Borumba Dam Astrophotography Workshop
Multiple dates · Jun–Sep 2025 · Bortle-2 skies · AU$150 pp
Register My SpotWorkshop Snapshot
Session Length
≈ 3 HrsGroup Size
Max 4Tuition
AU$150Add-On
+ AU$99Online editing masterclass
Pay in full to lock your seat — free reschedule if heavy cloud or rain is forecast.
Location Preview
The Allure of Borumba Dam
Tucked in Queensland’s Mary Valley, Borumba offers pristine Bortle-2 darkness. The Milky Way arches vividly above forested mountains, while the dam’s mirror-calm water doubles every star. On the best nights your sensor will even record atmospheric airglow — subtle greens, reds and purples rarely seen by eye.
Workshop Flow
- Meet before the optimal core window for gear setup
- Blue-hour foreground frames (season-dependent)
- Milky Way rise & reflections aligned over the dam
- Live coaching on focus, ISO, shutter & composition
- Star-trail & time-lapse demo (optional)
- Wrap-up Q&A before midnight drive-out
Hands-On Skills You’ll Master
- Focus & exposure dialled in under 5 minutes
- ISO/aperture sweet-spot for clean, colourful stars
- Shutter choice — pin-points vs trails
- Composition using reflections & the galactic core
- Real-time planning with PhotoPills & Clear Outside
- Optional LR/PS workflow to make the core pop
What to Bring
- DSLR/Mirrorless + wide-angle ƒ/1.4–ƒ/4 (14–24 mm ideal)
- Sturdy tripod & quick-release plate
- Fresh battery & empty SD card
- Headlamp (red & white modes)
- Warm layers, snacks & water
- Intervalometer (optional)
What’s Included
- Guided 3-hour field workshop
- Astro Quick-Reference Cheat Sheet
- Free Composition eBook
- Personalised gear advice & partner discounts
- Access to post-processing video library
- Add-on: live online editing masterclass (+ AU$99)
Weather Guarantee
If heavy cloud or rain is forecast 24 hours in advance, simply reschedule to any future date — free of charge. Clear-sky odds are highest April–August.
Is This for You?
- First-timers chasing their first Milky Way ✅
- Intermediates refining focus/exposure workflows ✅
- Comfortable walking short grassy tracks with gear ✅
- Ready for late nights & dark-sky magic ✅
Experience Queensland’s Darkest Lake
AU$150 secures three immersive hours under the stars — plus lifelong skills.
Register My SpotFAQs
Fitness level?
Short, easy walks on grass/dam banks — no steep climbs.
Can I rent gear?
Email before booking for hire recommendations.
Weather backups?
Free reschedule if heavy cloud/rain is forecast 24 hrs ahead.
Editing add-on?
60–90 min online masterclass (+ AU$99): stacking, noise reduction & colour grading.
Beginner friendly?
Absolutely — basic camera knowledge is enough; we guide you step-by-step.
Travel insurance?
Recommended — protect your gear against accident or theft.
Testimonials
"Dylan has put a lot of time and effort into this workshop. He is easy to understand and ensures each student gets the time they need to grasp the concepts. I really appreciated that there were only four students—Dylan spent plenty of time with each of us. The follow-up eBooks he created and published are a terrific way to reinforce the weekend and make sure the new techniques and knowledge really stick. Thank you Dylan—I really enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait to see what’s next."
– Jo
"Highly recommend Knighty’s Photography! You won’t be disappointed! I’ve done a few private workshops with Dylan over the last five years and it’s been great! Looking forward to my next workshop with Dylan!"
– Wendy K.
"Knighty's Astro photography session was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer... I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."
– Amber
"I was absolutely stoked with the workshop... Dylan clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this again!"
– Workshop Participant
"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor who was prepared to put in extra time... He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."
– Participant Feedback
"The workshop was excellent. Dylan was very knowledgeable and professional. He went over and above to ensure we all had a great experience."
– Nikon School Attendee
"Even with the constant rain, Dylan kept me up to date and gave me peace of mind. The workshop clarified so many things that YouTube never could. Highly recommended!"
– Workshop Attendee
"I would highly recommend a Nikon School Workshop and Dylan Knight. He followed up with extra resources and provided a professional experience from start to finish."
– Nikon Workshop Participant