SANP proudly presents Going to the Dark Side by the widely recognized international “Father of Nightscape Photography” Royce Bair.  

SANP is thrilled to welcome Royce Bair to Knoxville, Tennessee. Royce Bair is an internationally acclaimed professional photographer and educator, a full-time professional photographer, author, and photo workshop leader. He has been a professional magazine and advertising photographer for three decades. He is one the early innovators of a genre of night photography some call “nightscapes” and has often been called "the founding father of landscape astrophotography".  His unique images have received worldwide newspaper and magazine syndication. Royce believes the foreground is just as important as the starry night sky and may need additional natural or artificial light enhancement for better recognition and aesthetic appreciation. Lecturing and presenting workshop throughout the world, Royce has taught various ways to accomplish this, including his public service website on "Low Level Lighting" methods.
He was the founding organizer of the highly successful Nightscaper Photo Conference. The scholarships provided by the conference to aspiring nightscape photographers were named after Royce Bair at the 2026 Nightscaper Photo Conference.

All images are copyrighted by Royce Bair Airglow Jackson Lake Tetons

Description of the workshop: “Half the park is after dark” is a catchy slogan used by our national parks, and I'm encouraging people to discover this unique world with their photographic night vision.
During the past two decades I've been able to avoid the crowds in our public lands and find amazing beauty and solitude in places that are oftentimes crawling with tourists in the daytime — it's like a whole new world of photographic opportunity!
In my "Going to the Dark Side" workshop I hope to not only get people excited about "nightscapes" but help them find new ways of seeing and enhancing their nighttime compositions. If photographers have tried astro-landscape photography in the past and found it challenging, I will help them break some of the technical barriers and help make it more fun and fulfilling.
If a seasoned photographer thinks they've already figured it out, I can assure them that there is much more to learn. I will teach advanced photographers’ new techniques that are opening up many exciting horizons in the nightscape genre!  — Royce Bair 

Who Should Attend: You should if you have thought about, considered, tried, the challenge of taking night photography. You will learn about various equipment options that may include information about cellphones, GoPro, DSLR, and mirrorless camera. The star tracker he prefers when he uses one. Lenses that work best for night photography. Lighting the scene at night so it looks natural and not like a spotlight beaming on the foreground or the building is on fire.  The technique developed by Royce is now used by many of the professional landscape astrophotographers including those conducting international workshops.

You should attend if you consider yourself an advance night photographer as you will discover techniques that will take your night photography to a higher level.

Night Instruction: This will be a four-hour class limited to TEN SANP member photographers with paid dues.  The location will be revealed to those selected for this event. You must register and attend the morning session to be able to attend this event.  The price for this event is an additional $50 dollars. If selected, you will be notified and must pay within 72 hours. This section will be closed when it is filled.

This instruction will include how to set up proper night scene lighting.  If it is clear night, you may be able to photograph the Milky Way.  There are no refunds for this class. It will be conducted if it is a cloudy night.  If interested, you need to email me at dalepotter55@gmail.com to be placed on the list. If you have already requested to be on the list, you need to register for the Saturday daytime session as soon as possible.

What to Bring: A notepad and pen. You cannot record the workshop.

Rules to Know: This is a NON-REFUNDABLE event. No EXCEPTIONS  

All attendees will receive a link for a copy of his eBook Milky Way Nightscapes. A forty dollar value

Date and Time: August 15th   Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. The presentation will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. with appropriate breaks.

Drinks: Drinks are allowed in the auditorium in containers that will not spill. Food is not allowed in the auditorium.

Lunch is on your own.

Location for the Daytime Session: Goins Auditorium in the J. L. Goins Administration Building on the Hardin Valley campus of Pellissippi State Community College, 10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville TN

Registration is available through August 13th, or until all seats are taken. There is no registration at the door. Everyone who attends must register online, with no exceptions.

Registration fees:  

For the Saturday Daytime Session Members only $125 dollars

For the Satuday Daytime Session Nonmembers can register beginning July 5.  The fee for nonmembers is $150.

For the Saturday Night Session Members only for the 10 selected is $50 dollars.

Any questions email me at dalepotter55@gmail.com