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
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Advocate

Crazy Astrophotographers AstroMeet

Jay Evans
Image: Alpha 7R III (A7RM3B)
Join us for the 1st Astromeet of 2023 - 1AM Start

About the event

We Astrophotographers do some crazy things, like during the early parts of Milky Way season, we become night owls, sleeping during the day and heading out to hunt for that perfect nightscape in the middle of the night. But the results for the adventurous can often be mind blowing. 

So come and join Jay on this Astro-meet, capturing the Milky Way as it rises off the eastern coastline from behind the famed basalt rock columns lining the old Bombo Quarry. This place is like being on a distant rocky planet when juxtaposed against the night sky. There are plenty of great compositions to look for around the area, so plenty for everyone to shoot. 

While on site, I will go through some basics about safety, etiquette, how to find the Milky Way, how to capture it, how to look for a unique composition and how to manage lens fog when it occurs on cold nights (as it surely will!). 

We will shoot the Milky Way and Star Trails through to sunrise. 

NOTE: The meeting time is 1AM in the morning on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Meeting Time: Sunday 19th February @ 01:00 AM

Galactic Core Visible - 01:16 til 05:04 

Sunrise - 06:34 

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 quarry if the skies fail to clear for us. 

Parking - Park in the Bombo Headland Car Park. Be aware the council sometimes lock the gates so it is preferable to park in the spaces just outside the gates.

Techniques covered

  • Night shooting safety
  • Locating the Milky Way
  • Quick Milky Way settings
  • Focusing in the dark
  • Night shooting etiquette
  • Looking for the Unique
  • Managing Lens Fog

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, beanie or other warm headwear, and warm socks/shoes or boots
  • Firm and grippy footwear is strongly recommended as the rocks in the quarry can be slippery and uneven.

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

Please wear appropriate clothing ensuring you have a warm jacket and beanie. Despite being summer, the ocean front can become bitterly cold at night. Long sleeves and long pants are recommended to protect from mosquitos.
Yes - we park in the Bombo Headland Car park.
While we will be on hand to help photographers learn how to capture the night sky and the Milky Way, this is not a workshop, more an event to get like minded photographers in a safe group to capture the night sky.
Bombo quarry is generally accessible to anyone with a short 300m walk from the car park and a few small stairs to climb down. The quarry is generally flat to walk around but some areas have uneven boulders that need to be traversed.
Due to the meeting time, it is recommended that you drive, however trains do run to the Bombo railway station, and are a short 1km walk from the meeting point.
Contact Jay at jay@jaydidphoto.com.au

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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Jay is friendly, responsible and a highly competent host. I’ve attended quite a few of his events. I keep coming back !!”

David Pan, Crazy Astrophotographers AstroMeet
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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