Photography Masterclass
Sunset · Astro (if clear) · Sunrise · Face-to-Face Editing Session
A focused 24-hour masterclass over two days across the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region: sunset on Saturday 18 July, astro at Borumba Dam that night if skies are clear, then sunrise, breakfast, and a 3-hour face-to-face editing session on Sunday 19 July. Small group, personalised instruction, clear structure from start to finish.
Leave with stronger files, a repeatable exposure and editing workflow, and the confidence to shoot any condition, not just the perfect one.
Astro sessions are weather and conditions dependent. 24-hour format, own vehicle required between locations. All sessions operated under current Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council, Queensland Parks and Seqwater permits. $20M public liability insurance.
The masterclass
A focused 24-hour masterclass over two days across the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region, finished with a face-to-face editing session. Maximum 4 photographers.
Potential locations
Coastal sessions are run at strong, photogenic spots across the region, which may include Point Cartwright, Point Arkwright, the Coolum headlands and bays, Pincushion Island, Mooloolaba, and the Noosa headland. Astro is shot at Borumba Dam. Final spots are confirmed closer to the date based on conditions, tide, light, and access, so we're always shooting the best option on the night. What you learn and walk away with stays the same wherever we shoot.
Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 July 2026 · 24-hour masterclass · Max 4 participants
This 24-hour masterclass runs over two days, from Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 July 2026. We start with a coastal sunset shoot on Saturday afternoon. If skies are clear, we then travel to Borumba Dam for the astro session that night. On Sunday morning, we shoot sunrise on the coast, then have breakfast before finishing with a 3-hour face-to-face editing session at Camera House Maroochydore. The editing session is mainly Lightroom Classic based, with Photoshop covered where useful for more advanced techniques such as blending, stacking, cleanup, and final refinements. AU$499, with the full 11-lesson editing bundle included free. You'll need your own vehicle to travel between locations. Accommodation around Coolum or Maroochydore works best.
How I teach
Every photographer who comes on a masterclass has different goals, experience, and confidence levels. The teaching adapts to that.
Some photographers want hands-on help with settings, composition, filter technique, and workflow. Others are more independent: they want access to strong locations, good timing, and a supportive group atmosphere to work within. Both are welcome, and both get what they need.
I don't run rigid, follow-the-leader sessions where everyone stands in the same spot with the same settings. I check in regularly throughout every shoot, answer questions as they come up, and adjust the level of guidance to each person. If you need more time on something, we take it. If you want space to work, you get it.
The editing session follows the same approach. Lightroom Classic is the main workflow, because that is where most photographers will do the bulk of their editing. Photoshop is covered when it genuinely helps the group, especially for more advanced techniques like exposure blending, stacking, cleanup, and final refinements.
If the weather turns, we don't stop. The format exists precisely because SEQ weather is unpredictable: you get multiple sessions and multiple opportunities regardless of what the sky does. Overcast light, stormy seas, flat conditions, all of it has value if you know how to read it. That's part of what you'll learn.
The goal is always the same: make the most of the conditions we have, safely and creatively, and make sure every photographer leaves with stronger images and a clearer process than they arrived with.
Who this is for
- Beginners to advanced photographers wanting stronger results, not just on perfect days
- Anyone who's struggled with long exposures, focusing in the dark, or making one session count
- Photographers who want real editing time, not just field time
- Lightroom Classic users who want a stronger, more repeatable editing workflow
- Photographers curious about Photoshop for more advanced blending, stacking, cleanup, and refinements
- Locals and visitors who want a complete experience in a focused 24-hour format
Not the right fit if…
- You need a guaranteed Milky Way: the full setup is taught regardless, but clear skies aren't promised
- You prefer large group tours over focused, personal instruction
- You're not comfortable with a 24-hour schedule and self-driving between locations in low light
What you'll shoot and edit
- Sunset (coastal): golden hour to blue hour seascapes, foreground design, composition, highlight control, and wave timing. ND/GND filter technique covered if you have them
- Astro (Borumba Dam, if clear): the Milky Way from a dark-sky inland location, focus, exposure, framing, optional stacking
- If cloudy at night: the full astro camera setup so you're ready when skies clear
- Sunrise (coastal): adapting to changing light, silky water, reflections, coastal drama
- Editing session: mainly Lightroom Classic for the core workflow, with Photoshop covered where useful for more advanced blending, stacking, cleanup, and final refinements
What's included
- 3 guided field sessions: sunset, Milky Way window, and sunrise
- 3-hour editing session at Camera House Maroochydore, mainly in Lightroom Classic, with Photoshop covered where useful
- The Editing System Behind the Workshop, included free: Dylan's 11-lesson Lightroom Classic + Photoshop bundle (normally AU$197)
- Personalised instruction in a small group, real attention, not a crowd
- Gear advice before and after the masterclass (free)
- Access to NiSi filter discounts as an authorised NiSi reseller
- Access to Leofoto tripod discounts as an authorised Leofoto reseller
- Access to Nikon product discounts as a Nikon School lecturer
- Post-workshop editing support
Not included
- Transport between locations (own vehicle required)
- Accommodation, your responsibility to arrange and confirm before the date. Suggested options sent in your welcome email.
- Meals and personal expenses
- Adobe subscription (Lightroom Classic / Photoshop)
- Personal travel insurance (recommended)
Payment + cancellation
- AU$499 full payment at time of booking
- Payment plans available on request
Cancellation policy
72+ hours before: full refund
Within 72 hours: no refund
ACL rights apply regardless.
Full cancellation policy →
Weather + conditions
The 24-hour format was designed specifically for SEQ weather: you get multiple sessions and multiple opportunities regardless of what the sky does.
- Final spots confirmed closer to the date based on conditions, tide, light, and access
- Astro session runs if clear; full technique covered either way
- If swell or wind makes a location unsuitable, we pivot to a safe approved alternative
- Sessions are not cancelled for overcast skies alone
- Postponed only if conditions are genuinely unsafe, in which case we reschedule
What past participants say
Real feedback from real masterclasses.
"An excellent experience from start to finish. Extremely well organised, and Dylan was approachable, helpful, and highly knowledgeable throughout the shoot. The post-shoot editing workshop was equally valuable: informative, hands-on, and interactive. I'd highly recommend this to photographers of any skill level looking to improve both their shooting and editing."
"An absolutely fantastic experience. The sunset session, early morning astro shoot, sunrise, and 3-hour editing session were all brilliant. Dylan made sure everyone in our small group had plenty of opportunities to ask questions, and the editing session was a real highlight. I came away with a huge smile on my face and would highly recommend his masterclass to anyone wanting to elevate their photography."
"I absolutely loved every minute of it. The small class size made such a difference, there were only four of us, so Dylan could spend time with each of us individually. I walked away feeling far more confident using my camera, especially in low-light and night conditions. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to level up, whether you're a beginner or already experienced."
How the 24-hour masterclass runs
Final spots within the region are confirmed closer to the date based on conditions, tide, light, and access.
Sunset Seascape
Golden hour through to blue hour at a coastal location in the region. Composition, foreground design, highlight control, and wave timing. ND and GND filter technique covered if you have them, and participants get access to NiSi discounts if you're looking to add to your kit. 1–1.5 hours.
Milky Way, Borumba Dam
A dark-sky inland location away from coastal light. Full Milky Way setup: focus, exposure, framing, and optional stacking over the water. If it's cloudy, the complete astro camera setup is covered so you're ready the next clear night. 1.5–2 hours.
Sunrise Seascape
Adapting to changing light, silky water technique, reflections, and coastal drama. Consolidate the field skills from the night before. 1–1.5 hours.
3-Hour Editing Session
Mainly Lightroom Classic, covering the core workflow most photographers will use: selection, tone and colour, noise reduction, contrast, detail, local adjustments, and export. Photoshop is covered where useful for more advanced techniques such as exposure blending, focus stacking, cleanup, and final refinements. The session is tailored to the group's skill level and the files captured during the masterclass. All participants also receive The Editing System Behind the Workshop, Dylan's 11-lesson Lightroom Classic + Photoshop editing bundle (included free, normally AU$197), so you can revisit every decision at home. Held at Camera House Maroochydore. 3 hours.
What you'll learn
- Composition and foreground design for coastal and dark-sky scenes
- Long exposure shutter selection matched to wave and swell
- When and how to use ND and GND filters (if you have them)
- Focusing in low light and complete darkness
- Milky Way exposure settings and camera setup
- Lightroom Classic tone, colour, contrast, masking, noise reduction, and export workflow
- Photoshop techniques where useful, including blending, stacking, cleanup, and final refinements
- How to choose the right editing path based on the image, not a fixed recipe
Gear expectations
- Camera with manual controls (DSLR or mirrorless)
- Tripod, optional, but without one you won't be able to shoot extended long exposures
- Wide-angle lens ideal: 14–24mm or 16–35mm
- ND / GND filters, optional, covered if you have them
- Remote shutter or intervalometer, optional
- Headtorch + spare batteries (required for the night session)
- Weather-appropriate clothing and solid footwear
- Laptop recommended for the editing session
- Lightroom Classic recommended for following along during the editing session
- Photoshop useful but not essential. Any Photoshop steps are demonstrated and explained clearly
Not sure what you need? Get in touch before you book, happy to advise.
Gear discounts
Participants get access to genuine discounts on gear, before and after the masterclass.
- NiSi filters as an authorised NiSi reseller
- Leofoto tripods as an authorised Leofoto reseller
- Nikon cameras and lenses as a Nikon School lecturer with access to genuine Nikon discounts
Why this format
South-east Queensland weather is unpredictable. The 24-hour format was built around that reality, not against it.
- Multiple sessions means multiple opportunities, whatever the sky does
- If astro clouds over, the full setup and process is still covered
- The date is selected around the new moon window for the best possible dark skies
- Overcast or stormy conditions create their own opportunities, we use them
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
Within 72 hours: no refund
ACL rights apply regardless.
Full cancellation policy →
Ready to book?
Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 July 2026. A 24-hour masterclass over two days, with a coastal sunset, astro at Borumba Dam if clear, a coastal sunrise, breakfast, and a 3-hour editing session to finish. The editing session is mainly Lightroom Classic based, with Photoshop covered where useful for more advanced techniques.