Astrophotography with Mark Russell

Learn the basics of Astrophotography, take full manual control of your camera, and make beautiful images of our night sky.

Taught by Mark Russell, a New Zealand photographer, who has been taking photos of the Milky Way and the dark sky for over a decade. Mark has worked closely with Aotea (Great Barrier Island) and the island of Nuie, assisting photographically in their successful applications to become Dark Sky Sanctuaries.

Mark makes the class welcoming and guarantees you will leave with the skills to take pictures of our night sky. Breaking down the techniques used, Mark will focus on your camera settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance) along with lens selection, composition and also editing images through to publication.

Theory will be hands on (bring a camera and a tripod if you have one), with spares available for those without. Following the practical theory section, we will step outside and use the techniques just learned to take images of the night sky. The course runs in all weathers, with a backup shooting scenario planned if there is rain.

Our workshop takes place in Te Waimate Mission, Aotearoa’s second oldest surviving building! Founded by the Church Missionary Society at the request of Reverend Samuel Marsden and by invitation of Ngāpuhi chiefs at Okuratope Pā, Te Waimate served as a midpoint between the Bay of Islands in the east and the Hokianga Harbour in the west. Its rural setting means little light pollution, a historic and stunning location from which to appreciate our Northland night sky.

Cost includes a short tour of Te Waimate Mission house, the 3hr practical workshop and a delicious supper pack with tea and coffee. Tickets are subsidised thanks to the funding from Northland Inc, Far North District Council and the support of Te Waimate Mission / Heritage NZ.

Numbers are strictly limited and will sell out!