Introduction to Astrophotography & Nightscaping — Scene House Sydney (NSW)

Join Jay @ Scene House Sydney, proudly presented in partnership with EP Group, Sony Australia and digiDirect.

Join us at the Scene House in Camperdown for an intimate workshop as an Introduction to Astrophotography and Nightscaping. Learn the foundations of photographing the night sky in this small-group in-person session designed to introduce the key techniques required to capture the night sky, focused on the Sony alpha cameras and lenses, and specifically geared to prepare for the latter half of this years Astro season.

This intimate workshop is built for photographers wanting to better understand how to approach night photography — from photographing the Milky Way and stars through to balancing foreground landscapes and learning how camera settings influence image quality after dark.

Led by Sony Digital Imaging Advocate Jay Evans, the session combines practical explanation, visual examples, and hands-on access to Sony equipment used regularly in the field for astrophotography across Sydney, the Blue Mountains and regional dark sky locations.

With only six participants, the evening also allows space for direct discussion, gear handling, and individual questions around technique, planning and camera setup.

⭐ What You’ll Learn

🌌 Astrophotography Foundations — Understanding exposure, shutter speed, aperture and ISO for night sky photography

🌠 Nightscaping Principles — Combining foreground interest with stars and natural night atmosphere

📷 Sony Camera Setup for Astro — Learn how Sony Alpha cameras are configured for low-light performance

🔍 Lens Selection for Night Photography — Explore focal lengths and lens choices commonly used for astro work

📷 Critical Equipment for Astrophotography - We will talk about tripods, tracking mounts, remotes, filters, bags, charging & cleaning gear

🧭 Planning for Better Results — Timing, moon phases, weather and location considerations

✨ Advanced Field Tips — Practical advice gathered from real field sessions across multiple night locations

💬 Questions & Personal Guidance — Bring your own questions for discussion in a small-group setting

📍 Event Details

🗓 Date: Friday 29th May 2026

⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM

📍 Location: Scene House, Sydney (NSW), 99 Australia St, Camperdown

🤝 Presented with Sony & DigiDirect

🎒 Hands-On Sony Equipment

Participants will have the opportunity to handle and explore Sony Alpha cameras and selected lenses used for astrophotography, with discussion around why particular gear performs well in night conditions.

Available equipment may include:

• Sony A7V, A7CII, A7RV and A7CR
• Sony 14mm F/1.8 GM
• Sony 12-24mm F/2.8 GM
• Sony 16-35mm F/2.8 GM II

Bring your own camera if you would like help understanding how your current setup compares or how to improve its night capability.

⚙️ What We’ll Cover Practically

• How to configure a camera for night sky shooting
• Focusing accurately in darkness
• Exposure balancing for stars and foreground detail
• File formats and image quality considerations
• Common mistakes that affect astro image sharpness

👥 Small Group Format

This session is intentionally limited to six participants, creating time for a more personal learning experience.

• Ask direct questions throughout the evening
• Receive advanced practical tips beyond the core presentation
• Discuss gear choices and upgrade pathways
• Gain clarity on how to prepare for future field shooting

🎁 Extras & Ongoing Learning

Vouchers for Future Astro Events

All attendees will receive discount vouchers valid across upcoming Astromeets and selected astrophotography field events throughout 2026.

Continue Learning in the Field

Participants will also have the opportunity to join future Astromeets, Astro Foundations sessions and advanced night field workshops across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and South Coast.

1:1 Astrophotography Opportunities

A limited number of Signature Astrophotography 1:1 sessions will also be available to attendees at discounted participant rates.

⭐ Why Join

• Build a clear foundation in astrophotography and nightscaping
• Learn directly from a photographer experienced in field-based astro work
• Understand Sony camera setup for real night conditions
• Explore specialist gear used for Milky Way photography
• Ask detailed questions in a very small group environment
• Access ongoing astro learning opportunities after the session

🌌 Join Us at Scene House

Whether you are preparing for your first Milky Way shoot or looking to strengthen your understanding before heading into the field, this session is designed to give you practical knowledge, hands-on gear access, and clearer direction for photographing the night sky.

🔗 Places are strictly limited to six participants.

• 🌌 Astrophotography Foundations — Understanding exposure, shutter speed, aperture and ISO for night sky photography
• 🌠 Nightscaping Principles — Combining foreground interest with stars and natural night atmosphere
• 📷 Sony Camera Setup for Astro — Learn how Sony Alpha cameras are configured for low-light performance
• 🔍 Lens Selection for Night Photography — Explore focal lengths and lens choices commonly used for astro work
• 📷 Critical Equipment for Astrophotography - We will talk about tripods, tracking mounts, remotes, filters, bags, charging & cleaning gear
• 🧭 Planning for Better Results — Timing, moon phases, weather and location considerations
• ✨ Advanced Field Tips — Practical advice gathered from real field sessions across multiple night locations
• 💬 Questions & Personal Guidance — Bring your own questions for discussion in a small-group setting

• Your current camera and lens setup
• Notebook
• Any astrophotography planning apps you already use