Denge Sound Mirrors at Night

I take pride in offering truly unique experiences, and this one is no exception! In collaboration with the RSPB, I'm thrilled to present this special astrophotography workshop in Kent, where you'll have the opportunity to photograph the Denge Sound Mirrors under the night sky.

This workshop has taken months of careful preparation, including securing the necessary licences, coordinating with RSPB staff for site access, and conducting my own night-time photography research.

(As you may have noticed, this workshop is priced higher than those I’ve previously offered. This is due to the justifiable fee requested by the RSPB, which covers access to the site and the presence of two staff members outside of regular hours)

Potential itinerary alteration
Workshop time: 7-11pm

Should the weather not be entirely on our side on either of the days, to avoid cancellation and disappointment, we will instead pick the best day, and starting 2 hours before sunset, photograph the mirrors in daylight and then, as dusk falls, I'll use my torch to light-paint them. While I appreciate that we may not have any stars visible (though you never know, the clouds might just part!), the main goal, after all, is to illuminate the mirrors, which still produces striking results, even under cloudy skies - and, sometimes even more so!

Kent might not be widely known as a Dark Sky region, but the area around Dungeness offers truly pitch-black skies - perfect for witnessing the stars and the Milky Way in all their glory.

Nestled on a private island, accessible only by a locked swing bridge, lie three relics of a pre-World War II aerial defence system. Also known as Listening Ears, Concrete Dishes and Acoustic Mirrors, these huge concrete structures  - ranging in size from 20 to 200 feet - were built between 1928 and 1935 as part of Britain's national defence strategy as a means of detecting enemy aircraft long before it was visible. 

The Denge Sound Mirrors worked by using their curved surface to concentrate sound waves and focus them onto a microphone or a human listener equipped with then state-of-the-art stethoscopes. Once the receivers were adjusted for best reception, the results would be compared with those from one of the other ‘ears’ and used to calculate an aircraft’s height, speed, and flight path. 

This is the only location where all three designs can be seen together

TIMING & THE MILKY WAY
Selecting the optimal time for this astrophotography workshop has been a crucial part of the planning process. To ensure the darkest possible skies, the date has been carefully aligned with the New Moon. Furthermore, to increase your chances of photographing the Milky Way, the period from late spring to early autumn offers the best visibility. Every detail has been meticulously considered to maximise your chances of capturing extraordinary night-sky images! 
(The Milky Way is most visible from midnight onward, so with luck, we should be able to capture it during our final hour of photography.)

BRIEFING NOTES & EDITING TUTORIAL
Prior to the workshop, you will receive a checklist outlining such things as the meet-up location and suggestions on equipment, plus a recorded astrophotography Lightroom editing tutorial. 

TAKING OUR TIME & PAINTING WITH TORCH LIGHT
To ensure everyone’s safety, the group will stay together at all times. With a maximum of six attendees, you’ll have plenty of space to set up your tripod comfortably. Composing your shot, achieving focus, and fine-tuning camera settings all take time, and not wishing to rush anyone, we will aim for a maximum of three compositions. Once everyone is set up and satisfied with their framing, I’ll use a torch to 'paint' the structures with light. We’ll repeat this process several times to achieve the ideal balance between the night sky and the illuminated sound mirrors. It's great fun, I can tell you, and as I hope my images show, the results can be very special indeed. 

FLEXIBILITY
Needless to say, a clear or, at least, a partially clear sky is essential for successful astrophotography. Therefore, it is a condition of booking that you keep a day on either side of the workshop free, should rescheduling be necessary.  

FINALLY...
Thank you so much for considering this workshop. If you have any questions - no matter how small or seemingly insignificant - please don't hesitate to reach out. I’m here to assist and ensure you have an incredible experience alongside fellow enthusiasts!