Award-winning South Australian Landscape Astrophotographer Will Godward joined us on Episode 59 of The Camera Life Podcast (13 March 2025).
When it comes to camera gear, Will is running with multiple Sony a7 full-frame digital mirrorless cameras. Given that Will often captures multiple time-lapses simultaneously, he usually works with up to four Sony cameras plus his main camera for long-exposure stills. Will’s Sony a7 kit includes the a7III and a7IV and the a7SIII. Will’s lens lineup includes wide lenses from Sony, such as the 14mm 1.8GM, 20mm 1.8G, and the 24mm 1.8G. Will also makes the most of third-party lenses, including the LAOWA 15mm f/2 Zero-D and the LAOWA 10mm f/2.8 Zero-D. He finds that the Sony 14mm f/1.8GM lens is his go-to wide prime for most of his shots, including the night sky and landscape. Of course, Will’s kit isn’t complete without a wide range of essential accessories, including the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Kit and the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer MINI Pro Kit - his workhorse of the two.
The Sky-Watcher system allows Will to capture longer exposure shots while delivering images free of star trails. The Sky-Watcher star trackers counter the rotation of the earth and the exposure limitations found in this genre. Furthermore, Will is shooting multi-layered panorama shots while using the tracking system to deliver fantastic depth to every shot. Will works with leading brands to ensure he has the right gear for the job. Will’s collaboration with brands such as Sky-Watcher, Zero Tech, Southern Launch, Varda, and Nightcore is a two-way street. He uses key products to capture complex and award-winning nightscape shots while also elevating the quality and capabilities of each product. What’s most impressive is Will’s ability to blend high-tech gear, technical prowess, and visual storytelling to showcase true genre masterpieces.
Part of Will’s approach to nightscape and landscape astrophotography is to educate and support other photographers. Astrophotography is one of the most interesting and potentially endless photography genres. As technology improves and our understanding of the universe creeps along, the ability to capture stunning night sky images deepens. However, it’s not a simple genre to master and often requires a pro's guiding hand and mind. Under the banner of Dark Sky Tours, Will leads small group workshops in astrophotography and nightscape imaging. Dark Sky Tours features a current calendar of events, including Masterclass Milky Way Rise Workshop - May 2025 - Fleuriea Peninsula - SA, Copper Coast and Milky Way Rise Workshop - May 2025 - Moonta, SA. Will is also seeking expressions of interest for Australian Outback Astrophotography Masterclass Tours - Gawler Ranges and Flinders Ranges, South Australia. Finally, Will offers private photography tours and workshops, including Masterclass Astrophotography and Star Tracker - South Australia. It’s the way to go if you want to build upon your astrophotography or nightscape photography capabilities.
As far as achievements go, every little adventurous kid has, at some point, watched a space launch and wondered what it would be like to be an astronaut. I vividly remember being amazed and fascinated with the NASA Space Shuttle launches of the 1980s. While most of us will never reach the stars, at least visual creatives like Will bring the stars to us. One of Will’s most significant achievements is his recent involvement as a mission photographer in capturing the first commercial spacecraft re-entry in Australia - Vada Space Capsule Re-Entry. Will’s most recent astrophotography awards include the 2024 South Australian Astronomical Society Awards (Best Nightscape, Best Timelapse, and Craig Richardson Award), 2024 Sony Alpha Awards (Honorable Mention), and the 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Awards (Shortlisted - Astrophotography).
“There are moments in life that feel like they’re straight out of a movie. This was one of them. As a mission photographer, I had the honour of capturing history—the first-ever re-entry of a commercial spacecraft into Australia. The mission took place over Ceduna, South Australia, and my task was simple in description but monumental in execution: to photograph the spacecraft’s fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere - Will Godward”
Learn more about this fantastic Australia-first collaboration with NASA at Will’s blog.
It’s not every day that we get to feature and talk to an Australian Olympian who’s competed in two Olympic games. Will made his Olympic debut at the 2012 London Olympics and returned in 2016 for the Rio Olympics. In the lead up to 2012, Will won the 10m Rifle and 50m Rifle 3 Positions events at the 2011 Oceania Championships, securing Australia’s place at the 2012 Olympic Games. Will secured his place with top rating performances at the national events 2012 and finished 40th with a 588/600 score in the 10m Rifle events at the London Games. In 2016, Will returned to represent Australia in the 2016 Rio Olympic games, finishing in 39th place in the 50m Rifle Three Positions event. In a 2016 interview, Will stated, “My interest in astronomy started at the same time I started shooting - when I was 12 in 1996 after seeing Comet Hale-Bopp. I used to do shooting on a Friday and then drive to the local astronomy club to do a viewing that night. So now when I’m not shooting, I’m out looking at the stars.”
If you’re unfamiliar with The Camera Life Podcast, be sure to take a look at our YouTube channel for the latest episodes and, of course, our back catalogue of weekly shows. Our shows are also available on popular audio podcast platforms. If you like what you see, please give us a thumbs up, subscribe to The Camera Life, and click on the bell icon to receive notifications of upcoming shows. We host two shows weekly, the first being every Thursday at 9am AEDT (Australia), where we interview amazing guests. The second show, The Random Photography Show, airs every Monday at 7:30 pm AEDT. The Random Photography show is a little random, a little loose, and a lot of fun! Be sure to check them out.
Where to find Will:
Website: https://www.godward.com.au/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Darkskytours
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godwardphotography
Article: https://www.godward.com.au/blog/capturing-the-first-commercial-spacecraft-re-entry-in-australia
