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Kazakhstan Astro Landscape Photography Workshop
Kazakhstan Astro Landscape Photography Workshop
![astro-landscape-photography-in-mangystau Astro Landscape Photography in Mangystau Kazakhstan](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/astro-landscape-photography-in-mangystau.jpg)
![astro-landscape-photography-in-mangystau Astro Landscape Photography in Mangystau Kazakhstan](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/astro-landscape-photography-in-mangystau.jpg)
![astro-landscape-photography-in-mangystau Astro Landscape Photography in Mangystau Kazakhstan](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/astro-landscape-photography-in-mangystau.jpg)
22nd – 29th July 2025
View Dates & Prices
Group Size
9 Participants
Location
Mangystau, Kazakhstan.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Are you eager to delve into the world of Astro Landscape Photography? Unlock the secrets of capturing the ethereal beauty of GOLDEN and BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPES, immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of NIGHTSCAPE IMAGERY, master the art of STAR TRAILS and LIGHT PAINTING, and unveil the mesmerizing allure of TIME-LAPSE sequences and the MILKY WAY GALAXY dancing across the night sky. This transformative ASTRO LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY workshop offers an immersive experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the celestial wonders above.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Are you eager to delve into the world of Astro Landscape Photography? Unlock the secrets of capturing the ethereal beauty of GOLDEN and BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPES, immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of NIGHTSCAPE IMAGERY, master the art of STAR TRAILS and LIGHT PAINTING, and unveil the mesmerizing allure of TIME-LAPSE sequences and the MILKY WAY GALAXY dancing across the night sky. This transformative ASTRO LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY workshop offers an immersive experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the celestial wonders above.
WORKSHOP LIMELIGHT
- All 8 days at Shooting Locations.
- Shoot MILKY WAY, STAR TRAILS, NIGHTSCAPES, LIGHT PAINTING, STEEL WOOL PHOTOGRAPHY, TIME-LAPSE, GOLDEN & BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPE, FOCUS STACKING, TIME BLENDING and EXPOSURE BLENDING.
- Field guide from composition, and gear settings to test shots.
- Daily review of fieldwork.
- Multiple Post Processing sessions.
- ONE DAY PRE-WORKSHOP THEORETICAL CLASS in Mangystau. (Or via web conferencing)
- LIFETIME POST-PROCESSING SUPPORT.
- Participants’ images will be displayed in a special gallery on the Exposure SOP website and with the participant’s review, social media handle and DP.
- A soul-enriching exploration and photographic journey of mystical significance.
- Pre-workshop briefing about the attractions of the workshop, safety precautions for the equipment, etc.
- 100% refund, if we cancel the workshop for any reason (After deducting the bank transaction charges).
- Transaction and gateway charges will be charged to the participants.
ABOUT MANGYSTAU PROVINCE
Mangystau region is a region in the south-west of Kazakhstan, formerly called Mangyshlak. It was formed on March 20, 1973 from the southern part of the Guryev region. In 1988, the region was abolished, restored in 1990 under the name of Mangystau. The administrative center is the city of Aktau. Most of the territory of the region is occupied by sagebrush-saline desert with areas of shrubby vegetation on brown soils: the surface is partially covered with salt marshes, takyrovidny solonets and sands with extremely rare vegetation.
This eight-day and seven-night photography workshop will not only enrich your LANDSCAPE AND ASTRO-LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS it will also help develop your knowledge of GOLDEN AND BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY, FOCUS STACKING, TIME BLENDING, EXPOSURE BLENDING, LIGHT PAINTING, TIME-LAPSE AND NIGHTSCAPES PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS. In this workshop, you will get some enviable pictures for your portfolio, and it will also be an incredible opportunity to interact and learn from your mentors.
ITINERARY
Day X
Pre-workshop briefing about the attractions of the workshop, safety precautions for the equipment and photographer during the trip, and travelling instructions. These discussions can be made via WhatsApp group, e-mail, and telephone after reserving your spot. After confirming reservations, we’ll host a virtual meeting 20-25 days before the trip for introductions, questions, and addressing concerns.
Day 1: (22.07.2025) Aktau International Airport (SCO) - Aktau (Distance 28 KM, approx. time 0:45 hr.)
Arrive at Aktau International Airport in Aktau and proceed to hotel. We will enjoy a traditional meal at a local restaurant in the evening. Overnight accommodation will be in a standard hotel in Aktau.
Day 2: (23.07.2025) Aktau - Toeish (Distance 105 KM, approx. time 3:30 hr.)
After early breakfast in Aktau, we’ll proceed to Sharkala Mount and Torish’s stone balls, planning Golden and Blue Hour shoots and a Nightscape session. Camping under the stars at Toeish. We’ll capture stunning astro-landscape images.
Day 3: (24.07.2025) Toeish - Tuzbair (Approx. distance 235 KM, time 6:30 hr.)
After breakfast at Torish camp, we’ll proceed to Tuzbair, famous for its iconic “Arch” formation. We’ll plan our shots over the lunch and capture astro-landscape images before dinner at camp. Overnight accommodation will be in tents at Tuzbair.
Day 4: (25.07.2025) Tuzbair - Bozhira (Approx. distance 195 KM, time 5:00 hr.)
After our morning shoot and breakfast at camp, we’ll head to Boszhira for stunning photography. Lunch on the move, we’ll plan our astro-landscape shots under the vast desert sky. Overnight stay at camp at Bozhira.
Day 5: (26.07.2025) Bozhira - Karynzharyq (Approx. distance 80 KM, time 3:00 hr.)
Today morning, we’ll capture dawn shots and landscapes before breakfast, then proceed to Karynzharyq, passing Bokty Mountain. We’ll set up our camp at Karynzharyq, dine, and enjoy astrophile landscape photography opportunities atop the Ustyurt cliff.
Day 6: (27.07.2025) Karynzharyq – Gora Bokty (Approx. distance 75 KM, time 3:00 hr.)
After breakfast in Karynzharyq, we’ll head to Gora Bokty to explore the vibrant Kyzylkyp Tiramisu canyon. Setting up camp between the canyon and Bokty Mountain, we’ll enjoy hiking and photography under the starlit sky.
Day – 7: (28.07.2025) Gora Bokty - Aktau (Approx. distance 250 KM, time 7:00 hr.)
After breakfast and a morning shoot at camp, we’ll return to Aktau, a 250-kilometer journey passing through Zhanaozen and Uzen. Lunch on the way, then check into a hotel for a restful night after five nights of camping. Overnight accommodation at a hotel in Aktau.
Day 8: (29.07.2025) Aktau - Aktau International Airport (SCO) (Distance 24 KM, approx. time 0:45 hr.)
As our 8-day workshop concludes, we’ll have breakfast, pack, and check out of the hotel before heading to Aktau airport.
For this reason, we have allowed a few days on either side of the trip.
Date
22nd July 2025 to 29th July 2025
Price
Date | Price |
---|---|
22nd - 29th July 2025 | 1800 USD |
The above pricing includes accommodation, transportation with 7 Breakfast, 7 Dinner, and 6 Lunch.
*Limited seats on a first come first serve basis.
**Please note that Astro Landscape Photography totally depends on local weather conditions, and the weather is unpredictable, though we hope that we’ll get a clear sky starting of the July.
***Please read all details on this page including the Terms and Conditions on the website.
Meet your mentor
![Rajat_Website Rajat Malakar](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/Rajat_Website.jpg)
![Rajat_Website Rajat Malakar](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/Rajat_Website.jpg)
Rajat Malakar
An IT professional working in IBM India, as an Application Architect Rajat is a Travel and Landscape Photographer. He started learning Astro Landscape Photography in 2018 out of curiosity. Since then he has gone through several online studies/tutorials on Astro Landscape photography and practiced & learned a few different techniques for shooting Milky Way, Star Trail, and a Starry Landscape. As he has grown up as a photographer his interest carried on to Landscape Photography also. His works have been published on many International and National Photography platforms like ViewBugs, 500px. He has been published online Photography Group Magazine and he recently received multiple awards in an exhibition organized by a Photography Group. He has contacted many workshops in the eastern Himalayas and the participants are extremely happy with the learning. Rajat has created an AI-Based chat BOT which is integrated with the Facebook messenger app to help beginners in Astro Landscape photography. The AI Agent responds to any queries on Night Photography by providing a detailed response by including external links/tutorials like YouTube. The AI Agent is available here: https://www.facebook.com/TheM31
![Mrinmay_Website Mrinmay Nayek](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/Mrinmay_Website.jpg)
![Mrinmay_Website Mrinmay Nayek](https://cdn.exposuresop.com/wp-content/uploads/Mrinmay_Website.jpg)
Mrinmay Nayek
Born in the City of Joy, Kolkata, Mrinmay first came to Siliguri 2011, when he was appointed as a faculty member for Geography in a Higher Secondary School. A scholar in his field, he holds a Masters in Geography, and Education and also a PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information systems. After spending over a decade working in the academic sector, he decided to nurture his childhood passion for photography with ‘Exposure – The School of Photography’ in 2018. He devoted a lot of time and effort to learning the terms and technicalities of the art and applying them in practice. Mrinmay soon carved a niche for himself in the areas of Astro Landscape Photography and Street Photography. In a span of just five years, alumni from ETSP’s very first batch have graduated to being a faculty himself in Exposure. Mrinmay’s work has been recognised and published in several National and International photography exhibitions. He has successfully conducted multiple workshops on Astro Landscape Photography for Exposure.
Meet your mentor
Rajat Malakar
An IT professional working in IBM India, as an Application Architect Rajat is a Travel and Landscape Photographer. He started learning Astro Landscape Photography in 2018 out of curiosity. Since then he has gone through several online studies/tutorials on Astro Landscape photography and practiced & learned a few different techniques for shooting Milky Way, Star Trail, and a Starry Landscape. As he has grown up as a photographer his interest carried on to Landscape Photography also. His works have been published on many International and National Photography platforms like ViewBugs, 500px. He has been published online Photography Group Magazine and he recently received multiple awards in an exhibition organized by a Photography Group. He has contacted many workshops in the eastern Himalayas and the participants are extremely happy with the learning. Rajat has created an AI-Based chat BOT which is integrated with the Facebook messenger app to help beginners in Astro Landscape photography. The AI Agent responds to any queries on Night Photography by providing a detailed response by including external links/tutorials like YouTube. The AI Agent is available here: https://www.facebook.com/TheM31
Mrinmay Nayek
Born in the City of Joy, Kolkata, Mrinmay first came to Siliguri 2011, when he was appointed as a faculty member for Geography in a Higher Secondary School. A scholar in his field, he holds a Masters in Geography, and Education and also a PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information systems. After spending over a decade working in the academic sector, he decided to nurture his childhood passion for photography with ‘Exposure – The School of Photography’ in 2018. He devoted a lot of time and effort to learning the terms and technicalities of the art and applying them in practice. Mrinmay soon carved a niche for himself in the areas of Astro Landscape Photography and Street Photography. In a span of just five years, alumni from ETSP’s very first batch have graduated to being a faculty himself in Exposure. Mrinmay’s work has been recognised and published in several National and International photography exhibitions. He has successfully conducted multiple workshops on Astro Landscape Photography for Exposure.
Terms and Conditions
- Transportation from Aktau to Aktau and shooting points from Hotel.
- Accommodations in a Double Occupancy.
- First day dinner to last day breakfast. (7 Breakfast, 7 Dinner, and 6 Lunch)
- All permits for photography and passes to national
- Expert guidance on Landscape and Astro Landscape Photography.
- One 2 KV gasoline generator for camera battery charging.
- Drinking water.
- One bio-toilet with consumables.
- Anything else other than mentioned includes.
- All expenses of personal nature.
- Any other actual expenses would be shared by all participants on an actual basis.
- Occupancy is chosen on a first come first serve basis.
- Additional food or beverages ordered.
- To and from Aktau travel arrangements/costs.
- Travel and health insurance (or any insurance).
- Visa.
Important points to be noted
- The workshop is designed from Aktau to Aktau.
- This workshop is conceptualized in such a way that personal attention can be given to each and every photographer and for that, the group will be restricted to 06 or 09 photographers only.
- This workshop has been specifically designed for photographers. Non-photographer spouse/friend may be accommodated on the workshop but at full cost and on agreeing to stick to the schedule of the workshop.
- While all care would be taken to stick to the schedule, unforeseen circumstances, time consistency might lead to some changes.
- Please note that Astro Landscape Photography fully depends on local weather conditions, although, we hope that we’ll get a clear sky.
- The mentors will guide you throughout the workshop.
Deadlines
Registration is open till the seat reservations end.
Conditions
Only a maximum of 09 hardworking photographers will be selected for this workshop. This is not a fancy tour; it’s a workshop in an arid climate and you have to walk a lot, so your physical fitness is very important.
Participants will be granted for the photo tour based on email confirmation on a first come first serve basis. Feel free to call +91 8509333385 or +919830221895 or +91 9432824306 for any further assistance.
Booking
To secure your position, you must pay an $800 USD non-refundable deposit. The remaining $1,000 USD can be paid on or before 120 days prior to the workshop, or it can be paid in two installments: $500 USD before 120 days prior to the workshop, and the remaining $500 USD must be paid 90 days prior to the workshop commencement date. Transaction and gateway charges will be charged to the participants.
You can pay using the Paypal, UPI or QR Code or ask for account details to make NEFT transfers. Once the payment is done please send us a copy of the bank receipt (screenshot is also fine) of your payment details. Once your payment is confirmed by us, we will send you the e-mail along with the Rules and Regulations of the workshop, which confirms your candidature for the workshop.
Cancellation and Refunds
In the event of a cancellation or modification of your confirmed booking, Exposure’s Cancellation and Refund Policy for Photography Workshops will apply, and your agreement to abide by these terms is required. If Exposure cancels a tour/workshop due to insufficient participants, a full refund, including the deposit amount, will be provided. However, once the tour commences, no refunds will be issued for any unused services, including rooms, meals, flights, tour days, events, or other services.
Please be aware that cancellation penalties outlined below are based on costs incurred by Exposure on your behalf, including non-refundable deposits or payments made to agents, hotels, airlines, etc. Refunds, if applicable, will be processed within
14 working days from the date of written confirmation of cancellation, using the same payment method used for the original transaction.
Failure to make full payment by 89 days prior to the workshop or as communicated to you may result in the cancellation of your reservation, with no refund of the booking amount.
All cancellation notices from participants must be submitted in writing and will be effective as of the date of the postmark (standard mail or electronic).
CANCELLATION DEDUCTIONS WILL BE AS PER THE FOLLOWING POLICY AGAINST FULL WORKSHOP FEES:
- There will be no more fees if the cancellation request is sent 91 days before the tour.
- 80% will be deducted – if cancelled 90 – 61 days prior to the commencement of the workshop.
- 100% will be deducted – if cancelled 60 days prior to the commencement of the workshop.
Please read all details on this page and Detailed Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer / Undertaking in the Registration cum Booking Form.
The Weather of Mangystau Province
The Mangystau region boasts an arid climate (Köppen – BWk), characterized by high temperatures, minimal precipitation, and dry conditions. Due to its elevation above sea level, North Mangystau experiences cold winters, with a generally continental climate featuring chilly winters and pleasant summers. Summer temperatures typically hover around 26 to 27 degrees Celsius (78.8-80.6°F), while winter temperatures average between 3 and 4 degrees Celsius (37.4 and 39.2°F).
Rainfall mainly occurs in spring but evaporates quickly due to the region’s unique topography. On average, the Mangystau Region receives about 19.28 millimeters (0.76 inches) of precipitation annually, spread over 46.37 rainy days (approximately 12.7% of the time). The area benefits from slightly milder weather patterns due to its proximity to the Caspian Sea, but it’s noteworthy for its consistent, often strong winds and occasional dust storms.
The prime seasons for visiting Mangystau are spring and fall, offering vibrant colors on the steppe during select weeks in spring and pleasant weather in fall. Summers can be hot, often exceeding 104°F, while winters showcase beauty but require camping in below-freezing temperatures. Regardless of the season, Mangystau promises an unforgettable experience.
During the summer, daytime temperatures average around 34 degrees Celsius, with nighttime temperatures averaging 24 degrees Celsius. The region is particularly delightful for exploration during the months of April-May and September-October. The average temperature is +26 °C (79 °F) in July.
Testimonials
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