Pinnacles & Turquoise Coast —
Astrophotography Workshop
A 5-day / 4-night small-group astro workshop built around multiple attempts at The Pinnacles Desert, Sandy Cape dunes, and the Turquoise Coast. Max 4 photographers. Sunset Milky Way sessions, pre-dawn anticentre opportunities, and structured editing during harsh daylight.
Seats are capped at 4. Newsletter subscribers get first access when bookings open.
Night sessions are planned seriously and attempted when conditions allow. No guarantees — if the sky doesn't cooperate, we lean into editing coaching and sunrise/sunset outcomes.
Why this late September window?
The timing is chosen for three reasons: dark sky, Milky Way position, and weather odds.
The workshop sits directly around the 30 September 2027 new moon, giving us the best practical chance of dark skies across the key night sessions.
After sunset, the Milky Way core sets west — low and wide over the calcarenite limestone spires of the Pinnacles Desert. That means strong foreground-led compositions with the core arcing over the landscape.
Before sunrise, we can work the anticentre side of the Milky Way, including Orion and surrounding targets. Moving into October also brings lower average rainfall and cooler conditions before summer heat builds.
Where we shoot
Three distinct environments. Desert, dunes, and coast — without turning the trip into a road trip.
The Pinnacles Desert
The reason people make the trip. Multiple sessions across sunrise, sunset, and minimum two dedicated night attempts. Repeated sessions at the same location teach adaptation to conditions — not just one lucky composition.
Sandy Cape Dunes
White sand dunes on the Turquoise Coast, north of Jurien Bay. A completely different visual language to the Pinnacles — clean lines, open horizon, and a strong second night opportunity when conditions suit.
Turquoise Coast & Hangover Bay
Coastal sessions for long exposures, beach textures, and seascape variety. Hangover Bay sits close to the Pinnacles and gives you a completely different visual register without adding much driving.
Base location: Accommodation will be confirmed after a scout trip to finalise the base that best reduces driving and maximises shooting time. All locations are within easy range of the Cervantes/Jurien Bay corridor.
Additional coastal and headland locations may be included depending on scout outcomes and conditions during the workshop week.
Who this is for
- Astro and nightscape coaching with multiple genuine attempts across the week
- A simple, repeatable night workflow you can use independently anywhere
- Small-group help with settings, focus, composition, and troubleshooting in the field
- Strong sunrise and sunset sessions across diverse environments
- Structured editing sessions so you leave with finished images, not just raw files
Not the right fit if…
- You want a guaranteed Milky Way — astro is always weather dependent
- You want a new location every session — repetition is part of the process here
- You prefer a large group tour — this is capped at 4 for hands-on coaching
If you're unsure whether it's a fit, ask me directly and I'll tell you straight.
Why repetition beats variety
Most photography workshops try to pack in as many locations as possible. This one doesn't. Two genuine Pinnacles night attempts are worth more than eight mediocre stops rushed past in a van.
Returning to the same location in different conditions teaches you how to read light, adapt compositions, and problem-solve on the fly. That's a skill you can use for the rest of your life — not just one lucky shot from a single visit.
Night sessions are opt-in
If you're tired, you sleep. No pressure. The workshop is designed to produce strong results without grinding people into the ground. Rest is part of the plan, not a failure.
What you'll learn
A practical, repeatable process across field decisions, clean files, and simple finishing.
In the field
- Astro fundamentals: focus workflow, exposure, clean files, horizon control
- Nightscape composition: spire placement, scale, foreground simplification
- Star trails and single-frame nightscapes — no star tracker required
- Sunrise and sunset planning: wind direction, cloud breaks, light angles
- Coastal long exposures: shutter choice, timing, avoiding muddy water
- Safe movement in low light: briefings, positioning, and site boundaries
In the editing session
- Lightroom workflow: cull, masks, colour control, sharpening, export
- Photoshop fundamentals: tidy edges, simple blends, clean finish
- Landscape composition review: structure, separation, leading lines, story sets
- A reusable workflow checklist to take on your own future trips
What you leave with
- A clean astro workflow you can repeat independently anywhere
- Finished edits from the week — not just raw files on a hard drive
- Your personal next-trip checklist: settings, packing, and planning
5-day itinerary
Exact timing flexes with conditions and site access. Night sessions are always opt-in.
Perth arrival · coastal sunset · night option
Meet in Perth (airport or CBD), drive north to base. Check in and reset. Pre-trip briefing: safety, night workflow, and how the week runs. Coastal sunset session. Night attempt only if conditions and energy allow — otherwise rest.
Pinnacles sunrise · editing session · Pinnacles sunset + night
First session at The Pinnacles — composition, exposure, and workflow fundamentals. Midday rest and editing session covering astro workflow and clean file handling. Sunset and first dedicated Pinnacles night attempt.
Sandy Cape sunrise + dunes · editing session · dunes sunset + night
Full day at Sandy Cape. Sunrise in the dunes, working clean lines and open horizon compositions. Midday editing session covering seascape and dune workflow. Sunset in the dunes and night attempt at Sandy Cape if conditions suit.
Coastal sunrise · rest + editing · Pinnacles final night push
Sunrise at the strongest coastal option for the day. Extended midday editing session with live portfolio review — building a consistent set from the week. Evening free to rest or scout. Final Pinnacles night push if conditions deliver.
Final sunrise · wrap-up · return to Perth
Final sunrise at the best option for the day. Wrap-up session: personal settings guide and next-trip checklist. Return transfer to Perth for departures. Trip done — images in hand.
Fatigue note: if we get clear skies every single night, we'll build in a rest window so the group still performs on the final push. Four consecutive all-nighters is not the plan — quality over quantity.
What's included
Everything you need to focus on photography.
Included
- 5-day workshop tuition (max 4 participants)
- 4 nights accommodation (private room)
- Perth airport pickup + return group transfer
- All ground transport during the workshop
- Park entry fees for all planned sessions
- Guided sunrise, sunset and night shoots when conditions allow
- Indoor daily editing sessions
- Permits and commercial permissions confirmed before bookings open
- Documented safety practices and $20M public liability insurance
Not included
- Flights to/from WA
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals — breakfast, lunch, dinner and personal purchases
- Camera gear purchases
Meals are pay-as-you-go so you choose what works for you. We'll keep a simple daily rhythm around early starts and I'll share good local options before the trip.
Pricing
Limited to 4 seats. No early bird pricing — one price, always.
Gear checklist
You don't need exotic gear. You do need the essentials.
Required
- Camera with Manual mode
- Sturdy tripod
- Wide-angle lens (14–24mm range ideal)
- Headlamp — pre-dawn and night sessions
- Spare batteries and memory cards
- Laptop for editing sessions
Helpful (not mandatory)
- Fast wide lens (f/2.8 or faster) for cleaner astro
- Remote shutter or intervalometer for star trails
- ND filters for coastal long exposures
- Lens heater or microfibre cloth for condensation
- Comfortable, warm layers for night sessions
- Modified camera for Orion / emission nebula targets before sunrise
What past participants say
Real feedback from recent workshops.
"I've done quite a few workshops with Dylan now, and I keep coming back for good reason. The planning that goes into finding the right locations at the right time for the best light is exceptional — nothing is left to chance. And the Milky Way sessions? Absolutely fantastic."
"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. The total experience will exceed expectations."
"Dylan brings a depth of knowledge and experience that's rare — but what sets him apart is his genuine willingness to share all of it. I learned an enormous amount over the workshop, yet never once felt overwhelmed. The pace was right, the instruction was clear, and every concept built on the last."
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
Is this an astrophotography workshop or a landscape workshop?
Will we definitely shoot the Milky Way?
Why late September / early October?
What happens if it's cloudy every night?
Are night sessions compulsory?
Do I need a star tracker?
What lens do I need for astro at the Pinnacles?
Is this suitable for beginners?
Do you pick us up from Perth?
Where is the accommodation base?
Are permits and access handled?
What is the cancellation policy?
Are drones allowed?
Get first access when bookings open
Seats are capped at 4. Newsletter subscribers are notified first — before any public announcement.