South West WA Seascapes + Astro Photography Tour (5D/4N)
Five days shooting one of Australia's most photogenic coastlines, with two instructors, a private group house, and editing sessions to bring it all together.
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. 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 with a repeatable method, not just a one-off result
- Photographers who value calm coaching and small-group instruction over a crowded tour
Not the right fit if…
- You want guaranteed astro regardless of cloud, access rules, or safety
What you'll shoot
- Sugarloaf Rock: sea stacks, surf motion, silhouette structure
- Canal Rocks: leading lines, water timing, rock positioning
- Cape Naturaliste: cliff lines, headlands, calmer bay options
- Hamelin Bay: protected-water long exposures
- Busselton Jetty: structural compositions and transitions
- Boranup Forest: soft-light backup when the coast is unfavourable
- Optional astro: planned for the best available night
What's included
- 4 nights accommodation (private group house, shared facilities)
- Return transfers: Perth Airport or your Perth accommodation ↔ South West
- In-region transport to all shoot locations
- Workshop tuition (two instructors)
- 2–3 guided editing sessions (Lightroom + Photoshop)
- 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 on request
Cancellation policy
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
- Private group house (shared facilities) — keeps costs down and builds a great group dynamic
Bad weather? We use it.
Overcast skies soften coastal contrast. Swell adds drama to the rocks. Rain brings Boranup Forest to life. When the forecast shifts, we adjust locations, timing, and focus — there's always a strong session to be had.
Astro is planned for the best available night. If skies don't cooperate, we run the complete Milky Way workflow using provided RAW files in the editing sessions. You leave with the full process either way.
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. 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 tour runs
Every session is planned around the forecast, tide, and light. When conditions shift, we adapt — there's always a strong shot to be made.
Perth meet-up → transfer south → welcome dinner + sunset
Meet in Perth, transfer to the South West. Welcome dinner together, then a first sunset session at a location matched to the forecast.
Sunrise + editing session + sunset
Early sunrise at a high hit-rate location. Practical editing and review block mid-morning, then a second sunset on a different stretch of coastline.
Full shoot day + sunset
We pick the best locations based on swell, wind, and tide. Protected coves if conditions are big, open headlands if the sea state suits. Sunset at the strongest workable location.
Icon rotation + optional astro
Work through the priority locations. If skies open up after dark and access is safe, we run a night session. If not, we run the Milky Way workflow using provided RAW files.
Final sunrise + wrap + return to Perth
Final sunrise session focused on your priority technique. Debrief, take-home practice plan, then return transfer to Perth. Book flights from mid-afternoon.
Seasonal context
- Late October is spring on the South West coast — dynamic skies, green coastal scrub, manageable swell windows
- Sessions timed around wind direction, sea state, and tide — not a fixed schedule
- October sunsets fall around 7:15pm AWST, giving long golden-hour windows
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
Safety + access
- Go/no-go calls on swell, tide, safe exits, visibility, and crowding
- Uneven rocks and low-light starts are normal — headtorch required
- Permits and access handled where required
- Drones are not part of this tour
Gear expectations
- Camera with manual controls
- Tripod (non-negotiable) for long exposure
- Ideal lens range: 14–70mm
- Telephoto optional
- Polariser / ND optional but helpful
- Headtorch + spare batteries
- Laptop recommended for editing sessions
Tip from the field: bring one small microfibre towel dedicated to tripod feet and hands. Dry feet on wet rock reduces slip risk and keeps salt spray off your gear between locations.
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
Physical requirements
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
Limited spots. $500 secures yours.
Balance due 60 days before departure. Travel insurance compulsory.
Images by Nathan
