DINNER PLAIN / BRIGHT
ULTIMATE HIGH COUNTRY EXPERIENCE
7 Day Landscape Photography Workshop
The WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP DETAILS
Join me for an unforgettable photography experience taking you into the heart of the Victorian High Country.
Over the course of this workshop we will explore this vast and unique landscape that has become a bucket list location for many Australian and International photographer's.
This workshop will take you from the rugged and harsh landscape of the Alpine region to the majestic beauty of Mount Buffalo National Park.
With accommodation over two different locations, you will have ample time to explore each region and visit the best of what the High Country has to offer.
Along with the stunning locations and endless photographic opportunities this workshop will also provide you with a comprehensive learning experience.
Through educational theory sessions on topics such as 'The Art of Seeing' and 'Composition' you will gain extensive insight and a thorough understanding of the core principles involved in creating compelling imagery.
I will also conduct post processing sessions throughout the workshop providing you with the skills and knowledge to bring your images to life through both basic and advanced post processing techniques.
THE LOCATIONS
You will be staying in two different locations throughout the workshop providing participants with a very different experience in each.
The locations chosen have vastly different landscapes offering a wide variety of subjects and scenery to photograph.
Dinner Plain & Mount Hotham
Set in the heart of the Alpine National Park in Victoria's High Country, the villages of Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham are the perfect places to explore the Alpine region.
The rugged landscape of the Alpine provides a wide range of photographic opportunites that will leave you in awe of it's beauty.
The epic alpine mountain vistas are a major drawcard for photographer's any time of year.
Sunrise at the top of Mount Hotham is a must for any photography enthusiast. Watching the morning sun rise over the distant mountain range and kiss the peak of Mount Feathertop is an experience you will never forget.
Bright & Mount Buffalo
The riverside town of Bright is a picturesque village located at the foothills of the Alpine region in the Victorian High Country. This small picture-perfect town is the perfect place to base ourselves to explore this stunning region.
Nestled in the heart of the Victorian High Country, this small town also provides easy access to one of the oldest National Parks in Australia, Mount Buffalo. Boasting sheer cliffs, granite tors, waterfalls and stunning alpine views, Mount Buffalo is a photographer’s playground.
The endless opportunities for stunning imagery make Bright & Mt Buffalo the perfect place for a photography packed getaway.
What they are saying
"Jeff's ethos of "images for a quieter mind" resonated throughout the workshop. We were encouraged to take our time and get the shots that inspired us, rather than just focussing on the "money shot" and moving on to the next location. Jeff's steady guidance helped us get the most out of the experience and learn new technical skills. Highly recommend."
- Fleur M
"An excellent well rounded workshop in a beautiful location. Jeff is a great teacher who focuses on attention to detail and building on your strengths whilst providing constructive feedback."
- Deb R
"Jeff has the perfect temperament for this kind of activity. He was well-resourced, with the skillsets necessary to keep the thing moving, plus a commitment to research topics & assist as they arose.
Jeff's commitment to a full & varied shooting schedule was really impressive. I was also really impressed with the theory & processing sessions, I couldn't fault the entire workshop."
- Murray B
"I highly recommend Jeff's Autumn in the High Country workshop. He allowed us to explore each site and then gently guided us to improve the compositions and settings to achieve the image that we were aiming for. Plenty of one one one guidance and I enjoyed his post-processing sessions later in the day. Lots of laughter and good company and I can confidently say it was the best workshop I have been on."
- Felicity J
What you will learn
In the field
You will learn everything from shooting stunning and captivating mountain vistas to the small and intimate detail scenes.
Learning to see the landscape in different ways will not only provide you with greater depth within your work but also allow you to be more productive when you are out in the field.
I have limited the workshop to a small group size to allow for plenty of time to be spent with each participant to provide personalised tuition.
Working with you in the field I will guide you through my approach to different types of scenes and the things I consider when framing up compositions. I will talk you through my thought process and how I find scenes in nature.
Examples of other things you will learn out in the field will include;
- Learning to 'see' compositions out in nature
- Techniques for creating strong compositions in a variety of environments
- Learn how to translate what you 'see' into a compelling image
- In-camera techniques to achieve a painterly look in your images
- Understanding the importance of framing and how to make your subject shine
- Understanding different types of light
- Creative vision and storytelling
- Techniques for nailing your exposure everytime
Theory
We will take a close look at the core fundamentals of Landscape Photography.
Gaining a clear understanding of these core fundamentals will transform your imagery and take it to the next level.
I will conduct theory sessions that will help you understand key fundamentals and also everything I have learned over the years about these particular topics.
These sessions will be conducted in a 'classroom style' format to ensure the content is delivered without distraction.
Theory sessions will include the following topics;
Composition
An in-depth look into the key fundamentals of creating compelling compositions.
Light
A look at the different types of light and how to best use them to your advantage.
The Art of Seeing
Learning how to 'see' in nature and how to create your own meaningful, unique and impactful images.
Post Processing
I will conduct post processing sessions during the workshop and guide you through my entire workflow. These sessions will give you the knowledge and confidence to edit your raw files and bring your visions to life.
Examples of things you will learn during the post processing sessions include;
Getting the most out of your RAW files.
Creating an effective and easy to use workflow
Understanding the strengths of editing images in Lightroom vs. Photoshop
A start-to-finish workflow on how I edit my own images
Understanding colour theory and how it impacts your images
Creating impact whilst maintaining a natural look and feel to your images.
Advanced editing techniques will also be covered in these sessions where there is a desire from participants to go beyond a basic or intermediate level. Depending on the group it may be something I work with participants on an individual basis to upskill in particular areas where it may not be useful in the group setting.
What's Included
6 nights’ accommodation
Transportation during the workshop to photography locations
In the field coaching
Resort entry into Mount Hotham
Image processing sessions
Theory sessions
Farewell dinner
What's Not Included
Flights / transportation to Dinner Plain
Transport to Bright
Food and beverage
Travel insurance
Activity / Fitness Levels
A moderate level of fitness is required for this workshop. Whilst most locations will only require a short walk from the car we will be visiting some locations that do require a moderate level of fitness. Some locations will include a walk up a mountain with a reasonable incline and taking roughly 20 - 30 minutes depending on fitness levels of the group.
Further information as well as a packing list will be provided upon booking. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Logisitics & Itinerary
The workshop will begin in Dinner Plain where we will all meet and will be based for 3 nights. We will then check out on day 4 and all drive to Bright where we will be based for the remainder of the workshop.
I will provide all transport during the workshop except for the drive from Dinner Plain to Bright.
As the workshop is during the declared snow season, participants will be required to carry snow chains for the drive to Dinner Plain. Snow chains can be hired for the time spent in Dinner Plain. More information will be provided upon booking.
Whilst it is hard to predict whether there will be any snowfall at this time of year it is not uncommon for their to be snow in late June.
If driving in snowy conditions is of concern please reach out to me as I can provide possible solutions which guests have taken up in the past.
With an abundance of photographic locations and subjects to shoot the workshop will be adaptive to weather conditions. During our meet and greet on the first day, I will sit down and assess the weather conditions and plan out locations accordingly to ensure you have the best chance of maximising on the conditions at that particular time.
I will continually assess the changes in conditions and locations may get shuffled around according to the changes in weather. Alpine conditions frequently change, particularly in Winter making weather difficult to forecast and requiring a level of adaptability for the highest chance of success.
Having a list of locations and then allocating locations to the optimal conditions forecast over the course of the workshop allows for the best in-field teaching as well as you increasing your chances of capturing these subjects in the best lighting / conditions.
Living in the High Country and frequently spending time in alpine locations has given me years of experience and
knowledge about reading and adapting to changes in the weather.
Meals / Food
Food, snacks and beverages are the responsibility of the workshop attendees.
Dinner Plain has a variety of eating out options including pubs, cafe's and restaurants. The options for groceries is more limited however can be purchased on the way in nearby towns.
Bright has plenty more options for eating out and there is a large Woolworths in town.
The accommodation in both Dinner Plain and Bright have suitable cooking facilities however some pre planning will be required to purchase groceries in nearby towns for the time spent in Dinner Plain.
A farewell dinner (meal only) will be held on the last night and is included in the cost of the workshop. Drinks including alcohol will be at the expense of the workshop participant.
Accommodation
We will be staying in two separate locations over the course of the workshop;
3 x nights accommodation in Dinner Plain (23rd - 25th June 2025)
3 x nights accommodation in Bright (26th - 28th June 2025)
We will be staying in the heart of the Dinner Plain village in one of the famous Dinner Plain chalets.
Our accommodation is a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom chalet providing plenty of space and comfort for attendee's during the course of the workshop.
Located along the boundary of the village we will be far enough away from the noise of the main strip but still within walking distance to shops and restaurants. This unique large chalet provides uninterrupted views of the National Park and beyond.
Our accommodation in Bright is conveniently located with a short 5 minute walk into town.
You will each have your own private cabin with bathroom, shower and cooking facilities.
With only a hort walk into town and conveniently located close to shops and restaurants it makes it the perfect base to explore the town and it's surrounds.
Dinner Plain
Dinner Plain
You will each have your own private room with a king bed in a 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom chalet located in the heart of the Dinner Plain village.
Dinner Plain
Bright
Bright
You will each have your own private cabin located within walking distance of the centre of Bright.
Bright
Secure your place
To secure your place on this workshop a $1,500 (non-refundable) deposit is required.
Final payment is required 45 days prior to the commencement of the workshop (9th May 2025).
By booking your place on this workshop you acknowledge and accept the Terms & Conditions.
