Milky Way Photography Workshop Canberra

 

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Intro

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Canberra and its surrounding areas are renowned as one of the premier locations in Australia—and possibly the world—for astrophotography and stargazing, thanks to its ideal conditions. With low humidity and minimal light pollution, it provides a perfect environment for capturing the Milky Way and photographing crisp, clear images of the stars. While it's rare for a capital city, Canberra offers opportunities to photograph the Milky Way from within the city itself. However, the best results are achieved just a short 15-minute drive from the city, where the absence of city lights offers an even clearer view of the night sky.

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Overview

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The workshop lasts around 5 hours and takes place on a stunning private property in Gundaroo, just a 20-minute drive from the North side of Canberra. We'll start indoors with an introduction and theory session on astro-landscape photography. As night falls, we'll head outside for the exciting part: hands-on practice photographing the Milky Way. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the night sky and the breathtaking sights of the Milky Way. Time will fly as you capture the stars and soak in the stunning views.

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All skill levels are encouraged to join this workshop, intentionally kept small with groups of up to six individuals. This ensures that Ari can provide personal attention and guidance, tailored to each participant's level of photography knowledge.

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What Is Covered?

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• Expert guidance from internationally renowned photographer Ari Rex

• How to plan/photograph stunning astro-landscapes with the magnificence Milky Way in the background

• How to capture single shot portraits under the Milky Way

• Stitching panoramas

• Timelapses 

• Startrails

• Histogram (how to best use histogram for improving the dynamic range) 

• How and where to focus to get pin sharp focus of the stars and foreground objects in total darkness 

• Understanding infinity focus

• Understanding the 500 rule and when to break it so you can extend the exposure time of single shots up to 200% without noticeable startrail (Ari's personal technique)

• Tips and tricks for using creative foreground lighting techniques

• How to perfectly light foreground subjects in a single or multiple shot portraits

• How to align quickly and use a star-tracking device to capture very high quality images of the Milky Way, Moon, constellations, nebulas  as well as moon and sun eclipses

• Techniques and tips on how to keep your camera and lens in optimal condition to photograph during the night.

• Verbal post-processing overview

• After the workshop concludes, you will receive a detailed email outlining all the techniques and information covered during the session.

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    *Please note: In respect of our community and the owners of the land, we apply a "leave no trace" policy in all our workshop.

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What Will I Need?

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• DSLR or Mirrorless camera and lens

• Tripod 

• Remote trigger or intervalometer

• Headlamp 

• Warm clothes (dress for very cold weather as the temperature drops low after sunset)

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    Recommended but not required 

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• Extra Battery

• Smartphone 

• Wide angle lens, preferably f2.8 or faster. 

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Tips About the Equipment

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To make the most of this workshop, consider these tips obout equipment.

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• Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses, ideally made after 2010. Most of these cameras can capture the Milky Way, but for the best results, use a lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or wider) to capture clearer, more vibrant details.

• Lenses: The wider, the better! A focal length between 10mm and 28mm is ideal for Milky Way shots. Lenses with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or faster) will let in more light, making it easier to capture the stars in all their brilliance.

• Tripod: Stability is key when shooting long exposures, so bring a sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady during the session.

• Headlamp with Red Light: A headlamp with a red light function will help you navigate the darkness while preserving your night vision and minimizing disruptions for others.

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    No Camera, No problem! 

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You can also hire a full Astro Camera Kit - available for just $100 at the checkout ​

Separate camera gear can also be hired before the workshop begins

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    Astro Camera Kit hire includes: 

   - Canon full frame camera 

   - Two extra batteries
   - One fast lens 
   - Sturdy tripod
   - Ball head
   - L bracket
   - Remote trigger
   - Headlamp
   - Focusing torch

   - Lens warmers
   - Carry bag

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Need to bring your own SD memory card of at least 16gb if you hire an astro camera kit so you can take the images that you capture with you at the termination of the workshop.

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Difficulty

 

We welcome all skill levels to this workshop. Even if you are not confident about how to use your camera in manual mode or you have never shot the night sky before, don't worry, we will run through a quick crash course on some important functions that we will be using during the night. We keep our group size small to ensure that each participant receives individualized attention from Ari. 

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A general fitness level is required. There is a small amount of walking on uneven ground, and standing for an extended period in a cold temperature. Please feel free to bring a chair if you need to sit and be sure to rug up as the temperatures drop quite a bit after sunset. 

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Weather Policy 

Our Milky Way photography workshop will proceed as scheduled, rain or shine. In the event of heavy clouds, rain, or storms, we’ll continue with the class indoors, covering all essential techniques, settings, and tips to ensure you're fully prepared for clear skies in the future.

If weather conditions prevent us from photographing the Milky Way outdoors, I’ll arrange a complimentary practice session for those able to return, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned under ideal conditions. This session is optional and ensures everyone has the opportunity for hands-on night sky photography.

Please note that weather is unpredictable and beyond our control, so we encourage participants to view the indoor session as a valuable learning experience, providing you with the skills to capture stunning nightscapes whenever the skies are clear.

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General Info

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• The fee for this workshop is $450 per participant (maximum 6 people)

• The registration can be done directly at the Book Workshops page or by pressing the green button Book Now below

• You'll get a confirmation email shortly after completing the payment process

• Our workshops fill up fast, so we suggest securing your spot as soon as possible

• Registration isn't complete until payment is made. If you encounter issues booking, please try another browser or contact us

• A few days before the workshop starts, you'll receive an email containing workshop details and the itinerary

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Cancellation Policy

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• You can cancel your workshop booking anytime up to four weeks before the workshop day for a full refund*. Cancellations made within 21 days prior to the workshop will incur a 50% cancellation fee. Unfortunately, refunds cannot be issued for cancellations made less than 14 days before the workshop.

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    *10% admin fee applies