Cherry Blossoms, Waterfalls & Astro Photography Workshop

Explore the amazing scenery on offer in the Waikato with this weekend photography workshop that will teach you how to improve your composition, master your camera's settings and learn how different filters will enhance the images you capture. You'll also discover easy Lightroom techniques to turn your original raw files into stunning landscape images.   

During the weekend we will cover an area that is incredibly rich in landscape photographic variety including the beautiful spring cherry blossoms, lush waterfalls in hidden valleys, quiet lakes reflecting the starry night sky and the dreamy seascapes of Raglan beach. This will give you a range of opportunities to put into practice all the skills you will learn during our weekend together.  

Locations covered: Cambridge - Lake Te Koutu - Lake Karapiro - Pirongia - Bridal Veil Falls - Raglan - Cherry Blossoms - Blue Spring  

Friday 2pm  

The weekend workshop will kick off at 2pm at Hidden Lake Hotel with drinks and nibbles and an introduction to the workshop plan.  

Friday evening  

There will be time to capture golden hour and sunset with the cherry blossoms local to Cambridge and after dark we will head out for astrophotography if the skies are clear to Lake Karapiro or Arapuni.  

Saturday morning  

We will meet at 5am for sunrise at Lake Karapiro or at one of the many local cherry blossom locations. A packed breakfast and lunch will be provided by the hotel. There will be opportunities to stop in at other cherry blossom spots during the morning.  

Saturday afternoon/evening 

After lunch we will head out to Pirongia to capture the lush forest and river setting of the Mangakara Nature Walk before heading out west to Bridal Veil Falls where there are a number of vantage points to capture this lovely waterfall. We will aim to capture the sunset at Raglan beach either among the rock pools or from the hillside overlooking the beach. If the skies are clear we will stay on for astrophotography at the beach.  

Alternative afternoon/evening

Depending on the weather forecast and group vote, we may instead opt to visit Marokopa Falls/Waitanguru Falls and Hairy Feet Hobbit location in Waitomo for the afternoon and evening.  

Sunday morning  

Daylight Savings starts overnight so we get an extra hour's sleep (not really!) so we'll meet at 6am for another local sunrise. We then head back to Hidden Lake Hotel for an indepth session on editing in Lightroom while enjoying a tasty breakfast provided by the hotel.  

Sunday 12pm  

The workshop officially ends and everyone is free to travel home. You will leave overflowing with a wealth of new knowledge, exhilarated by the weekend experiences and keen to try out all the new techniques and tips you have learned.  

• Mastering the manual settings on your camera 
• The art of good composition 
• Use of KASE neutral density and polariser filters while in the field 
• Planning and executing a successful photography shoot 
• In-the-field experience at a variety of beautiful photographic locations 
• Valuable tips and advice on how to create stunning images in Lightroom
• Advice on using social media to showcase your photography
• Use of Sony cameras and lenses 

• DSLR/Mirrorless camera and lenses 
• Plenty of spare batteries and a portable charger 
• Tripod 
• Torch 
• Laptop with Lightroom installed 
• Memory cards and adapter to link with laptop for editing 
• Remote shutter control 
• ND filters and polariser (a selection of KASE filters will be available to use during the weekend)
• Wet weather and warm gear (waterproof jacket, hiking boots, a small umbrella or waterproof camera sleeve, hat and gloves) 
• Snacks and water 
• A willingness to learn and a sense of fun and adventure!