Sunshine Coast + Noosa Photography Workshop (Oct 2026)
4 days of tight, repeatable coaching built around Sunshine Coast sunrises, Noosa sunsets, and dedicated astro opportunities at Borumba Dam / hinterland (conditions and access permitting), backed by 4× 3-hour editing sessions. Small, intimate group.
Leave with calmer field decisions, cleaner files, and a Lightroom + Photoshop workflow you can repeat on your next coast — not just on this one.
Payment plans available — email me after booking and I'll set one up.
Note: session timing and exact sites are conditions-led and subject to access rules, permits and safety on the day. Follow signage and on-site guidance.
Who this is for
- Keen beginners to advanced photographers who want cleaner results and better in-field decisions
- Anyone who wants one trip that mixes astro-first technique (conditions-led), seascapes, and sunset structure
- Photographers who want a repeatable capture + edit workflow, not just "nice spots"
- People who prefer real coaching time in a small, focused group over big tour groups
Not the right fit if…
- You want guaranteed astro regardless of cloud, wind, moonlight, or access rules
- You don't want to use a tripod or learn manual settings
- You need fully included accommodation (self-booked)
What you'll shoot
- Astro (conditions-led): Milky Way workflow at Borumba Dam / hinterland on the best workable nights
- Sunshine Coast sunrises: headlands, seascapes, shutter intent, sharp long exposures
- Noosa sunsets: structure, silhouettes, layers, clean colour choices
- Rain pivot: Buderim Falls — waterfall technique and forest textures
- Editing: Lightroom + Photoshop workflow, culling, masking, finishing
What's included
- 3 Sunshine Coast sunrise sessions
- 3 Noosa sunset sessions
- 3 astrophotography opportunities (conditions + access permitting)
- 4× 3-hour editing sessions (basic Lightroom → advanced Photoshop: exposure blending, focus stacking, panoramas, composites)
- 11-lesson editing video bundle (AU$197 value) — yours to keep after the workshop
- Workflow checklists + location planning tools
- Small group — real coaching time on your setup
- $20M public liability insurance
- Permits/permissions handled where required
Not included
- Accommodation (self-booked — email us for suburb recommendations 15–30 min from sessions)
- Meals and personal expenses
- Transport between locations
- Adobe subscriptions (Lightroom/Photoshop)
- Gear hire
Payment + cancellation
- AU$500 deposit secures your seat
- Balance due 30 days before the workshop start date (full payment if booking within 30 days)
- 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
- Self-drive, self-booked accommodation
- Sunshine Coast / Noosa area — email us for practical suburb recommendations
- Most sessions depart from a central coastal meeting point
- Borumba Dam / hinterland night sessions require your own vehicle (convoy arranged)
Night + astro approach (conditions-led)
Astro opportunities are planned around moon phase and clear-sky forecasts — but cloud, haze, wind and access rules can change on the night. If conditions are unsuitable, we replace the session with extended coastal coaching and a deeper editing block.
Borumba Dam night sessions are subject to safe access and any applicable site permissions. We operate under relevant permits where required.
October timing: The Milky Way core is still visible in the western sky through October, and moon phases are planned around the workshop window to maximise dark-sky opportunity.
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. We plan around tide, swell, wind and moon phase.
Sunrise + editing session + sunset + astro
Sunrise on the coast, then breakfast break. 3-hour editing session: workflow foundations, camera setup and planning tools. Sunset session at Noosa (conditions-led). Astro opportunity at Borumba Dam / hinterland if skies are clear (8–10pm).
SC sunrise + editing session + Noosa sunset
Sunrise on the Sunshine Coast (Cartwright / Arkwright / Coolum options, tide and swell dependent). Breakfast break. 3-hour editing session: seascape finishing and controlled motion. Sunset in Noosa for structure and silhouettes.
SC sunrise + editing session + astro opportunity
Sunrise repeat with refinement focus. Breakfast break. 3-hour editing session: critique and measurable improvements. Night: astro opportunity at Borumba Dam / hinterland (subject to clear skies, safe access and moonlight).
Final SC sunrise + final editing session + wrap
Final "apply everything" sunrise on the coast. Breakfast break. 3-hour editing session: final selects, finishing, export and next-step plan. Q&A and depart. Workshop ends after the editing session.
If conditions are messy or it rains, we pivot to Buderim Falls for a dedicated waterfall technique block — shutter choices, highlight control, and forest composition — and go deeper in the editing session. You leave with stronger technique either way.
Sunrise locations (Sunshine Coast)
- Point Cartwright (lighthouse headland)
- Point Arkwright (elevated rock platforms)
- Coolum Beach / headland options
- Sheltered bays when open beaches are messy
Chosen each morning around tide, swell and wind. Final call is conditions-led.
Sunset + night locations
- Sunsets: Noosa National Park headlands (Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, Dolphin Point options)
- Astro: Borumba Dam / hinterland (subject to clear skies, safe access and moonlight)
- Rain pivot: Buderim Falls (waterfall technique + forest textures)
We chase the strongest light window available, not a fixed spot list.
Gear expectations
- Camera with manual controls
- Solid tripod (non-negotiable for long exposure)
- Ideal: wide lens (14–35mm range) + standard zoom
- Spare batteries + lens cloth + rain cover
- Closed shoes with grip (non-negotiable near wet rock)
- Warm layer for early starts and wind
- Filters helpful, not required
- Editing sessions: laptop with Lightroom Classic recommended + card reader + power supply
Weather + conditions philosophy
We plan around the best available conditions, not a fixed checklist.
- Swell/wind up? Switch to sheltered bays or elevated angles
- Rain? Pivot to Buderim Falls + deeper editing session
- Astro unsuitable? Replace with extended coastal coaching
Access rules and conditions can change. Always follow signage and on-site guidance.
FAQs
Direct answers before you book.
How much does it cost and what's the deposit?
A AU$500 deposit secures your seat. Balance due 30 days before the workshop start date (full payment if booking within 30 days).
What's included after the workshop?
Can I pay in instalments?
Is this suitable for beginners?
How fit do I need to be?
Are the astrophotography opportunities guaranteed?
What happens if the weather is bad?
What gear do I need?
Is accommodation or transport included?
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
Ready to book your seat?
AU$500 deposit secures your place. Balance due 30 days before the workshop.
Payment plans available — email me after booking and I'll set one up.
Not ready to book 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-lesson editing bundle is the same Lightroom + Photoshop workflow I walk participants through on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Yours to work through at home, on your own files, at your own pace.
Explore the editing bundle — AU$197 →
