Join an elite group of just four photographers for a masterclass in celestial and landscape photography. With a 1:2.5 instructor ratio and a flexible “weather-chasing” itinerary, you’ll receive the most personalized coaching available in the industry.
Intimate Group Size: Limited to just 5 participants, ensuring a 1:2.5 student-to-instructor ratio for constant 1-on-1 field coaching and a collaborative atmosphere.
Expert Celestial Guidance: Master the technical complexities of a Total Solar Eclipse and the Milky Way with two of the world’s top-ranked astrophotographers.
All-Inclusive Logistics: Focus entirely on your craft with included lodging, ground transportation, and even flights to and from Tenerife.
Dynamic Scouting: Our mobile approach utilizes local knowledge and scientific weather data to chase clear skies, ensuring the best possible views of the eclipse and stars.
Advanced Field Techniques: Learn specialized skills including star tracking, low-level lighting for foregrounds, and focus-stacking for front-to-back sharpness.
Post-Processing Mastery: Benefit from dedicated small-group and 1-on-1 editing sessions to develop your images under expert instruction.
Safety & Security: Instructors are Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certified, and the group travels with long-range radios and GPS emergency beacons for total peace of mind.
Celestial Events & Deep Sky Landscapes
This workshop concentrates on the following technical and creative teaching topics:
Total Solar Eclipse Mastery: Comprehensive planning and hands-on training to capture every stage of the 2026 eclipse safely and beautifully.
Astrophotography Planning: Utilizing technology and seasonal knowledge to predict the position of the Milky Way and find the darkest skies.
Technical Night Exposure: Calculating exposure times based on focal length and sensor resolution to avoid star trailing.
Star Tracking Artistry: Proper usage of portable star trackers to extend exposure times for deep-sky detail without motion.
Advanced Field Composites: Techniques for shooting multiple exposures for noise reduction, focus-stacking for sharp foregrounds, and creating seamless panoramas.
Specialized Lighting: Low-level lighting techniques to illuminate foreground elements (where permitted) for balanced night compositions.
Creative Night Scapes: Crafting compelling star trail images and understanding effective compositions under the stars.
Professional Workflow:
Lightroom & Photoshop: Advanced editing paths for celestial data and landscape blending.
LRTimelapse: Introduction to time-lapse editing for dynamic night sky transitions.
Note on Conditions: While the eclipse and Milky Way are weather-dependent, our “sky-chasing” strategy prioritizes clear views. If dense clouds occur, we pivot to advanced landscape techniques and intensive post-processing instruction.
Our workshop features two carefully selected, high-end private villas—one in the rustic heart of mainland Spain and another perched on the dramatic northern slopes of Tenerife. Both locations offer a “home away from home” atmosphere with private rooms, spacious communal areas for post-processing, and breathtaking views of the landscapes we’ve come to photograph.
Part 1: The Cuenca Countryside (Mainland Spain) Nestled in the quiet enclave of Cañada del Hoyo, Casa El Hontanar is a spacious, rustic estate that perfectly blends traditional Spanish charm with modern comfort. This high-quality villa serves as our base for the Total Solar Eclipse.
Part 2: The Northern Slopes (Tenerife) Perched above the Atlantic in Tacoronte, Villa Fort is a stunning “Canarian-style” villa designed for relaxation and inspiration. This is our base for capturing the Milky Way over the volcanic terrain of Tenerife.
Accommodation Standards To ensure a premium experience and optimal rest for our night-sky sessions, every participant is guaranteed a private room. High-speed Wi-Fi is available at both properties to facilitate our intensive photo-editing sessions and software tutorials.
Camera Body: Digital SLR or mirrorless camera with full manual control (Full-frame preferred).
Wide-Angle Lens: (e.g., 14-24mm, 16-35mm) with a fast aperture of f/2.8 or wider for the Milky Way.
Telephoto Lens: (400mm–600mm) essential for capturing the Total Solar Eclipse.
Sturdy Tripod & Ball Head: Critical for long exposures and tracking.
Filters: 18-20 stop ND filters (provided) and optional solar filters.
Star Tracker: Recommended if you own one; instruction on usage is provided.
Accessories: Remote shutter release/intervalometer, headlamp with red-light mode, and at least 3-4 extra batteries.
Memory & Power: High-capacity memory cards and a laptop with Lightroom/Photoshop for processing sessions.
Equipment Rental: Please contact us if you need to rent specific gear; we may be able to facilitate this for the workshop.
The All-Inclusive Experience
Premium Accommodations: 6 nights of lodging (3 in Spain, 3 in Tenerife) in shared houses with private rooms.
Professional Logistics: Local ground transportation and flights between mainland Spain and Tenerife.
Elite Instruction: Photography guiding and field instruction from two award-winning professionals.
Post-Processing: Dedicated 1-on-1 and small-group editing instruction.
Specialized Gear: Use of 18-20 stop MAVEN ND filters for eclipse photography.
Refreshments: Light snacks and refreshments provided throughout the journey.
Initial Travel: Airfare and transportation to and from Madrid, Spain.
Personal Gear: Cameras, lenses, tripods, and laptops.
Software: Personal subscriptions to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.
Meals & Extras: Daily meals, alcohol, and personal expenses/tips.
Comprehensive Insurance: Participants are responsible for travel and equipment insurance.
Extreme Weather Layers: Tenerife and Spain in August can range from 50°F at night to 115°F during the day. Bring moisture-wicking base layers and a warm jacket/hat for night shoots.
Technical Fabrics: Avoid cotton; prioritize wool or synthetic fibers for temperature regulation.
Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots suitable for volcanic terrain.
Hydration: Reusable water bottles or hydration packs are essential.
Arrival & Meeting Point: We recommend arriving in Madrid at least one day early to adjust to the time zone. We will meet at our Madrid Hotel (TBA) at 8:00 A.M. on Monday, August 10, 2026, to begin our journey to the eclipse location.
Itinerary & Flexibility: Our schedule spans August 10–16, 2026, moving from mainland Spain to Tenerife on August 13. We maintain a flexible itinerary to chase the clearest skies for both the eclipse and Milky Way sessions.
Cancellation & Insurance: We reserve the right to cancel if minimums are not met. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel and equipment insurance to protect against unforeseen interruptions or emergencies.
Liability & Safety: By attending, you agree to the liability waiver for Hand Forged LLC. You are responsible for your own physical safety and for determining if a location is within your physical capabilities.
