Blue Mountains Sunrise Shoot. 18 Oct 5:15

[Mr Darcy]

As part of the Global Sunrise shoot mooted in this this thread, I propose a Blue Mountains shoot.

Location:
Sublime Point 270 degree views - Kedumba Walls... Mt Solitary... 3Sisters...
Limited Space here. Probably best if inly half a dozen or so turn up. So far, we are OK. Pam will pull out at need. She doesn't like being up that early anyway

Time: 05:15. I had this at 05:30, but after getting up a 06:00 this morning, I am worried the light will be too far gone.
Does any one have a definitive answer for how long before sunrise to get the best light?

Some ideas for Post Meet Moot:
1. Any of the cafes at the bottom of Katoomba St.
3. Any of several eateries in Leura
4. Any of several eateries in Wentworth Falls (Schwarz's is popular for cake & coffee)
5. Picnic at Wentworth Falls Lake. (Brrr! but quite photogenic)
6. Your call...

Expressions of interest happily received here

So far takers are
Mr Darcy
PJS
Colin_12
Andrew
aim4x

With possibles:
BigGerry

[aim54x]

day/date dependent, but i would love to be there, however I will have to sort out some accommodation and transport if I am to be up there for sunrise!

Keep me posted

[aim54x]

whoops, should have read the other thread before posting! I am still interested in a mountains sunrise though. But I may have to head out for a beach sunrise instead.

[colin_12]

I want to be there.
I like Sublime point as it has fewer tourists and free parking if we take our time.

[Mr Darcy]

I want to be there.
I like Sublime point as it has fewer tourists and free parking if we take our time.

I like Sublime Point too, but not if we get many more. I will get crowded quickly.

I don't think tourists will be an issue at 6:00 in the morning, even at Echo Point. I was up there a couple of weeks ago playing Geocaching, It was 7:30, & if I fired an RPG, I would only have hit a garbage truck.

[colin_12]

I agree with the space being on the small side but the three sisters will be well lit from that point as opposed to in shadow from Echo point.

[Mr Darcy]

Now that daylight saving is almost upon us, it is time to revive this thread.
Sometime early in the month will suit best as the pain of getting out of bed will be reduced.
I have many Sunday commitments this month so a Saturday shoot will probably be better for me.
Sunday 4th is still clear though, but not much notice.

So
Venue: Sublime Point
Date: TBA but sooner rather than later
Time: approx 45 minutes before sunrise.

[ATJ]

I'm interested.

According to http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/astro/sunrisenset, Sunrise at Sublime Point on 4 October is 05:29 AEST which makes it 06:29 AEDT.

And here are some other times (AEDT) for comparison

04/10/2009: 06:29
11/10/2009: 06:20
18/10/2009: 06:11
25/10/2009: 06:03
01/11/2009: 05:55

[aim54x]

I want to come but I dont think it will be possible....

[surenj]

Wish I could, but no chance.

[colin_12]

I am out for the first two but should be sweet for the rest.

[Mr Darcy]

I am out for the 11th and 25th, so with Colin's dates, I'll set it for the 18th
Venue: Sublime Point
Date: 18 Oct
Time: 05:30 (Aargh! am I really suggesting this? At least it should be warmer than the last time I was up there at sunrise)
Meet at the turning circle that doubles as a carpark. It is about 5 min walk from there down to the point

Cameron, There's a train leaving Central at 00:18 that should get you there in PLENTY of time

[surenj]

I dying to see some great HDR from this shoot... Sunday 0530 would be quite tough for City dwellers. How long is the travel time? 3.5 hours?? So start driving at 2am!!!!

[aim54x]

I am out for the 11th and 25th, so with Colin's dates, I'll set it for the 18th
Venue: Sublime Point
Date: 18 Oct
Time: 05:30 (Aargh! am I really suggesting this? At least it should be warmer than the last time I was up there at sunrise)
Meet at the turning circle that doubles as a carpark. It is about 5 min walk from there down to the point

Cameron, There's a train leaving Central at 00:18 that should get you there in PLENTY of time

Well...if you were willing to put me up for the night then i would be happy to head over after work (getting up there 22.21 -Katoomba) then leave in the morning to make it back out to the city for the Sydney Camera Market (on the 18th at the Ultimo community centre).

I dying to see some great HDR from this shoot... Sunday 0530 would be quite tough for City dwellers. How long is the travel time? 3.5 hours?? So start driving at 2am!!!!

I think from memory it is roughly 2hrs drive...are you considering it?

[biggerry]

Date: 18 Oct
Time: 05:30 (Aargh! am I really suggesting this? At least it should be warmer than the last time I was up there at sunrise)
Meet at the turning circle that doubles as a carpark. It is about 5 min walk from there down to the point

ya know what, if there is not something happening in sydney town I might be all for this, its only a couple of hours drive, especially given that you hillbilly lads always make the effort to get to the city, the least I can do is make the effort to head up there. I would probably consider driving up the night before though, will advise closer to the date.

[aim54x]

Date: 18 Oct
Time: 05:30 (Aargh! am I really suggesting this? At least it should be warmer than the last time I was up there at sunrise)
Meet at the turning circle that doubles as a carpark. It is about 5 min walk from there down to the point

ya know what, if there is not something happening in sydney town I might be all for this, its only a couple of hours drive, especially given that you hillbilly lads always make the effort to get to the city, the least I can do is make the effort to head up there. I would probably consider driving up the night before though, will advise closer to the date.

If you are heading up that way...can I get a lift?

[biggerry]

If you are heading up that way...can I get a lift?

should be no problem, will advise closer to date...

[Mr Darcy]

Sunday 0530 would be quite tough for City dwellers. How long is the travel time? 3.5 hours?? So start driving at 2am!!!!

Suren,
This was originally posited as part of the great Sunrise shoot which included a City beach location as well. I am not sure what happened to the rest of the meet. I am just organising the BM part.
We regularly go to the Art Gallery on Sunday mornings (Why I am not free on the 11th and 25th) This takes us a little over an hour, though we allow 1.5 hours to allow for unforseen problems such as last weekend when the Bike ride was on. We leave at 09:00 to get there by 10:30. Sublime Point is maybe 10 minutes further on. But also remember early Sunday is as good a time for traffic as you'll get in Sydney, so you should be able to better this time.

Cameron,
We would be happy to put you up, but we don't have a spare room at the moment. I have a nasty (according to Pam ) habit of taking over any spare space in the house with a pile of wood. This includes the "spare" rooms, the hallway, workshop (err... lounge room) and even my computer room, I am sure we can manage a mattress on the floor though. We live at Wentworth Falls which is a couple of stops before Katoomba (22:11 as opposed to 22:22)

BigGerry,
There was to be a city sunrise shoot at one of the beaches too. I am not sure what happened to it. If it goes forward then that will probably be a better option for you. Of course the same offer to stay goes for you too, but with the same warnings as well. If we get too many takers, it will have to be tents in the yard. We can supply several tents. We have three at last count. All two person hiking models Also several hiking mattresses (Thermarest)

[surenj]

I think from memory it is roughly 2hrs drive...are you considering it?

Grrr... I want to...but I don't think I could. That would be a very busy time for me. I will confirm closer to the time.

it will have to be tents in the yard

Damn this will be awesome. [As long as there won't be any visits from any warmth loving serpents]. Imagine the light painting shots we can do with the tents........

[aim54x]

Cameron,
We would be happy to put you up, but we don't have a spare room at the moment. I have a nasty (according to Pam ) habit of taking over any spare space in the house with a pile of wood. This includes the "spare" rooms, the hallway, workshop (err... lounge room) and even my computer room, I am sure we can manage a mattress on the floor though. We live at Wentworth Falls which is a couple of stops before Katoomba (22:11 as opposed to 22:22)

BigGerry,
There was to be a city sunrise shoot at one of the beaches too. I am not sure what happened to it. If it goes forward then that will probably be a better option for you. Of course the same offer to stay goes for you too, but with the same warnings as well. If we get too many takers, it will have to be tents in the yard. We can supply several tents. We have three at last count. All two person hiking models Also several hiking mattresses (Thermarest)

Well depending on what happens over the next week or so I may take up one of these offers.

Camping out would be fun...have to go find my sleeping bag though...god knows where that has gotten to

[Mr Darcy]

[As long as there won't be any visits from any warmth loving serpents]

You mean like this little cutie we found sunning itself in the backyard last week?

Nah. Not a chance!

[surenj]

Nah. Not a chance!

I would rather sleep in the car in that case!

[Mr Darcy]

Nah. Not a chance!

I would rather sleep in the car in that case!

A typical, but not very rational viewpoint.
Ask yourself two questions.
How many people died from snakes in Australia in 2008? (Hint you can use your fingers to count them using decimal notation i.e. < 10^^1)
How many people died from cars in Australia in 2008 (Hint You can still use your fingers to count them, but you need to switch to Binary to do so i.e. < 2^^10)

[Mr Darcy]

I have changed the time to 05:15 as I am worried about missing the light if we are too late. THis is a full hour before official sunrise, so I HOPE this will be allow that magic time to set up in some light & still get the glorious pre-dawn colour to the sky The weather WILL be perfect of course

[aim54x]

Well I really hope that I can make it....D300 is away but the S5 Pro will has proven itself as a dawn camera before.

If Gerry and Surenj are game I am considering taking a night train up there after work on Saturday...or tag along for a ride. The tricky part is to carry both gear and a sleeping bag to work (in Macarthur), I feel like I will be treking with a bit of luggage...I really should get a new sleeping bag (something smaller).

[surenj]

Sorry boys,

I can't make it to this one. [not because of the snakes!]

I am sure you will have a good one. Fingers crossed for the weather.

[Mr Darcy]

BOM doesn't give out weather forecasts for Katoomba more than four days out, but Elders do. I have found them to be reasonably accurate in the past.
They are predicting "Mostly Sunny. Min 3 Max 14" for Sunday.

Also moonrise is just before Sunrise, so there is a chance of superfine crescent moon shots as well.
According to my GPSr, Sunrise = 06:14. Moonrise = 05:42 at Sublime Point. This disagrees with ATJ's time for sunrise, but only by a few minutes. I suspect ATJ's source used Sydney as a reference. We are about 4 minutes West of there.

[ATJ]

I suspect ATJ's source used Sydney as a reference. We are about 4 minutes West of there.

Nope. It was for Sublime point.

Go to http://www.ga.gov.au/bin/astro/sunrisenset... for Place Name type in Sublime Point and NSW. I then chose "Sublime Point Lookout"

Sunrise & Sunset Results

SUBLIME POINT LOOKOUT Lat=-34°17'00" Long=+150°55'00"
TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET
(for ideal horizon & meteorological conditions)
Time zone: +10.00 hours
18/10/2009 Rise 0511 Set 1812


Computed using National Mapping Division's sunrisenset program, version 2.2

And then added an hour for daylight saving.

Perhaps you have to account for the non "ideal horizon" conditions: mountains.

[ATJ]

Ah.. perhaps I chose the wrong "Sublime Point Lookout". I didn't check the coordinates on a map.

Sunrise & Sunset Results

SUBLIME POINT LOOKOUT Lat=-33°43'00" Long=+150°20'00"
TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET
(for ideal horizon & meteorological conditions)
Time zone: +10.00 hours
18/10/2009 Rise 0514 Set 1814


Computed using National Mapping Division's sunrisenset program, version 2

[Mr Darcy]

Ah.. perhaps I chose the wrong "Sublime Point Lookout". I didn't check the coordinates on a map.

Sunrise & Sunset Results

SUBLIME POINT LOOKOUT Lat=-33°43'00" Long=+150°20'00"
TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET
(for ideal horizon & meteorological conditions)
Time zone: +10.00 hours
18/10/2009 Rise 0514 Set 1814


Computed using National Mapping Division's sunrisenset program, version 2

Yep. That would be it. I make the location of the lookout itself to be Lat=-33°44.235' Long=+150°20.316' WGS84 based on sticking a pin in a map at the "right" spot, then computing the location. I will check the actual Lat/Lon on Sunday.

On checking the other Sublime Point Lookout, I find it's about 70Km NE, up near St Albans (Wisemans Ferry), You really need to watch geographical names. There are two Beauty Points (One in Mosman, the other near Nowra) in NSW & from memory, about half a dozen Mount Pleasants. ( it was a long time ago I got tripped by that one.) There are even two Wagga Waggas in Australia, though you have to go to WA to find the other one.

[Mr Darcy]

Have updated attendees in the top post, but
Mr Darcy
PJS
ATJ
Colin 12
Aim54x
maybe biggerry

Forecast is looking good 5-16 Mostly fine 75% humidity at 09:00 so there should be some clouds about, but not fully overcast.

Breakfast is just a little dodgy. Most of the eateries I've checked don't open until after 08:00. The only exception so far is the Pie Shop (06:00) They are great but for breakfast??? I'll try ringing a few more tomorrow.

[aim54x]

Have updated attendees in the top post, but
Mr Darcy
PJS
ATJ
Colin 12
Aim54x
maybe biggerry

Forecast is looking good 5-16 Mostly fine 75% humidity at 09:00 so there should be some clouds about, but not fully overcast.

Breakfast is just a little dodgy. Most of the eateries I've checked don't open until after 08:00. The only exception so far is the Pie Shop (06:00) They are great but for breakfast??? I'll try ringing a few more tomorrow.

Pies for breakfast....hmmmmm

Also, Gerry has indicated that he is most likely not going to make it up there.

[colin_12]

Hello Greg,
My attendance will be dependant upon how far afield I end up tomorrow.
Have had a great time in WA,
Regards Colin

[Mr Darcy]

FInal weather forecast:

Katoomba : Mostly fine. Min: 5 Max: 16

Colin, I hope you make it.
If there are any late takers, if we are not at the carpark, walk down the track - there is only one. We will be obvious.

[Mr Darcy]

This qualified as a mini meet. Only four participants: AIM54x, ATJ, Mr Darcy & PJS.
Sadly, the clouds did not cooperate. We worked on a BYOC basis & got far too many.
I have still to check my photos, but suspect there will be a few keepers, but not as many as I had hoped. Still, it was great watching the light change form moment to moment, and listening to the progressive dawn chorus. From the solitary owl when we arrived, through the Bellbirds to the raucous call of the cockies.
Company was great, and we all had no problems finding that perfect location.
And the Breakfast Pies were brilliant.

[ATJ]

Thanks for organising the day, Greg. It's a pity you couldn't have also organised some sunlight.

[surenj]

Forgetting the scenery, I wish I was there for the breakfast pies! nothing like a solid breakfast to start you off.

[aim54x]

Forgetting the scenery, I wish I was there for the breakfast pies! nothing like a solid breakfast to start you off.

Pies were after braving the cold....great morning to watch the sunrise though!

[colin_12]

Sorry not to have made it this morning.
I ended up near Newcastle last night.
I did manage to find and photograph an orchid I had not seen before though so a good day on the road.
Bummer about the weather.
Those breakfast pies are pretty good.

[ATJ]

Beautiful clear sky this morning.

[Mr Darcy]

Beautiful clear sky this morning.

We noticed that too. About 06:20 :sigh: