
2025 Alpha Awards Photo Competition
Terms and conditions apply.*
Explore and capture Taranaki, the amazing region of NZ which lives up to its 'like no other' tagline. Taranaki has an incredible variety of scenery to experience - mountain vistas, tranquil lakes, unique coastal seascapes and lush forest and river scenes. Having visited this area my whole life, I know it well and it will be my pleasure to share all the best photography spots with you!
On this 4-day, 3 night workshop, you'll learn how to master your camera's settings so that shooting in manual and using your camera's tools is a breeze. I'll share tips on how to improve your composition for any situation and show you how filters will enhance the images you capture. There will also be opportunities to learn more advanced techniques such as focus stacking and exposure bracketing which will make a real difference to your results. Then we'll spend time editing in Lightroom (and Photoshop) showing you how you can transform your RAW data into breathtaking final images.
Transport will leave at 10.00am from Cambridge/Hamilton. If you prefer to travel directly to the workshop accommodation, you will need to be at the AirBnB in New Plymouth by 1.00pm.
Upon arrival, we will have an introduction to the weekend before heading out to shoot sunset.
Over the course of the weekend we will explore and photograph an amazing variety of scenery throughout the Taranaki region utilising the conditions available to choose the best locations for each shoot. If the skies are clear, we will also find some unique locations to shoot astrophotography during the weekend.
Due to the extremely changeable conditions in Taranaki, we cannot guarantee that we will see the mountain during the weekend, however running the workshop over 4 days gives us the best possible chance to experience clear skies for some of the time. Taranaki is home to many incredible locations that don't require the mountain in frame so there will be plenty to photograph even without the mountain in view.
We will also incorporate two editing sessions during the weekend to maximise your knowledge and learning of the best post-processing techniques in Lightroom and Photoshop.
After a final sunrise session and group breakfast, the workshop will conclude at approx 12pm to allow everyone to travel home.
The full workshop fee is $1,399 NZD and is payable via Sony Scene to secure your place for the event.