Blackheath: Night Sky Photography Workshop

Learn how to take nightscape and star trail images at a beginner astronomy photography workshop. Explore the cosmos through your lens and learn from an astrophotographer and stargazing guide.

Meet your guide, Tom Kirkpatrick, who works as a stargazing guide at Blue Mountains Stargazing and is a Bronze Winner at the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards in the Tour Operator Category. He loves to sit outside all night with his telescope and cameras, and considers it a good night if he's heading for bed at sunrise.

Some of his personal favorite achievements include taking a photo of a galaxy 29 million light years away, and capturing the Zodiacal Light intersecting with the Milky Way. Tom has been practicing astrophotography since the age of 16, and is keen to share his knowledge and experience with anyone who's interested.

Learn about astronomy photography theory and practice, including camera settings for low light photos, how to frame and focus photos in the dark, how the sky moves and changes over time, and what that means for your photo, and optimal equipment such as cameras, lenses, and accessories.

Take part in naked-eye laser-guided astronomy and learn how to take nightscape and star trail images. Enjoy the opportunity to ask your guide any questions you may have.