West Coast Wonders 8-Day Photography Workshop 2024

Workshop length:

Friday 2nd August - Friday 9th August 2024

Location:

Arthurs Pass - Greymouth - Motukiekie Beach - Punakaiki - Karamea - Oparara - Hokitika Gorge - Franz Josef Glacier - Okarito - Lake Matheson

Investment:

$4,999 pp (single share accom)

Max number on course:

Maximum of 4 (small group to maximise learning) - SOLD OUT!

Overview

There's no region in NZ as varied in scenery as our wild West Coast. Join me on an incredible 8 day photography adventure as we explore the West Coast from top to bottom discovering pristine mountain reflections, mist-filled lagoons, incredible cave and rock formations, tropical rainforests, epic remote beaches, glacial-fed gorges and mountain passes on this workshop. This landscape photography tour is limited to only THREE people to maximise your learning experience in these unique New Zealand locations.

What you'll experience

It's one thing to visit amazing NZ landscape locations, but quite another to photography them in a way that truly captures the essence and feel of a place. On this tour I will help you create quality images in each location, finding unique compositions to really portray the beauty we find, whether it's a sunrise or sunset, long exposure waterfall or astrophotography. The light in winter is much softer and lends itself beautifully to landscape photography, and we'll take advantage of that on our travels up and down the West Coast. This will be a photography adventure to remember!

Course Itinerary

By Meghan Maloney

Friday 2nd August - Friday 9th August 2024

Day 1 Friday 2 August Christchurch - Hokitika

We'll meet in Christchurch at 10am and head over Arthurs Pass, stopping to check out Devils Punchbowl Falls and the views from the Otira lookout, hopefully spotting a cheeky kea or two along the way. Our destination for the night is Hokitika.

Day 2 Saturday 3 August Hokitika - Fox Glacier

Today we head further south, firstly visiting the incredible glacial waters of Hokitika Gorge, and ending with a sunset at Lake Matheson.

Day 3 Sunday 4 August Glacier Country & Further South

Today we have a full day to explore the Glaciers area and further south along the coast towards Lake Paringa and Bruce Bay, starting with a sunrise boat tour in Okarito Lagoon and ending with sunset at Mapourika Lagoon. There is also the option of taking a scenic flight over the Southern Alps and Glaciers while based here (extra cost and weather permitting).

Day 4 Monday 5 August Fox Glacier- Greymouth

Travelling back north along the coast we'll have the chance to explore new locations and revisit other favourite places in different lights.

Day 5 Tuesday 6 August Greymouth

Today we'll have the chance to explore more of the local area, with opportunities to visit Lake Kaniere, Dorothy Falls and Lake Brunner, as well as other coastal locations.

Day 6 Wednesday 7 August Greymouth - Karamea

Today we head further north up the West Coast to Karamea, where a visit to the incredible Oparara Basin area with the tannin-stained lakes and rivers of the Oparara Arches and Moria Gate Arch awaits.

Day 7 Thursday 8 August Karamea - Greymouth

After exploring the area around Kohaihai we'll return back to Greymouth, exploring the amazing coastline around Westport and shooting sunset at Punakaiki along the way.

Day 8 Friday 9 August Greymouth - Christchurch

Today sees us return over the incredibly beautiful Arthurs Pass (or even via Lewis Pass if time permits) in order for everyone to catch late afternoon flights home.

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A BASIC ITINERARY OUTLINING LOCATIONS AND ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED UPON BOOKING WITH A DETAILED ITINERARY PROVIDED 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE WORKSHOP.

Terms & Conditions

Please ensure you read the terms and conditions regarding the cancellation policy for this workshop. I highly recommend taking out domestic travel insurance to cover any travel disruptions or in the event you need to cancel.

Fees and Payment

The full workshop fee is $4,999 NZD including accommodation, transport and breakfast each day.
A deposit of $1,500 is required to be paid to secure your place for this event
The remaining $3,499 is to be paid no later than 90 days prior to the event (2 May 2024) and is payable to Meghan Maloney Photography via bank transfer or credit card (3% surcharge applies)
Payment plans are available - please enquire

How to Book

Please complete the booking form below to register.

What's included

The Learning Experience

Hands-on tuition from a leading NZ landscape photographer and Sony advocate
Mastering the manual settings on your camera - understanding the exposure triangle
The art of good composition - using different techniques to significantly improve how your images look and feel
Advanced techniques such as focus stacking, exposure blending and creating panoramas
Mastering the art of astrophotography using noise stacking and long exposure blending techniques
Use of KASE neutral density and polariser filters while in the field
Planning and executing a successful photography shoot
In-the-field experience at a variety of stunning New Zealand locations
Expert advice on how to create stunning images in Lightroom and Photoshop
Use of Sony cameras and lenses

Accommodation, Meals & Transport

7 nights single share accommodation included (a variety of accommodation has been booked at lodges, cottages and AirBNB). You may need to share a bathroom with 1 other person in some locations
Breakfast included for each day
Transport for 8 days including Christchurch airport pick up and drop-off
A sunrise boat tour on Okarito Lagoon
An optional scenic flight (extra cost and weather permitting) may be available while we are based in Franz Josef

Gear requirements

Camera and lenses - ideally lenses that will cover both wide angle from 16-24mm right through to telephoto zoom at 300-400mm
STURDY tripod - very important
Torch or head torch
Spare batteries and charger (plenty of batteries as we are unlikely to be able to charge during the day while travelling)
Laptop with both Lightroom Classic & Photoshop installed
Plenty of memory cards and adapter to link with laptop for editing
Remote shutter control (needed if there is an opportunity to try star trails)
Neutral density filters (if you own these - a selection will be available to borrow during the workshop)
Warm clothing - it's midwinter so you will need merino layers, puffer jacket, hat, gloves, warm comfortable hiking boots and possibly gumboots
Umbrella, rain poncho and waterproof camera sleeve
A willingness to learn and a sense of fun and adventure!

For full terms & conditions click here

Testimonials

"Meghan is a great photography tutor. She explains things clearly and precisely and takes the time to make sure you understand. She knows a wide variety of techniques and styles for learners to try."

Craig - Matamata

Meghan's workshop is a great mix of useful skills and fundamental concepts as well as lots of fun. Meghan is such a lovely person that would like to share anything that you will be happy to spend two full days with her. The workshop helped me a lot.

Lily - China

Having followed Meghan and her captivating portrayal of New Zealand’s landscape on instagram for over 5 years, I’ve finally had the opportunity to join her 5-week online live photography course. Meghan has a gift to explain the “how to” of landscape photography in a very clear, easy to understand and enjoyable manner. Her depth of knowledge in every aspect will prove a more than worthwhile investment for anyone who enjoys this form of photography, whether novice or experienced.

David - Christchurch

Real, honest, down to earth and very talented photographer. Very helpful with all the little things, takes time to explain information and makes sure it is understood. Just completed an online Zoom photography course which was well run and incredibly informative..

Robbie - Australia

Meghan is an amazing tutor. Her effective communication and course outline was exactly what I was looking for. I bought my first camera a few weeks before this course and lucky enough this course covered camera settings and composition which every beginner looks forward to. From looking after your gear, settings, pro tips, composition and editing, this course was every beginners dream come true. I look forward to the next stage of this course and mind you this was quite affordable and full of knowledge. I have become a better photographer. Thank you and I look forward to more content from you.

Ash - Queenstown

Meghan is not only an awesome photographer but a wonderful teacher. I love her delivery style and this course is a great introduction to landscape photography. Meghan is also very encouraging and is very open and detailed with sharing her knowledge during her classes. The course structure was well thought out and presented in easy to digest modules. I look forward to learning more from Meghan as she grows her class schedule. Highly recommend!

Lystra - UK

Meghan has been the most helpful and caring photographer I have had the pleasure to meet, she has that special quality (and patience) that very few are blessed with to be the perfect teacher and along with her amazing photography is a mentor to us all... I have been so privileged to have her assistance on my learning journey, something I will be forever grateful for...

Robyn - Otago

Totally amazing time with Meghan. Her knowledge is amazing and the willingness to teach is fantastic. I never thought i could learn so much in such a short time but I did. I highly recommend Meghan to anyone wanting to learn and develop their skills. I cant wait to work with Meghan again soon.

Paul - Palmerston North

Perfect. I have learnt more in one weekend than I ever imagined I could.

Jason - Cambridge