Starbright Wonderland

31/08/2026

The time I accidentally terrified some backpackers at the Pinnacles…

I was at the Pinnacles getting ready to photograph the Milky Way. I arrived before sunset, planned my composition, set up all my equipment while I could still see what I was doing, then settled into my camp chair to enjoy the sunset and wait for the stars.

A few hours later, most people had left. A handful of astrophotographers remained, but I was pretty much on my own.

Or so I thought.

A group of young backpackers had arrived after dark and were up at the viewing platform. They were chatting, playing music and having a lovely time. They hadn't driven past me, so they had absolutely no idea I was there.

Then it was time for my shot.

I put on my giant white dress, walked out into the darkness and got into position.

Camera ready.

Lights ready.

FLASH!

I heard a scream.

Now imagine you're a backpacker in a remote, eerie Australian landscape. It's pitch black. You think you're completely alone.

Suddenly, a mysterious woman in a huge white dress appears in a flash of light among the Pinnacles.

I mean… I would have screamed too.

They turned off their music.

I moved to my second location.

FLASH!

Another scream.

Poor things.

Eventually they packed up, got into their cars and slowly drove around the Pinnacles, presumably trying to work out what the hell was going on.

I actually expected to find a post on one of those *Strange Encounters in Perth* Facebook groups the next morning:

“GHOSTLY WOMAN APPEARS IN FLASHES AT THE PINNACLES!”

Alas, no such post appeared.

So here is the photograph that caused all the trouble.

To those poor backpackers, wherever you are…

I'm sorry.

I promise I wasn't haunting you. I was just taking photographs.

13/08/2026

Sometimes in astrophotography a composite is the most honest way to show what a place will look like. At Cheela Plains in July, the cave I love faces west, while the Milky Way core was high in the east. Waiting until midnight wasn't an option as I had my girls with me and they do need to sleep (however much they protest bedtime!)

So to show what we'll realistically see during the October retreat, I carefully blended a foreground frame from that cave with a sky frame from an earlier date. Accurate direction, just a different night and different time.

In October, the core sets to the west. So this composite is approximately what participants will see, and it's a technique we'll cover together alongside in-field options like light painting.

If you're curious about the Astrophotography Retreat this October, I'd love for you to join us. Details below.

13/08/2026

Trucks! An icon of the Pilbara - I didn't actually find out the story of why these HUGE trucks are parked at but luckily for us they make a fantastic foreground for astro.

It really is hard to comprehend the size of these machines until you stand beside them.

I lit these vehicles using a soft light painting technique I teach in my Astro Retreats and will be using this incredible foreground during the upcoming retreat at Cheela Plains. We couldn't ask for better really with such great details and structures to illuminate.

08/08/2026

I just got home from four weeks on the road in the Pilbara and Midwest and oh boy, it was an adventure!! I have spent hours downloading SD cards and started to edit images now - I have a lot to do.

A fair deal of our trip was around the full moon so I could only shoot the first half. Not to worry, we spent all that other time exploring the landscape and geology of the area.

This first image from the trip is the rock arch at . My lovely friend Maighread was slightly concerned when I set up my camera at around 8pm and left it there overnight while we camped a short drive away. I am not concerned about some random stranger turning up to steal my gear in a remote location. Honestly, I am more concerned that I may inadvertently capture something supernatural..oOOoooOOOhhhhHHH...

Not long until I return to Cheela Plains to my next Astro Retreat! Limited tickets remaining.

24/07/2026

Incredible image from my dear friend Kathleen! If you were at the Carnarvon Space and Tech Museum workshop recently you would have met Kathleen there. Please congratulate her on this stunning capture

Introducing our 2026 Image of the Year - Squadron of the Deep

Captured by Kathleen Elizabeth, who now holds bragging rights for the next year. Kathleen shares the story behind the winning shot:

“During a beautiful Friday night dive with friends, we explored Port Beach after dark. We entered the water just in time to catch a stunning sunset before slipping beneath the surface into a whole new world of marine life.
We were greeted by an incredible variety of animals, including seadragons, squid, fish, and even a shovelnose ray. On our swim back, we came across a shoal of squid moving incredibly fast. I managed to take a couple of shots and hoped for the best, never expecting to get a keeper.
I was pleasantly surprised when I viewed the images on my computer and found that all seven squid were in sharp focus and looking directly at the camera at the same time.”

📸 Sony A6000, a 30 mm lens, and two Sea & Sea strobes.
Aperture f/7.1, shutter speed 1/160 sec, ISO 320.

02/07/2026

The first stop on our great Pilbara/Gascoyne school holidays road trip. Come along and say hi

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐤𝐲?
🔭✨
Join Suzy Jones from 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘺 for a fun, hands on workshop to discover what we can see in the sky after dark, how the sky changes through the seasons, and enjoy stories, science activities, and more.

🕰 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: 10am-12 noon
🗓️ 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: Saturday 11 July
👤𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐬: Ages 8-12
🎫 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭: Free
📍 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Carnarvon Library & Art Gallery
📞 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏: Limited places ~ rebrand.ly/CLAGsky
For more information (08) 9941 3727

28/06/2026

Have you taken time to appreciate the night sky lately?

The gorgeous A again, looking serene and at peace in the dunes.

27/06/2026

I was concerned that Carnarvon would have too much light pollution to capture great detail in the night sky but daaammnnnn I was happy with how this came out. Considering the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum is in the urban area close the the airport the sky is remarkably clear and unhindered by light pollution.

Ironically - I laugh to myself now because this night was not clear at all and I was dodging clouds the entire evening - haha to me. That's just one of the things we have no control of in astro but also what makes a clear evening and great conditions so special.

A reminder about my Astro Workshop at the Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum coming up July 11th - a rare opportunity to photograph these dishes up close yourself.

Western Australia

26/06/2026

A FIVE minute exposure on the SkyWatcher Star Adventure with 14mm lens. The skies at Galena were so dark it was actually easy to see Sigma Octans for polar alignment which is not common. Even the slightest bit of light pollution and you are inhibited from seeing it. Nice long exposure with plenty of nebulosity :) Can you see the airglow too? Notice the trees have moved as the camera has panned to follow the movement of the night sky. Fun times.

25/06/2026

I am really bad at social media and keep forgetting to post for weeks or even months on end. This is me trying to be more proactive :) Gorgeous views at Galena free camp north of Geraldton somewhere near the turn of (the northern one) for Kalbarri. Highly recommend - very dark skies!

Please do some of that interactive-type stuff.

I have actually been out shooting heaps lately and have a huge backlog of images I haven't shared!