Sunshine Coast Photography Workshop (Seascapes + Waterfalls + Night)
Small-group, field-first coaching across sunrise and sunset seascapes, waterfall shutter control, and night technique when conditions allow. Max 4 participants — real coaching, not a crowd.
Leave with a repeatable sunrise/sunset workflow and the shutter and focus decisions that make coastal shooting consistent — not lucky.
Payment plans available — email me once dates are confirmed.
Note: locations and session timing are always conditions-led and subject to access rules, approvals and safety.
Who this is for
- Keen beginners to intermediate photographers who want consistent coastal results
- People who want sharp long exposures done right — without guessing under pressure
- Anyone who learns best with hands-on field coaching and daily critique
- Photographers who prefer a genuinely small group and direct access to the instructor
Not the right fit if…
- You want a sightseeing tour rather than active tuition
- You're not comfortable on uneven sand and rock platforms in low light
- You expect guaranteed astro regardless of cloud, access or safety
What you'll shoot
- Sunrise + sunset seascapes: Point Cartwright, Point Arkwright, Coolum bays — headlands, leading lines, wave timing
- Waterfalls: Buderim Falls — shutter control, glare management, safe angles
- Night technique: Wild Horse Mountain area and coastal options (conditions + access permitting)
- Editing: Lightroom Classic workflow and Photoshop fundamentals where relevant
What's included
- Guided field sessions across the workshop (max 4)
- Daily editing + critique sessions — Dylan walks through his exact workflow live, step by step, answering questions in real time
- Planning checklists and shoot routines you keep
- Provided RAW data for night/Milky Way workflow training if cloud blocks astro
- Free 11-video editing tutorial bundle after the workshop (value AU$197)
- Post-workshop email support
- Exclusive discounts on NiSi filters, Leofoto tripods, and Nikon gear (authorised reseller)
- Permits/permissions handled where required
- $20M public liability insurance
Not included
- Accommodation, meals and transport (self-booked)
- Adobe subscriptions (Lightroom/Photoshop)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Personal gear purchases
You'll need your own transport between meet points. Meet points and session timing are confirmed in the pre-departure email. Locations are spread across the coast and hinterland — short drives between sessions.
Payment + cancellation
- AU$450 deposit secures your seat once dates are confirmed
- Balance due 30 days before the workshop (full payment if booking within 30 days)
- Payment plans 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
- Tuition-only: book accommodation that suits your budget and comfort on the Sunshine Coast
- Self-drive between meet points — short drives between coast and hinterland locations
- Clear meet-point instructions in the pre-departure email
Night/after-hours approach + fallback plan
Night technique is planned for suitable evenings across the workshop, aligned to conditions, access rules and safety. Locations include the Wild Horse Mountain area and coastal alternatives depending on the night.
If cloud blocks astro, you still learn the complete Milky Way workflow — planning, settings, focus, and blending — using provided RAW data during editing sessions.
Framing: conditions-led decisions, responsible access, no risky situations for "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 recently completed Dylan's landscape and astrophotography masterclass on the Sunshine Coast and absolutely loved every minute of it. The small class size made such a difference — Dylan could spend time with each participant individually. His patience and genuine passion for helping others improve is what really stood out. I walked away feeling far more confident using my camera, especially in low-light and night conditions."
"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."
Logistics, locations, and how it runs
Exact session choices are conditions-led and aligned to safe access. Timings are confirmed in your pre-departure info.
Coast foundations — sunrise seascape + sunset long exposure
Start with a clean seascape setup: sharpness, shutter timing, foreground structure. Evening edit/critique session walking through your best files from the day — live on screen, step by step.
Headlands + waterfalls + refine your decisions
Headland compositions and wave-timed frames in the morning. Midday waterfall session at Buderim Falls — shutter choices, glare management, safe angles. Edit session: consistency, colour, clean files.
Night technique + repeat the strongest shoot
Sunrise repeat applying your feedback. Night technique session in the evening — Wild Horse Mountain area or coastal alternative (conditions + access permitting). Edit guidance on night files.
Final sunrise + wrap + take-home plan
Consolidate everything. Final sunrise, last critique, and a clear repeatable plan you can run on your local coastline after you leave.
Planned locations (conditions-led)
- Point Cartwright — first light, leading lines, wave timing
- Point Arkwright — elevated headland compositions
- Coolum bays — sheltered angles when conditions are messy
- Buderim Falls — waterfall shutter work, safer mid-day
- Wild Horse Mountain area — night concepts and layered landscapes
- Pincushion Island area — silhouettes and reflective water (conditions permitting)
Permits/permissions are handled where required. Access rules can change — always follow signage and on-site guidance.
Editing sessions
Daily editing and critique sessions are held in a comfortable, air-conditioned venue. Dylan projects his screen live and walks through every decision — colour, masking, exposure blending, sharpening, export — answering your questions in real time.
The workflow is Lightroom Classic and Photoshop friendly. If you use other software, the principles transfer directly. A laptop is recommended but not mandatory.
Gear expectations
- Mirrorless or DSLR with manual controls
- Sturdy tripod — non-negotiable for long exposure and low light
- Ideal lens range: wide-to-mid (14–70mm). A 14–16mm is great for seascapes and astro
- Headtorch + spare batteries for pre-dawn starts and coastal platforms
- Closed shoes with grip, layers for coastal wind, light rain cover
- Laptop recommended for editing sessions
Safety + access approach
- No risky access for "hero shots" — safe angles first, always
- If swell or wind makes a location unsafe, we pivot or shift timing
- Night sessions only where safe and access is permitted
- Clear meet points and calm pivots when conditions change
- Drones are not part of the workshop program
FAQs
Direct answers before you join the waitlist.
How much does it cost and what's the deposit?
A AU$450 deposit secures your seat once dates are confirmed. Balance due 30 days before the workshop (full payment if booking within 30 days).
What's included after the workshop?
Can I pay in instalments?
What experience level do I need?
What's the fitness and terrain like?
Is night-sky / astro photography included?
Will we definitely see the Milky Way?
What happens if the weather is bad?
What gear should I bring?
Do I need filters (ND or polariser)?
Are permits required at these locations?
Is accommodation or transport included?
Do you teach editing?
What's the cancellation / refund policy?
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
Are drones part of the workshop?
Join the waitlist
Get first access when dates are confirmed — plus meet points, session plan and pre-departure info once you're locked in.
Payment plans available — email me once dates are confirmed.
Not ready to join the waitlist yet?
Start with the editing system I teach in the field
If you're not ready to commit to a workshop but want to stop guessing in post — my 11-video editing bundle is the same Lightroom + Photoshop workflow I walk participants through on the Sunshine Coast. Yours to work through at home, on your own files, at your own pace.
Explore the editing bundle — AU$197 →Testimonials
"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