Astro Foundations - Get Ready for the 2026 Australian Night Sky

Prepare for the 2026 Australian Astro Season

Join Sony Digital Imaging Advocate Jay Evans for an interactive online workshop designed to help you confidently step into the 2026 Australian astrophotography season.

Whether you’re completely new to photographing the night sky or looking for a refresher before the 2026 Astro season begins, this session will give you a clear, practical foundation in astrophotography planning, camera setup, and field techniques — so you can make the most of every clear night of this years season.

This workshop focuses on real-world, repeatable methods for photographing the Australian night sky, including the Milky Way, star trails, lunar photography, Aurora Australis, and broader nightscape opportunities.

⭐ What You’ll Learn

📅 Astrophotography Planning

• Simple Astrophotography Theory
• Using apps to plan for Milky Way, Star Trails, moon cycles, and weather forecasting
• Understanding seasonal astro opportunities in Australia
• Choosing safe, accessible, and productive night locations

🔭 Gear & Setup Essentials

• Camera and lens options for beginners and those upgrading
• Tripods, heads, and mounting plates for stability
• Shutter remotes and intervalometers
• Lens choices for Milky Way, star trails, and nightscapes
• Small accessories that significantly improve results

📸 Camera Settings & Capture Techniques

• Recommended settings for common night-sky scenarios
• Achieving accurate focus in the dark
• Managing shutter speed and star movement
• Practical noise control and exposure strategies

✨ Composition After Dark

• Building strong night-time foregrounds
• Working with natural and artificial light sources
• Framing the Milky Way using landscape features and alignment

🛠️ Field Workflow & Night Safety

• A simple, repeatable workflow from arrival to pack-down
• Battery management, dew prevention, and backup planning
• Safety considerations when shooting at night

💬 Live Q&A + Personal Guidance

Send your Bring your questions, gear challenges, or images for discussion — we will go through a selection of questions during the live during the session, and try to answer those we miss later.

📍 Event Details

🗓 Date: Wednesday 21st January or Thursday 29th January

⏰ Time: 7pm - 9pm

💻 Location: Online — Microsoft Teams

📎 A secure access link will be sent to registered participants prior to the session.

🎒 What to Have Ready

This is a practical, hands-on workshop. We recommend having your gear nearby so you can follow along:

• Your current camera and lens setup
• Tripod
• Shutter remote or intervalometer
• Notebook
• Any astrophotography planning apps you already use

🎥 How the Online Session Works

• Delivered live via Microsoft Teams
• Interactive presentation with real-world examples
• Send questions upfront and ask during the session or the dedicated Q&A at the end
• A follow-up PDF with settings and advice will be sent to attendees after the workshop

🎁 Extras & Ongoing Learning

Discounts on Future Astro Events

All attendees will receive discounts valid across all of my 2026 Astromeets. Come join us in person at our tried an tested Astro locations around Sydney, Central Coast, South Coast and the Blue Mountains.

Astro Editing Workshops & Bitesize Sessions

Throughout 2026, I am also running a series of online Astro Editing Workshops and short Bitesize sessions, focused on post-processing tools and techniques to help you get the most from your night-sky images. Attendees will receive up front access to these workshops.

Book an Astrophotography 1 on 1

Attend these sessions and be given a discount to book one of my Signature Astrophotography 1 on 1 sessions in May, June or July. 3 Nights available only for 2026.

⭐ Why Join?

• Build confidence before heading out for the Astro season for the first time.
• Refresh existing skills and knowledge to help you capture the night sky.
• Learn a planning workflow you can reuse all season
• Avoid common beginner mistakes and wasted nights
• Gain clear, practical guidance tailored to Australian conditions
• Start the Astro season organised, prepared, and inspired

✨ Walk away with clarity, confidence, and a solid plan for photographing the night sky.

🚀 Join Us Online

This workshop is perfect for anyone wanting to prepare for the 2026 Australian Astro season, refine their approach, and make every clear night count.

🔗 Book Now — 2 Sessions Available. Places Are Limited.

• Astrophotography Planning
• Gear & Setup Essentials
• Camera Settings & Capture Techniques
• Composition After Dark
• Field Workflow and Night Safety

• A computer with Microsoft Teams installed (preferably with a webcam so we can interact)
• Your current camera and lens setup
• Tripod
• Shutter remote or intervalometer
• Notebook
• Any astrophotography planning apps you already use