Night Sky Photography Workshop at Oracle State Park

Oracle State Park

Saturday, June 28, 2025   7:30-9:30 p.m.

Join us on Saturday, June 28 for a unique night sky photography workshop at Oracle State Park—an International Dark Sky Park!

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to take long exposure photos with your camera while enjoying the incredible star-filled skies the park is known for.

We’ll begin with a 30-minute presentation inside the Kannally Ranch House living room, where we’ll cover the fundamentals of night photography, including how to adjust shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, and focus. During the talk, you’ll have time to ask questions about your specific camera and see real examples of night sky images with the settings used to capture them.

Afterward, we’ll head out to the ranch house patio to practice what we’ve covered. You’ll experience firsthand how much your camera can capture in low light and try your hand at a variety of shots, from wide-open starry skies to compositions featuring the historic ranch house and surrounding landscape.

This will be an enjoyable, hands-on way to connect with the dark skies out here at the park!

What to bring:

• A camera that allows manual control of settings (shutter speed, aperture, etc.)
• A tripod or other way to stabilize your camera for long exposures
• (Optional) A red flashlight to preserve night vision
• (Optional) A wide-angle lens to capture more of the night sky

This workshop is free with regular day-use admission or a valid Arizona State Parks annual pass.

Register online at https://azstateparks.com/reserve/Activities/Search.aspx (opens May 13) or by calling the park at 520-896-2425.

Have any questions? Feel free to email Ranger Michael at mbain@azstateparks.gov.