Blue Mountains Photo Safari (star trails, sunset, fungi)

[biggerry]

Following on from this thread This thread is to lock in some details to enable people to plan, unplan, completely ignore or stick ones fingers up

Date: Saturday 21st Jan
Time: Mid afternoon -> late
Where: Wentworth falls

This is a google maps (man what did we do before google maps - best thing since sliced bread) (PM me for the map) for the star trail location.

The afternoon meeting spot is TBA.

The photography options:

I am keen to see some more fungi stuff, however there may not be much around, I am also keen for some waterfall action (3 ish), it would be nice to spend a couple of hours in the late afternoon doing either of these. I am not sure about others, however a walk down wennie falls might be teh ticket, plenty of over photographed spots there and some lesser ones the further you go down

After that I suspect some food may be in order (6 ish), then head out to flat rock for a late sunset (7:30 ish?) and some serious star trail action. Obviously this is dependent on the cloud cover, can always ditch that part and just do sunset.

Fold up chair essential if your gonna do the long haul.

I am open to suggestions and variations.

[surenj]

How about the timing of the return trip? Overnight drive or camp overnight??

[ATJ]

I'm going to try to make it, at least for the afternoon.

[colin_12]

I will be good for the whole thing at present Gerry.
Remind me to bring the 85 for you to play with.

[Mr Darcy]

I will be good for the whole thing at present Gerry.
Remind me to bring the 85 for you to play with.

What do you have in mind for food? Do I have to BMO BBQ? Or are you planning on the local caffs?

man what did we do before google maps - best thing since sliced bread

Dunno about you, but I have been using a GPSr since long before Google Maps, and paper and compass before that. I still use the latter when the batteries go flat.

[aim54x]

Im going to be stuck at work.....take photos for me!

[Raskill]

Damn it, this would have been great, unfortunately I have a wedding in Lavender Bay that day. Oh well, I look forward to seeing some star trail pics.

[biggerry]

How about the timing of the return trip? Overnight drive or camp overnight??

Good point Suren, I am open to ideas here, for me I was thinking drive back if its not too late or camp somewhere and have breaky early in the morning on the way back...

I'm going to try to make it, at least for the afternoon.

cool

What do you have in mind for food? Do I have to BMO BBQ? Or are you planning on the local caffs?

are there any good venues for dinner in wennie falls? That would probably be easiest, otherwise a BBQ at one of the picnic areas could be a good idea, but I am easy to please, give me a roll and snag with some onion and I will go for hours

[surenj]

It's still a tentative for me.

Partially because I need a battery grip (I assumed so that the battery won't give out in the middle of the trails etc).

Could I also potentially borrow a light weight fold-up from someone? Mine is to heavy for a trek.

[ATJ]

Could I also potentially borrow a light weight fold-up from someone? Mine is to heavy for a trek.

Um.... tripod?

[biggerry]

It's still a tentative for me.

Partially because I need a battery grip (I assumed so that the battery won't give out in the middle of the trails etc).

Could I also potentially borrow a light weight fold-up from someone? Mine is to heavy for a trek.

I am not using a grip, i am just gonna go until teh battery runs out

I have a plastic fantastic but would not wish that upon anyone! But your welcome to it.

Hike distance for startrails is minimal, less than half a km. The falls and fungi could be a bit more, if we do wennie falls its more the stairs than the distance and that is pretty intense.

[surenj]

Um.... tripod?

No I meant chair. I assumed that I needed my tripod.

I am not using a grip, i am just gonna go until teh battery runs out

Hmm... I am not confident about this. Maybe I should get another battery.

I will confirm soonish...

I will need to install the Magic Lantern firmware to get the intervalometer for the 60D.

[biggerry]

Um.... tripod?

No I meant chair. I assumed that I needed my tripod.

I am not using a grip, i am just gonna go until teh battery runs out

Hmm... I am not confident about this. Maybe I should get another battery.

I will confirm soonish...

I will need to install the Magic Lantern firmware to get the intervalometer for the 60D.

i gotta a couple of foldup chairs so your covered there..

[Mr Darcy]

Magic Lantern

I've got an Aladdin Lamp. Would that help?

More seriously, I can dig out a couple of chairs, tables etc

[Elver]

I'll be there. Looking forward to it.

I don't think I can stay overnight though.

[Mr Darcy]

I've been busy at my uncle's lately so I haven't had a lot of time up here.
Places to eat for dinner include:
The Conservation Hut. Only opens for early dinner on Summer weekends. Not been there for dinner
Bowling club. Chinese. Never tried it
Pub. Never tried it for dinner. Lunches are OK
The Blue Mist. Modern Oz. Seating may be a problem if we get a lot of takers
Seven. Modern Italian. Expensive. WOuld probably need prebooking on a Saturday night. Does great take away woodfired pizzas. Opens at 18:00 for eat in. Take away from 17:30
Chinese. Typical country chinese. Lets just say I'm glad Cameron is not coming.
Thai. Good except when the normal staff is on holiday. Yes you guessed it. I haven't tried them this summer.
A pizza place - not a chain - takeaway only Also does good pizza
"Greasy Joes" run by chinese. Excellent fish & chips, BBQ chicken. Good hamburgers
Sadly the pie shop shuts at 16:00
There are a couple of other eateries but I think they shut after lunch.

Then there's Leura. And Katoomba. And...

Sorry I haven't had a chance to check out the observatory yet.

[surenj]

I've got an Aladdin Lamp. Would that help?

Magic Lantern is way better.... I just need a free evening to install it and try to get used to the intervalometer function.

Thanks for the offer of chairs etc Gerry and Greg.

At this stage, I am not that keen for overnight as this would spoil the next day as well.

[colin_12]

You can do this with a manual intervalometer if needs be Suren.

If we are clouded out then it would be good to have some of the ropes of lights at least as a backup. Flat rock would look pretty good for some orbs as well.

[biggerry]

I'll be there. Looking forward to it.

I don't think I can stay overnight though.

At this stage, I am not that keen for overnight as this would spoil the next day as well.

cool, i think it may just be a late night drive back then, I agree it takes a big chunk outta the weekend if its a full overnighter.. I reckon peeps can leave when so desire or when their batteries run out

[surenj]

You can do this with a manual intervalometer if needs be Suren.

Well then I'd have to have a beer in one hand and the remote in the other.

If we are clouded out then it would be good to have some of the ropes of lights at least as a backup. Flat rock would look pretty good for some orbs as well.

I have a blue EL wire which I can bring.
Otherwise we can just have dinner and drive back.

cool, i think it may just be a late night drive back then, I agree it takes a big chunk outta the weekend if its a full overnighter.. I reckon peeps can leave when so desire or when their batteries run out

I am ambivalent about overnighter. I will have to borrow a tent as well. I guess if it's an overnighter, we should ideally have access to power to recharge batteries and make a sunrise out of it as well. Now this reminds me of the Newcastle safari (although we had nice accomodation for that.... )

[biggerry]

If we are clouded out then it would be good to have some of the ropes of lights at least as a backup. Flat rock would look pretty good for some orbs as well.

will bring some DIY gear and also the dome.

I am ambivalent about overnighter. I will have to borrow a tent as well. I guess if it's an overnighter, we should ideally have access to power to recharge batteries and make a sunrise out of it as well. Now this reminds me of the Newcastle safari (although we had nice accomodation for that.... )

lol newcastle safari, that was good, need more of those - i was hoping to recharge my battery after the falls/fungi session prior to star trails... greg?

[biggerry]

The weather does not look promising, there is predicated rain

[ATJ]

there is predicated rain

Great for waterfalls and cascades.

Where are we meeting and at what time?

[biggerry]

there is predicated rain

Great for waterfalls and cascades.

Where are we meeting and at what time?

at this point I am thinking wentworth falls, depending on how fit/keen people are there might be some good fungi stuff down the bottom of the falls (colin can you advise of any other locations) plus the obvious good waterfall shots...

I envisaged around the 3pm mark.

[surenj]

The weather does not look promising, there is predicated rain

I don't like the sound of that.


Just to get a rough time-line.

3pm - ? meet at Leura (so leave at 12pm)
8pm - sunset (might be earlier for the mountains)
10pm - star trails
12 midnight- 1am - ? drive back

[Mr Darcy]

meet at Leura

Umm Wentworth Falls was mentioned. Not Leura

8pm - sunset (might be earlier for the mountains)

Actually it's later. Further west so the sun rises and sets later than Sydney (about 4 minutes FWIW)
Sunset on Saturday is 20:10 with Astronomical twilight at 21:48

Min 14 Max 21. Cloudy. A shower or two. The chance of a thunderstorm from midday. Winds southeasterly and light.

Can we have a final "I'm in" and do you want me to book a table anywhere?

[biggerry]

3pm - ? meet at Leura (so leave at 12pm)
8pm - sunset (might be earlier for the mountains)
10pm - star trails
12 midnight- 1am - ? drive back

sounds pretty good but meet at wentworth falls and if the weather turns to shite than just do funky light painting instead.

Can we have a final "I'm in" and do you want me to book a table anywhere?

well i am definitely in, even if its by me lonesome

dinner wise, I think teh option of the takeaway pizza, Conservation hut or greasy joes is probably adequate - but then i am not precious and would eat just about anything. I don't think booking is a good idea unless we have firm numbers, as we all know organising is like herding stray cats

[Mr Darcy]

OK this seems to be the list of participants. Any more?

biggerry
Mr Darcy
Colin12
ATJ (Afternoon only)
Surenj
Elver

Is anyone coming by train?

Meeting place. Hmm. At 15:00 the carpark at the falls is liable to be full. How about meeting at the east end of Fletcher St (S33° 43' 18" E150° 22' 33" Sorry I don't know how to embed maps) It is away from the crowds, but allows a relatively short trek along the Darwin Walk to the Falls. An even quieter spot is Shortland St Near Yestre Rd( S33° 43' 32" E150° 22' 53"). There is an almost unknown track there, but it involves a creek crossing which can be iffy if it's wet.

If you want to bring a charger I am sure we can arrange a 240V outlet or 6. Perhaps a recharge during dinner would be in order.

[biggerry]

sweet greg, nice one. I will PM my mobile around.

[colin_12]

I am still in. I may be a tad late though as I will be at Bents Basin in the morning for a family thing.

There is still not much fungi action unfortunately. No harm in looking though. We could have a look at Leura cascades or some of the other easy to get to falls.

Most nights have been clouding over of late. We may have better luck in the depths of Winter......Brrrrrr

I have spent the last couple of weekends feeding leeches and ticks in the Southern Highlands so this will be a nice change however it turns out.

[surenj]

I am in.

Greg, Powerboard sounds like a good idea for a quick charge during dinner.

I am easy with dinner options as long as it contains the main food groups: Carbs, lards, chocolate and energy drinks.

[Elver]

I'm in.

I got my new 16-35 yesterday and can't wait.

See you there.

[Mr Darcy]

http://www.eldersweather.com.au/nsw/central-tablelands/wentworth-falls

[ATJ]

Meeting place. Hmm. At 15:00 the carpark at the falls is liable to be full. How about meeting at the east end of Fletcher St (S33° 43' 18" E150° 22' 33" Sorry I don't know how to embed maps) It is away from the crowds, but allows a relatively short trek along the Darwin Walk to the Falls. An even quieter spot is Shortland St Near Yestre Rd( S33° 43' 32" E150° 22' 53"). There is an almost unknown track there, but it involves a creek crossing which can be iffy if it's wet.

So which is it? Fletcher Street or Shortland Street?

[surenj]

I am getting concerned about them thunderstorms that have even predicted.

[colin_12]

I am getting concerned about them thunderstorms that have even predicted.

:chook:

Just bring a decent raincoat for you and a waterproof bag for the camera.

[biggerry]

Alrighty, a slight deviation in the plan, does anyone want to do the Leura Cascades as well? I am keen to check them out and they are only 15 minutes up the road, I think I will get up there at 2pm for a short session then cruise on down to Wentworth falls at 3-3:30pm. This should then allow 30-45mins walk down the wentworth falls then a good 1-1.5 hours down the bottom doing teh falls and fungi. Aim to to be leaving the bottom (by 6 ish) for a good 45 minutes walk up and be at dinner around 7 for a quick bite then off to sunset - or take dinner and chairs to sunset location.

n even quieter spot is Shortland St Near Yestre Rd( S33° 43' 32" E150° 22' 53"). There is an almost unknown track there, but it involves a creek crossing which can be iffy if it's wet.

I am always game for a creek crossing, that appears to be the shorter of the two walks so lets lock that one in. I will be there at 3:15pm.

[Mr Darcy]

OK Gerry. Sounds fine, but I think you are more than a bit optimistic in your timing. For this old geezer anyways. Also don't forget that this particular herd of cats will be stopping to take photos every two minutes. Falls or no falls. Or have you booked Stubbsy on the walk

I was going to say you could all come back to my place to eat. Takeaway - I won't have time to cook as I will be busy getting my photo for the day. I will come armed with pizza menus.

Leura Cascades sounds tempting. I'll think on it.

EDIT: Oh I forgot to mention it. It is raining right now. A few distant rumbles so it is probably officially a thunderstorm, but I have to say it is all pretty mild.

[ATJ]

So where are we meeting at 2pm?

[biggerry]

So where are we meeting at 2pm?

i will be at leura cascades at 2pm.

[Mr Darcy]

Max 21. Cloudy. A shower or two and the chance of a thunderstorm during the day. Winds southeasterly and light.

It's raining now.

[ATJ]

Max 21. Cloudy. A shower or two and the chance of a thunderstorm during the day. Winds southeasterly and light.

It's raining now.

It just started raining here, too. The forecast did say "A shower or two". Looks like we've got one out of the way. All we need is for it to stop and start again and that's the two done and dusted.

[biggerry]

Perfect for waterfalls.....

[ATJ]

Perfect for waterfalls.....

Indeed it was - and little else.

[Mr Darcy]

I don't know. The star trails worked out pretty good too.

[biggerry]

top day, thanks for those who turned up and braved the weather..we only got a little bit wet

Thanks to Greg and Pam for their hospitality, very much appreciated.

There was lots of good discussionand plenty of CPL talk,

here are the two images that we were talkign about which really show the marked difference a CPL can make. Both images processed identically.

No CPL




CPL

[Remorhaz]

Nice - sorry I missed it - looks like you guys had a good day

How did you get the exposures of the two shots to be the same (did you use an ND for the first (actually taken second) shot or did it just overexpose by a stop or two)?

[colin_12]

This is a very inteesting comparison Gerry.

Not a bad pic either.

[biggerry]

How did you get the exposures of the two shots to be the same (did you use an ND for the first (actually taken second) shot or did it just overexpose by a stop or two)?

Thats a good questions, both shots are slightly underexposed, however the d-lighting has seemed to bring them both up to a fairly close exposure, that said i reckon the non-cpl is definitely a bit on the hot side, looking at the highlights this is confirmed since there are a few blown spots.

This is a very inteesting comparison Gerry.

Not a bad pic either.

heres one for Andrew and that was gonna be a lovely shot

[Remorhaz]

How did you get the exposures of the two shots to be the same (did you use an ND for the first (actually taken second) shot or did it just overexpose by a stop or two)?

Thats a good questions, both shots are slightly underexposed, however the d-lighting has seemed to bring them both up to a fairly close exposure, that said i reckon the non-cpl is definitely a bit on the hot side, looking at the highlights this is confirmed since there are a few blown spots.

I thought d-lighting didn't apply when shooting RAW (I thought it only worked for JPEGs)?

Were you shooting in manual maybe (to end up with the same exposure settings)? or perhaps the clouds came over and it got a bit darker for the second (non CPL shot)?