Kiama Coastline Photography Workshop (NSW)
Small-group coastal and astrophotography workshop on the NSW South Coast built around basalt geometry, long-exposure seascapes, and planned night sessions at Bombo Quarry. Tuition-only format so you pay for coaching, not accommodation markup.
Leave with a repeatable coastal workflow: expose fast-changing swell with intent, build sharp long exposures in wind and spray, and finish files cleanly in Lightroom and Photoshop — no muddy HDR look.
Note: specific locations and session timing are always subject to conditions, permits, access approvals, and safety. Night sessions at Bombo are conditions-led. Follow signage and on-site guidance.
Who this is for
- Committed beginners through to advanced photographers who want a structured coastal and astro workflow
- Anyone who wants long exposures that look intentional — wave timing, shutter choices, and tripod discipline sorted out in the field
- Photographers who want real coaching in a genuinely small group (max 4), not a crowd
Not the right fit if…
- You need guaranteed night-sky sessions regardless of cloud, safety, or access
- You're not comfortable on uneven coastal terrain or near ocean swell
- You need accommodation included (this is a tuition-only workshop — you book your own)
What you'll shoot
- Bombo Quarry: basalt geometry, columnar leading lines, wave timing, blue-hour transitions, planned astro nights (conditions-led)
- Cathedral Rocks: arch framing, sea stacks, mood options in variable weather
- Minnamurra Headland: shelf platforms and rock pools for clean long-exposure lines
- Long exposures: shutter choices matched to swell energy, from freeze to full flow
- Night technique (conditions-led): focus, exposure, stacking and blending prep
What's included
- Small-group tuition (max 4) with guided sunrise/sunset field sessions across all 4 days
- 3× daily editing sessions (Lightroom workflow through to Photoshop blending + finishing)
- Return transfers Sydney Airport ↔ Kiama for the workshop dates
- Workshop transport from accommodation to all shoot locations
- PDF field guide + checklists for pre-session planning
- 11-video editing bundle post-workshop (value AU$297)
- Free gear advice before and after the workshop
- Access to discounts on Nikon products, NiSi, and Leofoto
- Post-workshop email support as you apply the workflow
Not included
- Accommodation — self-booked for flexibility (Nova Kiama offers DKP attendees 15% off standard rates; mention you're attending the Dylan Knight Photography workshop when booking, subject to availability)
- Flights/travel to/from Sydney (separate to the Sydney Airport transfer included in the workshop)
- Meals and personal expenses
- Personal travel insurance (recommended)
- Adobe subscriptions (Lightroom/Photoshop)
Payment + cancellation
- AU$500 deposit secures your place
- Remaining balance due 60 days before the workshop start date
- Payment plans available on request
Cancellation policy (locked)
60+ days before start: refund of monies paid less $100 admin fee
30–59 days: 50% refund of monies paid
Under 30 days: no refund unless seat is filled; if filled, refund less $100 admin fee
ACL rights apply regardless
Full policy: dylanknight.com.au/cancellation-policy
Accommodation + transport
- Fly or train to Sydney; workshop covers return transfers Sydney Airport ↔ Kiama
- Workshop transport included from your Kiama accommodation to all shoot locations
- Accommodation is self-booked — Kiama CBD puts you within minutes of all locations
- Nova Kiama has offered DKP attendees 15% off standard rates (subject to availability; mention the workshop when booking)
Night + astrophotography approach (conditions-led)
Bombo Quarry night sessions are planned and coordinated with relevant permits and permissions. Night access and session go/no-go is always subject to cloud, wind, swell, safety, and on-site access rules.
If skies don't cooperate, you'll still capture foreground compositions in the field and we'll run the full Milky Way workflow in the editing session using provided RAW sky data — so you leave with the complete process regardless of conditions.
Timing note: 2027 dates are planned around a favourable moon phase and late-summer Milky Way alignment over the ocean. Final dates are confirmed when the scheduling window firms up — join the newsletter for first release.
What past participants say
Real feedback from real workshops.
"I considered myself a capable photographer before the workshop, but it surprised me how much I still had to learn — and how quickly small adjustments improved my results. Dylan challenged me creatively and helped me produce a collection of landscape images I'm truly proud of. You gain so much more than just photos — you leave with practical skills, creative direction, and genuine confidence in your vision."
"Incredible workshop — Dylan has so much knowledge and experience and is so willing to share it all. I learnt so much, but at a rate I could understand and didn't feel overwhelmed. Would highly recommend and would participate in future workshops in a heartbeat."
"Definitely worth it — expert tuition, incredible locations, and a great group of like-minded photographers. Since the workshop my photography has noticeably improved — I have a much better understanding of both capturing and processing shots. If you're sitting on the fence, just go."
"I had a single astro session with Dylan that was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer. I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."
"Even with the constant rain, Dylan kept me up to date and gave me peace of mind. The workshop clarified so many things that YouTube never could."
"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor. He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."
Logistics, locations, and how it runs
Exact session choices are conditions-led and aligned to tide, swell, and access on the day.
Orientation + Bombo or Cathedral Rocks sunset
Arrive Kiama. Orientation brief: locations, workflow overview, safety. First sunset session — conditions-led location choice. Group debrief.
Sunrise + Editing Session 1 + sunset
Sunrise at best-light option. Editing Session 1 (Lightroom foundation: import, cull, exposure, colour). Sunset at a different location for variety in the set.
Sunrise + Editing Session 2 + planned Bombo astro
Sunrise session. Editing Session 2 (Photoshop blending + blue-hour transitions). Planned Bombo night session (conditions and access permitting). If skies don't cooperate, extended Milky Way RAW workflow in the editing room.
Final sunrise + Editing Session 3 + transfers
Final sunrise focused on your priority technique. Editing Session 3 (finishing: contrast, colour, sharpening, export). Group wrap. Transfer to Sydney Airport.
Planned locations
- Bombo Quarry — basalt columns, wave timing, night work
- Cathedral Rocks — arch framing, sea stacks, swell mood
- Minnamurra Headland — shelf platforms, rock pools, clean lines
Kiama compresses three distinct basalt formations into one compact stretch — we can run multiple sessions without long relocations, which means more time shooting and less time in the van.
Final site usage is always subject to on-ground conditions, permits, and access approvals.
Gear expectations
- Camera with manual controls (required)
- Sturdy tripod — non-negotiable for long exposure on uneven rock
- Ideal lens range: wide to mid (e.g. 14–70mm)
- Fast wide lens optional for night sessions (f/2.8 or faster helpful)
- Telephoto optional for abstracts and tighter compression
- Polariser/ND optional (strong images made with and without)
- Headtorch — required for early starts and low-light terrain
- Laptop with Lightroom Classic + Photoshop strongly recommended for editing sessions
Weather + conditions
This workshop is conditions-led. We plan around swell, wind, tide, cloud, and safe access — so you still get strong work without forcing a location that isn't cooperating. If one spot is unsafe, we move. Plans are confirmed before each session once forecasts firm up.
Safety + fitness
- Coastal platforms: uneven rocks, wet surfaces, steps, and early starts in low light
- Ocean swell and rogue sets are real — if access isn't safe, we change plans
- Headtorch required for all night and pre-dawn sessions
- Moderate fitness — expect coastal terrain and early mornings
- We shoot as a group; nobody is pushed into risky positions
- $20M public liability insurance in place
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
How much does it cost and what's the deposit?
A AU$500 deposit secures your place. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the workshop start date.
What's included after the workshop?
Can I pay in instalments?
What experience level do I need?
How fit do I need to be?
Is astrophotography included?
What happens if weather or swell is bad?
What gear should I bring?
Is accommodation included?
Are airport transfers included?
What's the cancellation / refund policy?
30–59 days: 50% refund of monies paid
Under 30 days: no refund unless seat is filled; if filled, refund less $100 admin fee
ACL rights apply regardless
Full policy: dylanknight.com.au/cancellation-policy
Dates TBA — join the newsletter for first access
Newsletter subscribers get the booking link before public release.