Witness the 2026 Total Solar Eclipse in mainland Spain and master the art of night photography in the breathtaking landscapes of Tenerife. This exclusive 7-day workshop is led by Marc Rassel and Jose Galvan, both honored as "Milky Way Photographers of the Year" by Capture the Atlas. Together, you will photograph the unforgettable solar eclipse before heading into the island’s high-altitude dark sky reserves to capture the Milky Way rising over unique volcanic terrain.

This is a rare opportunity to refine your skills through comprehensive, hands-on instruction—covering everything from specialized eclipse shooting to advanced star tracking and panorama methods. Whether you are capturing the sun's corona or the depth of the galactic core, you will receive expert guidance designed to elevate your portfolio to a world-class level.

Join an elite group of just four photographers for a masterclass in celestial and landscape photography. With a 1:2.5 instructor ratio and a flexible "weather-chasing" itinerary, you’ll receive the most personalized coaching available in the industry.

• Intimate Group Size: Limited to just 5 participants, ensuring a 1:2.5 student-to-instructor ratio for constant 1-on-1 field coaching and a collaborative atmosphere.

• Expert Celestial Guidance: Master the technical complexities of a Total Solar Eclipse and the Milky Way with two of the world's top-ranked astrophotographers.

• All-Inclusive Logistics: Focus entirely on your craft with included lodging, ground transportation, and even flights to and from Tenerife.

• Dynamic Scouting: Our mobile approach utilizes local knowledge and scientific weather data to chase clear skies, ensuring the best possible views of the eclipse and stars.

• Advanced Field Techniques: Learn specialized skills including star tracking, low-level lighting for foregrounds, and focus-stacking for front-to-back sharpness.

• Post-Processing Mastery: Benefit from dedicated small-group and 1-on-1 editing sessions to develop your images under expert instruction.

• Safety & Security: Instructors are Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certified, and the group travels with long-range radios and GPS emergency beacons for total peace of mind.

Celestial Events & Deep Sky Landscapes

This workshop concentrates on the following technical and creative teaching topics:

• Total Solar Eclipse Mastery: Comprehensive planning and hands-on training to capture every stage of the 2026 eclipse safely and beautifully.

• Astrophotography Planning: Utilizing technology and seasonal knowledge to predict the position of the Milky Way and find the darkest skies.

• Technical Night Exposure: Calculating exposure times based on focal length and sensor resolution to avoid star trailing.

• Star Tracking Artistry: Proper usage of portable star trackers to extend exposure times for deep-sky detail without motion.

• Advanced Field Composites: Techniques for shooting multiple exposures for noise reduction, focus-stacking for sharp foregrounds, and creating seamless panoramas.

• Specialized Lighting: Low-level lighting techniques to illuminate foreground elements (where permitted) for balanced night compositions.

• Creative Night Scapes: Crafting compelling star trail images and understanding effective compositions under the stars.

• Professional Workflow:

  • Lightroom & Photoshop: Advanced editing paths for celestial data and landscape blending.

  • LRTimelapse: Introduction to time-lapse editing for dynamic night sky transitions.

• Note on Conditions: While the eclipse and Milky Way are weather-dependent, our "sky-chasing" strategy prioritizes clear views. If dense clouds occur, we pivot to advanced landscape techniques and intensive post-processing instruction.

• Camera Body: Digital SLR or mirrorless camera with full manual control (Full-frame preferred).

• Wide-Angle Lens: (e.g., 14-24mm, 16-35mm) with a fast aperture of f/2.8 or wider for the Milky Way.

• Telephoto Lens: (400mm–600mm) essential for capturing the Total Solar Eclipse.

• Sturdy Tripod & Ball Head: Critical for long exposures and tracking.

• Filters: 18-20 stop ND filters (provided) and optional solar filters.

• Star Tracker: Recommended if you own one; instruction on usage is provided.

• Accessories: Remote shutter release/intervalometer, headlamp with red-light mode, and at least 3-4 extra batteries.

• Memory & Power: High-capacity memory cards and a laptop with Lightroom/Photoshop for processing sessions.

• Equipment Rental: Please contact us if you need to rent specific gear; we may be able to facilitate this for the workshop.

• Extreme Weather Layers: Tenerife and Spain in August can range from 50°F at night to 115°F during the day. Bring moisture-wicking base layers and a warm jacket/hat for night shoots.

• Technical Fabrics: Avoid cotton; prioritize wool or synthetic fibers for temperature regulation.

• Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots suitable for volcanic terrain.

• Hydration: Reusable water bottles or hydration packs are essential.

Arrival & Meeting Point: We recommend arriving in Madrid at least one day early to adjust to the time zone. We will meet at our Madrid Hotel (TBD) at 9:00 A.M. on Monday, August 10, 2026, to begin our journey to the eclipse location.

Itinerary & Flexibility: Our schedule spans August 10–16, 2026, moving from mainland Spain to Tenerife on August 13. We maintain a flexible itinerary to chase the clearest skies for both the eclipse and Milky Way sessions.

Cancellation & Insurance: We reserve the right to cancel if minimums are not met. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel and equipment insurance to protect against unforeseen interruptions or emergencies.

Liability & Safety: By attending, you agree to the liability waiver for Hand Forged LLC. You are responsible for your own physical safety and for determining if a location is within your physical capabilities.

The All-Inclusive Experience

• Premium Accommodations: 6 nights of lodging (3 in Spain, 3 in Tenerife) in shared houses with private rooms.

• Professional Logistics: Local ground transportation and flights between mainland Spain and Tenerife.

• Elite Instruction: Photography guiding and field instruction from two award-winning professionals.

• Post-Processing: Dedicated 1-on-1 and small-group editing instruction.

• Specialized Gear: Use of 18-20 stop MAVEN ND filters for eclipse photography.

• Welcome Dinner: Group welcome dinner upon arrival at our first accommodation.

• Refreshments: Light snacks and refreshments provided throughout the journey.

• Initial Travel: Airfare and transportation to and from Madrid, Spain.

• Personal Gear: Cameras, lenses, tripods, and laptops.

• Software: Personal subscriptions to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

• Meals & Extras: Daily meals, alcohol, and personal expenses/tips.

• Comprehensive Insurance: Participants are responsible for travel and equipment insurance.