South West WA Seascapes + Astro Photography Tour (6D/5N)
A conditions-led, fly-in-friendly tour based around the Dunsborough / Cape Naturaliste coastline, with optional night-sky sessions only when safe and workable.
Leave with a repeatable seascape workflow, wave-timed shutter choices, tripod discipline, clean long-exposure files, and an edit you can repeat at your next coastline.
Co-led with Nathan Dobbie (Nature By Nathan), WA coastal specialist. Sessions flex with swell, wind, tide, access, safety, and crowding. Jump to FAQs
Team
Meet your instructors
Two working landscape photographers. Calm coaching in the field, then clear feedback in the edit.
Owner-operator (DKP) + workshop leader
Dylan Knight
Dylan Knight is the owner-operator of Dylan Knight Photography and founder of Chasing Light Collective, with a focus on landscape, seascape and astrophotography. Now in his 10th year behind the camera, Dylan has taught small-group workshops for seven years across Australia and New Zealand. Time living in Utah and extensive work through the American Southwest shaped a style built around strong shapes, texture, and frame-filling compositions. Dylan is a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP, PPAQ) with award recognition across multiple major competitions.
Co-leader + WA coastal specialist
Nathan Dobbie
Nathan Dobbie is an Australian landscape photographer behind Nature By Nathan, focused on sharing wild places from fresh perspectives, including lesser-known locations and creative angles from familiar destinations. Raised in the Perth Hills, his early connection to nature grew into years of 4WD travel chasing Australia's more remote landscapes. Now based in Tasmania, Nathan has taught photography for eight years through workshops ranging from short sessions to immersive multi-day experiences, and has collaborated on workshops with Nikon Australia and NiSi Filters.
Who this is for
- Keen beginners (manual mode helpful) through to advanced photographers who want cleaner coastal results
- Anyone who wants long exposures that look intentional (not muddy) with a repeatable method
- Photographers who value calm coaching, strong safety calls, and conditions-based decision-making
Not the right fit if…
- You want “guaranteed” astro regardless of cloud, access rules, or safety
- You expect to be on wet rock shelves in surge zones for hero shots
- You’d rather tick icons than learn a repeatable workflow
What you’ll shoot
- Sugarloaf Rock: sea stacks, surf motion, silhouette structure
- Canal Rocks: leading lines, water timing, safe rock positioning
- Cape Naturaliste: cliff lines, headlands, calmer bay options
- Hamelin Bay: protected-water long exposures when conditions suit
- Busselton Jetty: structural compositions and transitions
- Boranup Forest: overcast-friendly textures and clean greens
- Optional astro: only when clear and safe (not a promise)
What’s included
- 5 nights accommodation (private group house, shared facilities)
- Return transfers: Perth Airport or your pre-booked Perth accommodation ↔ South West
- In-region transport to all shoot locations
- Workshop tuition (two instructors)
- 2–3 guided editing sessions (Lightroom + practical Photoshop where it helps)
- Welcome dinner (night 1)
- Take-home landscape/seascape notes (PDF)
Not included
- Flights to/from Perth
- Comprehensive travel insurance (compulsory for participation)
- Other meals/drinks and personal expenses
- Photographic equipment
- Any fees outside the itinerary/program for this event
If any location-specific fees apply to our final plan, they’ll be communicated clearly in advance.
Payment + cancellation
- AU$500 deposit secures your place
- Remaining balance due 60 days before the tour start date
- Payment plans available (instalments 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 in/out: Perth (PER)
- Return transfers included (airport or your Perth accommodation)
- In-workshop transport included to all shoot locations
- Base region: Dunsborough / Cape Naturaliste (conditions-led rotations)
- Private group house (shared facilities) — keeps costs down and builds a great group dynamic
Night / astro sessions (conditions-led)
Astro sessions are optional and only run when skies are clear, access is permitted, and the location is safe.
If cloud or conditions shut down night work, we pivot to forest textures, sheltered coast options, and extended editing/review so the tour still delivers strong outcomes.
Non-negotiable: rock shelves and surge zones are strict go/no-go based on swell, tide, safe exits, and visibility. No hero shots.
What past participants say
Real feedback from real 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, along with the discipline of arriving early to set up properly. 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. Dylan challenged me creatively and helped me produce a collection of images I’m truly proud of. 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 not just with shots I’m genuinely proud of — particularly nailing slow water — but with a real understanding of why the process works. For anyone at an intermediate level sitting on the fence, I’d say do it.”
“Definitely worth it — expert tuition, incredible locations, and a great group of like-minded photographers in a genuinely fun atmosphere. My photography has noticeably improved since the workshop. I have a much better understanding of both capturing and processing shots. If you’re sitting on the fence, just go.”
“Dylan brings a depth of knowledge and experience 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. The pace was right, the instruction was clear, and every concept built on the last. I’d recommend this without hesitation and would sign up for another workshop in a heartbeat.”
“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 for the best light is exceptional — nothing is left to chance. And the Milky Way sessions? Absolutely fantastic. Dylan sets the bar high and consistently clears it.”
How the tour runs (and why it works)
We don’t force sessions. We chase the best shootable options based on swell, wind direction, tide and light, then consolidate with editing and critique.
Perth meet-up → transfer south → welcome dinner + sunset
Meet in Perth, transfer to the South West, then a first sunset session chosen for conditions and safe access.
Sunrise hero + editing session + sunset
A high hit-rate sunrise (aspect matched to the forecast), practical editing/review, then a second sunset on a different coastline option.
Conditions chase day + sunset
We choose the best window: protected coves vs open headlands, based on swell/wind/tide. Sunset session locked to the safest workable option.
Forest textures (if suited) + sunset
If weather goes soft, we turn it into a win: Boranup textures and clean colour control, then back to coast for sunset if workable.
Icon rotation + optional astro (if clear)
Rotate between icons and alternatives. If skies open up and access is suitable, we run a short, safe night session.
Final sunrise + wrap + return to Perth
Final sunrise focused on your priority technique, then return transfer to Perth for evening flights or onward travel.
Seasonal context
- Late October = spring conditions: wind and swell can change quickly
- We match locations to wind direction, sea state, and tide to reduce wasted sessions
- We prioritise safe access and workable compositions over “forcing” icons
Editing + review
- 2–3 guided sessions across the tour
- Lightroom: culling, masking, colour discipline, sharpening and export
- Seascape finishing: water texture without halos
- Photoshop fundamentals where it genuinely helps (clean finishing, targeted fixes)
Safety + access
- Go/no-go calls are made on swell, tide, safe exits, visibility and crowding
- Uneven rocks + low-light starts are normal; headtorch required
- We avoid risky surge-zone positioning and do not teach “hero shot” behaviour
- Permits/access are handled where required (no legal grey areas)
Drones are not part of this tour. If you fly independently outside workshop time, you’re responsible for CASA rules and any site restrictions.
Gear expectations
- Camera with manual controls
- Tripod (non-negotiable) for long exposure
- Ideal lens range: 14–70mm (wide-to-mid)
- Telephoto optional (compression and tighter headland details)
- Polariser / ND optional (helpful, not required)
- Headtorch + spare batteries
- Laptop recommended for editing sessions
Unconventional but effective tactic: bring one cheap, small microfibre towel dedicated to tripod feet and hands. Dry feet = less slip risk and less salt spray contamination when you’re moving between rock and sand.
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
Price + deposit
A AU$500 deposit secures your place. The remaining balance is due 60 days before the tour start date.
Payment plans
Experience level
Astro / night sessions
Accommodation + transport
Cancellation / refunds
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
8 spots. $500 secures yours.
Balance due 60 days before departure. Travel insurance compulsory.
Images by Nathan
