I am new to this too...got up at 430 to get ready and had to go a mile as I am in the mountains of Colorado surrounded by hills and 80 foot trees. It was beautiful! I just never seem prepared though and every time I do this I learn something new. Today I learned to:
1: get to your spot early! I wanted to take pictures of the partial eclipse as it was happening but really didn’t get there in time to set up.
2: BUY a great tripod! This has been on my list for a long time and this year I’m doing it! But even with my ok tripod it was pretty windy...so: 3: bring weights to stabilize your tripod
4: preset your focus point. (At least that’s what I read somewhere) put a piece of tape where your focus should be because for me, with bad eyesight, this is my worst thing in the dark. I can’t focus manually very well.
5: Buy a loupe to focus through the lcd screen instead of viewfinder because....
6: the mirror causes vibration so I think you are supposed to use the LCD to lock up the mirror.
7: get gloves with fingers that can be folded back if it’s a cold day.

Ok, just thought I’d share what I learned! Not sure if it’s totally right and feedback would be appreciated! Anyone in Colorado (foothills of Denver area) want to lead a meet up about night photography? I sure have a lot to learn!

Thanks! And Happy Shooting!

I didn't get to read everybody suggestions but I wanted to chime in there. Since you'll be in Colorado Springs and somebody suggested you see the Broadmoor ( which is truly beautiful ) And right next door Is Cheyenne Mountain zoo! Enjoy some time there feeding the giraffes! I've had some of the funnest times taking up close pictures of the giraffes. And a few months ago a new giraffe was born there! she is still young And adorable. Be sure to drive up to the top of the mountain for the amazing castle ( called Will Rogers shrine of the sun) it come with the price of the zoo ticket and has a beautiful view of the Springs! Also, I love Colorado National monument. And as I sit here on my deck in Conifer (8500 feet) I JUST HEARD the elk bugling!!!! First time this season! Enjoy!!! Karina

Those are so beautiful! Hope it's ok if I add one from Iowa which was taken just a month ago? What a blessing to visit any of these beautiful bridges!

Are you able to use a pen with your tremor? If so try a Wacom tablet. They are so worth it to me...I hope it works for you!

You should try creativelive.com. I have learned so much from this website. Look for photoshop week ( LR IS INCLUDED) classes are free but then you can buy them also! I love this website! Have fun! Klm414

Hello! I have never replied to any topics here but felt compelled to write as I have several suggestions for you that have helped me so much with LR. (And Photoshop) I messed up when I got LR because I started using it before I understood it. THESE people helped me get back on track and I feel I could now teach it myself. (And have on a small scale). if you are like me, I do not learn well from manuals. BUT I love tutorials. I usually put the tutorial on on my iPad and follow along on my computer actually doing what they say...and repeat it several times until I get it. So, here are my suggestions: As Lloyd said above CreativeLIVE.com is my all time favorite place to learn. The classes are totally free and then if you LOVE THEM you can purchase them for your own personal library. (They have photshop week one week a year and it covers lightroom there also.) I love Ben Whilmore! I also like Russell Brown, Kevin Kubota, Matt Kloskowski, Khara Plicanic and David Cross, all of whom have taught on CreativeLIVE.com. (CreativeLIVE has classes on all kinds of things including photoshop, photography, business, web design, crafts....you know, creative stuff!) check it out!

Another suggestion is Going to Adobe.com. They have several teachers there and they break the learning down into specific subjects within their products. Julieanne Kost is wonderful! She also teaches on CreativeLIVE.

Next, Tim Grey! I bough a video tutorial on fixing problems and starting out on the right foot in Lr. it's called "cleaning up your mess in LIGHTROOM". I am only part way through the whole thing but already he fixed most my sel made problems. You can sign up for his blog which is great. Greylearning.com. And I get his emails which cover topics in LR AND PHOTOSHOP. AskTimgrey.com, I read the ones that interest me...and there are a lot.

That said, I do love Scott Kelby books but again his tutorials are better for me personally: kelbyone.com

lastly, I get books in my local library, as well as ibooks (mastering lightroom by Andrew Gibson)
HOPE THIS HELPS! for sure I hope you check out CREATIVELIVE!

Have a great day! Klm414