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
Describe the moment you captured your first Milky Way shot—how did it feel, and what did it mean to you?
I was blown away when my first shot appeared. I never imagined I could take such a photo
How has the Masterclass influenced your connection to the night sky, both as a photographer and personally?
It has opened up a whole new range of friends and a reason to travel to interesting places
Has the Masterclass sparked a new passion or love for photography, and if so, how has that changed your life?
I now mostly travel for night photography, to places with dark skies.
How nervous or confident were you before your first Masterclass?
I was nervous about going out in the dark and being able to find all the camera settings in the dark
How was your first night under the stars on the Masterclass?
It was a very good introduction to Astro photography. I was thrilled when my very first photo appeared on the camera screen
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
What was the most surprising thing you learned?
How easy and fun the editing can be! Before the masterclass I would shoot one single exposure, now I have the knowledge and confidence to shoot multiple shots and enjoy layering and stitching in photoshop allowing me to be more creative and get the shots I didn’t think I would be able to capture.
What’s your favorite Milky Way image you’ve captured since the Masterclass, and what makes it so special to you?
It's hard to choose but it would be between myself sitting on the tractor photo and the photo capturing the milky way, Venus and a comet! The tractor scene was what got me really into astro. I would start work in the mornings and see the stars shine above the tractor and always wanted to capture it. The masterclass has given me the knowledge and confidence to get out and capture more images I didn’t think I could capture. The comet and Venus photo is a once in a lifetime shot which I wont be able to capture again so has to be one of my favourites.
What’s one tip you’d give to someone attending their first Milky Way Masterclass?
The Masterclass was amazing, I learnt so many different skills and came away with lots of knowledge and tips, specific to my camera gear too. My tip would be to ‘Just do it!’ My passion for astro has grown significantly since the masterclass, mainly due to the knowledge and extra confidence I came away with, and the supportive Facebook group you join after, the masterclass is really never over!
Name: Susan Grant
Masterclass Year: 2018
What inspired you to join the Milky Way Masterclass?
A friend and I decided to attend after seeing David’s Masterclass advertised on social media. We both had an interest in photography and had even attempted to take photos of the Milky Way by ourselves previously. David’s masterclass was an opportunity to be guided by a professional without any pressure. It inspired me to pursue photography as a hobby and to express my creative side a bit more.
What’s one piece of advice David gave you during the Masterclass that you still use in your photography today?
Taking lots of images to stack for noise reduction. And plan your trip! Know where you want to go and the best time to go there.
Describe the moment you captured your first Milky Way shot?
Seeing the Milky Way appear on the back of your camera is an amazing experience. The camera sensor sees so much more than your naked eye can and details appear that you had no idea existed.
What’s the most memorable moment capturing the stars?
Capturing C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) at Leslie Dam in October 2024. When I started doing astrophotography, I never thought I would be photographing a comet!
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: 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: Janice Terrill
Masterclass Year: 2019
What inspired you to join the Milky Way Masterclass?
When I was 6 years old, I received two gifts that sparked life-long interests in me - a Box Brownie camera and a child’s book about astronomy. In 2018 I joined a local camera club and for the first time, I realised that my DSLR could take photos of the night sky. After a single night of astro when I caught a fireball meteor, I was hooked and immediately bought a full frame mirrorless camera and wide-angle lens. Someone then suggested I attend David’s Masterclass to learn about Milky Way photography.
How has the Masterclass influenced your connection to the night sky, both as a photographer and personally?
The Masterclass helped bring my childhood interests in photography and astronomy together into a single, strong passion. I have become that person who always knows the moon phases, the tide times and where the Milky Way will be in the sky. I am also always checking weather and cloud cover predictions. Wherever I travel I am constantly framing in my mind potential Milky Way compositions and I am now regarded as an “expert” in my local photography community.
How has being part of the David Magro Masterclass community been?
The David Magro Masterclass community has been a key to the growth of my astrophotography. In the early days, I knew I was able to post my images on the Facebook page without fear of ridicule and that I would receive constructive feedback from David and other members. As my skills have grown, I now enjoy being able to provide similar feedback to newer members.
Name: Jason Ng
Masterclass Year: 2023
What’s your favorite Milky Way image you’ve captured since the Masterclass?
My almost compete Milky Way Arch at Tinderbox Bay in Tasmania on a night the aurora was blazing across the horizon. The aurora just added to the amazing view of it.
What’s one piece of advice David gave you during the Masterclass that you still use in your photography today?
Take your time and be patient. The editing masterclass is about doing things in small increments and stretching what you have captured.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome?
Feeling sometimes that my photos were not interesting. Not worrying about what others think because I am giving it a go.
What’s one tip you’d give to someone attending their first Milky Way Masterclass?
The session was very friendly. It wasn't too technical for people learning it from the beginning as well. Attention is given to each person in the class in the theory section and out in the field.
Name: Kaylene Kerrison
Masterclass Year: 2019
What was the most surprising thing you learned?
That your creativity has no limits. With the right amount of planning and preparation, you can capture awe-inspiring images.
What’s your favorite Milky Way image you’ve captured since the Masterclass, and what makes it so special to you?
It’s so hard to pick just one! If I had to choose, it would be more about the location—off-grid in the bush. Being outside in nature, capturing the moment, and being able to showcase the beauty that surrounds us on the roads less travelled makes it truly special.
How has the Masterclass influenced your connection to the night sky, both as a photographer and personally?
In the darkest skies, you can create something beautiful. That’s something David and the workshops have taught me. Even during the darkest times, something beautiful can come from it.
What are some bucket list destinations you now dream of visiting?
Because of the Masterclass, I’m even more eager to travel around Australia and visit all the must-see 4WD destinations to capture the night sky—places like Fraser Island, Cradle Mountain, the Kimberley, and Cape York.
