Astrophotography Workshop at Point Cartwright
This session sold out within 2 hours of release to the DKP mailing list. Join the newsletter to get first access when the next session is announced.
This session is sold out. Join the newsletter to get first access when the next Nikon School session is announced — it sold out in 2 hours last time.
Registration for this session is managed by Nikon School Australia. Join the newsletter to be first to know when the next session opens.
Who this is for
- Beginners who want to shoot the night sky but don't know where to start with settings
- Photographers who can set exposures in daylight but haven't cracked focus or framing in the dark
- Anyone who wants a simple, confidence-building introduction to astrophotography they can repeat on their own
- Nikon shooters who want camera-specific guidance in the field from an experienced night photographer
Not the right fit if…
- You want guaranteed Milky Way shots regardless of cloud — weather is always a factor
- You're after advanced stacking, panoramas or post-processing depth — this is a single-shot field session
- You're not comfortable moving on uneven ground at night with a headlamp
What you'll shoot
- Milky Way rising in the east: in June the galactic core rises over the ocean — framed against the Point Cartwright Lighthouse depending on tide and position
- Point Cartwright Lighthouse: iconic foreground with a clean coastal horizon
- Dolphin Rock + headland formations: textured geology that adds scale and depth to wide-field night compositions
- Single-shot wide-field captures: focus is on clean, well-exposed individual frames — not stacking or advanced techniques
What's included
- Hands-on coaching in the field — Dylan sets up alongside you
- Step-by-step camera setup, exposure, focus and framing demonstrations
- Troubleshooting on the spot — if your shot isn't working, we fix it together
- Post-workshop cheat sheet and resource guide sent to all participants
- AU$20M public liability insurance held by DKP
Not included
- Post-processing / Lightroom editing instruction — this is a field session
- Transport and accommodation
- Meals or personal expenses
- Registration and booking policies managed by Nikon School
What you'll learn
Six core topics, demonstrated step-by-step in the field. Focused and practical — nothing that doesn't directly help you get a sharper, better-framed shot tonight.
Getting your camera out of auto and into the right starting position for dark conditions — fast.
Understanding the trade-offs for night sky work and finding settings that actually work on your gear.
Reliable manual focus methods for stars — no guessing, no blurry results.
Using the galactic core, lighthouse and coastal horizon together for a composition that works.
Picking a starting point for night — natural tones versus warmer looks, and why it matters in RAW.
Stars trailing, soft focus, too bright, too dark — common problems and how to fix them quickly.
A note on star exposure: This session uses the NPF rule — the current standard for sharp stars on modern high-resolution sensors. It accounts for aperture, pixel pitch and focal length. We don't teach the 500 rule here; it consistently produces trailed stars on anything above ~20MP.
For Nikon Z shooters, the PhotoPills Spot Stars calculator gives you NPF results instantly on location.
The location
Point Cartwright is one of the most accessible and rewarding night photography spots on the Sunshine Coast.
Why Point Cartwright
- In June, the Milky Way core rises in the east — over the ocean, with the lighthouse as a natural foreground anchor
- Minimal light pollution in that direction gives a cleaner sky than most coastal spots this close to the coast
- Point Cartwright Lighthouse and Dolphin Rock provide reliable, photogenic foreground options
- Short walk from parking — no long hikes in the dark
- June is one of the better months for astrophotography on the Sunshine Coast — the core climbs well within the 3-hour window
What to bring
- Camera: mirrorless or DSLR with manual mode — any brand, Nikon shooters get the most from camera-specific guidance
- Lens: wide-angle preferred — 14–24mm, 16–35mm or equivalent. Faster aperture (f/1.4–f/2.8) is ideal
- Tripod: non-negotiable for night work
- Headlamp: red light preferred — essential for setup in full dark
- Spare batteries and SD cards
- Warm layers — June nights are cool on the headland
- Closed, grippy shoes — uneven ground after dark
- Shutter release cable — optional but useful
- Snacks and water
What past participants say
Real feedback from Dylan's workshops and Nikon School sessions.
"Dylan sets the bar high and consistently clears it. The planning that goes into finding the right locations at the right time — with the right light — is exceptional. The Milky Way sessions are absolutely fantastic. Nothing is left to chance."
"Before the workshop, my approach was simple — just take the shot. Now it's all about planning, preparation and waiting for the light. Understanding light as the most fundamental element of composition was the real revelation."
"Advanced techniques like exposure blending and shooting full manual felt out of reach before. Three days changed that. I left with shots I'm genuinely proud of and a real understanding of why the process works."
"Dylan brings a depth of knowledge that's rare — but what sets him apart is his genuine willingness to share all of it. I learned an enormous amount, yet never felt overwhelmed. I'd recommend this without hesitation."
"I considered myself a capable photographer before the workshop, but it surprised me how much I still had to learn — and how quickly small adjustments improved my results. You gain so much more than just photos."
"Expert tuition, incredible locations, and a great group of like-minded photographers. My photography has noticeably improved since. If you're sitting on the fence, just go."
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
Is this only for Nikon users?
Do I need astrophotography experience?
Will the Milky Way be visible?
What happens if it clouds over or rains?
What's the NPF rule mentioned on the page?
Where do I meet and is there parking?
How far do we walk? Is it accessible?
Is editing / post-processing included?
What's the cancellation and refund policy?
This session is sold out.
It sold out within 2 hours of release to the DKP mailing list. Join the newsletter to get first access when the next Nikon School session is announced.
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