Capture the timeless beauty of our home galaxy from one of the darkest skies in North Texas.

Fort Griffin offers more than a night of photography. It offers the feeling of stepping into another era. Beneath some of the darkest skies in North Texas, you will have the chance to photograph the Milky Way rising over striking foregrounds that feel deeply tied to the spirit of the Old West. From the weathered remains of The Flat, the historic ghost town tucked near Mill Creek, to the old trestle bridge, the crumbled remains of the old administration building, a giant oak tree, and the skeletal barracks on the fort grounds, every setting offers a distinctive and memorable composition.

This workshop is designed for photographers at the intermediate or advanced level, whether you are capturing your first night sky image or refining advanced skills such as light painting, star trails, and time-lapse work. As daylight fades and the stars begin to emerge, Fort Griffin becomes more than a location. It becomes an experience where history, atmosphere, and the vast Texas sky come together in a way that is hard to forget.

• Tripod setup basics

• Low-light focusing

• Pinpoint star technique

• White balance choices

• Exposure settings guidance

• Foreground composition tips

• Milky Way alignment

• Light painting basics

• Star trail capture

• Timelapse setup
  

• Milky Way planning apps

• Best dates and seasons

• Dark sky forecasting

• Gear selection advice

• Filter use options

• Screen brightness control

• Night workflow prep

• Editing for contrast

• Enhancing Milky Way detail

• Color balance techniques

Nearest Airport:

Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)

Lodging Suggestions:

Albany Inn, Ft. Griffin Campground & RV Park

Transportation:

Your own personal vehicle or carpool

The group will gather at 4:00 PM at or near Fort Griffin, with final details shared during the pre-workshop Zoom session. After introductions and a review of the evening’s plan, we will begin by exploring The Flat, the once-rowdy frontier town below the fort where soldiers, buffalo hunters, drovers, gamblers, merchants, and outlaws once crossed paths. The site is tied to stories involving Doc Holliday, Big Nose Kate, and Wyatt Earp, adding even more character to this remarkable setting.  As the light softens, we will move onto the fort grounds, where the remains of old structures, barracks, and trees create wonderful foregrounds for sunset, twilight, and the rise of the Milky Way. We typically photograph until around midnight, though you are welcome to continue shooting afterward in the campground or at The Flat. For those attending more than one night, critique sessions are often offered the following day, and a post-workshop Zoom editing session is usually held about two weeks after the final workshop date.