Spend a night capturing mesmerising star trails for you to create a star trail and a star trail time-lapse! This Masterclass teaching you how to set up your camera, plan your photoshoot, how star trails work, stacking your photographs and editing from start to finish.
Masterclass Student's
Inspiring Stories
I’m proud to showcase the inspiring achievements of dedicated Masterclass students who joined the Masterclass as beginners, who’ve advanced their skills through the Milky Way Masterclass. These talented individuals have progressed from their first night under the stars to capturing beautiful Milky Way images, and I’m honoured to present their insights and stunning photographs. Congratulations to each of them for their incredible progress and explore their shared experiences.
Name: Ken Pryor
Masterclass Year: 2022
What inspired you to join the Milky Way Masterclass?
I have always been interested in photography and I started seeing Astro shots on social media. I thought I would like to do that but wondered how people take landscape images showing stars in the sky.
Has the Masterclass sparked a new passion or love for photography?
It has definitely sparked a new passion and quite often monthly family activities are scheduled around the best shooting nights.
Is there a specific night sky shot you’re dying to capture, and what makes it so special to you?
I am always on the lookout for old run-down buildings with perhaps an old car or machine of some sort. This would be special to me because it is the type of image I used to capture in daylight hours before learning about astro.
How do you feel now when you photograph the Milky Way compared to your first experience during the Masterclass?
I am much more familiar with the location of the Milky Way in the sky and feel a lot more confident that my photos will turn out okay.
What’s the most memorable moment capturing the stars?
The most memorable moment for me was during a Star Chaser Tour at Paddy’s Creek Falls. We were in a cave in a very dark location right next to a waterfall.
Name: Kim Payne
Masterclass Year: 2019
Name: Andrew Greenwood
Masterclass Year: 2021
What’s the most unexpected way the Masterclass has impacted your photography journey?
I went hoping to improve my skills; I had no idea the passion it would light up to create such beautiful images and travel to amazing places to capture them.
What was the most surprising thing you learned?
The most surprising thing was how easy it was to capture the images after learning David’s simple techniques.
How has being part of the David Magro Masterclass community been?
It has been amazing learning from other students and being able to share creations you are proud of is invaluable.
Has the Masterclass sparked a new passion or love for photography?
Definitely, the camera had been gathering dust and now I use it all the time. Every trip now I look if there are astro opportunities and even plan around the astro calendar.
Describe the moment you captured your first Milky Way shot?
I had experimented with long night exposures in the past, capturing that shot in the class with correct settings and techniques just blew me away. It felt like a whole new world had opened up in front of me.
What’s the most memorable moment capturing the stars?
Travelling with David and a great bunch of guys on the Star Chaser I tour was absolutely amazing and increased my knowledge immensely.
Name: Sarah Moore
Masterclass Year: 2022
Name: Susan Grant
Masterclass Year: 2018
Name: Andrés Pe˜˜˜na
Masterclass Year: 2015
What’s the most memorable moment capturing the stars?
Many memorable moments. Being at night in the middle of nowhere, all alone with nature and the stars is incredible, there's nothing better! Also, seeing and capturing shooting stars is always a bonus.
What’s your favorite Milky Way image you’ve captured since the Masterclass?
Many, but probably Craig’s Hut in Victoria. The hike up the mountain at night was incredible.
How has the Masterclass changed the way you approach photography?
It opened a whole new universe for me. I was able to visit great places and photograph the beautiful stars in a way I never thought I could.
What’s one piece of advice David gave you during the Masterclass?
I use every single piece of advice he has given me over the years. Location planning is a must, and I learned that from the beginning.
What’s the most unexpected way the Masterclass has impacted your photography journey or personal connection to the stars?
I learned to enjoy being by myself at night in remote locations, with stars and the sounds of nature.
Name: Bruce Wilson
Masterclass Year: 2021
Name: Janice Terrill
Masterclass Year: 2019
Name: Jason Ng
Masterclass Year: 2023
Name: Kaylene Kerrison
Masterclass Year: 2019
Name: Ben Stewart
Masterclass Year: 2022
How has the Masterclass changed the way you approach photography?
I plan my sessions a lot more so I can get the most out of an outing.
What's one piece of advice David gave you during the Masterclass that you still use in your photography today?
To be patient in your editing and never rush it as these things take time.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
It has been to not get too frustrated with myself for not being able to produce fantastic images instantly and to learn that it takes time and practice to develop those skills.
What are some bucket list destinations you now dream of visiting?
Wow, there’s so many; Uluru, Bombo, Mungo National Park, New Zealand, and Scotland.
How nervous or confident were you before your first Masterclass?
I had some confidence but it was great to build some more.
Name: Brad Delamotte
Masterclass Year: 2021
Name: Michael Hull
Masterclass Year: 2018
