gear

Seize the Season: Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide

Autumn is ending, and as the trees shed their leaves (or, if they’re far enough south, their iguanas), seasonal thoughts once again turn to holidays and perfect gifts for the special photographer in your life.

Once again, we’d like to help. As we’ve been raking our leaves and lizards, we’ve also been compiling a list of gift ideas for night owls such as yourself. We’ve been writing about those gifts, and we’ve been putting those words into what you’ll find below: our eighth annual Holiday Gift Guide.

In it you’ll find ideas from camera companies, memory brands, scouting apps and more—all to help you and your shutterbug loved ones enjoy the happiest of holidays.

You can view the gift guide in two ways: you can read it in the blog post below, or you can download the full-experience Gift Guide e-book. We encourage the latter, as the e-book version:

  • is more graphical

  • has lots more pictures

  • includes some night photography tips

  • contains some deals not found below

Whichever way you browse the guide, we hope the ideas are useful for fleshing out your holiday gift list. Have a wonderful holiday—seize the season!


Acratech

GXP-SS Ball Head

Our favorite ball head company, Acratech, recently revamped their GP line to the GXP series, making the heads even stronger, and with more detailing. The GXP-SS is our go-to ball head for traveler tripods with a smaller diameter baseplate. Other new features include supporting 35 pounds over the previous 25, and a lever release clamp that accommodates a larger range of quick release plates. The lever clamp version gives the ultimate in security, and the bubble level has shifted to a more prominent position for viewing.

Special offer: 10 percent off all Acratech GXP variants at B&H Photo with promo code “BHGIFT23.” Valid through December 19, 2023.

Advocacy Groups

Membership

Night photography, national parks, dark skies. If you’re reading this gift guide, you probably care about these things, and if you know a night photographer, they probably care about these too. The things we like to do, and the places we like to do them in, all face challenges. And you and your friends can help. One way to get more involved is by joining an advocacy group. Here are some of our favorites:

B&H Photo

Gift Card

Giving a gift is never stressful when you have a photographer in your life, because a B&H Gift Card is always the perfect present. Always. It’s the gift of choice. Let your photographer (or videographer, musician or gamer) pick any camera, lens, computer or whatever new doodad, thingamabob or doohickey they may need. Of course B&H will have it—they are the world’s biggest and best resource for all photo, video and image-making needs!

Bay Photo Lab

Epic Prints

With epic images made at night (and perhaps during the day), why not show them off in the best way possible? Bay Photo’s Epic Prints combine the maximum resolution and unrivaled clarity for image quality that will leap off the walls. Epic Prints are made on Fujiflex silver halide photographic paper with up to 610 dpi resolution—four times the resolution of a traditional photographic print. You can choose between a high gloss and satin finish, both of which are mounted onto metal.

Special offer: 20 percent off one order of select wall display prints from Bay Photo Lab with promo code “NIGHT20.” Valid until December 22, 2023.

BenQ

PhotoVue SW272U Monitor

BenQ’s latest addition to their pixel-perfect display lineup for photographers is the PhotoVue SW272U Monitor. This gorgeous USB-C 27-inch monitor provides 4K resolution, 90-watt power to your laptop, a fine-coated reduced glare panel, 100 percent Adobe RGB color gamut, and a sleek, thin bezel design, plus many more photographer- and filmmaker-friendly features. Hand-in-hand is their Palette Master Ultimate software for color profiling with compatible hardware, such as the Calibrite Display Plus HL Colorimeter.

Special offer: $150 off the PhotoVue SW272U or SW321C at B&H Photo with promo code “BHGIFT23.” Valid through December 19, 2023.

Benro

CyanBird Tripod with FS20PRO Head

The CyanBird is a work of art and won’t weigh a photographer down—the latest 17.3-inch folded travel tripod from Benro is ready for adventure. Starting with the lightweight tripod legs with flip locks, setup is fast and smooth to a maximum height of 50.8 inches. The 2-in-1 pan head is an engineering marvel that’s ideal for both video and photo, and that levels easily for making fast single-row panos. Includes hidden tools, folding pan handle and a two-section center column that splits for low camera angles.

Special offer: 10 percent off the CyanBird Tripod at B&H Photo with promo code “BHGIFT23.” Valid through December 19, 2023.

Bicycle

Stargazer Playing Cards

While waiting for sunset, twilight or even the coffee to be ready, why not bust out the cosmically appropriate Stargazer Playing Cards and spend some quality time with friends or family, or even playing some solitaire? These super-cool playing cards have the legendary Bicycle air cushion finish and are printed colorfully on high-quality stock. The backs are all inspired by black holes, so remember which pocket you put the deck in.

Big and Little Parks

Flat Hat Fan Club Sticker

We love the creative art from our friends at Big Little Parks, much of which promotes the smaller, lesser-known parks. One thing that is common across all National Park Service units is the rangers who help guide and educate us about the history, nature and importance of their park. When someone officially becomes a ranger, they receive a unique hat that can easily identify them out in the field. If you are in the know, then you know that chapeau is called a “flat hat,” so well represented by the Flat Hat Fan Club Sticker for a car, computer or water bottle.

Books

Various Authors

Ah, books … the elixir of the curious mind. The photography world is full of tomes, and we can’t get enough of them, nor enough of sharing them. Here are a few we’ve loved in 2023, from monographs to instruction to parks to a coffee book of the cosmos.

Bright Beta

Adventure Log

Bright Beta has taken the adventure log pages from their No Limits Planner and turned them into a durable, compact 4-by-6-inch booklet perfect for making notes of adventures, travels and photo shoots. Use the Adventure Log to record location notes, lighting or weather conditions, or even a scouting report to refer back to when visiting a park, city or shoot location. Its 48 pages have space for 22 adventures with room to sketch, journal or just notate important information, along with prompts to log trip details.

Calibrite

Display Plus HL Colorimeter

Take control of color and focus on creativity. Every night photographer—every photographer in general—should calibrate and profile their displays, whether laptop, external monitor or projector. As modern displays get brighter and resolution increases, the demands for hardware that can help maintain consistency and accuracy over multiple devices increases too. The Calibrite Display Plus HL Colorimeter is an excellent way to future-proof your color management workflow as displays get more and more capable. Compatible with HDR, OLED and miniLED (such as MacBook Pros, common among photographers).

Callie Barbas

Moon Calendar Block Prints

Callie Barbas is an Atlanta-based printmaker and illustrator. Among her work is a handmade wood block 2024 Moon Calendar recrafted as a 12x16-inch print. It’s a gorgeous way to mind the moon phases for the entire year at a glance. Each print is lovingly hand-dyed in tea to provide an aged patina. This is a limited edition of 500, so hurry before they run out!

Cameras

Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony

We live in a golden age of digital night photography. Cameras with higher ISOs with high-megapixel full-frame sensors no longer lack image quality—though we might need more hard drive space for star stacking! Viable options abound. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Canon’s 45-megapixel EOS R5 has taken the mantle of most popular in the 5D DSLR series.

  • Nikon’s Z 8 incorporates some night-specific features, such as backlit buttons and Starlight view to make seeing in the dark possible.

  • Sony leads the full-frame sensor-size race with their 61-megapixel a7RV, which is on the tripod of many of our night photography friends.

  • However, if you want the ultimate in resolution, the Fujifilm GFX100S packs in 100 megapixels in a larger-than-full-frame medium format sensor. Fujifilm is releasing faster glass, which makes balancing your exposures in darker sky environments even easier.

Coast Portland

TX11R Flashlight

The venerable Coast HP7R flashlight has been updated and upgraded and reintroduced as the new TX11R. It has just three light modes: low, medium and a very bright full power, with no bothersome strobe mode! This flashlight has a refined focusing system that easily transitions from X-Range Spot beam to an even, Broad View Flood beam with no haloing. It’s USB-C chargeable, machined of solid aluminum, is built to IP54 specifications for water and dust resistance, and is backed by the Coast lifetime warranty.

Deep-Sky Imaging

Visible Universe Poster

Astronomers and authors Charles Bracken and Max Whitby teamed to create a complete visual record of the visible night sky as seen from Earth, and have published it in the form of a 38-by-21-inch Visible Universe Poster. Originally created for their book The Visible Universe, the poster bears the same name and is the result of their imaging from several locations in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Chile and Spain over 3 years. This all-sky image includes H-alpha data and took several month to process.

DxO Labs

Nik Collection 6

Night photography requires lots of post-processing to bring our vision of the scene to the screen. DxO is here to help. Nik Collection 6 is a post-processing suite that fosters creativity and solves problems. It can be used as stand-alone software or as a plug-in for Lightroom and/or Photoshop. With its latest updates, Nik has improved their eight plug-ins to help the photographer de-noise, sharpen, improve color and translate images into stunning black-and-white photographs. (This is our go-to solution for black-and-white conversion.)

FireTacks

Reflective Trail Markers

Have you ever been frustrated trying to find your way back after a long night making night photographs? Check out FireTacks! They’re high-visibility trail markers with durable pins that you can press into the landscape around you during the hike out. Choose between 3D (pyramid) and 4D (cube) shapes, depending on the trail complexity. Shine a light at eye level and these will blaze back at you like a street lamp. Just remember to leave no trace and grab yours on the way back out.

Irix

21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly Lens

The Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly lens is perfect for astro-landscape photographers when there’s not much foreground. The huge f/1.4 maximum aperture makes focusing and composing in the dark easier, and it’s great to keep your exposures short and star points sharp. The lens is available in Nikon F, Canon EF and Pentax K mounts. The built-in shade also serves to protect the front element, and the focus locking ring helps you stay sharp.

Special offer: $250 off the 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly at B&H Photo. Valid through December 31, 2023.

Jackery

Explorer 290 Portable Power Station

Sometimes a photographer needs lots of power when on the road—especially in the wilderness or backcountry, or in other remote areas without access to the power grid. Enter the Explorer 290, a lightweight portable battery. It has a 200-watt AC inverter with a 110-volt USA AC plug, two USB power ports and a 12-volt DC car-style outlet. You can charge your phone, a star tracker, camera batteries, a dew heater and more! Perfect to keep in the car for those moments when you just need some power.

Special offer: $50 off the Explorer 290 at B&H Photo. Valid through December 19, 2023.

Jeff McCrum

Lanceli Grid

The Lanceli grid, designed and manufactured by our friend Jeff, is a useful light modifier for the Luxli Fiddle, our top-recommended lighting tool. The Lanceli reduces the angle of the light beam from 102 degrees to about 20 degrees, making it especially useful for lighting foreground objects without spilling onto other parts of the scene. The light output is also reduced by two stops, which is useful for controlling illumination in very dark conditions. Comes with a Luxli Fiddle switch clip, which is designed to prevent the panel from accidentally turning on while in your bag or pocket.

LEDlenser

P4R Work Flashlight

The P4R Work flashlight is a great addition to any night photographer’s light painting kit. It has three brightness settings, with a helpful “last-used” setting memory. It also sports a CRI of 80 and color temperature of 4300 K, placing the light quality perfectly between old-school warm incandescents and most modern daylight-balanced LED lights. It’s tough and waterproof, features a tail cap switch, and boasts an advanced focus system for smooth spot-to-flood focusing with no halo. Comes with a rechargeable, 3.7-volt lithium-ion battery

Light Painting Brushes

Earth, Wind and Fire Glitter Stick Set

Light Painting Brushes has long supplied us with tools to be endlessly creative, and their new Earth, Wind and Fire Glitter Stick Set could be the most fun new tool in your belt. At 24 inches long, these sticks create a unique sparkling band of light. Earth provides a glittering green and gold effect, Wind creates a blue and silver glittering effect, and Fire creates a red and gold glittering effect. They’re great for light writing in portraits, for abstract light painting work, and for creating classic light-painted orbs and other light sculptures.

Luxli

Case for Luxli Fiddle LED Light Kits

How many Luxli LED Fiddles do you own? If you are like us, the number is at least two! While these LED panels are compact, it can be tricky to keep them organized and all together with the correct chargers, grids, ball heads, etc. Lucky for us, the company recently released a custom Case for Luxli Fiddles that perfectly fits three Fiddles and their accessories. The lightweight but rugged EVA shell protects the panels from the rigors and constant travels of a night photographer while keeping all the components neatly in one place for easy use and charging.

Special offer: 15 percent off the Luxli Fiddle Case at B&H Photo. Valid through December 19, 2023.

Moonglow

Moon Phase Jewelry

Do you and a special photographer share a special date? The night you first photographed the Milky Way together, perhaps? Or maybe a wedding anniversary, or a birthday? Visit the Moonglow website, enter a date to see its moon phase, then see a selection of moon phase jewelry to match. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, ornaments and more.

Move-Shoot-Move

Lens Warmer/Dew Heater Band

Dew can wreak havoc on a night shoot, as lens glass is one of the first things drops form on. The solution? Warmth. The Move-Shoot-Move Lens Warmer/Dew Heater Band is made from durable neoprene (wetsuit material), adapts to fit most any lens and has three power settings to prevent a lens from fogging up when the temperature reaches the dew point. It can be powered by most 5-volt power banks, weighs next to nothing, and rolls up or folds flat for easy storage in a camera bag.

Special offer: 10 percent off at moveshootmove.com with code “NPAN.”

National Parks at Night

Workshops

Send the photographer in your life on the adventure of a lifetime, crafting images under the night skies of some amazing destinations. Or get them online to learn how to better process their images. Tickets are available for several National Parks at Night adventures:

Or if none of those sound like the perfect gift, then how about Online Tutoring?

2024 Wall Calendar

National Parks at Night’s sixth annual wall calendar, titled Dark Hours, will help the photographer stay inspired by and for night photography throughout 2024. The 12x12-inch calendar is printed on heavy-stock photographic paper, and is coil-bound for easy flipping from month to month.

In addition to 14 photos by the National Parks at Night instructors, the calendar includes dates for: National Park Service events and holidays, astronomy holidays (yes, they exist), equinoxes and solstices, new and full moons, meteor showers, supermoons, eclipses, and more.

Instructor Books

Looking for some national park and night photography inspiration and education that you can always have at your fingertips? Choose from one of the books written by members of the NPAN team!

National park Service

America the Beautiful Pass

America’s national parks preserve pretty much anything a night photographer needs to practice their craft: beautiful landscapes, historical structures and, of course, darkness. For only $80 you can purchase the America the Beautiful annual park pass to begin or continue an exploration of America’s greatest idea. The annual pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies, and the proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

Novoflex

Multi-Tool with 8 Functions

Get one for the camera bag. Another for the jacket pocket. And a third for home! The Novoflex Multi-Tool is a versatile, portable accessory with universal attachments for all tripods and other photography equipment. Whether the problem is a jiggly tripod leg or a loose camera screw, this handy 2.8-ounce item will keep gear stable and together in the field. Includes various sizes of hex key, flat- and Philips-head screwdrivers, and Torx T25.

Special offer: 10 percent off the Multi-Tool at B&H Photo with promo code “BHGIFT23.” Valid through December 19, 2023.

Ocoopa

Rechargeable Hand Warmer

Working with your camera’s controls in the dark can be challenging, and even more so when your fingers are chilled to the bone. Chemical hand warmers can help, but they are expensive and add to our landfills. Ocoopa has a perfect solution: a rechargeable Rechargeable Hand Warmer! Sleek, durable and well designed, Ocoopa has created hand warmers to keep our fingers warm and nimble for up to 15 hours. They have multiple temperature settings and a choice of ports to use for charging. They can also recharge your phone! 

Parks Project

National Park Welcome T-Shirts

We love National Park T-shirts. We are also huge fans of Parks Project, which not only creates cool products promoting our parks, but donates back to them as well. Our top pick from Parks Project this year is their National Park Welcome Tee that comes in a variety of colors, long- or short-sleeve, as well as an optional front pocket. For our friends in The Golden State, they also have a Welcome to California T-shirt which features all nine of its national parks.

Special offer: 25 percent off sitewide with promo code “GIVEPARKS.”

PhotoPills

LightMeter Mug

Every night photographer needs a hot beverage from time to time, and that beverage can be had in style! Sip a coffee, tea or hot cocoa in this sleek Lightmeter Mug from PhotoPills. Available in white and black, this vessel will not only keep you warm and caffeinated, it will also remind you of why you’re out late in the first place.

Special offer: 15 percent off and free shipping at PhotoPills.com. Valid through December 3, 2023.

Plum Deluxe

Night-Theme Teas

A little caffeine can help the night last longer. So indulge in one of these night-theme tea blends from Oregon-based Plum Deluxe, which sources its tea leaves and other ingredients from farms and families the owner knows personally. Before a night adventure, enjoy Full Moon Chai or Stargazer Caramel Maté Chai, or while groggy in the morning wake up with the Fog Cutter blend.

Sawyer Products

Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion

Being out at night in wild places means exposing your skin to wild critters—such as ticks and mosquitoes. To keep them off, Picaridin is the most effective and most comfortable topical solution we’ve found. Not sticky and smelly like most insect repellents, Picarardin lotion feels just like moisturizer, except that it also does an excellent job of warding off those little blood-suckers. The 4-ounce bottles are the perfect size to fit in a camera bag, for easy access on buggy nights in the field.

Shimoda

Action X30 V2 Backpack Starter Kit

If the pursuit of astro-landscape photography takes a photographer everywhere, then it’s time to stow and carry gear in a Shimoda. It’s the most versatile, rugged, accommodating and flexible bag system we have ever had the pleasure of carrying and abusing. The Action X30 V2 Backpack has three height options with approximately 2.7 inches of vertical adjustment, as well as the most comfortable swappable shoulder straps for men or women.

Special offer: 20 percent off the Action X30 V2 at B&H Photo with promo code “BHGIFT23.” Valid through December 19, 2023.

Slow Watches

24-Hour Wristwatch

As their promo video postulates, “Does it really matter if it’s 12:34 or 12:36?” Leave the minutia of a.m.’s and p.m.’s and minutes and seconds behind, and instead focus on the natural rhythm of the solar day. The stylish, Swiss-made 24-hour Slow Watch tracks only hours. Available in three style categories, each with multiple bands and face palettes.

Studiocult

Still Frame Sunglasses

To be the coolest photographer on the strip, sunglasses are a necessity. And what says “hipster photographer” better than sporting nostalgic negatives across the eyes? Studiocult is the New York City-based jewelry designer behind these Still Frame Sunglasses, created in consultation with conceptual artist Gab Bois. The lenses are made from composite nylon, framed with matte-finish stainless steel spring-hinge temples. Includes vintage film storage box and color checker cleaning cloth.

Tether Tools

StrapMoore

When on a night shoot, we all have … stuff. Things that hang around with no obvious place to put them. An external battery. An eyeglass case. A phone. To help, the Tether Tools StrapMoore provides a way to secure such items right to a tripod, where they won’t get in the way and won’t get lost. Two adjustable straps wrap around a tripod leg, making the attachment versatile and secure, and the adjustable object strap can hold anything from one-quarter inch to 3 inches in diameter.

Venus Optics

Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D Lens

When the night sky gets so big that you have to go superwide, pop on the Laowa 12mm f/2.8 lens and dream away. This sharp prime lens features a rectilinear optical design, a removable metal flower lens hood and buttery smooth manual focus. Comatic aberration is greatly reduced, making this a wonderful astro-landscape lens. Available in mounts for Canon EF and RF, Leica L, Nikon F and Z, and Sony A and FE, and Pentax K. (Fun note: Matt used this lens to shoot the cover photo of the gift guide).

Special offer: $100 off the 12mm f/2.8 at B&H Photo. Valid through December 31, 2023.

Wasoto

Heated Socks

Avoid discomfort and frostbite on freezing nights with these wonderful electronically Heated Socks. Each sock has a USB-C rechargeable battery pack secured in a small pocket. Great elastic holds the socks on the calves. And once you are bundled up, you can control the socks’ heat and settings via a smartphone app! Keep Jack Frost away from those little piggies.


Note: Remember, this gift guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF, with lots more photos and a ton of discount codes. Download yours today by clicking the image below.

Chris Nicholson is a partner and director of content with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015) and Photographing Lighthouses (Sidelight Books, 2023). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FROM NATIONAL PARKS AT NIGHT

Toys and Tinsel: Our 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

Here we are again. Another year almost over, another season of thanks and joy upon us.

Along with the season of greetings comes the season of giving, and as we have every year since 2016, we’re here to help with ideas for the night photographer in your life.

We try to mix and match—some things photography, some things national parks; some things serious, some things fun; some things lofty, some things modest. Over 35 products carefully curated for you and yours. There should be something here for every night photographer on your list.

This is our gift to you: to help you find something special for someone special. Your gift to us? You’ve already given it. Thank you for being you, and for being here.

In addition to the blog post below, we’re also providing this gift guide as a free downloadable PDF e-book, so you can read it and reference it on any device, anytime, anywhere. Inside you’ll find products from major brands such as B&H Photo, BenQ, Bay Photo and Vallerret, along with great little finds from smaller companies and startups.

In addition to the product information, the e-book version includes a lot more photos, as well as special discount codes and offers.

Download your copy today by clicking here:

Note: If you decide to purchase any of the items in this gift guide, please consider using the links included, as many generate a small commission that helps us improve the National Parks at Night workshop program.


Acratech

Panoramic Head

Love shooting Milky Way panos? Acratech is here to help! Their Panoramic Head facilitates shooting single- or multi-row panos. It has large-numbered degree scales on both the base and the tilt axis so you can make precise movements between panels. Moreover, the head weighs less than 1 pound and supports over 25 pounds of a camera-lens combo.

Special offer: 10 percent off all Acratech Panoramic Head variants at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Adonit

PD-3A2C Universal World Travel Adapter

We learned about the compact and lightweight PD-3A2C Universal World Travel Adapter from a workshop attendee, and now we always carry one. It’s an ideal all-in-one replacement for most of your individual chargers, featuring two USB-C and three USB-A ports, plus pass-through AC for your laptop. Pairs perfectly with modern multi-voltage power supplies in over 150 countries.

Apple

AirTag

Did the airlines lose your luggage on your last trip? Regrettably this became a common refrain among travelers this year. Several of us at National Parks have been using the Apple AirTags to keep track of our bags during recent flights, and we love them. Using a unique network of connected Bluetooth devices, AirTags can help you locate your luggage when the airlines can’t or won’t. Buy a four pack and use the extras for your keys, backpacks, etc.

B&H Photo

Gift Card

If you don’t know what to give the photographer in your life, then give the gift of choice from the world’s best camera store, B&H Photo. With a gift card they can pick any camera, lens, computer or whatever they desire, and will have you to hug and thank for it.

Bay Photo

Wall Display

A photograph isn’t truly complete until it’s been printed, and we love the prints from Bay Photo Lab. Get the photographer in your life their favorite image printed for their wall. Choose from a plethora of wall display print surfaces, including metal, canvas, acrylic, wood, paper and more.

Special offer: 20 percent off one order of select wall display prints from Bay Photo Lab with promo code “NPAN22.” Valid until December 13, 2022.

BenQ

SW321C

For a real Wow Factor in the home office or editing studio, not to mention a super-resolution display for viewing hard-won images, the BenQ SW321C can’t be beat. Its 32-inch size gives lots of real estate for examining and editing photos, and it comes complete with all the advantages of all BenQ photo monitors: 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color gamut, 10-bit support for 1.07 billion colors, crystal-clear rendering of image pixels and more.

Special offer: $100 off the BenQ SW321C at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Big & Little Parks

Night Stickers

Sticker culture is alive and well, as is astro-tourism, and Big & Little Parks is celebrating the junction of the two with a variety of night-sky national park stickers. Decorate your water bottle, your laptop, your whatever with a beautiful sticker of Canyonlands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree or others.

Books

NPAN bookshelf

Does the photographer in your life relish great photography books? In addition to the few specific tomes and monographs mentioned in this guide, the National Parks at Night Bookshelf catalogs over 100 of our instructors’ favorite volumes. Explore titles related to instruction, travel, photography history, photography collections and more. You’re sure to find a book for anyone who loves the art.

Bug Bite Thing

Venom Extractor

Traveling to natural spaces is an amazing experience, but has a notable downside: potential bug bites and stings. To treat them, we’re loving this new product: the Bug Bite Thing! Brought to our attention by one of our regular workshop attendees, it’s become a staple in our bags. Bit by a mosquito? Stung by a bee? This lightweight, easily stowable gadget uses suction to remove the venom from the skin, reducing itchiness and quickening the healing process.

Calibrite

ColorChecker Passport Duo

For those who shoot both video and photography, night and day, Calibrite offers the new ColorChecker Passport Duo. This awesome protective clamshell houses four panels for photographers capturing on-site camera calibration profiles, white balance, proper exposure and color for video. For landscape photographers, these tools can ensure a consistent and neutral workflow that leaves room for more creativity and less frustration.

Coast Portland

G20 Inspection Beam

Night photographers need good flashlights, and not just high-powered ones for light painting. We also need gentler tools for looking into our bag and seeing or way in the dark without ruining our night vision or washing out a neighboring photographer’s long exposure. Enter Coast Portland’s G20 flashlight, which focuses a relatively dim and cool light that’s perfectly discreet.

Duduho

Galaxy Apron

For the night photographer who’s also an artist in the kitchen, what better way to keep clothes clean than an apron donned with the Milky Way? The unisex Galaxy Apron is made of high-quality waterproof fabric with adjustable neck and waist straps. It’s a necessity for making a dinner that’s out of this world.

DxO

PureRAW

Night photography is all about pushing the limits of our cameras, and one of the side effects is high ISO noise. While some post-processing techniques can reduce the effect, none eliminate it. But PureRAW is different. This software from DxO employs what they call “pre-processing” raw files to remove noise before working on photos in Lightroom, Photoshop or other editing solutions. This technology is nothing short of disruptive—it will change how night photographers approach noise, allowing for highly improved night images.

Everglades Seasoning

Dry Rub

We found this Everglades Seasoning right outside one of our favorite national parks: aptly, Everglades, during a workshop no less. The Cactus Dust flavor has found a regular spot on our homemade chicken wings, but all of them are worth a rub onto any chicken, steak or fish. Taste the unique flavors while dreaming of long winter nights in the swamps and marshes of Florida’s famous park.

Getaway

Cabin Adventures

Getaway maintains a network of natural-space cabins around the U.S., all within 2 hours of major cities, but far out into dark-sky areas. The Cabin Adventures cabins feature all you need to get by, plus outdoor amenities such as a fire pit. But the coolest feature of all? The to-the-ceiling plate glass bedroom windows that allow you to gaze at nature and the stars as you fall asleep.

Irix

45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly

Irix keeps delivering the innovation we’ve come to expect. One of the more recent additions to their lineup of lenses is the supersharp 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly. Its near-normal focal length is perfect for filling the background with the Milky Way, and the lens is almost coma-free even when shot wide open.

Special offer: $115 off the Irix 45mm f/1.4 Dragonfly at B&H Photo through November 28, 2022.

Ken Lee

Music Album

Ken Lee is an amazing night photographer based in California, and the author of two (and counting) night photography books. He also writes and records music—“trippy otherworldly music,” in his words— under the artist name Eleven Shadows and The Mercury Seven. His music has been featured on various MTV programs, the BBC, NPR, XM Radio and more. Eleven Shadows’ most recent release is The Seahorse in the Center of Your Mind, available for purchase and download. Perfect background music for night photography and editing.

LaCie

Rugged SSD PRO

For the hardcore approach to a sturdy travel hard drive, look at the Rugged SSD Pro. Holding from .5 to 4 TB, this Thunderbolt 3 External SSD offers data transfer speeds of up to 2800 MB/s. It features a durable exterior with 2 tons of crush resistance and resistance to dust and water. Serious speed, serious capacity, for the serious road-warrior photographer.

Special offer: $30 to $350 off the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro at B&H Photo through the end of 2022.

Ledlenser

P2R Work Flashlight

Ledlenser’s Work series of flashlights are uniquely suited for night photography due to their high CRI (color rendering index) and relatively warm white balance. Several of us have made the P2R Work our go-to light both for lighting and navigation due to its versatility and compact size. It is rechargeable, has three power settings, and conveniently comes on at a 15-lumen Low setting that is perfect for astro-landscape environments.

Light Painting Brushes

Holographic Sword

At 2 feet long, the Holographic Sword enables a light-writing photographer to create unlimited effects in the background or foreground. Blacked out on the side, and capable of showing all the colors of the rainbow from the front, the sword gives complete creative control to its wielder. Paired with the Universal Connector, it can be used with hundreds of different flashlights on the market.

Luxli

Fiddle Pocket LED 2-Light Kit

Since the day they were launched in 2017, we’ve been among the biggest fans and supporters of Luxli’s unparalleled line of LED panels, and we use them even more than we preach them. So we worked with B&H Photo to create a kit of the tools that we most often use together, dubbed the Fiddle Pocket LED 2-Light Kit. It includes two each of the Luxli Fiddle, magnetic honeycomb grid, Manfrotto Carbon Fiber Nanopole Stand and Oben BD-02 Mini Ball Head, and one magnetic diffuser hood. Everything you need to begin and master Low-level Landscape Lighting.

Special offer: 10 percent off the Fiddle Pocket LED 2-Light Kit at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Manfrotto

ProCUBE Professional Twin Charger

Double-charge your batteries! Manfrotto’s ProCube will get a photographer out shooting again faster, charging two batteries simultaneously. An LCD shows how much each battery has been replenished, as well as a battery health check. The unit can also power up rechargeable AA batteries, and has a USB output for charging phones and tablets. Options available to recharge various models of Nikon, Canon and Sony batteries.

Special offer: 10 percent off the Manfrotto ProCube at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid through December 19, 2022.

Move-Shoot-Move

MAK 90 Telescope

For the photographer who wants to study or shoot celestial objects, Move-Shoot-Move’s MAK 90 telescope is a great beginner’s tool. Its 1250mm focal length with a compact body is achieved with catadioptric mirrors and allows for narrow field observation at a fraction of the cost, length and weight of refractor (glass-lens) telescopes.

National Park Service

America the Beautiful Pass

National parks are the backbone of what we do, and are among the very best places in the U.S. for night photography. For only $80 you can purchase the America the Beautiful annual park pass, which grants access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies. Moreover, the proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services at these sites all across the country.

National Parks at Night

Night Photography Adventure Tours

Send the photographer in your life on the adventure of a lifetime, crafting images under the night skies of some amazing destinations. Tickets are available for several National Parks at Night adventures:

Or if none of those sound like the perfect gift, then how about Online Tutoring?

Books by Our Instructors

Looking for some national park and night photography inspiration and education that you can always have at your fingertips? Choose from one of four books written by members of the NPAN team!

  • Photographing National Parks by Chris Nicholson is a portable and concise look at each of our national parks and how to best capture them. Includes best locations, times and great info on each park to help you plan your next adventure.

  • Have someone new to the night? Gabriel Biderman and Tim Cooper’s book Night Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots (now in its third printing) is an introduction to nocturnal photography, and it inspires you to get out there and seize the night!

  • Want an even deeper dive into the night? Lance Keimig’s book Night Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark has long been the ultimate tome for those interested in immersing themselves in the genre. The latest edition has an amazing chapter on the history of light painting and does an excellent job of balancing theory, history and enthusiasm for taking your night visions to the next level.

  • Light painting is the most creative expression in night photography, and Tim Cooper’s ebook The Magic of Light Painting is a detailed exploration of all the illuminating possibilities that can happen when we practice the craft.

Nightscaper Photo Conference

Conference Ticket

What more could a night photographer want than to spend a few days under the beautifully dark night skies of Kanab, Utah, rubbing elbows with and shooting alongside like-minded individuals? A ticket to the Nightscaper Photo Conference is a ticket to coming together with some of the most passionate minds in the niche. Four days and nights together, learning and shooting among the stars. May 18-21, 2023.

Special offer: Limited number of early-bird tickets remain.

Noso Patches

Nylon Repair Patches

We love our national parks! And getting out and playing in them sometimes takes a toll on our nylon clothing. The folks over at Noso have created a solution: a line of waterproof, durable, lightweight and flexible no-sew Nylon Repair Patches. Simply peel off the backing, cover the damaged area and hit the patch with a blast from a hair dryer. Voila, the repair is done! Best of all they have a whole line of national park patches in addition to their standard and artist series versions.

Novoflex

TrioBalance 4-Section Carbon Fiber Compact Tripod

Nice and tall at 50.2 inches, the TrioBalance is an ideal travel tripod. The built-in leveling ball makes setup a breeze for panorama and tracking, and can even be used in place of a ball head. The kit includes mini legs, which can be used for tabletop photography, for macro or even for setting up against a wall when space is tight. Holding up to 22 pounds, it’s ready for nearly anything you carry.

Special offer: 5 percent off the Novoflex Triobalance at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid November 28 to December 19, 2022.

Outdoor Exposure

TK8 Photoshop Plugin

Most photographers have heard of a luminosity mask, and many know the power of it. But few wield that power because … well, it’s just a tad tedious. Until you start using the TK8 Photoshop Plugin, which automates much of the process. Instead of spending a lot of time isolating channels to make selections, just click a button, refine a little, and you’re on your way to those powerful edits.

Special offer: 25 percent off the TK8 Photoshop Plugin at Outdoor Exposure through November 28, 2022.

Paka

The Hoodie

Yep, those long nights can sometimes get cold, but we have so many options to keep us warm. Near the top of that pile is The Hoodie from Paka. Sourced from women artisans in Peru, this comfortable sweater is as warm as it is stylish. Soft, durable and flexible, it’s made from a weave of alpaca fibers, organic cotton and recycled nylon. Available in seven sizes and three colors.

Parks Project

Insulated Water Bottle

Parks Project has all sorts of cool stuff, but one thing we love is their All Our National Parks insulated water bottle. It has a slick, eye-catching design indicative of the company’s free-spirit sentimentality. Made of professional grade stainless steel, the bottle’s double-wall vacuum insulation keeps 32 ounces of liquid either hot or cold for up to 24 hours. The company donates a portion of their profit to projects in the parks—to date, over $2.5 million—so your gift purchase gives in more ways than one.

PhotoPills

Scouting App

Give your photographer loved one the sun and the moon and the stars—all exactly where they want them. PhotoPills enables locating any visible objects in the heavens and determining exactly where and when they’ll be in the sky in any location on the globe. It does more too, from helping determine star-point exposures to calculating hyperfocal distance to figuring overlap angles for panos and more.

Pure Zen Tea

Travel Tumbler

Tea is a refined, millennia-old beverage that will keep a photographer both warm and awake under the stars. But if one is the type who prefers loose leaf to bags, making a good cup on the road can be a challenge. The Pure Zen Tea Tumbler overcomes that challenge brilliantly. The screw-on steel infuser allows ample room for quality brewing, and the BPA-free double-wall glass combined with the neoprene sleeve will keep that tea hot for an hour.

Shimoda

Explore v2 35 Backpack Photo Starter Kit

The super-rugged Explore v2 35 backpack is laid out smartly for the traveling photographer and it boasts the most comfortable harness system we’ve encountered for heavy loads and long hikes. Its adjustable shoulder harness straps make it fit perfectly for folks of different heights, and the accessory straps do the same for different body types. This kit includes a Medium DSLR Core Unit Version 2 insert, but you can also choose among the many accessory options to match load-outs. Carry-on compatible for both U.S. and international flights.

Special offer: 5 percent off all Shimoda Explore V2 variants at B&H Photo with promo code “NPANGIFT22.” Valid November 28 to December 19, 2022.

Space Art Travel Bureau

Half the Park is After Dark Posters

Tyler Nordgren is an astronomer, night photographer and astronomy artist based in upstate New York. One of his claims to fame is the famous “Half the Park is After Dark” series of promotions for the National Park Service. The fantastical posters from that series are available on Nordgren’s website. Options range far and wide, from posters for Acadia, Badlands, Carlsbad Caverns, Everglades and much, much more.

Syrp

Magic Carpet Carbon Slider

For those who want to level up their time-lapses of the night sky, a slider is one of the first items to add to the kit. Syrp weighs in with the Magic Carpet Carbon Slider. Its lightweight construction and design make it a pro-level option that’s easy to travel with, and its seamless joints allow for silky-smooth and stable movements.

Special offer: $170 off the Syrp Magic Carpet Carbon Slider at B&H Photo for a limited time.

Tether Tools

ONsite USB-C 30W Battery Pack

Stay powered up while traveling! Weighing in at 4.2 ounces and boasting full TSA compliance, the ONsite USB-C 30W Battery Pack is the perfect companion for the globetrotting photographer who needs to recharge phones, tablets, flashlights, etc., on long wanders.

Special offer: 20 percent off the ONsite USB-C 30w Battery Pack at B&H Photo through November 28, 2022.

Unemployed Philosophers Guild

Constellation Mug

This fun and nifty 10-ounce mug features a bunch of stars when cold, then reveals constellations when filled with a hot beverage. See Cassiopeia, Perseus, Sagittarius and more appear before your eyes while you drink a morning (or overnight?) coffee.

Vallerret

Merino Wool Zip Jersey

We’ve long loved Vallerret for keeping our hands warm on cold nights with their photography gloves. Now they’re keeping our cores warm too, in the form of their Merino Wool Zip Jersey. Warm, soft, flexible, odor-resistant and durable, it will keep a photographer out longer, making more art well into the night. Comes in one color: the perfect Midnight Black.

Wotobeus

Car Charger Adapter

If you travel with a hefty-battery laptop like the MacBook Pro, you sometimes need to charge on the go—and that sometimes means in the car. Not all adapters can handle the high wattage needed, so we found one that can, via USB-C: the Wotobeus Car Charger Adapter. Works with other devices too, including many PC laptops, tablets and more.

YES Watch

WorldWatch V7

An elegant timepiece with a photographer’s needs at heart. The WorldWatch V7 keeps its wearer in sync with the daily, monthly and seasonal cycles of the sun and the moon, including solstices and equinoxes, sunsets and sunrises, moonrises and moonsets, moon phases and illumination percentages, and more. The case and bracelet are made from titanium and fitted with a sapphire crystal, and the watch is water resistant to a depth of 100 meters.

Special offer: 20 percent off the WorldWatch V7 at YES Watch with promo code “NOW.” Valid through the 2022 holiday season.


Note: Remember, this gift guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF, with lots more photos and a ton of discount codes. Download yours today by clicking the image above.

Chris Nicholson is a partner and workshop leader with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FROM NATIONAL PARKS AT NIGHT

Diggin' Gear: Announcing a Brand New Blog to Help Solve Your Night Photography Problems

Photographers love gear, and many photographers love talking gear. The reason isn’t a mystery. What’s in our bag are the tools we use to pursue our passion, and they are an integral component of our ability to create the work we envision.

Of course, not all gear is “necessary.” If you have a camera, a lens and a medium, then you can make photographs. And if you can make photographs, then creativity is really the only additional speed bump on the road to photographs that are fulfilling to craft.

Still, many other pieces of gear ease the process in different ways, and that’s advantageous. It’s not because we’re lazy and need the process to be faster—it’s because easing some of the challenging aspects of photography frees up time and energy that can be better used on expanding that creativity.

In short, good gear solves problems.

Between the five of us here at National Parks at Night, we’ve found a lot of gear to solve a lot of night photography problems. Every now and then we write a blog post when something disruptive comes along, such as the Nikon Z 6, or the Luxli Viola, or the Phottix Aion. But we haven’t had a space for sharing the nearly endless stream of other products we experience and adopt into our kits and workflows.

Until now!

Today we are announcing the National Parks at Night Gear Blog.

This blog will feature short posts about tools that solve night photography problems. We’ll post not on a predetermined schedule as we do with our main blog (where you are reading this), but rather whenever some cool product piques our interest. That might be once per month, or could be several times in a week.

We’re starting today, with reviews on five pieces of gear, a few of which we’ve loved for a while and a few of which we’ve discovered recently:

  1. the Coast HP7R flashlight

  2. the Focus on Stars focusing tool

  3. the Gitzo GIGT2545T Traveler Series 2 tripod

  4. the Ledlenser P6R Work flashlight

  5. the PhotoPills app

You can find them all on our:

Over the next few months we’ll give you tastes of other equipment we believe in: bags, lights, software, lenses and whatever. We’ll let you know on our social media channels every time we post something new. Then once we’ve shown you enough of what this will all be about, we’ll give you a way to opt in to subscribe to these posts too.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the beginning of this practically endless exploration of the gear we love to work with.

Chris Nicholson is a partner and workshop leader with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FROM NATIONAL PARKS AT NIGHT

A Few Favorite Things: Our 2021 Night Photography Holiday Gift Guide

Yes, it’s that time of year. Time for early nightfalls, time for northern lights, and time for thinking of the photographer in your life who’s looking for a little new cheer from a little new gear.

To help, for the sixth year in a row we bring you our National Parks at Night Holiday Gift Guide. It’s full of products that may or may not fit in stockings—or even, for that matter, might not even fit nicely in boxes and bows—but that are, regardless, sure to put a smile on any night photographer’s face.

The products we selected might help make that someone special’s photography better, or perhaps improve the experience of being outdoors at night. Or maybe one of these gifts will remind them of the amazing places they go, or help them showcase the images they made while there.

In addition to the blog post below, we’re also providing this gift guide as a free downloadable PDF e-book, so you can read it and reference it on any device, anytime, anywhere. Inside you’ll find products from major brands such as B&H Photo, BenQ, Bay Photo and Luxli, along with great little finds from smaller companies and even non-profits.

In addition to the product information, the e-book version includes a lot more photos, as well as special discount codes and offers.

Download your copy today by clicking here:

Note: If you decide to purchase any of the items in this gift guide, please consider using the links included, as many generate a small commission that helps us improve the National Parks at Night workshop program.


1Zpresso

Q2 Travel Coffee Grinder

We are big fans of traveling with our portable Aeropress espresso maker. For the ultimate in freshness, it’s best to get those beans whole and grind them when you are ready. It might seem like a lot of work but the 1Zpresso Q2 makes it easy and fun! This incredibly compact burr grinder fits inside your Aeropress and is solidly built. The wooden handle makes for quick and comfortable grinding—typically in 20 to 30 seconds. So step up your coffee game and impress your local barista with your grinding skills!

Acratech

GPSS Ball Head

Tripod heads are one of the most important pieces of equipment a photographer can buy. The best of the best operate smoothly and with precision, as well as being comfortable to use and strong enough to withstand repeated use with quality cameras on top. The Acratech GPSS is certainly one that stands heads and shoulders above the crowd. Made in the USA, by photographers, its travel-tripod-friendly minimalist design weighs less than 1 pound but is rated to support up to 25 pounds! The GPSS also has gimbal and pano-base capability, as well as an Arca-Swiss quick-release clamp.

Adventure Responsibly

National Park Stickers

We love our national parks and public lands. So do the folks at Adventure Responsibly. They love them so much that they donate 5 percent of their proceeds to the National Park Foundation, and they also donate to, organize and assist in local and national litter cleanup efforts. Among lots of cool stuff, check out their line of retro-design National Park Stickers for awesome places such as Acadia, Arches, Grand Teton and more. You’ll be helping support a company whose mission it is to promote outdoor awareness and stewardship. Plus you get to sport the cool merch. It’s a win-win.

B&H Photo

Gift Card

Struggling with what to get the photographer friend in your life? There’s one thing that’s guaranteed to make them smile: anything at B&H! As in, the gift that gives more, a B&H gift card. The gift card comes in both electronic and physical formats, and is available in denominations ranging from $20 to $1,000. They never expire, so if the recipient also can’t decide what to get, there’s no pressure to use it in a hurry.

Bay Photo Lab

Face Mounted Acrylic Prints

We recently received some acrylic test prints from Bay Photo and were very impressed! Acrylic images are printed on metal or LexJet FineArt metallic (our favorite) or Lustre surfaces. Better resolution is achieved with LexJet’s FineArt Paper versus printing on metal. You can choose the thickness of the acrylic, and you’ll be amazed at the extra depth and clarity it gives an image. Acrylic blocks are a fun way to make a family tabletop display of loved ones, but the Face Mounted Acrylic prints are a great way to celebrate night images. Choose from sizes 4x4 inches to 43x96, and opt for the sturdier Dibond backing.

Special offer: 20 percent off one order of select wall display prints from Bay Photo Lab with promo code “NPAN21.” Valid until December 13, 2021.

BenQ

SW270c Monitor

What you see is what you get. Or at least it should be. The computer monitor is that all-important interface between what we see in the field and our final images. And with so many options out there, deciding on the right monitor can be a frustrating experience—until you see a BenQ. With 99 percent of the Adobe RGB color space covered and ample controls for calibrating the screen, their SW monitors are perfectly engineered for the discerning photographer. For a perfect balance between price and quality, we love the SW270C.

Special offer: $80 off the SW270C, $160 off the SW271C and $200 off the SW321C at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid until December 3, 2021.

Benro

Arcasmart Sidearm

Let’s agree that smartphones are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Given that, why not make it easier during a night photo shoot to use app-based software and mount it right alongside your camera? The Benro Arcasmart Sidearm has a fold-out, adjustable phone holder so you can operate PhotoPills, Stellarium or your camera’s control app right next to your camera.

Black Friday deal: 25 percent off at B&H Photo through November 29, 2021.

Bookshelf

Photography & Night Books

If there’s one thing we can never get enough of, it’s books. There have been some great releases this year for lovers of night photography and our national parks and monuments. From the legendary Art Wolfe to National Parks at Night’s good friend Ken Lee to renowned parks photographer QT Luong, here’s a sampling with a little something for all tastes.

Coast Portland

XP6R Flashlight

The Coast XP6R is a beast in miniature. At less than 4 inches long and only 2.6 ounces, the XP6R flashlight delivers brightest-in-class light and travels anywhere. With three output modes and Coast’s patented slide focus, this tiny giant is powered by a Zithion-X rechargeable battery (charging cable included) but can also run on a CR123 lithium battery. Big things do come in small packages!

Special offer: 35 percent off at Coast Portland with promo code “PARKSATNIGHT.”

Coffeify

Starry Night Coffee & Tea Cup

A beautiful, elegant, handmade mug ready for sipping a hot coffee or tea before a night out photographing the sky, or perhaps as a wake-up on the morning after. Made of fine ceramic, the Starry Night Coffee & Tea Cup is delicate but strong, gilded with vibrant gold details, and sits on a carved wooden saucer.

Cognitive Surplus

Night Sky Wine Glasses

For wine as dark as a night sky, what better way to indulge than with a glass full of stars? Night Sky Wine Glasses are designed with stars and constellations, and even the Milky Way stretching across the heavens, all above a landscape of shoreline and hills and trees. Available with or without stems, depicting either Northern or Southern Hemisphere.

Field Made Co

Lens & Camera Indicators

One of the problems with working in the dark is that it’s … well, dark. So when you’re poking around your bag to find a piece of gear, any assistance is welcome. Enter Lens & Camera Indicators—labels for body caps and lens caps that sleekly identify what’s what in a camera bag. Available individually for a wide range of gear, or in cost-saving combination packs of common, brand-specific lenses.

Firefly Books

Astronomy References

Most night photographers aren’t astronomers, but they sure rely a lot on astronomy. So a little astronomical knowledge can go a long way toward helping to make better images, or to at least know a little more about what we’re shooting. Firefly Books has two references to help: the Backyard Astronomer’s Guide, a 400-plus-page hardcover that details all the things we can see at night and how to see them best, and the 2022 Night Sky Almanac, a guide to what we can expect all year from the moon, the stars, auroras and more.

Focus on Stars

Focusing Filter

Achieving critical focus is the most persistent problem for many night photographers, and for those who are still struggling with it, the Focus on Stars filter is the best aid we’ve found for doing just what the name says: focusing on stars. It’s a specialized version of a Bahtinov mask, which was originally developed as a focusing aid for telescopes, but has been modified and enhanced for use with wide-angle lenses. Designed by Hungarian photographer Gábor Tákacs, Focus on Stars makes it easy to nail your focus—on stars or on any point light source—every time.

Special offer: 15 percent off at Focus on Stars with promo code “FOS_NPAN.” Valid until December 15, 2021.

Good & Well Supply Co

National Park Candles

We love taking pictures of all the national parks, but one thing we could never bring back was the scent of the park. Until now! Good & Well Supply Co’s National Park Candles collection features over 40 parks. Their well-crafted scents will take you from Acadia to Zion and all the wonderful places in between. Candles are available in pint or half-pint sizes, and will easily transport you back to those wild and pristine lands!

Hog Island Press

Adventure Map

This land is our land, and what better way to seek out your next trip than with the Hog Island Press Adventure Map? It features not only the major national parks but also Great Trails and State Peaks. Use pins to mark off the ones you’ve been to and keep track of the wonderful places to go!

ID My Stuff

Identification Labels

Camera gear is precious. Not to mention expensive. We never want to lose a piece, but things happen. Increase the chances of seeing a lost piece again by providing the finder with your contact info! ID My Stuff makes the perfect custom Identification Labels for camera equipment. They’re durable and weather-resistant, come in various sizes for discreet or in-your-face exposure, and are available in seven colors so you can color-code gear.

Image3D

RetroViewer

If you want to celebrate a trip or an anniversary—or just enjoy your photos in a crazy-unique format—then the RetroViewer could be the funnest way! Who among us older folks didn’t have a View-Master in the 1970s? Everyone had the “Seven Wonders of the World” reel, right? Now you can make your own wonders and nostalgically wow your family and friends. Easy to upload your photos and edit the result.

International Dark-Sky Association

Membership

Chances are that light pollution has some sort of impact on your life. As the world’s population grows, our access to dark, star-filled night skies shrinks. The International Dark-Sky Association is dedicated to increasing awareness and providing information, education and resources to combat this global creep of illumination. You can help the IDA and your favorite night photographer by giving the gift of membership. Includes standing in the giftee’s local chapter; timely, relevant news and updates about nighttime protection efforts nearby and around the world; and access to special member resources.

Irix

30mm f/1.4 Dragonfly

For anyone looking for a new point of view, Irix’s fast 30mm f/1.4 Dragonfly lens could be the ticket to monster photos of the galactic core, not to mention sweet, sweet pano stitches. Featuring ultralow distortion, electronic diaphragm control and the hallmark Irix focus locking mechanism. Available for full-frame cameras in Canon EF, Nikon F and Pentax K mounts.

Joshua Tree Coffee

Bali Kintamani

This limited-edition single-origin roast was carefully crafted to be enjoyed by a wide range of coffee drinkers. Grown in the Kintamani region of Bali at around 5,000 feet above sea level in volcanic loam soil, these beans have been naturally dry processed, lending to distinct earthy and fruity notes. Bali Kintamani is perfect for your Aeropress while on the road, or at home!

LaCie

D2 External Hard Drive

How many photos did we shoot this year? Do we all still have enough storage space to safely hold all those files? LaCie is one of the best hard drive companies out there and we feel confident storing our  hard-won images on their hard drives. Anyone looking to upgrade or add a backup external hard drive needs to look no further than the D2 Professional USB 3.2 Gen 2 Hard Drive that stores up to 18 TB.

Special offer: 10 percent off select LaCie Portable, Rugged and D2 external hard drives from B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid until December 3, 2021.

Ledlenser

P6R Work

Earlier this year we were introduced to Ledlenser’s impressive line of flashlights. We especially like the P6R Work, which features a rechargeable battery, a color temperature of 4000 K and a CRI of 90, and four brightness settings ranging from 15 to 850 lumens. Especially useful is the “last used setting” memory: If you turn the light off from the low setting, it will come back on at low power. It’s one-stop shopping for all of your light painting needs!

Light Painting Brushes

Color Fiber Optics, Set of 4 Colors

This set of four Color Fiber Optics brushes (in pink, purple, blue and green) will delight the light writer seeking soft, electric lines in their creations. A unique effect is that you can artfully combine fiber optic colors with different flashlight colors to create nifty color mixing options. Comes with a plastic carrying case. Universal Connector required for use.

Luxli

Red Fiddle

Last year Luxli came out with our favorite low-level LED light, the Fiddle. It’s super compact, has a built-in and long-lasting internal battery and quickly charges with USB-C. Its capability to power down to .1 percent helps bring realistic lighting to night images. Originally released in black, a sharp-looking red Fiddle is now available. Use it in combination with a black Fiddle to quickly identify which is a main light and which is fill, or just use the red to be more festive!

Special offer: Special price of $199 at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid through December 3, 2021.

Manfrotto

Befree GT XPRO

For anyone in need of an entry-level or second tripod that is super stable and won’t break the bank, the Manfrotto Befree GT XPRO is a perfect answer. Available in aluminum and the half-pound-lighter carbon fiber versions. Both feature a maximum load capacity of 26.5 pounds with a maximum height of 64.6 inches and folded length of 16.9 inches, as well as a built-in 90-degree column mechanism that’s great for tabletop or macro photography.

Special offer: 10 percent off at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid through December 3, 2021.

Merrell

Night Sky Trail Shoes

A stellar shoe for the trailblazing stargazer—which is pretty much every night photographer. These trekkers are designed with us in mind. Night-sky pattern on the uppers, glow-in-the-dark outsole, and all the features you’d expect out of a quality trail shoe from a stand-up brand like Merrell. Night Sky Trail Shoes are available for only a limited time.

Midnight Society

Fake Park Patches

When we next ask you what your dream destination is, imagine … anyplace. And get an iron-on patch, sticker or pin to prove you’ve been there (even if it’s only in your imagination). Introducing Fake Park Patches! Tongue-in-cheek designs available for Tatooine National Park, Arrakis National Park, Fire Swamp National Park. Anyone presenting a Mordor National Park patch gets a free coffee from Matt on their next workshop with him.

My Bucket Journals

National Park Bucket Journal

Your friends love the national parks. You probably do too. To record adventures to the parks, or to make shooting notes about the photos being made or scouting notes for photos to be made in the future, the perfect travel companion is the National Park Bucket Journal. Each of the 63 U.S. national parks has its own two-page spread with info about the park, including geographical data, statistics and highlights to check out. Available in digital and 8.5x11-inch paper versions.

National Park Service

America the Beautiful Pass

In 1983 Wallace Stegner said, “National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst.” The establishment of the national parks and the recognition of their importance are as meaningful today as the day they occurred. For only $80 you can purchase the America the Beautiful annual park pass to begin or continue an exploration of America’s greatest idea. The annual pass provides access to more than 2,000 recreation areas managed by five federal agencies, and the proceeds are used to improve and enhance visitor recreation services.

National Parks at Night

Instructor Books & e-Books

Looking for some national park and night photography inspiration and education that you can always have at your fingertips? Choose from one of the several written by members of the National Parks at Night team, available in both paperback and electronic formats.

2022 Wall Calendar

National Parks at Night’s sixth annual wall calendar, titled Night Light, will help the photographer stay inspired by and for night photography throughout 2022. The

12x12-inch calendar is printed on heavy-stock photographic paper, and is coil-bound for easy flipping from month to month.

In addition to 14 photos by the National Parks at Night instructors, the calendar includes dates for:

  • National Park Service events and holidays

  • astronomy holidays (yes, they exist)

  • equinoxes and solstices

  • new and full moons

  • meteor showers

  • supermoons

  • eclipses

Night Photography and Post-Processing Workshops

Send the photographer in your life on the adventure of a lifetime, crafting images under the night skies of some amazing destinations. Or get them online to learn how to better process their images. Tickets are available for several National Parks at Night courses and adventures:

Or if none of those sound like the perfect gift, then how about Online Tutoring?

Nisi

Soft Star Filter

Most night photographers have probably at least seen a “soft star” filter—one that makes bright stars and constellations more apparent in a night scene. We’ve always felt a little meh about them, but the new graduated Soft Star Filter by Nisi piqued our interest! Because it’s graduated, the effect can be kept away from the landscape and applied only to the stars. Definitely something a night photographer can have fun experimenting and getting creative with!

Special offer: 15 percent off select Nisi filters at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid through December 3, 2021.

Nomadix

National Parks Night Towels

“A towel … is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have.” — Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

These multipurpose towels pack small and light and make you wonder why you ever used any other towel. Seriously, it’s hard to go back to “normal towels,” so best to buy two. Micro terry cloth made from recycled materials. Soft, durable and sand-resistant. Comes in a wide range of national park designs, including four National Parks Night Towels: Sequoia, Rocky Mountain, Olympic, Yosemite.

Novoflex

VR-System Slim Panorama System

German-engineered and manufactured, precision VR-System Slim Panorama System rig will support any mirrorless system and smaller DSLRs. Create repeatable dusk blends with star fields by using the adjustable detents. Expand the field of view by making multirow or 360-degree spherical panos. Even better, it disassembles for easy travel.

Special offer: $50 off at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid until December 3, 2021.

Parks Project

Campfire Stories

We all love a great campfire story, and we all love a great national park. Parks Project brings those together in Campfire Stories: Tales from America's National Parks. Get immersed in tales from legendary voices such as John Muir, Bill Bryson and Terry Tempest Williams, as well as from pioneer and indigenous writers. Stories in this 224-page hardcover focus on Acadia, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Zion. And if you need something to wrap any of this guide’s gifts, pick up a few rolls of Iconic Parks Wrapping Paper!

PhotoPills

Lighthouse Shirt

Show your love for both lighthouses and the best scouting app in the photo world with a PhotoPills Lighthouse Shirt. It’s a classic-cut premium T-shirt available in eight sizes and four colors, cut separately for men and women. Double-stitched with reinforced seams at the shoulders, sleeves, collar and waist.

Rocky Talkie

Two-Way Radios

These are the radios we use on NPAN workshops to keep instructors and attendees all safe and in touch at night in vast natural spaces. Rocky Talkie radios were designed for skiers and climbers and anyone spending time in teams in the wilderness or in rugged environments. The specially designed lithium-ion battery lasts for 3 days, the LED display is shatterproof, the casing is weather-sealed, and despite being license-free, the radios have an effective range of 1 to 5 miles in rocky terrain.

Ruggard

EDC-80L Electronic Dry Cabinet

How do you care for your camera gear if your home is damp or humid? You could save all those desiccant packs from sneaker boxes, or you could get an EDC-80L Electronic Dry Cabinet. Avoid the awful consequences of mold growing in between lens elements, or even inside the camera. Store gear in a dry cabinet for both longevity and peace of mind.

She’s Birdie

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

It’s designed by women, for women—but for anyone concerned about being out at night alone, a personal alarm can provide a touch of safety and security. Enter the Birdie, featuring a 130-decibel alarm and a flashing strobe light. The device doubles as a call for help and a deterrent from harm. Comes with a solid brass key chain and is available in 11 colors.

Shimoda 

Explore V2 Backpack 

Shimoda has revamped their popular compact backpack series with the Explore V2. Choose between a 25L, 30L or 35L version, as well as between a very nice army green or black. Shimoda is all about custom comfort, allowing the wearer to adjust their straps according to size, or even with a specialized women’s harness. Hike in comfort and still bring the core essentials!

Special offer: 10 percent off the full line of Shimoda Explore V2 bags at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid through December 3, 2021.

Starry Landscape Stacker

Stacking Software

While digital cameras have come a long way in reducing high ISO noise, we as night photographers still want to push that envelope. But high ISOs come at a cost: noisier images. Enter Starry Landscape Stacker. This piece of software allows you to shoot starry night sky images at higher ISO’s and then, through the software’s powerful magic, produce an image that exhibits substantially less noise. For those wanting the cleanest Milky Way images, this is must-have software. For Mac only.

Tether Tools

ONsite Relay C

Tether Tools has revamped the power game with the brand new ONsite Relay C. Now with a USB-C connection and a slimmer profile, a photographer can connect directly into USB-C-powered cameras such as the Z 6II (not the Z 6) or use a corresponding coupler to get enough power to keep clicking well into the night. Great way to avoid changing batteries for multihour time-lapses and long exposures.

Tiffen

Star Effect Filter

Like many of the things from the 1980s, Tiffen’s star effects are making a comeback! Available in sizes from 32mm to 105mm, a Star Effect Filter turns any direct and bright light source (such as streetlamps and planets) into dramatic stars. Choose a normal four-point star or get up to 14 spikes with the Hyper Star Filter, or get the North Star Effect, which creates the classic four large points in between eight smaller points.

Special offer: 10 percent off select Tiffen Star Filters at B&H Photo with promo code “BHNIGHT21.” Valid until December 3, 2021.

Vallerret

Markhof Pro V3

The Markhof Pro V3 is the next generation of Vallerret’s “take everywhere” photographer’s glove. The glove has some major improvements in its third iteration, with the most important being more insulation without compromising dexterity. The flip fingers have an improved design to keep the cold out, with better finishing at the openings and stronger magnets to hold them open. Two new sizes have been added for those with slim hands, while the original sizes have been updated to better align with other Vallerret gloves. And 1 percent of Vallerret’s global sales go directly to environmental nonprofits.

Special offer: 10 percent off at Vallerret with code “PARKSATNIGHT10.” Valid until December 31, 2021.

Wildcoat

Bear Coat

Why be afraid of bears when you can become one? These hip winter Bear Coat jackets repel water, and perhaps humans. They also have fun bear-faced hoods, soft claw mitts built in and tons of pockets. When you’re ready to shred a long exposure, don one of these fun jackets and do it in style. 


Note: Remember, this gift guide is also available as a free downloadable PDF, with lots more photos and a ton of discount codes. Download yours today by clicking the image above.

Chris Nicholson is a partner and workshop leader with National Parks at Night, and author of Photographing National Parks (Sidelight Books, 2015). Learn more about national parks as photography destinations, subscribe to Chris' free e-newsletter, and more at www.PhotographingNationalParks.com.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FROM NATIONAL PARKS AT NIGHT

In the Bag: Packing for a 3-Week Night Photography Trip

Note: As mentioned in the post below, Matt is about to embark on a 3-week night photography trip with Gabe. Follow their adventures via our next three installments of “NPAN Conversations” on the National Parks at Night Instagram account.


This is gonna be some trip! I’m about to leave for 3 weeks in the American southwest, where I’m co-leading a night photography workshop, attending a night photography conference, scouting some new locations, and creating some photo and video content in the field. And I need to pack for all of that in one bag.

What goes into one bag to cover all of that for one trip? Today I’m going to share that with you!

With all the uncertainties of the past year and of the next few weeks, it’s still exciting to curate and cull my gear for a trip. To be more specific about my needs, the following are my goals for the trip and the events I’m packing out for:

With all that on the plate, how do I pack smart, and how do I pack so that my bag is light enough to walk with for a few miles?

The first step: the bag. Introducing my new backpack, the Shimoda Action X50—aka “the Kitchen Sink 2.0.”

There’s a ton of surprises inside. So I made a video walk-through/breakdown of my gear and why it made the cut:

(a few hours later…)

Whew! Thanks for watching. On YouTube, there is a complete gear list with links, or you can download it here:

How are you gearing up for your next trip? What is essential? What did you leave by the wayside and why didn’t it make the cut? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Matt Hill is a partner and workshop leader with National Parks at Night. See more about his photography, art, workshops and writing at MattHillArt.com. Follow Matt on Twitter Instagram Facebook.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS FROM NATIONAL PARKS AT NIGHT