Wanaka Trip Overview
Over 80% of the world’s population live under light polluted skies which means that the infinite beauty and majesty of the night sky is hidden from them. In Central Otago we are fortunate to enjoy many long evenings under clear skies with minimal light pollution, creating rare opportunities to take images of the solar system and wider cosmos. This fun tour is for people of all skill levels who’d like to discover more about dark sky photography. Depending on the season, time and conditions there will be a variety of objects to shoot; the moon, planets, stars, clusters, galaxies and satellites. There are meteor showers often and on rare occasions the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) will flash in green and purple hues across the sky. All of these phenomena can be photographed using the stunning Wanaka scenery as context and backdrop. On this tour you can acquire some astrophotography experience and skills even if you don’t have the right camera equipment as all of this is supplied.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Starts: Wanaka, New Zealand
Trip Category: Tours & Sightseeing >> Photography Tours
Explore Wanaka Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Wanaka, Otago, New Zealand
Over 80% of the world’s population live under light polluted skies which means that the infinite beauty and majesty of the night sky is hidden from them. In Central Otago we are fortunate to enjoy many long evenings under clear skies with minimal light pollution, creating rare opportunities to take images of the solar system and wider cosmos. This fun tour is for people of all skill levels who’d like to discover more about dark sky photography. Depending on the season, time and conditions there will be a variety of objects to shoot; the moon, planets, stars, clusters, galaxies and satellites. There are meteor showers often and on rare occasions the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) will flash in green and purple hues across the sky. All of these phenomena can be photographed using the stunning Wanaka scenery as context and backdrop. On this tour you can acquire some astrophotography experience and skills even if you don’t have the right camera equipment as all of this is supplied.
Itinerary
Please note that proof of Covid 19 vaccination is required. We’ll start with a brief on the conditions, the objects to be photographed and equipment. We then drive to the first shooting location around Lake Wanaka. Here you will learn some basics of astrophotography. We will use apps to choose our night sky subjects and you will learn how to focus on distant stars and to take a test shot. Once happy with your subject, framing and focus we’ll start shooting. You will see the effect of long exposure times and sensitivity (ISO) settings and you will take a variety of shots to see which settings combination is optimal. You will be able to take a series of single shots and learn about how to take star trail images over very long exposure times. You will be able to shoot from a up to three locations using the stunning Wanaka surrounds as context and backdrop. All the camera equipment is supplied including lenses, tripods and headlamps. At the end of the experience you will have learned the skills you need to carry on your astrophotography journey when you return to your home skies. Any shots you have taken with my equipment will be sent to you via secure download link after the tour.
Stop At:
• Lake Wanaka, Wanaka New Zealand
• That Wanaka Tree, 3 Tapley Paddock, Wanaka 9305 New Zealand
• Roys Bay Recreational Reserve, Wanaka 9305 New Zealand
