Astrophotography at the Lithgow Blast Furnace
📅 Saturday 26th July 2025
Join Sony Digital Imaging Advocate Jay Evans for a unique night of astrophotography at one of the most atmospheric industrial heritage sites in regional NSW—the historic Lithgow Blast Furnace.
Despite its location on the edge of town and the presence of surrounding streetlights, this site has long been a favourite among dedicated nightscape photographers. The towering ruins of Australia’s first iron and steel smelting facility, built in the late 19th century, offer an incredible backdrop for capturing the Milky Way as it rises, sets, or even arcs overhead—perfectly framed by the open roof of the main blast furnace building.
This hands-on session is more than just a photo opportunity—it’s a learning experience. You’ll revisit the essentials of night shooting, including astro safety, etiquette, composition, and Milky Way alignment techniques. We'll also explore creative lighting approaches, and how to manage urban light pollution from nearby town infrastructure to still produce compelling, clean images.
Whether you're new to nightscapes or looking to expand your advanced skills in a truly unique setting, this is a night not to miss.
📷 Astro Planning - Planning and timing for astrophotography using phone apps
📷 Camera Setup - Setting up your camera and tripod
📷 Simple Astro Settings - Choosing the correct settings for Astro
📷 Focus in the Dark - How to achieve pinpoint star focus and sharp exposures
📷 Advanced Camera Techniques – Master long exposures, noise reduction, and lens fog.
📷 Dealing with Harsh Street Lighting – Learn to balance harsh artificial lighting and astrophotography in your shots.
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday 26th July, 6PM – 11PM
📍 Location: Blast Furnace Park, Lithgow, NSW
🚗 Parking: Park on the driveway at Blast Furnace Park, Lithgow. DO NOT PARK PAST THE GATES into the main car park. These will be locked by council staff at 5PM.
🌌 Galactic Core Visibility: 18:43PM – 04:55AM
🎒 What to Bring: DSLR or mirrorless camera, wide-angle lens, tripod, headlamp, remote shutter, fully charged batteries, memory cards, weather-appropriate clothing, and drinking water.
🌦 Weather Policy: The event will proceed if skies are cloudy—light painting and long exposure techniques will still offer creative shooting options. In the event of storm activity or heavy rain, the session will be rescheduled or cancelled.
📍 Meeting Point: Meet at the entry gate to Blast Furnace Park at 6PM.
🔹 Grade 1 – Easy – Most of the workshop takes place on flat ground around the park. This is accessible to most fitness levels.
From time to time, a selection of Sony Digital Imaging gear may be available for testing. If you’re interested in trying a particular body or lens, please get in touch ahead of the event, and we’ll do our best to arrange it.
While this is a free event, a $10 donation on the night is appreciated to help cover required operational costs. Payment can be made via cash or card (Square).
Your contribution helps support:
✅ National Park and Council Entry Fees
✅ Commercial Tour Licensing (Eco Pass, Council, etc.)
✅ Public Liability Insurance
✅ Travel and maintenance costs
✅ Ongoing admin and permit logistics
Whether you're aiming to capture your first Milky Way shot or want to add an iconic location to your astro portfolio, this evening under the stars at Lithgow Blast Furnace promises creativity, connection, and unforgettable images.
🔗 Reserve Your Spot Now – Spaces Are Limited!
