South West WA Seascape + Astro Photography Workshop
Five days photographing one of Australia’s most photogenic coastlines, with hands-on small-group coaching, a private group house, dedicated Lightroom and Photoshop editing sessions, and a maximum of four photographers.
Terrain & access
Future South West WA dates: new workshop releases are offered to the interest list first. Register your interest to be notified when the next group opens.
Seascapes
Wave timing, shutter choice, tripod discipline, composition and long-exposure technique across the South West coast.
Milky Way
An optional night session is planned for the strongest available conditions, with the complete workflow covered either way.
Editing
Two to three guided Lightroom and Photoshop sessions focused on clean, repeatable landscape and seascape processing.
The goal is a repeatable coastal workflow: learn how to read swell, choose shutter speed for the water in front of you, position the tripod deliberately, capture clean files in changing light, and finish them without halos or over-processing. The same process should work at your next coastline, not just on this trip.
Who this is for
- Keen beginners through to advanced photographers who want cleaner coastal results
- Anyone who wants long exposures with a repeatable method, not just a one-off result
- Photographers who value calm coaching and direct feedback in a small group
- People who prefer a focused workshop with a maximum of four participants
Not the right fit if…
- You want guaranteed astro regardless of cloud, access rules or safety
- You are not comfortable using a tripod or working around uneven coastal terrain
- You want a large-group sightseeing tour rather than a photography-focused workshop
What you'll shoot and learn
- Sugarloaf Rock: sea stacks, surf motion and strong silhouette structure
- Canal Rocks: leading lines, water timing and rock positioning
- Cape Naturaliste: cliff lines, headlands and calmer bay options
- Hamelin Bay: protected-water long exposures
- Busselton Jetty: structural compositions and changing light
- Boranup Forest: soft-light alternative when the coast is unfavourable
- Optional astro: planned for the best available night
What you'll take home
- A repeatable seascape capture workflow
- A practical method for matching shutter speed to water movement
- A clean Lightroom and Photoshop finishing process you can repeat at home
Accommodation + transport included: four nights in a private group house with shared facilities, return transfers from Perth Airport or your Perth accommodation, and in-region transport to all workshop locations. The base region is Dunsborough / Cape Naturaliste.
What's included
- Small-group workshop tuition — maximum 4 participants
- Four nights accommodation in a private group house with shared facilities
- Return transfers between Perth Airport or your Perth accommodation and the South West
- In-region transport to all workshop shoot locations
- Two to three guided editing sessions covering Lightroom + Photoshop
- Welcome dinner on night 1
- Take-home landscape and seascape notes (PDF)
- Permits and access arrangements where required
Not included
- Flights to and from Perth
- Comprehensive travel insurance — compulsory for participation
- Meals and drinks other than the welcome dinner
- Personal expenses
- Photographic equipment
- Any fees outside the confirmed workshop itinerary and program
If any location-specific fees apply to the final plan, they are communicated clearly in advance.
Price + future releases
- AU$3,950 per photographer
- Maximum 4 participants
- AU$500 deposit is required when you accept an offered place
- Remaining balance due 60 days before the workshop start date
- Payment plans available on request
- Future South West WA dates are released to the interest list first
Cancellation policy:
60+ days: refund of monies paid less AU$100 admin fee
30–59 days: 50% refund of monies paid
Under 30 days: no refund unless the seat is filled; if filled, refund less AU$100 admin fee
ACL rights apply regardless.
Full policy
Bad weather? We use it.
Overcast skies soften coastal contrast. Swell can add drama to the rocks. Rain brings Boranup Forest to life. Every session is planned around the forecast, tide, sea state and light, and the location changes when conditions call for it.
Astro is planned for the best available night. If skies do not cooperate, the complete Milky Way workflow is still covered using provided RAW files during the editing sessions. You leave with the process either way.
What past participants say
Feedback from recent Dylan Knight Photography workshops.
“Before the workshop, my approach was simple — just take the shot. Now it’s all about planning, preparation, and waiting for the light. Understanding light as the most fundamental element of composition was the real revelation. The total experience will exceed expectations.”
“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. You gain so much more than just photos — you leave with practical skills, creative direction, and genuine confidence.”
“Before the workshop, advanced techniques like exposure blending and shooting full manual felt out of reach. Three days on the Sapphire Coast changed that. I left with shots I’m genuinely proud of and a real understanding of why the process works.”
“Definitely worth it — expert tuition, incredible locations, and a great group of like-minded photographers. My photography has noticeably improved since the workshop. If you’re sitting on the fence, just go.”
“Dylan brings a depth of knowledge that’s rare — but what sets him apart is his genuine willingness to share all of it. I learned an enormous amount over the workshop, yet never once felt overwhelmed. I’d recommend this without hesitation.”
“I’ve done quite a few workshops with Dylan now, and I keep coming back for good reason. The planning that goes into finding the right locations at the right time is exceptional — nothing is left to chance. And the Milky Way sessions? Absolutely fantastic.”
How the workshop runs
Five focused days built around the strongest available light, tide, swell and weather rather than a rigid location schedule.
Perth meet-up → transfer south → welcome dinner + sunset
Meet in Perth, transfer to the South West, settle into the private group house and run through the workshop plan. Welcome dinner together, then a first sunset session at a location matched to the forecast, tide and sea state.
Private group house — includedSunrise + editing session + sunset
Early sunrise at a high hit-rate location. Practical Lightroom and Photoshop review block mid-morning, then a second sunset session on a different stretch of coastline with an emphasis on shutter choice, wave timing and composition.
Accommodation + transport includedFull shoot day + sunset
We choose the strongest workable locations based on swell, wind, tide and cloud. Protected coves when conditions are big, open headlands when the sea state suits, with another sunset session at the best available location.
Conditions-led location planPriority location rotation + optional astro
Work through the priority South West locations and techniques still on the group list. If skies open after dark and access is safe, we run a Milky Way session. If not, the full astro workflow is covered with provided RAW files during editing.
Astro subject to conditionsFinal sunrise + wrap + return to Perth
Final sunrise session focused on your priority technique, followed by a debrief and take-home practice plan. Return transfer to Perth after the workshop. Return flights should be booked from mid-afternoon onward.
Planned locations
- Sugarloaf Rock
- Canal Rocks
- Cape Naturaliste
- Hamelin Bay
- Busselton Jetty
- Boranup Forest
- Other South West locations selected around conditions, access and safety
Exact locations and timings remain flexible so the group can work with the strongest available light, tide, swell and weather.
How locations are chosen
- Wind direction and strength
- Sea state and swell
- Tide height and safe exit options
- Cloud structure and light direction
- Crowding and practical access
- Astro conditions when a night session is viable
The itinerary is a framework, not a promise that each named location runs at a fixed time. Coastal photography is better when the plan follows the conditions.
Editing + review
- Two to three guided editing sessions across the workshop
- Lightroom: culling, masking, colour discipline, sharpening and export
- Seascape finishing: water texture without halos
- Photoshop fundamentals where they genuinely improve the result
- Direct feedback on your own files
Safety + access
- Go / no-go calls based on swell, tide, safe exits, visibility and crowding
- Uneven rocks and low-light starts are normal — headtorch required
- Participants carry their own camera gear and tripod
- Permits and access handled where required
- Drones are not part of this workshop
Gear expectations
- Camera with manual controls
- Tripod — non-negotiable for long exposures
- Ideal lens range: 14–70mm
- Telephoto optional
- Polariser / ND filters optional but helpful
- Headtorch + spare batteries
- Laptop recommended for editing sessions
- Small microfibre towel for tripod feet, hands and salt spray
FAQs
Direct answers about the South West WA photography workshop.
How much does the South West WA photography workshop cost?
When is the next South West WA workshop?
What experience level do I need?
Is astrophotography guaranteed?
What accommodation and transport are included?
How physical is the workshop?
What happens if the weather or swell is bad?
What gear should I bring?
What's the cancellation and refund policy?
30–59 days: 50% refund of monies paid
Under 30 days: no refund unless the seat is filled; if filled, refund less AU$100 admin fee
ACL rights apply regardless.
Full cancellation policy
South West WA. Five days. Maximum four photographers.
Register your interest for future workshop dates and receive new releases before they are promoted more broadly.