At Night Opening Reception, Symposium, and Workshops
June 11 & 12, 2021 in Alpine, Texas
The At Night exhibition, juried by Lance Keimig, showcases photography that explores all aspects and subjects of urban and rural night photography from twilight to dawn, including astral photos, city lights, wildlife, and landscapes. View the At Night gallery here.
All At Night activities are made possible through grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, a partnership with Fujifilm, and the support of Texas Photographic Society members.
At Night Opening Reception
Friday, June 11, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Museum of the Big Bend at the northeast corner of the Sul Ross State University campus
Museum Admission: $5.00; $10.00 for the entire At Night weekend (including symposium)
At Night Symposium
Saturday, June 12 at Museum of the Big Bend
FREE with MoBB admission
Schedule:
• 10:00 to 11:00 – James Evans: Big Bend Pictures
• 11:15 to 12:15 – Preserving the Night in the Age of Light (Panel Discussion)
• 12:15 to 1:45 – Lunch break
• 1:45 to 2:45 – Gabriel Biderman: Journey into the Night
• 3:00 to 4:00 – A Night Photography How-to for Everyone (Panel Discussion)
10:00 to 11:00 – James Evans: Big Bend Pictures
Rebecca Solnit wrote in 2011: As you get older, you leave behind countless forks in the road… James Evans’s photographs remind me of all the rural and backwater lives I never lived. The lure of such places is not just the spectacle of the surrounding landscape but some faintly heard music, slower and simpler than the turbulent orchestra of urban life…
We’ll start the At Night symposium with a masterful photographer who took his own fork in the road more than 30 years ago, and the visual life of Texas has been better for it ever since.
Visit James Evans' website here.
11:15 to 12:15 – Preserving the Night in the Age of Light
Join us for a thoughtful discussion on the spread of light pollution and value of darkness at night, with strategies to preserve the night sky that address concerns about safety, security, cost, and more. Moderated by Stephen Hummel, Dark Skies Specialist at the University of Texas McDonald Observatory and participating artist in the At Night exhibition. Panelists will include Annie Gilliland, Supervisory Park Ranger, Interpretation, for Big Bend National Park & Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River; Amber Harrison, Board Member of Big Bend Conservation Alliance, Park Ranger and Interpreter at Big Bend Ranch State Park, with a background in anthropology, bio-archeology, and cultural resource management; and Lisa Felder, Co-President of the Tierra Grande Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist program.
1:45 to 2:45 - Gabriel Biderman: Journey into the Night
Inspiration and creativity can come from many places. How we connect the dots and use these influences, as well as the tools of our craft, to shape our vision should be a constant passion. In this presentation, Gabriel Biderman, co-founder of National Parks at Night will share his night visions and give us insight into the art, artists, and tools that helped guide him along his 20+ year journey exploring the night skies.
Gabe is passionate about the variety of creative opportunities that longer exposures can offer once the sun goes down. His body of work shows that night photography is not just about capturing the Milky Way, but also creating photographs that can only be imagined with our mind’s eye. Gain new insight and motivation to go outside and Seize the Night!
Visit Gabriel Biderman's website here.
3:00 to 4:00 – A Night Photography How-to for Everyone (Panel Discussion)
Join three Texas photographers - and photography educators - as they discuss their varied approaches to night photography. Whether you prefer to use the phone in your pocket or a carload of gear, this practical, informative, and interactive discussion will keep your night photography from being just a shot in the dark. Chad D. Smith, Associate Professor of Photography at Texas A&M University-Commerce and TPS Board Member, will moderate the discussion with Ashton Thornhill, retired photography professor (29 years at Texas Tech University) and visual chronicler of the Llano Estacado, and Steve Goff, newly retired Professor and Chair of Photography at Odessa College and TPS Board President.
Bring your questions and your best tips to share with the group!
Visit their websites - Chad D. Smith, Ashton Thornhill, and Steve Goff.
Workshops
Photography Night at McDonald Observatory
Friday, June 11 from 8:45 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.
Dark Skies Specialist Stephen Hummel has arranged for this special Photography Night in conjunction with the At Night opening weekend. Photography Nights provide the rare chance to see and photograph the night sky from the summit of Mount Locke, home to the highest road in Texas, the 82" Otto Struve Telescope, the 107" Harlan J Smith Telescope, and more. Photographers will have an opportunity to shoot in a controlled setting with minimal lights, free from interruptions from crowds, vehicle headlights, or other interferences which may spoil long-exposure photographs.
Limited to 10 participants, $75 per person. For more details, and to register, click here and choose the June 11 option.
Urban Night Photgraphy at Marfa
Saturday, June 12 from 8:30 p.m. to midnight
Join National Parks at Night Co-Founder, Gabriel Biderman, on Saturday, June 12, 2021 for a night photography exploration of the remarkable town of Marfa. This hands-on workshop is a great opportunity to level up those urban night skills in an inspirational location.
Class size is limited to 10 participants, and the workshop fee is $150. Click here for full details and to register.
Questions?
Please contact TPS Executive Director Ann T. Shaw at ann@texasphoto.org with any questions about the weekend.