TRIP OVERVIEW:
Are you ready to experience the trip of a lifetime under some of the darkest, clearest, night skies on Earth for astrophotography? On this expedition we will be staying at an observatory in Chile located at ObsTech (Observatory El Sauce) in the Elqui Valley about 2.5 hours from La Serena. We will have hands on access to telescopes for astrophotography and will also shoot wide field nightscape images. Prepare for an unforgettable experience!
 
THINGS TO NOTE:
 
What is included?
Lodging at the observatory (shared rooms)
3 meals per day
Post-processing training in PixInsight, Photoshop, and Lightroom for creating print quality photographs
Small group size of 4 students
 
What is not included?
Airfare
Travel insurance
 
What should I bring?
DSLR/mirrorless SLR digital camera.
Wide angle lens such as 14-24mm. Also worth bringing are a 24-70mm and 70-200mm.
Sturdy tripod and ball head.
Multiple charged batteries, battery charger, and empty memory cards.
Shutter release cable (intervalometer).
A portable astronomy tracker for long exposures if you would like.
Headlamp with a red light setting.
Laptop computer with Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom installed.
Warm clothing, thermals, and rain gear.
* I recommend ordering a L-bracket for your camera body if you do not already have this accessory. L-brackets allow quickly swapping between landscape and portrait orientation while keeping portrait shots to remain centered over the tripod
 
Permits and Certifications:
In the event of an emergency, I am certified in CPR and First Aid.
I am trained in the practice of Leave-no-Trace hiking and camping to protect the natural resources.
Lastly, I served as an Astronomy Ranger at Mount Rainier National Park where we received Interpretive Ranger Training on how to best facilitate visitor experience and learning.