AU NZ

Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

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Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Starting Never Ends is the one place for all Sony camera mini-sites. Learn about all new Sony camera products in a fun interactive way.

AU NZ
Jay Evans
-
Advocate

Blue Mountains Astro Meet - Cahills Lookout

Jay Evans
Image: Alpha 7 III (A7M3)
Join Jay for a night of Astro in the Blue Mountains

About the event

Cahills Lookout and the surrounding escarpment has become a very popular location for sunset photographers in the Blue Mountains, but it is also home to one of the best Astrophotography sites the Blue Mountains has to offer.

Join Jay on this Astromeet, to capture the Milky Way as it sets on the Western horizon over the Megalong Valley. This is a perfect location to capture single Milky Way shots, but also for Panoramas and Timelaspe.

As the Milky Way season heads West at the end of 2021, we will meet and capture the stars at the incredible clear sky locations through the Blue Mountains. Kicking off with some quick coaching on locating and capturing the stars, we will then settle into our location and begin to capture the night sky as the Milky Way passes overhead and sets towards the west.

Dress for the conditions Temperatures will drop significantly overnight and you must be prepared to stand in the cold by wearing winter clothing, warm layers, a winter jacket, gloves, beanie and thermals if you require them.

Fitness & Mobility Requirements (IMPORTANT!)
We will be accessing an area around the escarpment that takes us close to high cliff edges and is accessed on steep stairs, over steep rocky terrain. As a consequence, you should have a moderate level of fitness, and a high degree of mobility and self awareness to attend this Astro Meet. For your safety, I may restrict you accessing certain parts of this location if you are deemed to not be capable or equipped to do so.

Know your gear
We always recommend you have a very good familiarity with your camera gear, including how to operate manual settings (ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture), setup your tripod and manage everything in the dark. With practice it becomes second nature, and is very important when photographing in a group or in tight spaces like where we will be for this event.

Weather Dependent This is a Weather Dependent event. If heavy rain or storms are forecast we will cancel or postpone the event to a later date. We will still run the event if it is cloudy, as we can have some light painting fun around the Blue Mountains if the skies fail to clear for us.

Jay is licensed to operate Photography tours in NSW National Parks under an Eco Pass License # LIC 20/116.

 

Techniques covered

  • Night shooting safety
  • Locating the Milky Way
  • Quick Milky Way settings
  • Night shooting etiquette
  • Looking for the Unique
  • Managing Lens Fog
  • We will also cover techniques such as timelapse and panoramas
  • We will also hold a Sony Astro gear clinic to talk about best Astro settings on your Sony mirrorless cameras.

What to bring

  • MOST IMPORTANT - Working Headlamp or torch (no mobile phone torches please!)
  • A camera with Manual controls and interchangeable lenses
  • Lenses suitable for astrophotography (between 12mm & 24mm preferably with f/2.8 or faster)
  • Remote shutter for camera
  • Sturdy Tripod
  • A small towel to cover your camera
  • Warm Layered clothing, a winter jacket, gloves, beanie or other warm headwear, and warm socks/shoes or boots
  • A water bottle
  • Fully charged batteries
  • Empty memory cards
  • ESSENTIAL - to access the escarpment we strongly recommend wearing ankle high hiking boots.

Event FAQs (For general FAQs, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page)

We will be shooting late at night, so warm layered clothing is Strongly recommended. Bring a winter jacket, gloves and beanie or other warm hat, and wear warm socks. At most we will be less than 300 metres from our vehicles so it is easy to return to warmth if you get too cold.
There is parking available at Cahills Lookout, and also on the roadside.
No accommodation is included, however if travelling from Sydney, it is recommended that you book into one of the many hotels or motels available in the upper Blue Mountains so you can rest before the long drive home.
Fitness & Mobility Requirements (IMPORTANT!) We will be accessing an area around the escarpment that takes us close to high cliff edges and is accessed on steep stairs, over steep rocky terrain. As a consequence, you should have a moderate level of fitness, and a high degree of mobility and self awareness to attend this Astro Meet. For your safety, I may restrict you accessing certain parts of this location if you are deemed to not be capable or equipped to do so.
You can catch a train to Katoomba Railway station and walk to Cahills Lookout in approximately 45 minutes. Due to the late conclusion of the event, you will be unable to catch a return train until the 4AM departure the next day.
Contact Jay at jay@jaydidphoto.com.au
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Advocate

Jay Evans

Hi, I am Jay Evans. A Nightscape, Landscape, Nature and Astro Photographer based in the Blue Mountains and also a passionate Tour Guide and Educator.I love to e...

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Excellent guidance and expertise from industry professionals. Definitely worth attending and I will be telling others about it. Thanks Jay.”

Paul Jones, The Crazy things Astrophotographers do Astro-Meet
GOVETTS LEAP SUNBURST
Lithgow Blast Furnace - 1st A7R4 Astro Shot

Jay was excellent. I was knowledgeable and has the ability to convey this knowledge to each individual and to a large group. ”

Gerard Delany, Crazy Astrophotographers AstroMeet
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