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Monument Valley Astrophotography Workshop

The Milky Way Over Monument Valley

Join us for a Monument Valley astrophotography workshop where we’ll photograph the Milky Way over some of the most impressive nightscapes in the Southwest.

We are running these tours in May 2023, during the best time of year to photograph the Milky Way in the iconic Monument Valley.

Astrophotography workshop in Monument Valley

Overview

During this Monument Valley photography workshop, we’ll focus on shooting nightscapes and the Milky Way over the most spectacular rock formations and landscapes in the park.

We’ll photograph the stars over the iconic buttes, the Milky Way galaxy moving across the Totem Pole, impressive, secluded arches, and locations that have been barely photographed at night.

To access these remote and private locations, we’ll be joined by a group of Navajo guides, granting us the opportunity to learn more about the culture of this Native American tribe.

During our Milky Way astrophotography adventure to Monument Valley, we’ll personally help you capture the best possible images. We will also show you the best techniques to shoot the Milky Way, from the basics to the most advanced techniques, and we’ll do a post-processing session so you can bring your captured images to life.

While this workshop is primarily focused on astro shooting at night, we will also have time to capture the sunrise, sunset, and daytime images when the schedule and conditions allow.

Best photography tour in Monument Valley

Monument Valley Astrophotography Tour Highlights

  • Photo tours from May 14-17 and 22-25, 2023
  • Group size: 10 participants + 2 instructors
  • Main topics: Nightscapes & Milky Way photography
  • Main areas: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
  • Best time of year to photograph the Milky Way in Monument Valley
  • Accommodation included in the iconic Goulding’s Lodge
  • Sunset scouting and photography tour with Navajo guides
  • 2 night photography tours visiting exclusive locations on private Navajo land
  • Fully outfitted overnight tour to Hunts Mesa

DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL Monument Valley workshop BROCHURE

 

2023 Monument Valley astrophotography workshop

2023 Monument Valley AstroPHOTOGRAPHY workshop ITINERARY

Our Monument Valley photography workshop itinerary is on a fixed schedule, but we can change some locations according to the weather conditions.

Our workshop takes place during the best time of the year to capture the Milky Way arch over the desert landscapes of Monument Valley when our galaxy is visible from around 11:00 PM to sunrise. If there are clear skies, we will spend as much time as possible shooting the night sky.

We will sleep in the morning, focus either on post-processing or scouting in the afternoon and evening, and shoot some fiery sunsets when conditions allow.

DAY 1: MONUMENT VALLEY astroPHOTOgraphy workshop

Our Monument Valley photo tour begins at Goulding’s Lodge at 12:00 PM. This historic hotel was originally a trading post and accommodated several actors while they shot some of the most famous Western films in the park. Also, the hotel is conveniently located just a short drive from Monument Valley, so it’s ideal for our workshop.

Goulding’s Lodge offers a nice view of the majestic buttes that characterize this part of the desert, and it will be our base camp during the first two nights of our stay in Monument Valley.

After a meet and greet with the rest of the group, we’ll do our welcome speech and orientation, followed by a general night photography talk and an individual gear review to make sure that everything is ready for the first night session.

Later, we’ll drive to the park to take our sunset tour. Monument Valley is located on Navajo land, and only a small fraction of the area is open to visitors. If you want to visit the best locations in the park, you need to go with a local guide.

We will take a sunset scouting and photography tour in the park with our Navajo guides. During this tour, we’ll scout out some of the most impressive locations in the park, some of which we’ll shoot later during the night sessions. We will photograph the last sun rays illuminating the iconic Totem Pole, and then head to another viewpoint to photograph the sunset.

At night, we’ll start our first astrophotography session, capturing a Milky Way arch panorama in the Totem Pole area, and later we’ll photograph our galaxy perfectly aligned with the Totem Pole, with the sand dunes as a leading line in the foreground.

After these two locations, we’ll wrap up the night in another secluded location, where we’ll have a privileged view of the buttes to capture either individual images with a diagonal Milky Way or a higher full arch with the most iconic “monuments” in the frame.

Monument Valley photography workshop with Navajo tribe

Learn photography in Monument Valley

Astrophotography tour in Monument Valley

Best astrophotography tour in Monument Valley with Navajo tribe

 

DAY 2:  Monument Valley astroPHOTOgraphy workshop

On the second day of our Monument Valley photography workshop, we’ll start the day with a post-processing session, editing the images captured during the previous night.

We will show you all the steps to make the most of the images you’ve captured in the field, so you’ll have Milky Way images full of detail and natural colors.

Depending on the conditions, we could do a sunset session in one of the open areas in the park. 

At night, we’ll go back to photographing the Milky Way. We’ll start the night shooting a panorama over the classic monuments of West and East Mitten and Merry Butte. This is one of the most iconic compositions in Monument Valley, and we’ll show you some advanced techniques to minimize the light pollution that partially affects this area.

After this, we’ll go on a second private tour with our Navajo guides, this time shooting the night sky in different remote locations in the park.

Photography workshop in Monument Valley

Milky Way photography tour in Monument Valley

DAY 3: Monument Valley astroPHOTOgraphy workshop

The third day of our Monument Valley astrophotography workshop will take us to one of the most special locations in the entire Southwest: Hunts Mesa.

This place is located on top of an eroded mesa, and from here you can see one of the wildest views of the American desert; a grand landscape shaped by eons of water and wind forces.

This is also one of the most remote locations in the desert, and reaching this plateau is an adventure in itself. To make the most of this, we’ll take a fully outfitted overnight tour with our Navajo guides. They will drive us through this difficult terrain and prepare all the logistics for meals and for setting up our camp, where we’ll sleep in comfortable domo tents.

We’ll arrive in time for sunset, so we’ll photograph the sun painting this vast landscape in a breathtaking scene.

 

Monument Valley photography tour with Navajo tribe

Astrophotography tour in unique locations in Monument Valley

Hunts Mesa astrophotography tour

DAY 4: Monument Valley Astrophotography workshop

We’ll wake up early to photograph a final sunrise session in a different viewpoint of Hunts Mesa, where you can capture a variety of compositions using your telephoto lens.

The timeframe between Milky Way photography and the sunrise is very short, and there won’t be much time to sleep, but considering the uniqueness of this location, we’ll organize the shooting with our guides. That said, you can stay back and sleep for a few more hours if you prefer to be well rested for the remainder of the day.

After the morning shoot, we’ll recharge our batteries with a full breakfast cooked by our Navajo guides, before driving back to civilization and wrapping up our Monument Valley photo workshop.

Only photography tour in Monument Valley with Navajo trip

PRICE: $2,990

Deposit: $1,000

A $1,000 deposit is required to reserve your spot for this workshop. You can also pay in full at any time. The remaining balance is due on February 14, 2023. If the remaining balance is not paid in full by the due date, you will lose your spot.

WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?

INCLUDED

    • Accommodation in a shared double room with queen beds at Goulding’s Lodge for 2 nights.
    • 4 days of photo guide services by professional astrophotographers Dan Zafra and Daniel Gomez
    • Instruction in a small group of 10 participants with a 5:1 ratio (5 students per instructor)
    • Dedicated post-processing astrophotography session
    • Transportation in Monument Valley led by Navajo guides
    • Sunset photography tour in private areas of Monument Valley with Navajo guides
    • 2 night photography sessions in private areas of Monument Valley with Navajo guides
    • Fully outfitted overnight photo tour in Hunts Mesa sleeping in double tents. 

*BONUSES

NOT INCLUDED

    • Private accommodation ($500 single room + single tent or $400 single room) *subject to availability
    • Transportation (including flights) to Monument Valley
    • Transportation during the trip except for the tours with the Navajo guides (we will arrange carpools when traveling to Monument Valley)
    • Navajo Park entrance fees
    • Meals except for dinner and breakfast in Hunts Mesa
    • Health/travel insurance (We can help you purchase the best travel insurance according to your needs)
    • Personal expenses, tips, and any other service not mentioned in the “INCLUDED” section

Dates

GUIDES

Dan Zafra photography - Capture the Atlas
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Dates

GUIDES

Dan Zafra photography - Capture the Atlas

Best astrophotography workshop in Utah

5/5
CHRIS LAMB
CHRIS LAMBUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
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A wonderful experience from beginning to end! they provided key instruction that took my photography to a new level and for that, I'm deeply grateful. I feel certain that I'll be using CTA for lifelong learning opportunities as their client. An excellent and immersive experience across the board!
RICHARD VALDESUSO
RICHARD VALDESUSOUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
This was a great learning experience. Dan Z and Daniel G conducted a very professional end to end tour of Milky Way photography including photo editing. The location was phenomenal and the accommodations superb. I also met great people with similar interests. Definitely coming back for more.
CALPHURNIA J.
CALPHURNIA J. UTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
The Utah workshop was a great experience for me especially since I was new to Astrophotography and I could capture my first Milky Way images! I would definitely recommend a photo tour with Capture the atlas for their great professionalism and camaraderie!
JOHN WENSLEY
JOHN WENSLEYUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
Capture the Atlas is the place to go for astrophotography. Their expertise shines through in their online tutorials, and is invaluable in their workshops. I have already signed up for another workshop and consider both Dan as friends.
SHARON LINDSAY
SHARON LINDSAYUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
Capture The Atlas offers excellent photography workshops for those who want to learn Milky Way photography in detail. Dan and Daniel were knowledgeable and considerate instructors who competently worked with participants of different skill levels, making all feel included.
BOB HURLEY
BOB HURLEYUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
Capture the Atlas delivered. Not only did I learn to take Milky Way photographs, but I learned to improve my general photography skills and learned more about my camera’s functions. This was a great experience and it exceeded my expectation. I’m looking forward to doing more workshops in the future.
GRAHAM MARRIOTT
GRAHAM MARRIOTTUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
Dan was a great workshop leader. His knowledge was well above the level of most night photography workshops. With Dan's patient guidance, I managed to use a star tracker for the first time and to capture great images. I highly recommend Dan and Capture the Atlas!
TROY SMITH
TROY SMITHUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
I couldn’t have produced the night images that I got without the help of Dan and Daniel. I have been using Photoshop for 20+ years as a hobbyist, but I feel like I have seen it for the first time. Capture the Atlas is top-notch, and I’ll be signing up for more of their workshops
WAI LEE
WAI LEEUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
Seeing the Milky Way appear on the LCD screen when you can't see it with your naked eye was magic. Dan and Daniel are knowledgeable and great guys to be with. I learned a lot from them and enjoyed the tour!
EDDIE CARTER
EDDIE CARTERUTAH ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Read More
This is a class act. This was more than I anticipated, and I found myself participating in challenging photo shoots that I would not have done on my own. I thank Dan and his amazing team for a great week.I look forward to going on more trips.
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What will I learn during this Monument Valley photo workshop?

This workshop is mainly focused on night and Milky Way photography. However, we will also photograph landscapes during the blue and golden hours, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to learn about landscape astrophotography.

What you learn during the workshop will vary according to your goals and skills. Your instructor is a professional photographer with extensive experience who will help you take your photography to the next level.

Some of the photography basics you can learn during the workshop are:

  • Getting comfortable shooting different types of landscapes and photos in manual mode
  • Adjusting the best camera settings in each situation
  • Familiarizing yourself with the basics of night and Milky Way photography
  • Enhancing your compositions with the best techniques 
  • Designing your own shooting workflow to be more effective in the field 
  • Photographing daytime and night panoramas

Some of the advanced photography techniques you can learn during the workshop are:

  • Creating powerful compositions that tell a story and engage the viewer.
  • Building a connection between your photography and your vision.
  • Becoming a master of light: learn how to enhance it and keep it under control.
  • Advanced night & Milky Way photography techniques like stacking and panoramas.
  • Advanced bracketing and exposure blending to capture the best dynamic range.
  • Using wide-angle distortion and focal length blending to create powerful images.
  • Focus stacking to capture tack-sharp images with interesting foregrounds.
  • Advanced Milky Way shooting using a star-tracker

Some of the post-processing techniques that you can learn with are:

  • How to start using Lightroom and Photoshop (all the basics).
  • Preparing your images in Lightroom/Adobe Camera Raw to start on the right foot.
  • Stitching panoramas using different software like Lightroom, Photoshop, or PTGui Pro.
  • Stacking night images using Starry Landscape Stacker or Sequator.
  • Reducing the noise in your night images using Topaz Denoise AI.
  • All types of Blendings (exposure, focal length, focus, etc.).
  • Light shaping and Dodge & Burn in your landscape images.
  • Advanced Milky Way techniques like star reduction, structure, natural colors, etc.
*Note: As soon as you sign up for this workshop, you will have access to my full Capture the Milky Way course, which will give you the perfect editing knowledge base before you join this astrophotography workshop

Your instructors on this Monument Valley Milky Way Photography Tour

Dan will be the tour leader throughout this Monument Valley photography workshop and will make sure that you get the best photography results and experience out of this tour. He will help you take your Milky Way images to the next level, helping you with composition, technique, and post-processing according to your skills.

He is based in California and has explored the Monument Valley desert in depth over the past few years. He is very knowledgeable, not only about the best locations but also about the best time and lighting to photograph them. He has also collaborated with our Navajo guides on previous trips, exploring and photographing new locations in the park and designing this trip to provide the most immersive experience. 

Dan is a renowned astrophotographer who enjoys educating other photographers about Milky Way photography in workshops and tutorials, and on photography trips. His images have been awarded by recognized organizations like NASA and the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, and this is the only astrophotography workshop that Dan will be leading in the U.S. in 2023, so it’s a great opportunity to join and learn with him in the field.

You’ve probably seen Dan in…

Daniel Gomez will be the co-leader of this workshop and will help you capture the night images that you’re envisioning.

He has explored and led multiple astrophotography workshops in the Southwest on previous trips, and he is an expert in photographing the night sky in this desert environment.

Daniel is based in Oregon and has been taking photos for the last 9 years. He’s an expert in the main subjects that you’ll be photographing on this trip, and he can also help you with other topics like star trails and timelapses. He will show you how to find great compositions and help you with your night photography, from the basics to advanced techniques like star-tracking.

Ascen will be the co-leader on this workshop, and she will help you capture blazing night-sky images.

She’s been doing night photography over the last 7 years, and she has shot the Milky Way across the entire American West Coast and in many other areas around the world. She is the creator of the Capture the Atlas Milky Way Calendars as well as the curator of images for the annual “Milky Way Photographer of the Year” article.

Ascen also has a very trained eye for composition, and she will help you find and capture stunning compositions on this trip.

WHAT TO BRING TO A Monument Valley ASTRO PHOTO TOUR

A complete list of everything that we recommend for this tour is sent to all participants upon sign-up. Below, you can find a summary of things you might need:

PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
    • A mirrorless or DSLR camera
    • A sturdy tripod and a remote shutter
    • A wide-angle lens, such as 14-24 mm
    • A medium zoom lens, such as 24-70 mm
    • A telephoto lens, like a 70-200 mm lens
    • A camera bag to transport all your equipment
    • A headlamp for the night shoots
    • Glow-in-the-dark tape for your tripod
    • A laptop for the post-processing lessons

Some optional items if you are focused on advanced MW photography are:

    • A star-tracker.
    • A laser for doing the polar alignment.

*While zoom lenses are acceptable for this workshop, prime lenses are recommended for Milky Way photography. Some of the best lenses in this range are:

    • 20 mm f/1.8
    • 24 mm f/1.4
    • 28 mm f/1.4
    • 35 mm f/1.8
    • 40 mm f/1.4
    • 50 mm f/1.8

You can get them either from your camera brand or from third-party manufacturers like Rokinon or Sigma.

*This astrophotography workshop focuses on Milky Way nightscapes and not on deep-sky imaging. However, you can bring a telephoto/telescope and take your own deep-sky photos if you like.

You can find more information in our list of best lenses for the Milky Way and best cameras for astrophotography.

Best Landscape photography tour in Monument Valley with Navajo tribe

 

CLOTHING

Even though the sun makes temperatures warm during the day, nights can be chilly in Monument Valley, especially on the Hunts Mesa plateau.

For this reason, we recommend bringing the following clothing:

    • Several layers to wear at night (base layer, mid-layer, windproof layer)
    • A good pair of breathable boots to protect your feet and ankles while hiking over rocks and uneven terrain
    • A light hat and gloves for the night photography sessions in case it gets cold
DOCUMENTATION

If you are traveling from outside the US, you may need a specific travel visa or an electronic travel authorization (“ESTA”) depending on your country of origin. We can help you with this process.

WHAT EXPENSES SHOULD YOU CONSIDER FOR THIS Monument Valley PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP?

FLIGHTS

There are different airports you can fly into to attend this workshop. The main international airports are:

    • Phoenix (AZA): 320 miles (~5 hours)
    • Albuquerque (ABQ): 323 miles (~5 hours)
    • Salt Lake City (SLC): 385 miles (~6.5 hours)
    • Las Vegas International (LAS): 400 miles (~6.4 hours)

There are also some closer domestic airports:

    • Cortez (CEZ): 111 miles (~2.2 hours)
    • Page (PGA): 127 miles (~2.2 hours)
    • Farmington (FMN): 156 miles (~2.5 hours)
    • Moab (CNY): 168 miles (~2.7 hours)
    • Durango (DRO): 185 miles (~3 hours)

Airline ticket prices will depend on the airport you are flying from. We recommend reading our guide on how to find cheap flights if you want help finding the best flights from your location.

Transportation

Transportation will not be included except for the tours that we’ll take in Monument Valley with our Navajo guides.

You need to arrange your own transportation to Goulding’s Lodge and to the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

We will arrange carpools when traveling to Monument Valley from the hotel as well as organize rental car sharing in case other participants are interested in renting a car at a specific airport.

The road to Monument Valley is paved, but the road within the park is a dirt road, so we recommend a 4WD SUV.

 

Immersive photography tour in Monument Valley with Navajo tribe

 
ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodation is included in a shared double room with queen beds at Goulding’s Lodge for 2 nights and a shared tent during the Hunts Mesa overnight tour.

Private rooms and tents are available on a limited basis according to the following supplement:

  • $500 single room + single tent
  • $400 single room
MEALS

Meals are not included, except for dinner and breakfast on the Hunts Mesa tour.

This is a remote area and there aren’t many restaurants, but Goulding’s Lodge has a restaurant and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We also recommend buying groceries in a major city before the trip so you can stock up on food, drinks, and snacks for the next few days. Our mealtimes will vary depending on the shooting conditions, so we recommend having food in case the restaurant is closed.

ENTRANCE FEE

The Navajo pass to access the land in Monument Valley is $8 per person per day. You can get your pass in person at the kiosk before entering the park.

WHAT MAKES THIS Monument Valley ASTROPHOTO TOUR UNIQUE?

Immersive

Our astrophotography workshops are completely centered on photography: finding the best moments to shoot, running dedicated post-processing sessions, and creating an intensive experience that is conducive to learning and taking the best Milky Way images.

Intimate

Our workshops are limited to small groups with a ratio of no more than five students per instructor. This is also an important factor for providing the attentive instruction you need during the tour.

Exclusive

You’ll learn how to make the most of your camera gear to capture Milky Way images as well as the most effective post-processing techniques to bring your images to life. The instruction and the setting in an exclusive group of astrophotographers make this workshop unique and distinct from standard night photography tours.

Dedicated

We will discuss your goals before the tour so we can create a dedicated instruction plan for you. It doesn’t matter your age or skills; we will design your plan and provide you with materials before, during, and after the workshop so the learning process is not limited to just the tour.

Proven

We have spent years designing national and international photo tours with successful results, helping photographers with their Milky Way & Northern Lights photography. Dan’s online courses have also helped more than 400 photographers over the last few years.

Unforgettable

Beyond the photography, our photography workshops help build strong bonds that last forever. After our trip, you’ll feel like you have been with a group of friends rather than on a standard tour. We are thankful to have plenty of repeat clients who keep traveling and learning with us.

Frequent questions about our astro workshops

Whether you are experienced or just starting out in Milky Way photography, you are welcome, and I am convinced that you will progress quickly. Together, we will send you home with a thorough knowledge of many photography areas, from the basics to multiple advanced techniques.

Once you sign up for the workshop, we will discuss your skills and goals for this tour, and I’ll organize a teaching plan so you can make the most of this experience.

All locations are a short and easy walk from our home base in the park.

For some locations, like Totem Pole, we’ll walk for a bit over the sand dunes, but in all the others, the terrain is a flat desert landscape.

One exception is Spiderweb Arch; to reach the top of this arch, you need to scramble over a rocky slope. Our Navajo guides will help you by setting up some ropes so you can go up and down safely, but we don’t recommend this unless you are in good physical shape to scramble at night while carrying your camera gear. There is another easy location scheduled for the same night in Hunts Mesa in case you don’t feel prepared to reach Spiderweb Arch.

There is no age limit. This trip is perfect for anyone over 18 years old who wants to photograph the Milky Way in Monument Valley with us.

You don’t need a star-tracker, but you can bring one to the workshop if you have a good foundation in Milky Way photography and you’d like to focus on some advanced shooting.

Our Happy Students!

We have had the opportunity to work with and help countless photographers over the last few years. Sharing and teaching photography is our passion, and we love doing this both online and in the field.

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A wonderful experience from beginning to end! Truly appreciated Dan and Daniel's attention to detail, the structure of the time in the field, and the time spent providing detailed instruction as we explored the various elements of the editing process. For me, they provided key instruction that took my photography to a new level and for that, I'm deeply grateful. I feel certain that I'll be using CTA for lifelong learning opportunities as their client. An excellent and immersive experience across the board!
Chris Lamb
Utah Asrophotography Workshop
rsz_arches_canyonlands_spring_workshop_group_1-7-modified
This was a great learning experience. Dan Z and Daniel G conducted a very professional end to end tour of Milky Way photography including photo editing. They spent equal time with everyone ensuring everybody got the pictures they wanted. The location was phenomenal and the accommodations superb. I also met great people with similar interests and learned a lot from them as well. Definitely coming back for more.
Richard Valdesuso
Utah Astrophotography Workshop
rsz_arches_canyonlands_spring_group_2_photos_2022-11-modified
The Utah workshop was a great experience for me, especially since I was new to Astrophotography and I could capture my first Milky Way images! Dan Zafra and Daniel Gomez were both great in terms of their guidance which was easy to follow even for beginners. The planning was impeccable and the locations were perfect to explore milky way and landscape photography. The post processing sessions were very thorough and there was great individual attention to clarify any questions we had. I would definitely recommend a photo tour with Capture the atlas for their great professionalism and camaraderie!
Calphurnia J.
Utah astrophotography workshop
rsz_arches_canyonlands_spring_workshop_group_1-4-modified
Capture the Atlas is the place to go for astrophotography. Their expertise shines through in their online tutorials and is invaluable in their workshops. They know how to meet their students at their level of knowledge and how to extend that knowledge in manageable steps so as not to overwhelm you in the process. Dan and Daniel answered my questions in a timely manner, and their patience with me was unparalleled. I have already signed up for another workshop and consider both Dans as friends.
John Wensley
Utah Astrophotography workshop
rsz_3arches_canyonlands_spring_workshop_group_1-8-modified
Capture The Atlas offers excellent photography workshops for those who want to learn Milky Way photography in detail. Dan and Daniel were knowledgeable and considerate instructors who competently worked with participants of different skill levels, making all feel included. It is wise to do the assigned homework before the workshop to gain full value of their expertise.
Sharon Lindsay
Utah Astrophotography Workshop
rsz_1arches_canyonlands_spring_group_2_photos_2022-16-modified
This was my first photography workshop, so I didn’t know what to expect, but Capture the Atlas delivered. Our group had a wide range of experience, from professional photographers to amateurs like me. Dan and Daniel were patient and were able accommodate all levels of experience. They were also very well prepared, had backup plans for weather and provided good communication before, during and after the workshop. Not only did I learn to take Milky Way photographs, but I learned to improve my general photography skills and learned more about my camera’s functions. The group of people was great, too. Everybody worked well together, sharing tips and great moments. This was a great experience and it exceeded my expectation. I’m looking forward to doing more workshops in the future.
Bob Hurley
Utah Astrophotography Workshop
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Dan was a great workshop leader. His knowledge was well above the level of most night photography workshops. With Dan's patient guidance, I managed to use a star tracker for the first time and to capture great images. I highly recommend Dan, especially if you are a seasoned night photographer and looking for personalized attention in a small group.
Graham Marriott
Utah Astrophotography workshop
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I couldn’t have produced the Milky Way images that I got without the help of Dan and Daniel, our instructors. They took us to locations that had been pre-scouted so we were not guessing at where to go, help us get with composition ideas and techniques, and then let us explore. After that, they helped us with our processing our night photos. I have been using Photoshop for 20+ years as a hobbyist, but I feel like I have seen it for the first time. Capture the Atlas is top-notch, and I’ll be signing up for more of their workshops.
Troy Smith
Utah Astrophotography workshop
rsz_arches_canyonlands_spring_group_2_photos_2022-8-modified
What a great time in Moab, Utah. Had some fantastic night shoots getting some Milky Way shots in Arches National Park. Dan is great to work with and look forward to another trip to work with him. Highly recommended!
Chip Donaldson
Utah Astrophotography workshop
rsz_1arches_canyonlands_spring_workshop_group_1-9-modified
Seeing the Milky Way appear on the LCD screen when you can't see it with your naked eye was magic. Dan and Daniel are knowledgeable and great guys to be with. I learned a lot from them and enjoyed the tour. I look forward to going on more trips.
Wai Lee
Utah Astrophotography workshop
rsz_1arches_canyonlands_spring_group_2_photos_2022-1-modified
This is a class act. I've never participated in a photography tour before. This was more than I anticipated, and I found myself participating in challenging photo shoots that I would not have done on my own. I thank Dan and his amazing team for a great week.
Eddie Carter
Utah Astrophotography workshop

Join the expedition

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This tour is governed by these Terms and Conditions.

If you think about the “Wild West”, it’s very likely that a picture of the classic sandstone monument buttes of this region will come to mind.

However, Monument Valley goes beyond the three main buttes and the typical Western movie locations. This is one of the best hidden gems for night photography in North America, with surreal, otherworldly landscapes that have been barely photographed at night.

If you want to mix vast landscapes, glorious starry skies, Native American culture, and a small dose of adventure, this is the right experience for you.

Let’s capture the Milky Way!

DAN ZAFRA

Monument Valley Behind the scenes and Gallery