Weather is defined as a state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time. 

Over the last month and a half the Parkes Camera Club has had a lot of different weather situations during our meetings that challenged us to get a shot we were envisioning when we left the house for our practical meeting nights.

That is the thing with photography. 

Sometimes the weather can give us breathtaking sunsets and other times nothing. 

Sometimes the weather gives us clear beautiful dark star filled nights. 

While other times there are clouds and full moons to derail our plans.

That is what has happened with the weather over the month and a half for the Parkes Camera Club members. 

Quick thunderstorms blew in and stopped our outdoor night photography lesson and a full moon prevented us from getting out to get star practical. 

That however did not stop us from learning. 

John Sarkissian, an Operations Scientist at the CSIRO Parkes Radio Observatory, came to give us a talk on Astrophotography and the David Malin Awards held in Parkes during the CWAS AstroFest in July. 

It was an amazing talk and the photography shown was truly breathtaking. 

We left our tutorial nights inspired and willing to take on the weather situations.

During the end of February and all of March, camera club members shot sunsets and star photography during their free time and showed us some of their favourites during competition night. 

Our winners: Beginner: Dominic Reilly Intermediate: Barry Green Advanced: Joanne Strom.