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Stradbroke Island Photography Retreat

Friday 27 April to Sunday 30 April 2018

Join us on this photography retreat to North Stradbroke Island!

During this retreat, we will do a variety of image taking exercises including macro, panning, landscapes (day and night), portrait and hero images. With two tutors and a small group, individual relaxed guidance is guaranteed.

We plan to visit North Gorge, Brown Lake, Amity Point, Flinders Beach, the historic Dunwich Cemetery and Straddie Hotel along with other locations as Mother Nature allows us.

This specially designed tour is suitable for all levels of photographers. Partners and families are welcome to come along. We’ll be based at Amity in a cabin – please see below for accommodation options and FAQ’s.

You do not need to be an advanced photographer to join us, however, some basic equipment and skills are required (please see below for prerequisites).

This tour is designed to push you as a photographer to capture stunning images – those that you have always wanted – while having fun, learning about the environment and making friends on North Stradbroke Island.
It’s 10 workshops in 1!

‘I had a great time on North Stradbroke. Plenty of clicking with cameras and I cannot believe how much I learnt and how much my photography improved. thank you Bluedog!’
Wally S.

Please see below for: Planned itinerary, inclusions, travel, accommodation advice, price, links and more.

Stradbroke Island Sample Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Friday
12.00 midday
Meet and greet on North Stradbroke Island at Straddie Camping just after you drive off the ferry. For those arriving via water taxi, we will arrange pick ups.

Visit the historical graves at Dunwich Cemetery and Moyra Springs as we make our way to your accommodation and time to settle in.

Meet at Amity Point jetty before sunset – camera care tutorial, White Balance, Composition and Exposure exercises given during the sunset and golden hour.
See the dolphins, do silhouettes, sunbursts and more.

Sausage Sizzle at Amity Point followed by a session with steel wool burning. (Sausage sizzle included in tour cost. Non-photography partners are an extra $5)

Further details on activities during the day supplied.

Day 2:
Photograph sunrise, the seascape, birds and macro before we regroup for breakfast and our day ahead.

Sunrise shoots depending on weather could be at locations like Cylinder Beach or the lookout over Main Beach.

Breakfast with image critique and feedback along with a tutorial (breakfast at own cost).

Today we plan to head along Flinder’s Beach for some panning and seascapes photography.
Depending on weather: activities could include the reflections at Brown Lake, macro, panning and nature and wildlife photography with a drive along the Tripod Track ( we will have seats in vehicles for those without a 4WD for any of our 4WD activities).

Lunch at the Stradbroke Hotel (at own cost).

Walk to North Gorge in preparation for night shoot.

Meet for sunset at Amity Point – prepare for a takeaway dinner – then to North Gorge (if weather permits) for our night shoot.

Day 3:
Join one of our tutors for sunrise.
Regroup for breakfast and our day ahead. Today we plan to head to Brown Lake. Here we will play with abstract photography, reflections, flora and refine our skills that next step.

Shoots for the day are planned around tides and weather. We’ll continue to review your images and critique and pass on information as you continue to shoot. We’ll use all our opportunities including photographing food.

Please Note: The tutors may change the itinerary to suit weather conditions on the day.
A wet weather plan is in place.

Prerequisites
Gear:A digital SLR camera with manual settings, tripod, and lockable cable release or remote. We will forward a list of what you should bring both photographically and and personally upon registration.

Level of Photography: A basic understanding of how to change your ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Advanced to beginners will be catered for as we have a high level of tutors per participants on all our tours. Please feel free to contact us to discuss any of the above.

Price
$880.00 Friday afternoon to Sunday lunch
Includes sausage sizzle , expert tuition and photography notes. Does not include accommodation, ferry transfers and beach 4WD passes.
All activities are weather dependent.
Partners and friends are welcome to join us – *conditions apply
Daily rates are available on request.

If you don’t have a 4WD that is no problem please refer to our FAQ’s below.

FAQ’s
Q. I don’t own a 4WD and if I did I don’t want to drive my car on the beach.
A. That is fine. All our activities are based around sealed access roads as the whole island is sealed. We also will allow for transport on any of our activities that are based around a 4WD venue.

Q. Can I stay elsewhere?
A. Yes, again that is not a problem. We once provided a house but some wanted to camp, bring their van or stay with friends. Everything on North Stradbroke is only a short drive.

Q. My partner wants to join me and maybe have the children is that ok?
A. Partners and families are welcome and in the past they have had a fabulous time exploring the island and at times been fabulous ‘models’.

Q. Can I catch the water taxi over and have transport for the weekend?
A. We can provide pick up and drop off for the water taxi and have a limited number of seating in our vehicles which is booked in on a first-come basis. We also offer a car-sharing option with other participants joining us.

How to Get To Stradbroke Island:
Ferries operate regular services to and from North Stradbroke Island for vehicles and passengers plus a water taxi service.