Master the Cosmos with Astrophotography Workshops
From the Milky Way above coastal Karnataka to the high-altitude deserts of Ladakh, I help you capture the universe. Explore my cosmic portfolio or join me for an overnight field workshop.
This is what my astrophotography workshops are all about: finding yourself in a stunning, dark location under a sky full of stars. Here I am at a secluded beach near Bhatkal, ready to capture the Milky Way. Join me on the next adventure to learn how to create images like this.
Combining two of my passions: motorcycling and astrophotography. Here's my adventure bike under the pre-dawn Milky Way, a shot from my recent Coastal Milky Way workshop. These workshops are designed to get you to incredible locations and teach you the skills to capture them.
The 'Moonscape' of Lamayuru in Ladakh offers an otherworldly foreground for the Milky Way. The unique geological formations, combined with the clear, high-altitude skies, make it one of the best places in India for night sky photography.
A close-up of the Milky Way's galactic core, captured in the pristine skies of Suru Valley, Ladakh. Using a 50mm lens allows for a more detailed and intimate view of the cosmic dust clouds and star clusters that make our galaxy so spectacular.
A single, powerful exposure of the Milky Way as seen from the coast of Karnataka. This video shows the raw, unedited potential of our local night skies when you know the right time and place to look.
This is a star trail photograph taken over the abandoned Shettihalli Rosary Church. By taking hundreds of photos over several hours and stacking them, I can show the Earth's rotation against the backdrop of the stars, creating these beautiful celestial arcs.
Star trails over a hanging bridge in the Western Ghats. This image shows the apparent movement of the stars as the Earth rotates. The location was surprisingly busy, but the dark sky made the long exposure worthwhile.
A glimpse into deep space, captured from my own terrace. This video showcases nebulae like the Orion and Running Man, which are thousands of light-years away. It demonstrates that with the right equipment and technique, you can explore the universe from your backyard.
The night sky is a heritage we must preserve. Here, I'm standing on a dark beach, pointing towards the heavens to highlight the importance of minimizing light pollution. Our ability to see the stars connects us to our past and the universe itself.
A lucky moment when I stumbled upon this lake near Bangalore just before dawn. The water lilies provided a perfect foreground for the Milky Way, which was unexpectedly visible. It’s a reminder that incredible shots can be found when you least expect them.
About The Night Sky: Astrophotography & Workshops
Capturing the Milky Way is not just about having the most expensive camera, it is about knowing how to manage long exposures and navigate light pollution. I help you master the technical side of astrophotography, whether that means stacking frames for star trails on your own terrace or setting up an intervalometer for an overnight shoot in the Western Ghats.
Photography is a mix of patience and precise technique, especially when the subject is thousands of light-years away. In my astrophotography workshops, we go beyond the basics. We look at your gear, assess the local light pollution, and learn how to use tools like the PhotoPills app to plan the perfect shot of the galactic core.
What we cover in the field
When we head out for a session, we focus on the realities of the night. You will learn the importance of using a fast lens (f/1.8 or f/2.8) and how to handle focus stacking in the dark to get pin-sharp foregrounds and star fields. We also dive into the post-processing workflow using Lightroom and software like Sequator, ensuring that the raw data we capture actually turns into a portfolio-worthy image.
Why the location matters
While I capture nebulae from my terrace in Bangalore, the best images come from truly dark zones. My workshops take us to remote locations, from the high deserts of Ladakh to the quieter beaches of our very own Karavali. These trips are about more than just settings and tripods. They are about experiencing the awe of the night sky, understanding why we need to preserve darkness, and coming back with images that tell a story. Whether you are a beginner struggling with your first long exposure or an enthusiast looking to master deep space photography, I am here to help you get the shot.
Pratap J
I am Pratap. I grew up in Bangalore, but these days I am usually found chasing clear skies with my camera and a thermos of coffee. I believe everyone should experience the quiet awe of a star-filled night, so I teach the technical skills you need to capture it yourself.
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