Topics: Nature, Macro, Sunset, Landscape, and Astrophotography
As of the 13/09 Broadwater is confirmed as Open.

Printable Itinerary can be found here:
https://tpsi.org.au/…/upl…/2023/09/Broadwater-Outing.pdf
Date: September 16, 2023
Starting Time: 3:00 PM

Please ensure you fill in this form if you are attending this outing.
https://tpsi.org.au/field-day-form/

If you are not currently a financial member or you are bringing a visitor; an associate membership should be purchased to be covered by insurance. This only needs to happen once a year.
Purchase membership here:
https://tpsi.org.au/store/associate-membership-2023/

Notes about Dalby:
There are numerous fuel stations in Dalby as well as food options should you need something substantial to eat. The usual take-away services are along the main street of Dalby.
If you travel via backroads of Jondaryn you will not go through Dalby. Road condition of backroads is unknown.


Note About Location: Ticks have been identified in this area. It is recommended to ensure members employ methods to reduce tick bites and know how to remove them.
https://www.poisonsinfo.health.qld.gov.au/bites-and-stings/tick-bites
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tick-bites

Phone service might be patchy

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM: Arrival and Setup

Arrive at Lake Broadwater with your photography equipment.

Set up your base camp near the BBQ area.

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Nature and Macro Photography

A map of a lake

Description automatically generated

Some Nature that you might find here:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=-27.32946973805129&nelng=151.12027441320168&place_id=any&subview=map&swlat=-27.36824468129843&swlng=151.0793817962466

Explore the surroundings to capture close-up shots of flowers, insects, and other small details.

Explore the areas near the Bird Hide adjacent to the Main Campground / Lake.

Use a macro lens (if available) to capture intricate textures and patterns.

Suggested Focal Length: 50mm – 100mm for macro shots.

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Landscape Photography

Capture the beauty of Lake Broadwater and its surroundings in the golden hour lighting.

Experiment with different compositions, including leading lines, foreground interest, and reflections.

Graduated ND filters can be used to balance exposure between the bright sky and darker land.

Suggested Focal Length: 16mm – 35mm for wide-angle landscape shots.

6PM: Onwards BBQ and Break

Enjoy dinner around the BBQ’s. To ensure dietary requirements are met please BYO sausages, onions, and bread. A variety of softdrink cans will be supplied.

Take a break to relax and socialize with fellow photographers.

Check your camera settings and review the photos you’ve taken so far.

If time / weather permits we might get a campfire going for photos etc

5:30 PM – 6PM: Sunset Photography

Capture the changing colours of the sky during sunset over Lake Broadwater.

Experiment with long exposures to create smooth water effects.

Consider using a polarizing filter to enhance colours and reduce reflections.

Suggested Focal Length: 16mm – 70mm for sunset shots.

6PM – 7:30 PM: Astrophotography Preparation

Start preparing for astrophotography whilst some light left.

Set up your camera on a sturdy tripod to avoid any vibrations.

Use a wide-angle lens (focal length around 14mm – 24mm) for capturing the night sky.

Familiarize yourself with manual settings for astrophotography.

7:30 PM – Onwards: Astrophotography
The Milky way will be directly above us around 6PM, it will then gradually fall toward the horizon from then. 7:30PM onwards should start giving us a good opportunity to start getting it in some of our images. It appears to Set just on Midnight.

Star trails may be possible if you can find a good subject and a break in the trees- set your camera to face south for the best circular motion.

You could attempt some intention camera movement here, zoom pulls, focus pulls etc using the stars.

Capture the stunning night sky, including stars, constellations, and the Milky Way.

Use a medium to high ISO setting, wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower), and longer exposure times.

Consider using a remote shutter release or the camera’s built-in timer to minimize camera shake.

Experiment with different compositions and foreground elements.

Suggested Focal Length: 16mm – 35mm, fast glass preferred (f/2.8, f4 will work but will require higher ISO).

Additional Tips:

Bring extra camera batteries and memory cards to ensure you don’t run out of power or storage space.

A sturdy tripod is essential for stable long exposures and astrophotography.

Consider carrying a flashlight or headlamp for navigating in the dark.

If you’re interested in light painting, bring along some light sources.

Dress appropriately for changing weather conditions and bring insect repellent.

Review your camera’s manual settings for astrophotography and practice beforehand if you’re not familiar with them.

Check previous talks on Astro:
https://toowoomba.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/111/2022/08/2022-Astro-Light-Painting.pdf

https://youtu.be/SfecXg60gyA

Cheat Sheets for Astro & Night Photography
Canon
https://toowoomba.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/111/2022/08/Night-Sky-Canon-Cheat-Sheet.pdf
Nikon
https://toowoomba.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/111/2022/08/Night-Sky-Nikon-Cheat-Sheet.pdf 
Olympus
https://toowoomba.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/111/2022/08/Night-Sky-Olympus-Cheat-Sheet.pdf 
Pentax:
https://toowoomba.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/111/2022/08/Night-Sky-Pentax-Cheat-Sheet.pdf
Sony:
https://toowoomba.myphotoclub.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/111/2022/08/Night-Sky-Sony-Cheat-Sheet.pdf

What to Bring:

Camera Gear:

Camera body with fully charged batteries.

Macro lens (60mm – 100mm for crop sensor, 90mm – 150mm for full frame, 45mm – 75mm for micro four thirds).

Wide-angle lens (10mm – 20mm for crop sensor, 16mm – 35mm for full frame, 8mm – 14mm for micro four thirds).

Standard zoom or prime lens (18mm – 50mm equivalent for crop sensor, 24mm – 70mm for full frame, 12mm – 35mm for micro four thirds).

Ultra-wide-angle lens (14mm – 24mm) for astrophotography.

Sturdy tripod.

Remote shutter release or timer.

Graduated ND filters.

Polarizing filter.

Lens cleaning kit.

Extra memory cards.

Camera bag or backpack.


Personal Items:

Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes.

Insect repellent.

Snacks and water.

Sunscreen and a hat.

Layered clothing.

Notebooks and pens.

Astrophotography Essentials:

Flashlight.

Star chart or smartphone app.

Warm beverages.

Portable camping chair or blanket.


Miscellaneous:

Photography books or guides.

First aid kit.

Trash bags.

Personal identification and emergency contact information.

Directions from Toowoomba:
https://goo.gl/maps/FqnL83gg4uLbwqpb7

Take West St to Bridge St in Newtown 3 min (1.6 km)

Head west on Margaret St towards Clifford St 550 m

Turn right onto West St  Go through 1 roundabout 1.0 km

Take Warrego Hwy/A2 to Moonie Hwy/Nicholson St/State Route 49 in Dalby 1 hr (81.7 km)

Turn left onto Bridge St 6.3 km

Continue onto A21 2.3 km

Continue onto Warrego Hwy/A2 6.4 km

Keep right to stay on Warrego Hwy/A2 66.7 km

Continue on Moonie Hwy/State Route 49. Drive to Broadwater Rd in Nandi 21 min (29.0 km)

Turn left onto Moonie Hwy/Nicholson St/State Route 49

Continue to follow Moonie Hwy/State Route 49 18.5 km

Turn left onto Broadwater Rd