Balingup Heights Photography Weekend

Level: Intermediate
Dates: 24 – 26 March 2023
Instructor: Seng Mah
Location: Balingup Heights Hilltop Forest Cottages
Cost: $750- does not include accommodation. For accommodation at Balingup Heights, please contact the property — a range of cabin and room options are available)
Maximum participants: 6 to 8 participants

What’s better than a weekend short break? A weekend short break that’s all about photography in beautiful Balingup, of course!

Come and join us for a great weekend of sensational shooting and image making at Balingup Heights Hilltop Forest Cottages — one of the most highly awarded accommodation in the region! You’ll be getting into a wide range of photography: sunrises, sunsets, landscapes, portraits, night photography and more!

This epic weekend comprises of a number of workshops that run from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. You’ll be shooting and learning with other like-minded photographers and having the time of your life.

Highlights

Golden Valley Tree Park Landscapes – Join Seng for a session of photography in the beautiful Golden Valley Tree Park, where you’ll learn to find the light for beautiful landscapes. Learn about light and colour, and the impact they have on creating stunning landscape images.

Farm and Shearing Shed Portrait Shoot – Experience a change of pace and scene as we shoot portraits in sheds and the environment of a local farm. You’ll discover the joy of looking for directional light and positioning your portrait subjects in this light to create stunning, dramatic portraits.

Dawn and sunrise shoot – Take advantage of living at the highest point in Balingup to photograph the dawn and sunrise over the valley. Fingers crossed, we will have the iconic mist that often blankets the river valley below Balingup Heights!

Night photography on the hill – There’s nothing quite as epic as being out on a cool, clear night, star gazing and photographing the brilliance of the night sky. (Note: this will be weather dependent).

Wetland dawn shoot – Embark on a trip to a mysterious local wetland to photograph it in the eerie light of pre-dawn and dawn. Dramatic and haunting images, for sure! Discover how to look for and shoot minimalist scenes. Who knows what you will find there…

It’s going to be a totally, photography-packed weekend!

Thank you once again for another unique photography experience with Venture Photography.  Both the locations you sourced in and around Balingup and your in-situ tutorials were invaluable and inspirational. It was also great having Dave as an extra source of knowledge and support. Can’t wait for my next photography adventure with Venture Photography. (Julie Hilin)

What you need

To get the most out of this experience, we recommend that the following equipment:

• Your digital camera (we recommend a DSLR or mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with fully manual controls) with a variety of lenses ranging from wide angles (eg. 24-70mm) to mid-range telephotos (eg. 70-200mm). Fast lens (eg. f/2.8 or faster) will also be useful for our portrait shoots.
• A sturdy tripod (we recommend tripods with thick, sturdy legs and with heads that will lock your camera firmly and allow you to tilt and pan easily).
• Spare batteries, battery charger, lots of spare memory cards.
• A large plastic bag to protect your camera gear from moisture or drizzle.
• Lens cleaning fluid and cloth.
• Warm, weatherproof clothing.
• Flashlight and insect repellant.
• Sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for walking in wet grass.

Where to stay in Balingup

This weekend workshop is based at Balingup Heights Hilltop Forest Cottages at 65 Nannup Road, Balingup. Brian and Deb, owners of Balingup Heights, have a number of cottages available for this weekend. Note that accommodation in Balingup is not included in the price of this weekend event.

The cottages at Balingup Heights have already been pre-reserved for the workshop weekend, so all you need to do is call Brian or Deb at the details below and let them know the kind of accommodation that suits you.

• Twin share in a 2 room, 4 bed cottage.
• Queen bed room in a 2 room cottage.
• Single occupancy in a twin room in a 2 room cottage.
• Private cottage (queen bed room) suitable for a couple or a single person.

* Accommodation includes a weekend Breakfast Hamper supplied to each Cottage and BBQ Dinner (BYO drinks) at the Saturday evening bonfire (the bonfire is weather-dependant).

To reserve your accommodation at Balingup Heights, please contact Brian or Deb on 9764 1283 or email info [at] balingupheights.com.au

Note: If you visit the Balingup Heights website, online reservations will show all accommodation booked out for this weekend because Brian and Deb have reserved the cottages for us for this workshop. If you would like to stay at Balingup Heights in one of the cottages, just call Deb or Brian on 9764 1283.

The fine print (please read):

• You will need to organise your own travel to and from Balingup and the photographic locations during the retreat (we will car pool as much as possible to reduce the number of vehicles taken to the locations).
• You will need to cover the cost of your own meals and refreshments during the weekend (except meals provided if you stay at Balingup Heights).
• The workshop organisers reserve the right to change sessions, venue and locations during the workshop (subject to weather, access and availability).

Safety points (please read):

Your safety is our concern, but it is your own responsibility, so please read the following safety points that will give you a better picture of the types of terrain we will be exploring at this retreat:

• You are fully responsible for your own safety and the safety of your equipment during the workshop, and should always observe your own health and safety first.
• Some photographic excursions will require physical travel on sloping or wet surfaces including gravel trails, steps and walking through wet grass and on river banks. You will need to have a fairly good level of mobility in order to participate in this workshop.
• Each participant will be required to sign a standard waiver at the beginning of the workshop.

Book me in!

Please complete and submit the form below to reserve your place in this weekender. For information on refunds and late cancellations, please refer to our Workshops Terms and Conditions.