Saudi Arabia Astrophotography Workshop
Price range: £800.00 through £3,600.00
Day 1 Arrival Day
After checking in, group introduction and a brief, and a meal at the hotel, we will shoot some nightscapes over Maraya, the Guinness World Record holding mirror-clad building.
Day 2
Free time in the morning and early afternoon, an hour covering global night sky planning within the landscape, before heading deep into the desert and dark sky reserve with our guides and convoy of jeeps, where we work at locations off the beaten path under incredible night skies.
Day 3
Free time in the morning, followed by a post-production session on Photoshop and other software. Late afternoon, we proceed to the tombs at Hegra, where we explore for the later part of the afternoon, shoot sunset, then produce nightscapes over the incredible ancient structures.
Day 4
Free time in the morning, before we undertake another post-production session before heading deep into the desert and dark sky reserve with our guides and convoy of jeeps where we work at locations off the beaten path under incredible night skies.
Day 5 – Transfer to Alula airport.
Description
BRAND NEW Saudi Arabia Photo Tour
Saudi Arabia Photo Tour
September 2026 TBC
An inspiring journey for photographers of all levels.
Tutor: Ollie Taylor
PRICE
Price £3600
Deposit £800
DATES & AVAILABILITY
September 2026 TBC
4 Nights
PARTICIPANTS
Max 8 Photographers
Tutor: Ollie Taylor
EXERTION LEVEL
LOCATION
Saudi Arabia
ACCOMMODATION
TBC
Landscape Photography Tuition
This workshop will include sunset shoots at the same location we undertake astrophotography, to include Hegra UNESCO world Heritage site.
Nightscape Photography Tuition
Night sky and astrophotography tuition is included within this Saudi photography tour.
Expertise
The Saudi Arabia tour is aimed at photographers at amateur skill level and upwards; participants will need a good understanding of the manual mode in their cameras.
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Astrophotography WORKSHOP: AlUla &Gharameel Dark Sky Reserve
Astrophotography Expedition: AlUla & Gharameel Dark Sky Reserve
Discover the wonders of the night sky in one of the world’s most exciting new astronomical destinations. This exclusive 4-night astrophotography expedition takes you deep into Saudi Arabia’s Gharameel region of AlUla—recently named an International Dark Sky Reserve and home to the pioneering AlUla Manara Observatory.
As part of a bold initiative to preserve its celestial heritage, AlUla is transitioning to dark sky-compliant lighting, ensuring exceptional night sky conditions while protecting the desert’s natural beauty for future generations.
Led by expert guides, you’ll explore and photograph dramatic rock formations, remote desert locations, and iconic natural landmarks—all beneath pristine, star-filled skies. Each site has been handpicked to offer a diverse and inspiring photographic journey.
A standout moment of the tour includes exclusive after-hours access to Hegra (Mada’in Salih)—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient Nabataean city renowned for its carved tombs and rich archaeological significance. Often dubbed the sister city to Petra, Hegra offers a rare and magical backdrop for night photography.
This expertly curated experience is designed for photographers of all levels eager to capture the extraordinary beauty of AlUla’s landscapes and skies.
BOOK YOUR PLACE below and be part of a journey where ancient history meets the cosmos.
SAUDI ARABIA ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival Day
After checking in, group introduction and a brief, and a meal at the hotel, we will shoot some nightscapes over Maraya, the Guinness World Record holding mirror-clad building.
Day 2
Free time in the morning and early afternoon, an hour covering global night sky planning within the landscape, before heading deep into the desert and dark sky reserve with our guides and convoy of jeeps, where we work at locations off the beaten path under incredible night skies.
Day 3
Free time in the morning, followed by a post-production session on Photoshop and other software. Late afternoon, we proceed to the tombs at Hegra, where we explore for the later part of the afternoon, shoot sunset, then produce nightscapes over the incredible ancient structures.
Day 4
Free time in the morning, before we undertake another post-production session before heading deep into the desert and dark sky reserve with our guides and convoy of jeeps where we work at locations off the beaten path under incredible night skies.
Day 5 – Transfer to Alula airport.
Fieldwork Equipment
Full frame, crop sensor, micro four-thirds, and bridge cameras can be used, alongside larger format cameras. It is recommended that your camera has a minimum of ISO 6400, though ideally 12800 or above for the astrophotography element of the Dolomites Workshop.
- Camera body & spare recommended
- Multiple lenses with a range of focal lengths from wide to telephoto; a fast aperture wide lens is highly advantageous
- Sturdy tripod, x 2 if undertaking timelapse
- Star tracker (optional)
- Remote timer or long exposure bulb control built-in on the timer
- Spare camera batteries
- Head torch with a red mode (this is not for night vision, it makes it easier to work as a group, and stops us from blinding one another).
Post-production & Planning Necessities
Several afternoon post-production sessions will be incorporated into the workshop.
Planning and post-production are absolutely critical elements of astrophotography, hence they have been included in Ollie’s group workshops since 2014. For those that don’t use Adobe and are using other post-production software suites, it will be up to you to transfer the workflow to your chosen software suite; the second phase of the workflow requires software with layers (ie Photoshop or similar).
- Photoshop (or another sotware suite with layer options)
- A laptop running the above ideally with a minimum of 8GB Ram (though 16GB Ram or over is recommended for advanced post-production)
- This part of the workshop can be undertaken with no laptop, instead taking notes.
- A video of the session recorded on iPhone Pro Max will be distributed to the group at the end of the workshop.
Recommended apps that will be taught and demonstrated:
- Photopills (paid one-time subscription)
- Stellarium (free on desktop), free mobile version, the full mobile version now costs a fee
- Starwalk 2, Sky Guide or similar “what’s in the sky mobile/tablet application”
SAUDI Photography Workshops FAQs
Ollie was invited to Saudi Arabia and funded on his initial visit by the Royal Commission for Alula. His long-standing astrophotography tours were seen as the ideal addition to the tourism activities in the area. He now has a network in place to help him with operations, but also provides exclusive access to sites such as UNESCO World Heritage site, Hegra, where we currently have exclusive access for night photography.
This tour is open to astrophotographers of varied skill levels, some may not require tuition. For those seeking tuition, this will be delivered at the levels required, from beginner to using stacking and tracking techniques, longer focal length, deeper sky details, time-lapse help, and other techniques as required.
In Saudi Arabia, there are no mandatory dress codes for women or men, but dressing respectfully is strongly advised. As in many countries, modest attire is appreciated, especially in towns and at tourist attractions. It’s recommended that men wear clothing that covers their shoulders and knees, while women should opt for garments that cover their shoulders and legs.
For daytime, choose loose, comfortable clothing suitable for warm or hot weather. When exploring outdoor terrain, wear appropriate gear. In the evenings, temperatures can drop, so it’s a good idea to bring a hoodie or fleece. Hiking trousers or jeans are also practical options for cooler nights or more rugged areas.
- Lose-fitting clothing for the warm daytime temperatures
- A mix of lightweight long and short-sleeved tops
- Good hiking boots or hiking trainers for the desert terrain
- Comfortable shoes/trainers for the urban terrain
- A few warmer items for the cooler desert air at night
- Mosquito repellent
- Sun block
- Swim and gym wear for those wishing to use pool or gym
The tour is fully catered, with breakfast and one meal a day in the hotel or a restaurant, usually lunch, then snacks and drinks sourced from local delis and caterers to take on the road in cool bags for the evening.
Please let us know of any dietary requirements.
Yes, non-nationals need a visa for Saudi Arabia.
The visa process is straightforward. International visitors from 49 eligible countries can apply for an eVisa through the fast and easy-to-use online portal. For those not included in the list, Ollie may be able to assist through his network of partners in Saudi Arabia.
ACCOMMODATION
Tucked between rugged sandstone formations and the lush date palm oasis of ancient AlUla, our luxury resort offers a serene and stylish base for your journey. Located on the outskirts of town, this air-conditioned haven combines modern comfort with the raw beauty of Saudi Arabia’s western desert landscape.
Travel to Alula
Alula can be reached via Jeddah, Riyadh (Saudi Airlines) and Dubai (Fly Dubai/Emirates). Overnight stays in the aforementioned may be required to connect with your flights to Alula.
TRANSFERS
Private transfers will be provided from the airport to our hotel.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Group emails are set up once the group is fully booked, as an icebreaker, and also to serve as a Q&A platform.
Deposits are non-refundable, and balances are due 120 days prior to the workshop commencing.
Please contact Ollie for any further information required.
BOOK YOUR PLACE
If there are spaces left, you can book your place on this photography tour below.
If you have any questions please click here to contact Ollie Taylor.
