AUTUMN COLOURS PHOTOGRAPHY 4 DAY WORKSHOP – MOUNT WILSON
TOTAL INVESTMENT: $1880 Includes tuition, accommodation, breakfasts, garden entrances and 1 x picnic lunch.
Please pay a deposit of $440 to hold your place via our booking link below. Note: the balance is due 2 weeks before the workshop starts.
CHASING AUTUMN LIGHT
For photographers ready to push their creative limits, join Brent Wilson The Aperture Clubs Specialist and acclaimed TV and magazine photographer and long-time contributor to Burke’s Backyard Magazine and Gardening Australia—on a 4-day photography retreat to Mt Wilson in the Blue Mountains. With a career spanning years of capturing both natural beauty and the finer details of the outdoors, Brent will lead you through one of the most breathtaking autumn landscapes Australia has to offer.
WHY MOUNT WILSON?
Mt Wilson’s gardens and surrounding woodlands are a photographer’s dream, with rich, golden autumn hues that transform the landscape into a living, breathing canvas. Here, you’ll find more than just a beautiful backdrop; you’ll be immersed in a location that challenges your technical skills and sparks your artistic vision. With less foot traffic than other hotspots, it’s an ideal location for those seeking unique, quiet moments for their craft.
LEARN HOW TO CAPTURE THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN
We cover wide angle, close up and Macro techniques
The warm, golden light of autumn mornings and evenings adds a soft glow to landscapes, enhancing the rich hues of the season. Trees shedding their leaves often reveal striking textures and patterns, while fallen leaves create natural, colourful carpets that add depth and interest to compositions. It’s a time when nature’s artistry is on full display, inviting photographers to explore and experiment with their creative vision.
Photographing autumn colours is a delightful experience because the season offers endless opportunities for storytelling. Whether capturing the contrast of fiery foliage against an overcast sky or focusing on the intricate details of a single dew-kissed leaf, autumn encourages a closer connection to nature. The dynamic range of colours and textures provides a perfect canvas for photographers to play with light, shadows, and perspective. Additionally, the fleeting nature of these colours reminds us to savour the beauty of the moment, making every photograph a cherished memory of this magical time of year.
Enjoy The Aperture Clubs supportive teaching style as you participate in workshops tailored to your needs and receive guidance and advice while shooting.
Lesson topics include composition, tone, line, colour theory, self-critique, studying master landscape photographers and technical camera and processing tips. Lesson topics are guided by the needs of the group.
You will receive valuable feedback on your photographs in tutor lead critique sessions. Often these insights help you take your photography to the next level.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE:
- Refining Your Eye for Autumn Colour – Capture the incredible hues of fall, perfecting your technique with expert advice on composition, exposure, and colour balance.
- Landscapes & Details at Their Best – Whether it’s the sweeping vistas of the Blue Mountains or the delicate intricacies of a dew-covered leaf, explore both wide-angle and macro photography to expand your creative approach.
- Dynamic Weather & Lighting – Early morning mist and low-angle light provide opportunities to experiment with shadow play and mood—ideal for photographers looking to experiment with advanced techniques.
- Advanced Composition & Techniques – Challenge yourself with intricate compositions and gain insights into capturing nature’s elegance, from framing and layering to balancing elements within the frame.
- Collaborative Learning & Review – With Brent Wilson leading the tour and Sharon Hickey supporting you’ll get expert advice from photographers who have spent years working with some of the best in TV and print. The evenings will be dedicated to reviewing and refining your work, giving you the chance to discuss techniques and push each other creatively.
WORKSHOP FORMAT
DATE: 14 – 17 April – 3 nights, 4 days.
LOCATION: Mount Victoria including Mount Wilson
GROUP SIZE: Minimum 4 – Maximum 10 participants on each workshop.
WORKSHOP INVESTMENT
TOTAL INVESTMENT: $1880 Includes tuition, accommodation, breakfasts, garden entrances and 1 x picnic lunch.
Please pay a deposit of $440 to hold your place via our booking link below. Note: the balance is due 2 weeks before the workshop starts.
BREAKDOWN
$1385 per person – All Tuition with 2 tutors over 4 days, 1 picnic lunch and 2 garden entries.
$495 Accomodation 3 Nights @ $165 corporate rate
Deposit $440 to secure your place. Balance due 2 weeks before tour date.
Please read our terms and conditions:
Please Note: This tour includes day workshops and tuition, accommodation and breakfast and 1 picnic lunch but no other meals. We have secured rooms at the Hotel Etico in Mount Victoria – a queen room is $165 per night and includes a delicious breakfast. You can pay the room rate directly to the hotel (please give your booking no/The Aperture Club)or choose to pay via our site.
Hotel accommodation can be paid as an add-on on our booking form below or directly to the hotel.
If you require any extra nights let us know so we can pass on our corporate rate to you.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Etico is a social enterprise that provides beautiful and comfortable accommodation in one of the most welcoming villages of the Blue Mountains. Plus it powers a program that provides employment and independent living opportunities to young people with disability, helping them to achieve their independence goals.
Hotel Etico:
Contact No: 0438 511 352 Katie
11 Montgomery Street, Mt Victoria
GETTING THERE
By Car: From Sydney, head west along the M4 towards Penrith. Join the Great Western Highway and follow the road as it weaves its way up into the mountains. You might like to stop for a cup of tea or coffee in lovely Leura on your way!
By Train: If you would like to travel by train, please contact us to discuss options for a pick-up at Mount Victoria train station and daily carpools to and from the workshop venue.
WHAT THE WORKSHOP COVERS
A TYPICAL DAY
We rise early to capture the gorgeous early morning light and shifting mists that the Blue Mountains area is known for. Breakfast is supplied at Hotel Etico and after we will explore some great garden locations that our maestro Brent Wilson has found for us.
Afternoons will be spent relaxing or viewing your morning shoot and learning some valuable tips on botanical editing.
The second shoot of the day begins in late-afternoon and continues until dusk. This ensues we are out for the golden and blue hours. This is an opportunity to practice the theory and techniques in the ever-changing evening light. After dark it’s your time to use as you choose: rest, reflect, dine and delight in the peaceful Blue Mountains. Of course we can change the schedule to suit conditions and if we find an extraordinary place to shoot that we can’t resist!
POSSIBLE LOCATIONS AND SHOOTS
- Mount Wilson
- tumbling creeks
- majestic cliff top views
- green mossy rain forests
- gum tree forests
WALKING AND WEATHER
This is a gentle trip, which requires a low level of fitness. There will be a small amount of walking to and from shooting locations, occasionally on uneven surfaces with steps and inclines. If you have any doubts about your ability, please contact us directly.
Blackheath is on a high plateau about 1000 metres above sea level. Temperatures are generally lower than Sydney. Spring days in the Blue Mountains regularly begin with a misty morning that burns off by mid-morning. This is caused by cold air sinking into the valleys overnight and rising as the day begins and can make for very atmospheric (but chilly!) morning shoots. During spring, temperatures generally rise through the day, with crisp cool evenings. Err on the safe side and come prepared for wind, rain and temperatures from 10˚C- 20˚C.
When you book you will receive a detailed packing list to help you plan for the mountains.
GETTING AROUND
We try to keep cars to a minimum and suggest we car pool into 2 cars.
We will have 1 car that accommodates 4 people and others can drive or alternate cars each day.
Distances covered at one time is no more than 30 mins from the hotel so an easy commute.
MEALS
Lunch and dinners are not included in the workshop and can be enjoyed at your accommodation or at one of the many cafes, restaurants, pubs in the area. Tues night we will probably go to the Blackheath Pub that serves great meals and Wed night we will enjoy dinner at the hotel.
We do supply 1 picnic lunch on the second day.
Approx dinner costs excl drinks $25 – $35.
BYO Alcohol to hotel or bar available.
WHAT TO BRING
- Camera equipment
- Tripod
- Laptop with latest Adobe Lightroom Classic software (recommended) or a tablet with image processing software (Snapseed)
- Wet weather clothing
- Clothing for cold temperatures
- Sturdy footwear
- Travel insurance + ambulance cover for duration of tour (required)
- Day pack/camera pack
- Torch
- Water bottle
