On August 25, 2016, America will celebrate the 100th anniversary of President Woodrow Wilson’s signing of the Organic Act that started the National Park Service. Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872, but a centralized administrator did not oversee the park system until 1916. Therefore, this year marks a thrilling centennial celebration of the National Park Service and our National Parks.
Coinciding with the centennial celebration is the launch of the National Parks at Night (NPAN) photography workshop series. A group of five night photography instructors will be taking lucky participants on a nighttime photo tour of five national parks in 2016. The long-term goal of the series is to teach night photography at the top scenic destinations in the United States—each National Park.
NPAN co-founder Gabriel Biderman and author of Night Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots, says, “It started as a simple challenge to photograph each National Park. Most of the parks offer us brilliant views of the night skies, but each one has its own unique landscape for us to explore—where we can paint with light and create epic imagery.”
Instructors Biderman, Chris Nicholson, Lance Keimig, Matt Hill, and Tim Cooper approach the program as a cooperative effort. Each of them, accomplished in his own right, combine their experience to bring a dream of sharing adventures and learning in breathtakingly beautiful outdoor spaces at night. Each workshop is taught by two instructors (in different combinations for variety) and limited to no more than sixteen attendees for a personalized learning experience.
Veteran night photographer and author of the recently released book, Photographing National Parks, Chris Nicholson says, “This is an exciting time for us to be kicking off our program, because 2016 is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. The parks are always popular, but they are even more in the public eye this year because of the events and publicity centered on the Centennial.
“It's great for photographers, too, because all the parks are hosting special events to celebrate, some of which are aimed at photography. Acadia, Lassen Volcanic, and Carlsbad Caverns are all hosting photo-themed events, and more will be joining the fray. The parks recognize that photography is one of the most popular activities for visitors, right up there with hiking and camping, and they're doing a great job of catering to that.”
Here is a rundown of NPAN events for 2016.
Acadia National Park – May 2-6
Chris Nicholson and Gabriel Biderman will be conducting a five-night workshop at Acadia National Park, on the Maine shoreline, during the Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. Acadia National Park is also celebrating its 100th birthday, in 2016.
Zion National Park – May 23-27
Explore Zion National Park in the dark over five nights with photographers Tim Cooper and Lance Keimig, who will take the group out to see some of Zion’s amazing scenery and epic landscapes. Cooper is the author of HDR Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots (First Edition).
Crater Lake National Park – August 4-6
Snowcapped peaks and beautiful scenery surround one of the greatest sites in Oregon’s Cascade Mountain range, the 1,943-foot-deep Crater Lake. Gabriel Biderman will lead this three-night workshop, along with Matt Hill.
Death Valley National Park – November 15-19
Explore the high desert of California under some of the darkest skies in the U.S. as you soak up the stars for five nights over Death Valley, with Lance Keimig, author of Night Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark, and Chris Nicholson, author of Photographing National Parks.
Arches National Park – November 15-19
Join Matt Hill and Tim Cooper for this nighttime exploration of Utah’s Arches National Park, for five nights of photographing star trails and light-painting on majestic stone arches.
The Goal
The goal of the series is to conduct a one-night photo workshop at each National Park over the next several years. So, if any of the 2016 parks are on your bucket list, sign up now, as there will not be another NPAN workshop at Acadia, Arches, Crater Lake, Death Valley, or Zion after this year.
Matt Hill says, “We want to share the uplifting experience we have at National Parks with others interested in or practicing night photography. The night skies, plus the awe-inspiring landscapes, allow for remarkable image-making opportunities. We also have a ton of fun."
Lance Keimig adds, “Another reason that the parks are a great place for our workshop series is that many of them are designated as dark sky preserves—in addition to being otherwise inspiring NPy locations.”
For those preparing to join the workshops or head out on their own night photography adventures, the group released an e-Book of night photography tips. They have also recently secured sponsorship from Nikon, Digital Silver Imaging, Syrp, and B&H Photo Video.
You can follow National Parks at Night on their website, blog, and on social media via Twitter and Facebook. Last but not least, New York-area followers should be sure to attend the March 16 presentation at the B&H Event Space, followed by a night walk in New York City!
