Workshops & Retreats

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Photography & Writing Courses, Workshops, Tuition and Retreats

Under the guidance of professional working photographers and journalists you will explore the world of photography, learn hands on and meet new friends.
The workshop program is lead by Danielle Lancaster who continues to work as a professional photographer and journalist for clients such as 4x4 Australia, RACQ Road Ahead, Tourism Queensland and others. A working base of tutors ensures you receive up to date and appropriate knowledge in the fields.

The majority of our photography courses and workshops are held on glorious Tamborine Mountain in the hinterland of the Gold Coast behind Surfers Paradise and less than an hours drive from Brisbane. Workshops are also conducted on request in other locations.

Participant numbers are always kept low to ensure you get individual attention, the maximum benefit and all your questions are answered.
Read what past course participants have said and About your tutors and assistants.

Photography Courses, Workshops, Tuition Designed for You:

Want to just do an hour or two with us or have a club or group that would like to learn more about photography? Maybe something different for a groupn of friends, your corporate group, or just a good excuse to get together have some fun, learn photography and see some of the attractions of beautiful tamborine Mountain. No problem just phone 07 5545 4777 or e-mail us

See below for calendar and information on upcoming photography & writing courses, workshops and retreats. The calendar is regularly updated as requests come in.

Gift Vouchers

Gift vouchers are available and we will design a 6x4" photographic print with text from either one of our images or one of yours. simply email us

Photography E-newsletter

Workshop and Retreat dates are also posted in the free Bluedog E-newsletter which also contains great photography tips, exhibition listings, photography trivia and much more. To subscribe simply e-mail us with 'subscribe' in the subject line.

What's New in 2009:

We are currently planning for 2009 and are looking to do some workshops and retreats in different locations. Expressions of interest are currently being sought for an extended photography and/or writing retreats. All suggestions are welcome. Please e-mail us if this is you!

Photography & Writing Courses, Workshops and Retreat Calendar

Courses and workshops are regularly updated on this web page. Don't forget to let us know if there is anything specific you would like covered in any workshop or during a retreat. Our workshop calendar will be on the web site and updated regularly as you make your requests and we are now trying to plan all workshops well in advance so you have plenty of time to prepare. Remember once you start with us our advice does not stop when you leave the workshop you can e-mail us with questions and images for further continued advice.

The Bluedog Team of wonderfully talented professional photographers and journalists have a wealth of knowledge to share and have taught various aspects throughout Australia. You may be a good photographer or writer but that does not mean you can teach. We all continue to work as professional photographers and journalists and have the confidence and patience to take you on exciting paths with your work.

NEWS: Commencing in 2009 the Bluedog Outback Photography Tours. We will travel to Mount Isa and then to Lawn Hill National Park. This tour will include a visit to Outback at Isa and other attractions in Mount Isa. Details are being set, however we are calling for expressions of interest. Numbers will be limited to 6 per trip.

Bluedog Photography Weekend Photography Retreat:

28th November-30th November 2008
This two day workshop allows participants to explore the wonderful world of photography. Each retreat itinerary is arranged around participants particular interests - view our May 08 Bluedog Photography Weekend Retreat itinerary to see an example. A minimum of two professional tutors per session. We meet on Friday evening where photographers and their partners meet the tutors, dine on a sumptuous dinner (all diets are catered for) before viewing a captivating presentation such as our 'Masters of the Lens' and receive your 'Bluedog Retreat' pack with notes, map, flyers and vouchers. On registration you receive a 'Retreat Intro Letter' with a list of what to bring (smiles and a sense of fun are mandatory!), how to pay, your menus choices for dinners and program.

During the weekend we visit places such as the acclaimed Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens, venture into Queensland's oldest rainforest (the third oldest in the world!), visit the amazing Sculpture Garden where internationally acclaimed Antone Bruinsma also sits for us, the Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre, an award winning winery and their barrel room (and yes we sample some of their fine wines), take in a sunrise, sunset, portrait shoot and for those that like to take a stroll at night, see glow worms, glowing fungi and other amazing nocturnal creatures of the rainforest. For those needing accommodation we will refer options for you. If you require transport from airports or train stations please contact us and we will arrange this for you. Bookings and numbers apply.

The retreats are suited for those that do not own an SLR and there will be some digital SLR's available to loan. A limited number of tripods will also be available for loan - both the digital SLR's and tripods are free of charge.

Cost: For the November two day Landscape & Portraiture Retreat - $550.00 inc. GST - Includes all meals (morning tea and lunch on Saturday and Sunday and 2 course dinner at restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings, tuition, notes, model, guides, entry and wildlife fees.

Non-photography partners are welcome and are included in some of the outings. For non-photography partners wishing to join us for dinner it is $45.00 per dinner each night. For other wonderful things to see and do and accommodation on Tamborine Mountain Read more about Tamborine Mountain.

Registration is essential and currently being taken. To register Contact Us.

Bluedog Photography One and Half Day Workshops:

l 'A Walk in the .........'
An enjoyable two hour session at various locations with a professional photographer. These sessions are aimed to be relaxed yet informative. Bookings and numbers apply.

l Beginner Photography Workshop - "Let's start"
An extremely informative day with two professional photographers and a max of 7/class. Understand what all those buttons and dials mean - interpret the jargon - learn important composition skills, what is aperture and shutter speed, how to set your cameras ISO rating, and loads more. Then put it all to the test out and about on the mountain! During the day you will learn how to freeze droplets of water, blur water and do long exposures as if at night, achieve an out of focus background, maximum depth of field for landscapes, use on camera flash in daylight, how to archive digital files. Suitable for both digital and film users. An SLR digital is also available for use on the day.

Workshop notes given to all participants and each will receive a voucher for a FREE 20" x 30" (50x75cm) print on Fuji Photographic Lustre Paper from Frank Curcuruto at Frontier Digital, a leading digital printing lab who has printed some of our exhibition prints in the past AND Frank will also supply in your pack a colour calibration card and a disk containing printer profiles and instructions. This will ensure your print is reproduced in the very best colour.

Cost: $157.00 Includes full comprehensive workshop notes.
Limited numbers apply. Bookings taken now.
Ph: 07 55454777 or e-mail "Let's Start! "

l Understanding Depth of Field
An often confusing and misunderstood photographic subject! In this 2.5 hour workshop you will understand the principals of depth of field and why it is important is obtaining that brilliant image. A must for those wanting the best of the best in their images.
Venue: 42 Licuala Drive, Tamborine Mountain
Cost: $55.00 per person, includes class notes
Limited numbers apply. Bookings taken now. Numbers apply.
Ph: 07 55454777 or e-mail "Depth of Field"

l "Portraiture With Natural Lighting" and "Portraiture With Window Lighting"
Learn how to take great portraits in this session which includes a power point presentation and then a hands on session. Models and class notes included in pricing.
Venue: Commence at 42 Licuala Drive North Tamborine then on location - some transport will be available
Limited numbers apply. Bookings taken now. Ph: 07 55454777 or e-mail "Portraiture"

l Intermediate Class I
In Intermediate Session I topics such as why shoot in RAW, exposure compensation - get those whites white and blacks black, white balance, reading histogram and other topics will be covered. We aim for a 2.5 hour rain forest photo shoot afterb a theory session on the studio. Simple techniques to 'tweak' your images in Photoshop (CS2/CS3 will be demonstrated if time allows), Minimum 5 for class to run; maximum 7.

Workshop notes given to all participants and each will receive a voucher for a FREE 20" x 30" (50x75cm) print on Fuji Photographic Lustre Paper from Frank Curcuruto at Frontier Digital, a leading digital printing lab who has printed some of our exhibition prints in the past AND Frank will also supply in your pack a colour calibration card and a disk containing printer profiles and instructions. This will ensure your print is reproduced in the very best colour.
Register interest for this class to be included with preferred dates by emailing "Intermediate I"

l Travel Photography
This workshop will be delivered in three parts including a PowerPoint presentation on gear, techniques including using a polariser, how to photograph rainbows and lighting etc; constructive crit - each participant is asked to bring 5 images either on a CD in jpg. format or as hard copy prints; practical excursion.
Materials Required: Camera – either digital point and shoot or SLR or 35mm film; camera manual; notepad and pen, 5 images either on a CD in jpg. format or as hard copy prints, tripod if you own one and any other camera accessories you may have.

Workshop notes given to all participants and each will receive a voucher for a FREE 20" x 30" (50x75cm) print on Fuji Photographic Lustre Paper from Frank Curcuruto at Frontier Digital, a leading digital printing lab who has printed some of our exhibition prints in the past AND Frank will also supply in your pack a colour calibration card and a disk containing printer profiles and instructions. This will ensure your print is reproduced in the very best colour.

Register interest for this class to be included with preferred dates by emailing "Travel Photography"

l An Introduction to Macro Photography
Our macro workshop consists of two parts: the first is a power point presentation that goes through gear; techniques and tips; the second is a practical. There are 2 professional tutors with the group and the practical is done here at the studio to eliminate the weather factors interfering. A set of notes s given to all participants.
Materials Required: Camera – either digital point-and-shoot with macro settings or digital SLR or film; camera manual; notepad and pen, tripod if you own one and any other camera accessories you may have.

Workshop notes given to all participants and each will receive a voucher for a FREE 20" x 30" (50x75cm) print on Fuji Photographic Lustre Paper from Frank Curcuruto at Frontier Digital, a leading digital printing lab who has printed some of our exhibition prints in the past AND Frank will also supply in your pack a colour calibration card and a disk containing printer profiles and instructions. This will ensure your print is reproduced in the very best colour.

Register interest for this class to be included with preferred dates by emailing "Macro Photography"

l Doing a Friend's Wedding - What Now?
You are into your photography and now you are being asked to do a friend's or relatives wedding - what now? This session will go through some of the basic tips and tricks, how to be organised and do the best for that special day. We will also do a practical exercise so you get to understand simple modeling an lighting techniques. A set of notes is given to all participants.
Materials Required: Camera – either digital point-and-shoot or digital SLR or film; camera manual; notepad and pen, tripod if you own one and any other camera accessories you may have.

Workshop notes given to all participants and each will receive a voucher for a FREE 20" x 30" (50x75cm) print on Fuji Photographic Lustre Paper from Frank Curcuruto at Frontier Digital, a leading digital printing lab who has printed some of our exhibition prints in the past AND Frank will also supply in your pack a colour calibration card and a disk containing printer profiles and instructions. This will ensure your print is reproduced in the very best colour.

Register interest for this class to be included with preferred dates by emailing "Wedding Photography"

l Understanding On Camera Flash
Gain the maximum benefit from your on-camera flash and learn how to avoid the common disappointing mistakes.
2 hour session $55.00 Includes notes. Minimum 5 for class to run; maximum 6.
Bookings taken now. Ph: 07 5545 4777 or e-mail "White Balance "

l Mums, Bubs and Cameras
The first Thursday of each month (excluding school holidays) A professional photographer will be conducting a Careers, Bubs and Camera 2 hour session. This session is for mothers, fathers, grandparents, nannies and whoever who want to improve their photography skills and have a special outing with their children. Plese note you are responisble for your children during the outing. Bookings are essential and the session must have a minimuim of 5/session to run and no more than 6 will be allowed in each session. Bookings taken now. Ph: 07 5545 4777 or e-mail "Careers & Bubs"

l Learn How To Write Workshops
Join acclaimed journalist Christine Retschlag in these stimulating and informative workshops.
The Beginners Guide to the World of Writing:
The Art of Photojournalism: Christine will cover the art of perception & observation; creativity & imagination, how to write, writer’s block & things to avoid, stimulating the senses plus there will be a practical exercise in writing and critique and constructive criticism.
The Art of Photojournalism - How to capture a story on camera and in print: Learn what is the difference in Writing vs Journalism, Writing vs Photography, what is the truth and how do you find it? How to write for newspapers and magazine, the Press Release, the tools and tricks of the trade plus there will be a practical exercise in writing and critique and constructive criticism.
From Concept to Print: In this session Christine is joined by photojournalist Danielle Lancaster and they cover essential information such as dealing with deadlines, legal issues, packaging and pitching and much more.
Numbers will be limited and books are essential.
For further details or to book - Ph: 07 5545 4777 or e-mail "Learn How to Write"

l Teenagers Photography Day
This day is designed to get the photographically interested teenager of the house out and about and explore their interests by combining learning with fun. The day will start at the Bluedog Studio with Milo and morning tea. Parents are welcome to stay for the intro and meet the tutors. Then we start! Children today are born into the digital world; it is a natural element for them. They love things to happen fast as does the world of digital. We will cover camera care and composition where they will be taken on a visual journey across Queensland and beyond. They will learn, as in our beginners workshop, to freeze water and blur it and take long exposures. After that we will head out on a walk into the rainforest and to a water fall where they will discover it’s beauty through the lens and all the information we cover on the walk and find out why this part of the rainforest is unique. This is a great chance to put their skills into practice and also have fun learning with others. This day is specifically designed so that it does not matter what level of reading and writing the teenager is at or what kind of camera they have. It is a day of learning with no text books! Each particiapant will receive a voucher to get one of their images from the day blown up as a 20x30" print for free. All the tutors hold Blue Cards.

l Camping Photography Retreat: Landscape, Wildlife & Writing Retreat
The retreat will be held at Tamborine Mountain Caravan and Camping ground - a dog friendly park - situated in Thunderbird Park. So along with dogs, families are welcome too! There will be available shady sites including private sites and group sites.
Other activities include horse riding, Thunderegg mining, exploring the rainforest and Australia's first Adventure Parc - the largest ropes and adventure games course in the country. Trained professional photographers will undertake workshops on various subjects including landscape, digital imaging and for the first time a workshop will be held on writing travel articles. Bookings and numbers apply.
For more details Contact Us

Cost: $280.00/photographer. This will include some notes and your camp site. Partners and family free Registration for this retreat is essential. On registration and payment you will receive a 'what to bring form' (as usual all the smiles and sense of fun!) and your 'Welcome to Tamborine Package' with maps, vouchers and loads of information on Tamborine Mountain. Register Here.

Photography Workshops, Classes, Retreats and Tours - let us show you the way!