Exploring the Secrets of the Night: San Miguel de Allende

Night photography reveals an entirely different world than experienced during the day. Long exposures and artificial light allow us to see the passage of time, human activity, and the natural world in a way that is mysterious, instinctive, and unique to the night. Fueled by the moon and nocturnal activities, this night photography intensive in beautiful historic San Miguel de Allende Mexico gives participants an opportunity to explore the outer reaches of our camera settings and imaginations. 

“Exploring the Secrets of the Night” combines lectures, hands-on-camera and postproduction assistance, group and individual feedback, and helpful, practical tips. Participants have time during the week to photograph individually and in a group. Our time together delves into technical aspects of night photography including astrophotography and star trails as well as aesthetic knowledge of the history of night photography and understanding the psychology of the night. Jason leads students through examples, image presentations, demonstrations, and collaboration. Group photographic outings are conducted in interiors and exteriors at night. Subjects include architecture, people, and the natural world; and participants are encouraged to pursue individual narrative projects.

This workshop includes lessons on understanding ambient lighting sources such as streetlamps, exterior lighting, their kelvin temperatures, the moon and stars, and artificial lighting such as those from strobes, flashlights, and car headlights. Jason also addresses the most common misunderstandings about night photography including chronic underexposure and exposure blending. The highlight of the week is in each student discovering and interpreting their unique experience of the night in a magical city. These learned skills are all transferable to any photographic project.