desire, and will have you to hug and thank for it.

Bay Photo

Wall Display

A photograph isn’t truly complete until it’s been printed, and we love the prints from Bay Photo Lab. Get the photographer in your life their favorite image printed for their wall. Choose from a plethora of wall display print surfaces, including metal, canvas, acrylic, wood, paper and more.

Special offer: 20 percent off one order of select wall display prints from Bay Photo Lab with promo code “NPAN22.” Valid until December 13, 2022.

BenQ

SW321C

For a real Wow Factor in the home office or editing studio, not to mention a super-resolution display for viewing hard-won images, the BenQ SW321C can’t be beat. Its 32-inch size gives lots of real estate for examining and editing photos, and it comes complete with all the advantages of all BenQ photo monitors: 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color gamut, 10-bit support for 1.07 billion colors, crystal-clear rendering of image pixels and more.

Special offer: $100 off the BenQ SW321C at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Big & Little Parks

Night Stickers

Sticker culture is alive and well, as is astro-tourism, and Big & Little Parks is celebrating the junction of the two with a variety of night-sky national park stickers. Decorate your water bottle, your laptop, your whatever with a beautiful sticker of Canyonlands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree or others.

Books

NPAN bookshelf

Does the photographer in your life relish great photography books? In addition to the few specific tomes and monographs mentioned in this guide, the National Parks at Night Bookshelf catalogs over 100 of our instructors’ favorite volumes. Explore titles related to instruction, travel, photography history, photography collections and more. You’re sure to find a book for anyone who loves the art.

Bug Bite Thing

Venom Extractor

Traveling to natural spaces is an amazing experience, but has a notable downside: potential bug bites and stings. To treat them, we’re loving this new product: the Bug Bite Thing! Brought to our attention by one of our regular workshop attendees, it’s become a staple in our bags. Bit by a mosquito? Stung by a bee? This lightweight, easily stowable gadget uses suction to remove the venom from the skin, reducing itchiness and quickening the healing process.

Calibrite

ColorChecker Passport Duo

For those who shoot both video and photography, night and day, Calibrite offers the new ColorChecker Passport Duo. This awesome protective clamshell houses four panels for photographers capturing on-site camera calibration profiles, white balance, proper exposure and color for video. For landscape photographers, these tools can ensure a consistent and neutral workflow that leaves room for more creativity and less frustration.

Coast Portland

G20 Inspection Beam

Night photographers need good flashlights, and not just high-powered ones for light painting. We also need gentler tools for looking into our bag and seeing or way in the dark without ruining our night vision or washing out a neighboring photographer’s long exposure. Enter Coast Portland’s G20 flashlight, which focuses a relatively dim and cool light that’s perfectly discreet.

Duduho

Galaxy Apron

For the night photographer who’s also an artist in the kitchen, what better way to keep clothes clean than an apron donned with the Milky Way? The unisex Galaxy Apron is made of high-quality waterproof fabric with adjustable neck and waist straps. It’s a necessity for making a dinner that’s out of this world.

DxO

PureRAW

Night photography is all about pushing the limits of our cameras, and one of the side effects is high ISO noise. While some post-processing techniques can reduce the effect, none eliminate it. But PureRAW is different. This software from DxO employs what they call “pre-processing” raw files to remove noise before working on photos in Lightroom, Photoshop or other editing solutions. This technology is nothing short of disruptive—it will change how night photographers approach noise, allowing for highly improved night images.

Everglades Seasoning

Dry Rub

We found this Everglades Seasoning right outside one of our favorite national parks: aptly, Everglades, during a workshop no less. The Cactus Dust flavor has found a regular spot on our homemade chicken wings, but all of them are worth a rub onto any chicken, steak or fish. Taste the unique flavors while dreaming of long winter nights in the swamps and marshes of Florida’s famous park.

Getaway

Cabin Adventures

Getaway maintains a network of natural-space cabins around the U.S., all within 2 hours of major cities, but far out into dark-sky areas. The Cabin Adventures cabins feature all you need to get by, plus outdoor amenities such as a fire pit. But the coolest feature of all? The to-the-ceiling plate glass bedroom windows that allow you to gaze at nature and the stars as you fall asleep.

Irix

45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly

Irix keeps delivering the innovation we’ve come to expect. One of the more recent additions to their lineup of lenses is the supersharp 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly. Its near-normal focal length is perfect for filling the background with the Milky Way, and the lens is almost coma-free even when shot wide open.

Special offer: $115 off the Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly at B&H Photo through November 28, 2022.

Ken Lee

Music Album

Ken Lee is an amazing night photographer based in California, and the author of two (and counting) night photography books. He also writes and records music—“trippy otherworldly music,” in his words— under the artist name Eleven Shadows and The Mercury Seven. His music has been featured on various MTV programs, the BBC, NPR, XM Radio and more. Eleven Shadows’ most recent release is The Seahorse in the Center of Your Mind, available for purchase and download. Perfect background music for night photography and editing.

LaCie

Rugged SSD PRO

For the hardcore approach to a sturdy travel hard drive, look at the Rugged SSD Pro. Holding from .5 to 4 TB, this Thunderbolt 3 External SSD offers data transfer speeds of up to 2800 MB/s. It features a durable exterior with 2 tons of crush resistance and resistance to dust and water. Serious speed, serious capacity, for the serious road-warrior photographer.

Special offer: $30 to $350 off the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro at B&H Photo through the end of 2022.

Ledlenser

P2R Work Flashlight

Ledlenser’s Work series of flashlights are uniquely suited for night photography due to their high CRI (color rendering index) and relatively warm white balance. Several of us have made the P2R Work our go-to light both for lighting and navigation due to its versatility and compact size. It is rechargeable, has three power settings, and conveniently comes on at a 15-lumen Low setting that is perfect for astro-landscape environments.

Light Painting Brushes

Holographic Sword

At 2 feet long, the Holographic Sword enables a light-writing photographer to create unlimited effects in the background or foreground. Blacked out on the side, and capable of showing all the colors of the rainbow from the front, the sword gives complete creative control to its wielder. Paired with the Universal Connector, it can be used with hundreds of different flashlights on the market.

Luxli

Fiddle Pocket LED 2-Light Kit

Since the day they were launched in 2017, we’ve been among the biggest fans and supporters of Luxli’s unparalleled line of LED panels, and we use them even more than we preach them. So we worked with B&H Photo to create a kit of the tools that we most often use together, dubbed the Fiddle Pocket LED 2-Light Kit. It includes two each of the Luxli Fiddle, magnetic honeycomb grid, Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Nanopole Stand and Oben BD-02 Mini Ball Head, and one magnetic diffuser hood. Everything you need to begin and master Low-level Landscape Lighting.

Special offer: 10 percent off the Fiddle Pocket LED 2-Light Kit at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Manfrotto

ProCUBE Professional Twin Charger

Double-charge your batteries! Manfrotto’s ProCube will get a photographer out shooting again faster, charging two batteries simultaneously. An LCD shows how much each battery has been replenished, as well as a battery health check. The unit can also power up rechargeable AA batteries, and has a USB output for charging phones and tablets. Options available to recharge various models of Nikon, Canon and Sony batteries.

Special offer: 10 percent off the Manfrotto ProCube at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Move-Shoot-Move

MAK 90 Telescope

For the photographer who wants to study or shoot celestial objects, Move-Shoot-Move’s MAK 90 telescope is a great beginner’s tool. Its 1250mm focal length with a compact body is achieved with catadioptric mirrors and allows for narrow field observation at a fraction of the cost, length and weight of refractor (glass-lens) telescopes.

National Park Service

America the Beautiful Pass

National parks are the backbone of what we do, and are among the very best places in the U.S. for night photography. For only $80 you can purchase the America the Beautiful annual park pass, which grants access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies. Moreover, the proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services at these sites all across the country.

National Parks at Night

Night Photography Adventure Tours

Send the photographer in your life on the adventure of a lifetime, crafting images under the night skies of some amazing destinations. Tickets are available for several National Parks at Night adventures:

Or if none of those sound like the perfect gift, then how about Online Tutoring?

Books by Our Instructors

Looking for some national park and night photography inspiration and education that you can always have at your fingertips? Choose from one of four books written by members of the NPAN team!

  • Photographing National Parks by Chris Nicholson is a portable and concise look at each of our national parks and how to best capture them. Includes best locations, times and great info on each park to help you plan your next adventure.

  • Have someone new to the night? Gabriel Biderman and Tim Cooper’s book Night Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots (now in its third printing) is an introduction to nocturnal photography, and it inspires you to get out there and seize the night!

  • Want an even deeper dive into the night? Lance Keimig’s book Night Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark has long been the ultimate tome for those interested in immersing themselves in the genre. The latest edition has an amazing chapter on the history of light painting and does an excellent job of balancing theory, history and enthusiasm for taking your night visions to the next level.

  • Light painting is the most creative expression in night photography, and Tim Cooper’s ebook The Magic of Light Painting is a detailed exploration of all the illuminating possibilities that can happen when we practice the craft.

Nightscaper Photo Conference

Conference Ticket

What more could a night photographer want than to spend a few days under the beautifully dark night skies of Kanab, Utah, rubbing elbows with and shooting alongside like-minded individuals? A ticket to the Nightscaper Photo Conference is a ticket to coming together with some of the most passionate minds in the niche. Four days and nights together, learning and shooting among the stars. May 18-21, 2023.

Special offer: Limited number of early-bird tickets remain.

Noso Patches

Nylon Repair Patches

We love our national parks! And getting out and playing in them sometimes takes a toll on our nylon clothing. The folks over at Noso have created a solution: a line of waterproof, durable, lightweight and flexible no-sew Nylon Repair Patches. Simply peel off the backing, cover the damaged area and hit the patch with a blast from a hair dryer. Voila, the repair is done! Best of all they have a whole line of national park patches in addition to their standard and artist series versions.

Novoflex

TrioBalance 4-Section Carbon Fiber Compact Tripod

Nice and tall at 50.2 inches, the TrioBalance is an ideal travel tripod. The built-in leveling ball makes setup a breeze for panorama and tracking, and can even be used in place of a ball head. The kit includes mini legs, which can be used for tabletop photography, for macro or even for setting up against a wall when space is tight. Holding up to 22 pounds, it’s ready for nearly anything you carry.

Special offer: 5 percent off the Novoflex Triobalance at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid November 28 to December 19, 2022.

Outdoor Exposure

TK8 Photoshop Plugin

Most photographers have heard of a luminosity mask, and many know the power of it. But few wield that power because … well, it’s just a tad tedious. Until you start using the TK8 Photoshop Plugin, which automates much of the process. Instead of spending a lot of time isolating channels to make selections, just click a button, refine a little, and you’re on your way to those powerful edits.

Special offer: 25 percent off the TK8 Photoshop Plugin at Outdoor Exposure through November 28, 2022.

Paka

The Hoodie

Yep, those long nights can sometimes get cold, but we have so many options to keep us warm. Near the top of that pile is The Hoodie from Paka. Sourced from women artisans in Peru, this comfortable sweater is as warm as it is stylish. Soft, durable and flexible, it’s made from a weave of alpaca fibers, organic cotton and recycled nylon. Available in seven sizes and three colors.

Parks Project

Insulated Water Bottle

Parks Project has all sorts of cool stuff, but one thing we love is their All Our National Parks insulated water bottle. It has a slick, eye-catching design indicative of the company’s free-spirit sentimentality. Made of professional grade stainless steel, the bottle’s double-wall vacuum insulation keeps 32 ounces of liquid either hot or cold for up to 24 hours. The company donates a portion of their profit to projects in the parks—to date, over $2.5 million—so your gift purchase gives in more ways than one.

PhotoPills

Scouting App

Give your photographer loved one the sun and the moon and the stars—all exactly where they want them. PhotoPills enables locating any visible objects in the heavens and determining exactly where and when they’ll be in the sky in any location on the globe. It does more too, from helping determine star-point exposures to calculating hyperfocal distance to figuring overlap angles for panos and more.

Pure Zen Tea

Travel Tumbler

Tea is a refined, millennia-old beverage that will keep a photographer both warm and awake under the stars. But if one is the type who prefers loose leaf to bags, making a good cup on the road can be a challenge. The Pure Zen Tea Tumbler overcomes that challenge brilliantly. The screw-on steel infuser allows ample room for quality brewing, and the BPA-free double-wall glass combined with the neoprene sleeve will keep that tea hot for an hour.

Shimoda

Explore v2 35 Backpack Photo Starter Kit

The super-rugged Explore v2 35 backpack is laid out smartly for the traveling photographer and it boasts the most comfortable harness system we’ve encountered for heavy loads and long hikes. Its adjustable shoulder harness straps make it fit perfectly for folks of different heights, and the accessory straps do the same for different body types. This kit includes a Medium DSLR Core Unit Version 2 insert, but you can also choose among the many accessory options to match load-outs. Carry-on compatible for both U.S. and international flights.

Special offer: 5 percent off all Shimoda Explore V2 variants at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid November 28 to December 19, 2022.

Space Art Travel Bureau

Half the Park is After Dark Posters

Tyler Nordgren is an astronomer, night photographer and astronomy artist based in upstate New York. One of his claims to fame is the famous “Half the Park is After Dark” series of promotions for the National Park Service. The fantastical posters from that series are available on Nordgren’s website. Options range far and wide, from posters for Acadia, Badlands, Carlsbad Caverns, Everglades and much, much more.

Syrp

Magic Carpet Carbon Slider

For those who want to level up their time-lapses of the night sky, a slider is one of the first items to add to the kit. Syrp weighs in with the Magic Carpet Carbon Slider. Its lightweight construction and design make it a pro-level option that’s easy to travel with, and its seamless joints allow for silky-smooth and stable movements.

Special offer: $170 off the Syrp Magic Carpet Carbon Slider at B&H Photo for a limited time.

Tether Tools

ONsite USB-C 30W Battery Pack

Stay powered up while traveling! Weighing in at 4.2 ounces and boasting full TSA compliance, the ONsite USB-C 30W Battery Pack is the perfect companion for the globetrotting photographer who needs to recharge phones, tablets, flashlights, etc., on long wanders.

Special offer: 20 percent off the ONsite USB-C 30w Battery Pack at B&H Photo through November 28, 2022.

Unemployed Philosophers Guild

Constellation Mug

This fun and nifty 10-ounce mug features a bunch of stars when cold, then reveals constellations when filled with a hot beverage. See Cassiopeia, Perseus, Sagittarius and more appear before your eyes while you drink a morning (or overnight?) coffee.

Vallerret

Merino Wool Zip Jersey

We’ve long loved Vallerret for keeping our hands warm on cold nights with their photography gloves. Now they’re keeping our cores warm too, in the form of their Merino Wool Zip Jersey. Warm, soft, flexible, odor-resistant and durable, it will keep a photographer out longer, making more art well into the night. Comes in one color: the perfect Midnight Black.

Wotobeus

Car Charger Adapter

If you travel with a hefty-battery laptop like the MacBook Pro, you sometimes need to charge on the go—and that sometimes means in the car. Not all adapters can handle the high wattage needed, so we found one that can, via USB-C: the Wotobeus Car Charger Adapter. Works with other devices too, including many PC laptops, tablets and more.

YES Watch

WorldWatch V7

An elegant timepiece with a photographer’s needs at heart. The WorldWatch V7 keeps its wearer in sync with the daily, monthly and seasonal cycles of the sun and the moon, including solstices and equinoxes, sunsets and sunrises, moonrises and moonsets, moon phases and illumination percentages, and more. The case and bracelet are made from titanium and fitted with a sapphire crystal, and the watch is water resistant to a depth of 100 meters.

Special offer: 20 percent off the WorldWatch V7 at YES Watch with promo code “NOW.” Valid through the 2022 holiday season.

Note: Remember, this gift guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF, with lots more photos and a ton of discount codes. Download yours today by clicking the image above.

Chris Nicholson is a partner and workshop leader with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FROM NATIONAL PARKS AT NIGHT