ABOUT THE BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Embark on a journey through the amazing landscapes of Big Bend National Park, one of America's most remote and majestic natural landscapes. This workshop is designed for photographers eager to explore the vibrant colors of desert sunsets and the unmatched clarity of one of the darkest night skies in the country. Whether capturing the last light over ancient rock formations or creating dramatic Milky Way composites, you'll leave with compelling images and new creative techniques.
WORKSHOP FOCUS
Our time in Big Bend centers around sunset and night sky photography, when the landscape is bathed in golden light and the stars emerge with breathtaking brilliance. Rather than early mornings, our schedule allows for a more relaxed pace—sunrises will be minimal, with only one or two early outings planned. This lets us focus our energy on evening light and the night sky, when the park truly shines.
Big Bend's desert vistas, rugged peaks, and wide-open spaces offer an ideal setting to hone your skills in creative composition, low-light shooting, and post-processing techniques that bring out the drama in every frame.
NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
MILKY WAY COMPOSITE TECHNIQUE
Big Bend's pristine skies are among the darkest in North America, making it a perfect location for capturing the Milky Way in stunning detail. In this workshop, we use a composite-based approach to night sky landscapes: photographing the foreground during twilight when there is still enough light to explore multiple compositions, then capturing the Milky Way later in the evening.
You'll learn how to blend exposures in Photoshop, creating dynamic, time-compressed images that offer far more creative freedom than single-exposure night shots. This technique allows for greater flexibility in framing and foreground detail—maximizing each location's potential.
ADVANCED POST-PROCESSING
Your Milky Way images come to life in post-processing. Andy will guide you through the entire workflow—from selecting exposures to seamless blending and finishing touches. You'll also learn essential editing tools like color balancing, exposure blending, noise reduction, and creative compositing to elevate your night and landscape images into gallery-worthy work.
Bring your laptop with Photoshop installed to participate in hands-on sessions tailored to your skill level.
A DARK SKY EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
Big Bend's isolation in the Chihuahuan Desert makes it a haven for astrophotography. With minimal light pollution and expansive views in every direction, it's one of the best places in the U.S. to create striking Milky Way landscapes. You'll leave with a collection of both bold and subtle images that showcase your creativity and the unmatched beauty of this remarkable park.
SUNSET & LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY
With its dramatic desert terrain and ever-changing skies, Big Bend delivers stunning opportunities at dusk. We'll enjoy sunset sessions, when the desert glows with rich, warm tones and shifting light enhances every texture. When clouds roll in—though less ideal for stargazing—they can add depth and drama to your images, casting moody shadows and soft, diffused light that are perfect for crafting compelling, even cinematic, black-and-white landscapes.
We'll remain flexible with the light and weather, always looking to create expressive images that reflect the mood of the moment.
WORKSHOP ITINERARY & SCHEDULE
WORKSHOP START: SUNDAY, May 10, 2026:
The workshop kicks off with an introduction at 5:30 PM, followed by a stunning sunset shoot in Big Bend's expansive desert landscape. The first evening will set the tone for a week of exploration, discovery, and photography.
PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS: MONDAY, May 11, 2026 - THURSDAY, May 14, 2026:
Each day's photography sessions will be carefully tailored based on the weather forecast, ensuring we make the most of the optimal conditions for capturing Big Bend's stunning landscapes and night skies.
WORKSHOP CONCLUSION: THURSDAY EVENING, May 14, 2026:
The workshop wraps up after an evening photography session, leaving you with a portfolio of stunning images and memories of an incredible adventure.
LODGING LOCATIONS & DATES:
Terlingua, TX
Check-in: Sunday, May 10th, 2026
Check-out: Friday, May 15th, 2026
LODGING DETAILS: Participants will receive lodging information closer to the event.
DEPARTURE TIPS: Due to the remote nature of the area and the possibility of photographing the Milky Way on Thursday night, we recommend scheduling your return flight for Saturday, May 16th, 2026. This will allow for a more relaxed departure. If you need to leave on Friday, May 15th, please keep in mind the long drive to the nearest airport.
WHAT TO EXPECT
MORNING: Most mornings begin at a relaxed pace. Rather than daily sunrise outings, we'll reserve early starts for special conditions at key locations. Otherwise, enjoy breakfast with the group as we review images, discuss goals, and prepare for the day ahead.
MIDDAY: During the afternoon, we shift indoors for post-processing instruction and image reviews. These sessions are focused on polishing your shots and learning advanced editing workflows—especially for blending Milky Way composites and creating high-dynamic range results from bracketed exposures.
EVENING: After a group dinner, we'll head into the field to photograph the rich, glowing light of sunset and the deepening tones of twilight. These sessions allow us to capture a variety of foreground compositions while there's still ambient light—ideal for blending later with Milky Way skies photographed on clear nights. By building a library of twilight scenes, you'll have more creative options when combining foregrounds with night skies in post-processing.
Ready to Explore the Beauty of Big Bend?
Spaces for our Big Bend National Park Photography Workshop are limited to ensure a personalized experience. Don't miss your chance to photograph the stunning landscapes of Southwest Texas and its pristine night skies—all while learning advanced photography techniques in a friendly, supportive environment. Reserve your spot today and take the next step in your journey toward creating unforgettable images.
→ Click here to REGISTER for the Big Bend Workshop
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WORKSHOP DETAILS
EXPERIENCE LEVELS: Beginner to Advanced Photographers (Advanced Content)
This workshop is designed for photographers of all skill levels, from beginners eager to learn the basics to advanced photographers ready to fine-tune their night sky techniques. No matter your experience level, you'll find a supportive environment where you'll learn, grow, and leave with a portfolio of stunning images.
SMALL GROUP SIZE: To ensure personalized attention and an optimal experience during this workshop, we target a group size of 6 participants. This allows for more focused guidance and a better opportunity to delve into advanced techniques.
EFFORT LEVEL: Varies - The workshop involves moderate walking with most locations being within a ¼ mile from the parking lot. A few of the locations may require walks of up to ½ mile with mild elevation gain. For more adventurous photographers, one hike may span 2.5 miles with 1100 feet of elevation gain. If you have any concerns about your fitness level or the requirements of these hikes, please don't hesitate to contact us.
CONDITIONS: Average temperatures in May range from 61°F to 81°F. While the days are warm, evenings can be chilly—perfect for night sky photography, so be sure to pack layers. Lightweight clothing for daytime will keep you comfortable, while a jacket and sweater will ensure you stay warm during evening shoots.
ELEVATION: Our shooting locations span elevations from 3,000 to 7,000 feet. Be mindful of your hydration, especially at higher elevations, to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
GETTING TO THE WORKSHOP
SUGGESTED WORKSHOP AIRPORTS: The most convenient airports for this workshop are El Paso International (ELP) and Odessa/Midland International (MAF).
Driving time from El Paso to Big Bend: Approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes.
Driving time from Odessa/Midland to Big Bend: Approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes.
TRAVELING TO BIG BEND: To ensure you're well-prepared for the workshop, we recommend arriving in Texas on Saturday, May 9th, 2026. You can drive to Alpine, TX, a charming college town with various hotel options. It may be graduation time, so be sure to book your accommodation early. The drive from Alpine to Terlingua takes about 2 hours.
DRIVING CONDITIONS: Big Bend National Park features paved roads, and a standard rental car is sufficient. We encourage participants to carpool during the workshop, both to minimize our impact and to build camaraderie with fellow photographers.
RECOMMENDED GEAR
FOR BIG BEND:
FOR NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY:
CAMERAS: Full-frame sensors are ideal, but crop-sensor cameras can work with a lens of at least 10mm wide.
LENSES: A wide lens (16mm or wider) is recommended for capturing the vast Milky Way.
LENS PERFORMANCE: Test your lens's wide aperture performance before the workshop. (See PDF How to test lens sharpness for more details.)
FOR SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHY:
LENS RANGE: For optimal coverage, we recommend bringing lenses that range from at least 16mm to 400mm (after factoring in the lens multiplication). A polarizing filter is essential to reduce reflections and enhance colors.
TRIPOD: Sturdy, solid tripod with thick legs for stability. It should be tall enough to be used at standing height without bending over. A stable tripod is essential for long exposure and night sky shots.
SOFTWARE: Bring a laptop with Photoshop installed for editing images during the workshop. We also highly recommend downloading the PhotoPills app to your phone to help with planning your shots, especially for Milky Way photography.
OTHER ESSENTIALS:
FOOTWEAR: During the Bigbend Workshop, participants should be aware of natural terrain hazards such as cacti and uneven ground. To ensure comfort and safety, we recommend wearing ankle-high leather hiking boots. Tall vegetation and the terrain can make it difficult to see where you're stepping, so bringing snake gaiters, which can also help repel cactus thorns, will provide added protection for your legs.
WATER: Embrace the adventure by ensuring you can carry at least 3-4 quarts of water to stay hydrated during the longest hike. As you explore Big Bend's rugged terrain, staying refreshed will keep you energized for every step of the journey, allowing you to fully appreciate the wild beauty of the park.
If you're fascinated by night sky photography and want to explore another incredible location, consider joining our Arches & Moab Night Photography Workshop. Capture the Milky Way over the stunning red rock landscapes of Utah.
The vast skies of Big Bend deserve stunning post-processing. Learn the techniques to bring your captures to life with our tutorials:
Blending a Milky Way Image With a Foreground Image Taken at Dusk
&
Master Milky Way Panoramas