Cascade Center of Photography

Center for Photography Tours and Workshops locally, national and international.

Cascade Center of Photography

Private Tutoring, Photo Workshops & Tours

Night Sky Photography

Badlands of South Dakota Photo Workshop

Badlands with Black Hills

October 2-7, 2025

with Zack Schnepf

Autumn is a wonderful time on the American prairie. You are bound to see herds of grazing Bison, Pronghorn Antelope and Bighorn sheep while photographing the stunning landscapes of South Dakota Badlands and the adjacent Black Hills, which lay like an island in the rolling sea of grass. The leaves of Box Elder, Cottonwoods and Aspen trees have changed their color to yellow and orange and the days are mild with cool nights.

Capturing the stunning landscapes and some opportunistic wild life photography are our objective and since we scheduled this tour during full moon there will be a chance of photographing the moonlit mystical scenery of the Badlands.

Professional Photographer Zack Schnepf will lead as mall group of inspired photographers on this photo tour.

October 2-7, 2025 6 days, 5 nights

US$ 3,195 / per person / shared room / self drive

US$ 650 / additional cost for single room

US$ 270 / transportation from Rapid City, SD with Zack, limited space

US$ 75 / per person / online post-processing

  • If we can’t find you a room partner, the cost of a single room applies.

4 – 6 persons

Beginner – Advanced

Self drive

Included

  • Workshop fee
  • 5 nights accommodation in Motels
  • Guided by Zack Schnepf

Not included

  • Meals
  • Entry fees, because of self drive
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Transportation

What to bring:

  • nights are cold in the Badlands and Black Hills. Bring warm clothing
  • sturdy tripod
  • camera with 24-70mm, 16-24mm and a long lens for wildlife
  • polarizer filter
  • fully charged extra batteries, or charger
  • flashlight/headlamp with red light
inquire
make deposit

Day 1 Thur, Oct 2

Individual arrival. Overnight in Rapid City, SD

Arrive and overnight in Rapid City, South Dakota near the Airport (RAP). Hotel has Airport Shuttle.

If an early arrival allows,
Evening photo session in the charming small downtown of the city.

Day 2 Fri, Oct 3

Overnight in Custer, SD

Drive by Mount Rushmore with a quick photo stop if desired to the small town of Custer.

Afternoon and evening photo session in Custer State Park.

Day 3 Sat, Oct 4

Overnight Custer, SD

Sunrise at the Needles in Custer State Park.

Evening at Sylvan Lake, a picturesque lake surrounded by Rock Formations and Pine forests.

Day 4 Sun, Oct 5

Overnight in Wall, SD

After a sunrise photo session and breakfast, drive to Wall, South Dakota. Visit Badlands National Park for photography

Day 5 Mon, Oct 6

Overnight in Wall, SD

Another day in Wall. Explore the various sections of the Badlands National Park.

Day 6 Tue, Oct 7

Departure day

Sunrise session in the National Park, then drive to Rapid City. Flight back home from RAP. End of tour.

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Oregon Dark Sky Photo Safari 2025

Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary

July 24-28, 2025

with Zack Schnepf

The Oregon Outback, part of the Great Basin of North America, is one of the darkest places in the world. Far from light pollution, you can see the starry sky in all its splendor.

The Milky Way, close enough to touch, rises from the sage steppe and transforms the sky into a sparkling sea of stars.

What also makes the area photographically attractive are several ghost towns and bizarre juniper tree forests, which are ideal as subjects for light painting in this western landscape.

Professional photographer Zack Schnepf leads a small group on a 5-day tour of some of the best places to see and photograph the breathtaking night sky and landscape.

The Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary, it covers 2.5 million acres.

US$ 2,275 / per person / shared room

US$ 350 / additional cost for single room

US$ 200 / transportation from Bend, OR with Zack, limited space

US$ 75 / per person / online post-processing

  • If we can’t find you a room partner, the cost of a single room applies.

4-6 persons

Beginner – Advanced

Self drive

Included

  • Workshop fee
  • 4 nights accommodation in Motels.
  • Guided by Zack Schnepf

Not included

  • Meals
  • Entry fees, because of self drive arrival
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Transportation

What to bring:

  • nights cool down in the High Desert. Bring a jacket or warm sweater
  • sturdy tripod
  • camera with wide angle lens. Ideally with f.2.8
  • fully charged extra batteries, or charger
  • flashlight/headlamp with red light
inquire
make deposit

Thursday, July 24

Overnight in Madras, OR.

Arrive late afternoon at the Motel.

Photograph Night Sky with light painting in Grass Valley, Kent and Shaniko Ghost Town.

Friday, July 25

Overnight in Prineville, OR.

Night Sky at Painted Hills and in Mitchell.

Saturday, July 26

Overnight in La Pine, OR.

Astro photography at Fort Rock

Sunday, July 27

Overnight in La Pine, OR.

Astro photography at La Pine State Park or Sparks Lake

Monday, July 28

Check-out of Motel in La Pine and end of Photo Workshop

USA, Oregon, Central, Fort Rock, sagebrush
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Stargazing and Astro Photography Locations in Bend, Oregon

Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary

My favorite spots to capture the Milky Way near Bend, Oregon.

Before you go.

  • The best time is from spring to fall, with my favorite time in August and September.
  • Check the moon phases, so the moon is not visible, since that will spoil your photo.
  • Go to the location to familiarize yourself with the terrain while there is still light.
  • Yes, you can get lost at night in the High Desert.
  • You can hire one of our guides or go on your own.
  • Make sure you have your Northwest Forest Pass or National Public Lands Pass handy to display on the dash of your car.
  • Make sure you have warm clothing, since the High Desert gets cold once the sun sets.

Bend Badlands: Roughly 12 Miles East of Bend on Highway 20 from the traffic light at 27th Street, is a pullout on the right that allows southern vistas. There are several snags—dead Juniper trees that lend themselves to light painting.

Make sure to pull off far enough from the Highway to keep you and your car safe from speeding traffic.

Further east are several access parking lots for the Badlands Wilderness, which are good places to light paint and take photos of the night sky. It is very dark out there. The traffic on Highway 20 can be a source of light pollution. Therefore, I like photographing from the south side of the highway.

Lava Butte, Lava Lands Visitor Center Nature Trail: Just south of Bend along Highway 97 is Lava Butte, part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. You can park there all year long, even if it is closed. Simply use the exit to the parking area, which is further west from the main entrance. West of the Visitor Center, there is a nature trail – Trail of the Molten land – that leads into the open lava flow area. There are views towards Mount Bachelor. This is a nice and safe area for Astro- Photography, looking southwest. The trail is paved and wheelchair-accessible.

Dillon Falls, Deschutes National Forest: Heading towards Mount Bachelor on Southwest Century Drive, you turn left on Dillon Falls Road, right before the Cascade Lakes Welcome Station. This is only 7 miles outside the town center. At Dillon Falls, you can follow the Deschutes River down towards the falls, where you have fine views to the southeast and the Milky Way, or head upriver, where you have views over calm water. There are cliffs and a strong river there, so be aware of the dangers at night. Wear sturdy shoes and stay away from the edge. This is a good place to visit when it is still light to know your surroundings.

Sparks Lake, Deschutes National Forest: Further on Century Drive (Cascade Lakes Highway), past Mount Bachelor, you reach Sparks Lake. You can drive past the road leading to the boat ramp. After a large mountain meadow, you get a fine view of Mount Bachelor to the East. Here, you can photograph the last light hitting the volcano and wait for the Milky Way to rise. There are many opportunities here for Astro photography and reflection in the water.

Fort Rock: The town, named after a nearby tuff ring that resembles a fortress and its surroundings, located 67 Miles, southeast of Bend is located in a large area of high desert full of Sage, Bitter and Rabittbrush. You can take some images across the fence of the Fort Rock Homestead Village Museum and light-paint the buildings, or simply photograph the rising Milky Way nearby. In August and September, the Rabittbrush is in bloom and very pretty for landscape photos.

Dee Wright Observatory: Located on the Old McKenzie Highway, west of the town of Sisters. From the view point and further on along the highway, which winds through the lava fields, you get stunning views towards the Three Sisters volcanoes and the rising Milky Way after dark. (Check your Astro App for time and season for the exact location of the Galactic Center)

Shaniko Ghost Town: Located 80 miles north of Bend – you may want to stay overnight in the town of Madras – is the living Ghost town of Shaniko. Although you get some light pollution from town, there are great opportunities for Astro-photography in combination with the light painting of old barns and other buildings.

Favorite spots to photograph the Milky Way By Christian Heeb, International Photographer.

Check out our Night Sky Workshops and Tours

Milky Way & Night Sky Photography Outing in Central Oregon

August 19, 2023

Learn how to capture the milky way and the night sky in the High Desert with your camera

Central Oregon’s high altitude, crisp, clear air, low humidity and cool nights provide excellent conditions for Milky Way and Night Sky Photography. August is a wonderful time to head out and take photos here in Bend, Oregon.

Join Professional photographers Zack Schnepf and Barb Gonzalez for night sky outing to a scenic mountain lake. Learn to capture the milky way as its core rises over the landscape. If the conditions are right you can see and photograph the reflection in the water.

Learn how to use your head lamp as a creative light paint tool…

We self drive to a dark location near Bend. We select the location in regards to weather conditions.

We also offer  Private Night Sky Photo Tours  which can be booked all year.

$195 per person

Max 6 / instructor

Beginner to intermediate

Car pool

Itinerary:

Saturday, August 19, 2023

6:00 pm: Meet in Bend at a location disclosed after booking and self drive to photo location. Once we arrive at our location, we will capture the sunset and wait for the milky way to appear. We will also light painting and night sky photography.

11:00 pm: Drive back home

BOOK

What to bring:

  • nights cool down in the mountains. Bring a jacket or warm sweater
  • mosquito repellent
  • sturdy tripod
  • camera with wide angle lens. Ideally with f.2.8
  • fully charged extra battery
  • flashlight/headlamp with red light
  • sturdy shoes we may walk up to 100 yards on uneven ground
INQUIRY

POLICY

Lost Places of the American Desert 2026

April 13 – 27, 2026

Ghost towns, deserts and wild landscapes

Photo trip with Swiss photographer Thomas Heitmar.

This varied photo tour leads through the desert areas of California and Nevada. We start in the gambling metropolis of Las Vegas and follow the historic Route 66 through the Mojave desert. We photograph ghost towns and “lost places” such as dilapidated snack bars, gas stations and motels. In between we visit the national parks, Joshua Tree and Death Valley, where we devote ourselves to nature and landscape photography.

The round trip leads behind the Sierra Nevada, to the rocky pinnacles of the Alabama Hills, the Mono Lake and other photogenic ghost towns.

Swiss photographer Thomas Heitmar shows you how to effectively capture the many impressions with the camera.

In addition to the big highlights, we also visit the photogenic desert parks, Valley of Fire and Cathedral Gorge on the way back to Las Vegas.

It is a journey full of surprises, scenic beauty, vastness and “on the road feeling”.

15 days / 14 nights

US$ 10,030  /per person/double room sharing

US$ 1,550 /single room surplus

Maximal 8 participants

We drive in two SUV and or minivans.

Included:

  • transportation from hotel in Las Vegas
  • 14 nights in middle class hotels
  • Entrance fees to attractions mentioned in itinerary
    Photographic supervision by Thomas Heitmar

iNQUIRY

Not included:

  • Flight to Las Vegas (LAS)
  • Meals
  • Tips
  • Insurance
  • Vaccination, Tests and certificates if necessary

Request the itinerary

Abandoned car, Painted Desert, Arizona, USA
USA, Southwest,Nevada, Valley of Fire, State Park, Fire Wave
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USA, Southwest, Nevada, Nelson ghost town near Searchlight (m)
No Caption
USA,California, Eastern Sierra,Lone Pine, Alabama Hills, Mobius Arch
POLICY
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