Photographers will learn “Planning, Lighting, and Capturing the Night Sky: A Complete Introduction to Nightscape Astrophotography” from semi-professional photographer and photography educator Christopher Wray at 7 p.m., Monday, July 9th, at the Mountain Community Mennonite Church facility, 643 Hwy 105, in Palmer Lake. The meeting is free and open to all interested photographers. To see more about the event or the Palmer Divide Photographers Group, go to www.pdphotographers.com.

Wray’s talk offers the advanced-beginner and intermediate-level DSLR photographer a broad look at the popular topic of astrophotography with an emphasis on “nightscape” image making, night skies that include dramatic landscape elements. The presentation will provide attendees with a solid understanding of how to plan your astrophotography outing; how to light with an emphasis on natural or low level lighting techniques; how to achieve the perfect exposure, and other essential considerations for a safe and successful photo shoot.

Topics will include camera body and lens essentials, choosing the right lens, helpful accessories and personal gear, reading the night sky, planning the shoot, composition and framing, interpreting histograms, ideal exposures, lighting techniques, stationary vs. tracked images, single image vs. image composites or stacked images, field etiquette and safety, ethical considerations, recent NPS imposed bans, and valuable apps and web resources. A question-and-answer discussion will immediately follow the talk.

Wray has a real penchant for astrophotography, and has been practicing nightscape photography for over four years, taking excursions throughout the southwest region to capture the unique and increasingly rare occurrence of the dark, star-filled night sky. When not standing under the stars, Wray is a marketing communication consultant and a graphic designer by trade.

He founded Communiqué Marketing Solutions LLC, a consulting group that specializes in messaging, brand building, and web design services for business-to-business startups and early stage companies. Wray holds a bachelor’s degree in fine art from The Colorado College and a Master of Fine Arts in visual communication from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has taught graphic design at the undergraduate and graduate level. In recent years, Wray has become passionate about teaching aspiring nightscape photographers to hone their techniques both under the stars and behind the computer with beginning and advanced astrophotography techniques.

A Colorado native, Wray is also a co-organizer and member of Beyond the Lens, a Colorado Springs-based photography group consisting of light chasers—people in search of the best light to create art and memories

For more information on the Palmer Divide Photographers, go to http://www.pdphotographers.com