South West WA Seascapes + Astro Photography Tour (6D/5N) | Western Australia
Six days of focused coastal photography in the South West. We'll chase the best options each session based on swell, wind, tide and light, then back it up with editing and critique so you leave with a workflow you can repeat. Expect crystal-clear coves, rugged cliff lines and sea stacks, plus optional dark-sky sessions and forest textures when conditions align.
Answer-first: A small-group max-8 South West WA photography tour running 27 Oct–1 Nov 2026 (6 days, 5 nights) with 5 sunrise sessions, 5 sunset sessions, and optional astrophotography (clear skies only). Includes accommodation (twin-share), return Perth airport transfers, welcome dinner, and 2–3 editing sessions (basic Lightroom through advanced Photoshop techniques). Tour format (fly-in friendly, conditions-flexible approach). Pricing: AU$3,950 per person. Suitable for keen beginners (manual mode helpful) through to advanced photographers.
Safety comes first. Rock shelves and surge zones are always go/no-go based on swell, tide and safe access. If a spot is unsafe, unworkable, or overcrowded, we pivot to a better option nearby.
Tour format (fly-in friendly)
We include the big-ticket logistics so it's easy to fly in and focus on shooting.
- Accommodation throughout the tour (5 nights, twin-share)
- Return transfers: Perth Airport or your pre-booked Perth accommodation ↔ South West
- In-region transport to all workshop destinations
- Workshop tuition and photographic instruction (two instructors)
- 2–3 guided post processing sessions
- Welcome dinner for all guests on the first night
- Take-home landscape photography notes and guidance (PDF)
- Airfares to and from Perth
- Comprehensive travel insurance (compulsory for participation)
- All 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, we'll communicate them clearly in advance.
What you'll experience
A simple structure that stays flexible: strong sunrise/sunset sessions, smart location calls, then consolidation in the edit.
We plan around tide, wind direction and swell. That means fewer forced sessions and more time in genuinely shootable conditions.
Lightroom workflow, local adjustments, colour control and clean finishing. Photoshop fundamentals where it genuinely helps.
Calm coaching in the field and practical guidance in the edit. The focus is your shooting, not ours.
- Wave-timed shutter control (freeze vs motion) without muddy files
- Long exposures: stability, focus checks, clean settings
- Seascape composition structure (foreground → subject → background)
- Blue hour workflow and transitions
- Forest textures when overcast (a great "weather win")
- Astro fundamentals when clear: focus routine, exposure intent, framing
- Lightroom: culling, masking, colour discipline, sharpening and export
- Practical planning: tide, swell, wind, cloud breaks, access timing
- Safer positioning on rock shelves: exits, timing, and no hero shots
- Take-home PDF notes and guidance
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.
Where we aim to shoot (conditions-led)
The exact sequence flexes with swell, wind, tide, access and crowding. We choose the best option for the conditions, not a rigid checklist.
We'll rotate between protected bays and more dramatic headlands to match the sea state and wind direction.
- Sugarloaf Rock
- Canal Rocks
- Injidup Bay area (including natural spa/pool areas only if safe and appropriate)
- Cape Naturaliste
- Hamelin Bay
- Busselton Jetty
When the forecast suits, we add variety with calmer bays, forest textures, and a night session if skies are clear.
- Meelup Regional Park (multiple calm bay options)
- Castle Rock area (Dunsborough)
- Boranup Forest (overcast-friendly)
- Astrophotography session (optional, clear skies only)
"From above" perspectives are not a promise. Drones are not part of this workshop. If you fly independently outside workshop time, you're responsible for current CASA rules and any local/site restrictions.
Post processing sessions (2–3 across the tour)
We keep this practical: build a repeatable workflow and finish files cleanly.
- Culling: what to keep, what to drop, and why
- Clean colour: white balance and saturation control
- Masking and local contrast without crunch
- Sharpening and export that holds up across screens
- Seascape finishing: water texture without halos
- Forest/greens: highlight control and natural colour
- Night workflow (when shot): noise discipline and star detail
- Simple Photoshop fundamentals where it genuinely helps
- Feedback loop: what to change next time in the field
- Practical file organisation from capture to backup
6-day structure (flexible, conditions-led)
We keep the itinerary flexible so we can move sessions to the best windows. This is the structure you can expect.
Day 1 — Perth meet-up, transfer south, welcome dinner + sunset
Day 2 — Sunrise hero + edit session + sunset
Day 3 — Conditions chase day + sunset
Day 4 — Forest textures (if suited) + sunset
Day 5 — Icon rotation + optional astro night (if clear)
Day 6 — Final sunrise + wrap + return to Perth
Fatigue management is built in. If we have a late finish, we adjust the next day's plan so you're not running on fumes.
Pricing
Straightforward pricing with a strict group cap.
Twin-share accommodation included. Limited places available.
Balance due 60 days prior to departure. Full payment schedule provided at booking.
Small-group premium instruction with 4:1 participant-to-instructor ratio.
Direct answers
The questions that usually decide it.
Is this suitable for beginners?
Is astrophotography guaranteed?
Is the itinerary fixed?
How physical is it?
What camera gear do I need for South West WA photography?
Do I need a laptop for the editing sessions?
What happens if the weather is poor?
Who operates this workshop?
Where are the South West WA photography workshops located?
What's the best time of year for South West WA photography?
Do you handle permits and access?
Can I bring a drone?
What's the cancellation / refund policy?
Images by Nathan
Testimonials
"Incredible workshop as Dylan has so much knowledge and experience as a tutor and photographer and is so willing to share it all with his clients. I learnt so much, but at a rate that I could understand as we went along and didn't feel overwhelmed. Would highly recommend and would participate in future workshops in a heartbeat."
– Lynette (Noosa National Park Workshop)
"Dylan has put a lot of time and effort into this workshop. He is easy to understand and ensures each student gets the time they need to grasp the concepts. I really appreciated that there were only four students—Dylan spent plenty of time with each of us. The follow-up eBooks he created and published are a terrific way to reinforce the weekend and make sure the new techniques and knowledge really stick. Thank you Dylan—I really enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait to see what’s next."
– Jo
"Highly recommend Knighty’s Photography! You won’t be disappointed! I’ve done a few private workshops with Dylan over the last five years and it’s been great! Looking forward to my next workshop with Dylan!"
– Wendy K.
"Knighty's Astro photography session was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer... I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."
– Amber
"I was absolutely stoked with the workshop... Dylan clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this again!"
– Workshop Participant
"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor who was prepared to put in extra time... He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."
– Participant Feedback
"The workshop was excellent. Dylan was very knowledgeable and professional. He went over and above to ensure we all had a great experience."
– Nikon School Attendee
"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. Highly recommended!"
– Workshop Attendee
"I would highly recommend a Nikon School Workshop and Dylan Knight. He followed up with extra resources and provided a professional experience from start to finish."
– Nikon Workshop Participant