Blue Mountains Sunrise Session 4th Feb 2024

Come and Join me for a morning Sunrise session at the very special Narrowneck plateau in Katoomba, Blue Mountains, where we will work on our Sunrise Landscape Photography capturing the stunning landscape vistas across the Jamison Valley, Three Sisters and Mount Solitary.

I will be putting at least one Sunrise Session in the Blue Mountains each month, providing an opportunity to get together for some sunrise fun, and pickup some tips on landscape photography techniques, the gear we use, and learn about Sony Digital Imaging equipment with the possibility of getting hands on with some Sony gear*

I have been photographing the Blue Mountains for well over a decade, and Narrowneck never fails to provide. The area has been closed off since 2021 due to flooing rain, but the roadway is once again open to get to the best clifftop viepoint possible, giving us the best possible opportunity to capture some unique and memorable sunrise imagery.

Once we meet at the locked gate, we will take a short hike to the clifftop view, requiring some mobility to traverse an unformed trail (GRADE 2).  Once we arrive, we will spend some time going through the landscape photography basics and gear, and the importance of clifftop safety, along with some location based tips that will help you get the most out of your session, and, as a local guide, I will give some interpretive guiding on the history, geology, flora and fauna so you will leave with a deep appreciation of the area to help tell the story of your images.

Why not spend the rest of your day exploring other great locations in the mountains, where I am able to offer you some travel tips on places to visit based on the conditions of the day.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS - We will generally be meeting and working at an accessible lookout, close to vehicles with little to no stairs to manage, but some sessions will require some adventurous bushwalks. As such, check the Location for the "Grade" of each session:

• Grade 1 - Easy to access for all levels.
• Grade 2 - Some walking and small number of well formed stairs with handrails to navigate.
• Grade 3 - Small distance bush walking (<5km) with some inclines and stairs. Stairs may be unformed with no handrails. Walks may be on muddy tracks. Moderate levels of fitness required.
• Grade 4 - Long distance walks (<10km) with inclines, stairs, muddy and slippery unformed tracks and a high degree of self awareness, good mobility and good fitness required.
• Grade 5 - Totally bush. Tracks are largely unformed and over uneven terrain often in highly remote and declared wilderness areas where minimal impact techniques are employed. Experienced bushwalkers only. High degree of mobility and fitness required.

Jay is licensed to operate Photography tours and Bushwalk Activities in NSW National Parks under an Eco Pass License # LIC20/116.

We wish to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the country we visit during our tours, the Gundungurra, Dharug, Wiradjuri, Darkinjung and Thawawal people and pay our respects to elders past, future and ongoing.

WILL WE HAVE SONY EQUIPMENT TO TRY?

*from time to time we will have Sony Digital Imaging equipment to try while we are on our sessions. This will always be dependent on what Sony has available to loan and our ability to get gear to our location. Check in with me before hand if you want to try anything in particular during the session and we will try to coordinate it for you.

WHY IS THERE A FEE?

Apart from receiving Landscape photography coaching & tuition from your highly experienced guide and tutor, your small fee covers my business costs for hosting such tours in NSW National Parks, Council Reserves and Crown Lands which includes:

• Any National Park Entry Fees ($4.64 per person per day).
• License fees (such as NSW National Parks EcoPass).
• Public Liability Insurance to cover Bushwalking and Wilderness Activities (a Requirement of  Licenses)
• An Experienced and Accredited Guide and Photography Educator with Remote Area First Aid Accreditation.
• Other Ancillary costs.

• Bushwalking for Landscape Photographers
• Landscape Photography Essentials
• Capturing the Blue Mountains
• Using Filters and Circular Polarisers
• Sunrise/Sunset Photography
• Long Exposure Photography
• Macro Photography
• Nature/Wildlife Photography

• Mirrorless or DSLR Camera & Lenses
• Lens Choice - Wide Angle 16-35mm, Telephoto 24-105mm. You may wish to bring a Macro lens.
• Tripod & plates/mounts for your camera
• Shutter Remote
• Charged Batteries and empty memory cards
• Landscape filters inc Grad ND and CPL (if you own them)
• Comfortable Camera Backpack
• Good Hiking boots or Walking shoes (waterproof high ankle support boots are essential to access some locations)
• Hiking clothing suitable for the weather
• Small towel, Rain jacket & Pack cover if rain is forecast
• Water bottle (750ml minimum main bottle recommended)