LANDSCAPE WORKSHOPS 2025
Off-Centre and Loving It 🤪
with Adam Edwards
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 2hr
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: TBA
- Fitness Level: Medium walk (>1km)
- Group size: 20
Are you stuck in the centre-frame comfort zone? You’re not alone. This workshop is your permission slip to let go of symmetry and start making images that feel a bit more bold, a bit more risky, and a whole lot more interesting.
We’ll explore how placing your subject off-centre can improve your composition, create visual tension, and give your images space to breathe. It’s about making deliberate choices, playing with balance, and learning to love the parts of the frame you’ve been ignoring.
Spoiler alert: the best part of your photo might not be in the middle.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- How to thoughtfully place your subject in the frame
- Using negative space and visual tension to create mood and focus
- Why imbalance can be the most compelling kind of balance
Layer it on!
with Adam Edwards
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 2hr
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: N/A
- Fitness Level: Short walk (>500m)
- Group size: 20
Ever look at your photo and think, “It looked better in person”? That’s probably because the depth got lost somewhere between the shutter and your screen. This workshop is all about fixing that by learning how to layer it on.
We’ll dive into building better compositions using foregrounds, midgrounds, and backgrounds (yes, all three), and discuss how to make your images feel like you could walk right into them. Whether it’s a field, a laneway or a full-blown mountain scene, layering helps your shots feel more intentional, more dynamic, and way less ‘meh’.
We’ll explore subject placement, visual weight, and some subtle techniques to guide the eye through the frame, without overcomplicating things. Perfect for anyone who wants to shoot with purpose, even if they still occasionally forget their lens cap.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- How to spot and use natural layers in a scene (even when it looks flat at first glance)
- Tricks for placing subjects and elements to lead the viewer’s eye through the frame
- Why your background matters as much as your subject, and how to avoid the “photo sandwich”
The Painted Landscape - Learn how to create a painterly effect in your landscape images
with Jeff Freestone
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 2hr
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: Telephoto Lens | 70-200mm or 100-400mm
- Fitness Level: Short walk (>500m)
- Group size: 20
Ever find yourself in a rut with your photography and need something to get you out of it?
Learn this simple but effective technique and let your creativity run wild. Inpsired by the impressionism movement – create painterly looking images from subjects found in your own backyard. This technique can be done anywhere and will keep you interested for hours!
Workshop Key Learnings:
- How your aperture affects depth of field.
- Understanding the importance of your background
- Using light to create a painterly effect.
Let's Get Intimate - Looking at the smaller details in nature
with Jeff Freestone
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 2hr
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: N/A
- Fitness Level: Short walk (>500m)
- Group size: 20
Expand your creativity and learn how to identify and photograph the intimate landscape. Learn to see nature in a more ‘abstract’ sense rather than seeing literal objects. This workshop will look at creative and interesting ways to photograph the smaller details found in nature. Utilising conceptual qualities found in nature such as line, shape and form I will show you how to create unique and compelling images from ordinary subjects.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- How to develop an eye for finding new and unique compositions in nature.
- Learn how to utilise conceptual qualities such as line, shape and form to create compelling compositions.
- Understand the importance of ‘exclusion’ when considering your framing and how this simple concept can improve your landscape images.
Chasing Perspectives - Sunrise for the adventurous
with Josh Beames
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 3hr
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: N/A
- Fitness Level: Hike up a mountain in the dark
- Group size: 20
Fit enough to climb a mountain at 5am? Good, please read on…
Get ready to shift your perspective. In this hands-on photography workshop, Chasing Perspectives, we’ll dive into creative techniques that help you see and shoot the landscape in new and exciting ways. Set against the stunning alpine backdrop of Mount Buffalo, this session is all about breaking the mold of traditional compositions and capturing truly unique images.
You’ll learn the art of focus stacking to create jaw-dropping depth (plus, you’ll get a free eBook to take home), how to use bracketing to handle tricky lighting, and how to master your histogram so you can expose with confidence every time. We’ll also dive into how to scout compelling foregrounds, frame with intention, and look at the landscape with a fresh creative eye.
This isn’t just another scenic shoot. It’s about learning to think differently, push your creativity, and walk away with images that stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just starting out, you’ll walk away with new techniques, inspiration, and the skills to elevate your landscape photography.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- How to use focus stacking, bracketing, and histograms to create technically strong and well-exposed landscape images.
- Creative techniques to find unique compositions and engaging foregrounds in any environment.
- How to shift your visual mindset and approach the landscape with a fresh perspective to create more compelling images.
Chasing Perspectives - Sunset from The Horn
with Josh Beames
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: Self Drive (rough road)
- Location: The Horn - Mount Buffalo
- Length: 3hr
- Skill Level: Enthusiasts, advanced
- Specialist Equipment: N/A
- Fitness Level: Short walk (>500m)
- Group size: 20
Get ready for an evening where the light constantly transforms. At Horn Lookout, we’ll follow the shift from golden hour into sunset and on through the rich tones of blue hour. This two-hour workshop is designed to help you adapt quickly and capture the landscape at its most dramatic.
You’ll learn how to balance the sweeping alpine landscape with strong foregrounds, use bracketing to handle tricky light, and read your histogram so you can expose with confidence. We’ll explore how white balance choices can completely change the mood of your images, from natural tones to more creative looks.
As the sun dips, we’ll work with silhouettes, starbursts, and long exposures to capture the magic of twilight. And if the skies are clear, feel free to hang around after the session wraps for some astro photography under the stars.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- Balance your landscape images
- Exposure bracketing
- Wrap your head around histograms
Creative Abstract Photowalk
with Mieke Boynton
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 1.5 hr
- Skill Level: Beginners
- Specialist Equipment: N/A
- Fitness Level: Long walk (<1km)
- Group size: 20
Abstract photography is one of the most creative and intriguing genres of photography. We’ll have a short theory session outlining the basics of abstract photography, sharing some ideas for abstract photos, and ensuring that everyone understands what their cameras are capable of. Then we’ll go for a photowalk together, experimenting with panning and motion blur, seeking out natural abstracts (bark, water etc), urban abstracts (architecture, angles etc) and – for those whose cameras will allow it – in-camera multiple exposures. Please wear comfortable shoes!
Workshop Key Learnings:
- Why abstract photography is fun
- How to create ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) abstracts
- What to look for when creating nature abstracts
Sunrise views of the Alpine Valleys
with Mieke Boynton
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: TBA
- Location: TBA
- Length: 1hr
- Skill Level: Beginners
- Specialist Equipment: N/A
- Fitness Level: Rougher terrain (unsealed track)
- Group size: 20
There is something truly special about watching the rising sun slowly to bathe a valley in light, and some of the best views of the Alpine Valleys are from the lookouts at the The Gorge (Bents Lookout) and Crystal Brook Falls at Mount Buffalo. We will hope for some early morning fog in the valley, or some warm golden light to make the granite outcrops glow. We’ll also take the opportunity to learn about depth of field in landscape photography, and tips and techniques for shooting into the sun. Please dress warmly, bring a tripod and don’t forget the mounting plate!
Workshop Key Learnings:
- Why most landscape photographers use tripods
- What depth of field (aperture) is most appropriate for landscape images
- How to mitigate the limitations of your camera when shooting into the light
Big Bad Bustrip - THURSDAY & FRIDAY
with Brendan Waits & Charlie Brown
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: Bus from BFOP HQ
- Location: Alpine Region
- Length: 10hrs approx
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: Camera, any lenses you own, spare battery highly recommended, tripod. *please bring a water bottle and a packed lunch. Snacks will be provided. There will be very limited opportunity to purchase food. As we will be ascending Mount Hotham, warm clothing is highly recommended along with sun protection.
- Fitness Level: Short walks on some uneven surfaces
- Group size: 40 per bus (2 instructors)
Jump on the adventure bus and head for the hills! Victoria’s STUNNING high country will be yours to capture under the guidance of 2 (count them, 2!) very experienced Landscape Photographers, Charlie Brown and Brendan Waites. Charlie Brown is not only a local to these here parts, he also runs a successful photographic gallery in Mount Beauty and has been a stalwart of BFOP since its inception.
Brendan Waites has been in the photographic industry since 1994 and runs many a workshop from his Camera Shop in Ocean Grove, and is one half of The Down South Photo Show podcast.
Together Charlie and Brendan will take you on an Epic journey to some beautiful landscape photography opportunities, including Mount Beauty, Bogong Village, Rocky Valley and Fainter Creeks, Harrietville and the piece de resistance, Mount Hotham approaching Sunset for possibly the best view in Victoria. We’ll have a lot of laughs along the way as we roll through this wonderful area.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- How to spot and use natural layers in a scene (even when it looks flat at first glance)
- Tricks for placing subjects and elements to lead the viewer’s eye through the frame
- Why your background matters as much as your subject, and how to avoid the “photo sandwich”
Looooong Exposure Waterfall Workshop
with Adam Dyson
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: Self Drive
- Location: Alpine Region
- Length: 1.5hrs approx
- Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
- Specialist Equipment: Tripod, Polariser & ND filters (some loan available)
- Fitness Level: Walking on uneven dirt path (approx 700m)
- Group size: 10
Have you ever wondered how the pros get the perfect long exposure waterfall shots? Well, there’s a trick and it’s not as hard as you think.
In this workshop, you will learn my tips and tricks to get the perfect waterfall long exposure. Bring your Tripod, an ND Filter and your swimmer and let’s get some awesome shots.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- Effectively use your Poliriser and ND filter to create the perfect water movement from a 10th of a second all the way up to 30 seconds.
- Create a dynamic image through what is considered the most important part of any photo COMPOSITION!
- Use the light you have (or don't have) to enhance every photo and make it pop.
Mt Buffalo's SECRET Waterfall Workshop
with Adam Dyson
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: Self Drive
- Location: Alpine Region
- Length: 2.5hrs approx
- Skill Level: Intermediate
- Specialist Equipment: Tripod, Polariser & ND filters (some loan available)
- Fitness Level: Extreme hiking up steep paths
- Group size: 5
Hidden deep in the forest on Mt. Buffalo is Rollasons Falls, one of the area’s best-kept secrets. This workshop is not for the light-hearted, in fact we are only taking 5 people at a time… It’s well worth the effort for both a beautiful waterfall and a stunning walk. Pack your walking sticks this is going to be a good one.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- Achieve the best compositing in tight areas and limited location.
- Use polirising and ND filters to created dynamic water movement
- Get your daily steps in with the 2km round trip walk 😉
The Art of Seeing Differently
with Marcus Bell
- Genre: Landscape
- Transport: Self Drive
- Location: Alpine Region
- Length: 2hrs approx
- Skill Level: All
- Specialist Equipment: None
- Fitness Level: Unsealed paths/tracks some stairs
- Group size: 20
Blending technical mastery with philosophical insight, this workshop is designed to help you expand how you communicate your unique perspective to the world. You’ll explore ways to draw on your own strengths, learning tools to amplify them while combining technical mastery with personal insight. Together, we’ll look beyond the rule of thirds, explore tonal composition, and uncover techniques painters have used for centuries to guide the viewer and create depth. By translating the emotional impact of a grand vista into a single frame, you’ll leave Mt Buffalo with breathtaking images—and a deeper understanding of your own photographic voice.
Workshop Key Learnings:
- Beyond the Rules – Explore composition and tonal techniques that go past traditional formulas to create images with depth and impact.
- Lead the Eye – Guide viewers through your images with intention and impact.
- Amplify Your Strengths – Learn to draw on your personal perspective to create images that are uniquely yours.
- Guide the Viewer – Master ways to lead the eye through your image and create an emotional journey.
- Simplify or Layer – Develop the confidence to make creative choices that balance clarity and complexity.
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