South Island Autumn 5 Day
Central Otago’s stunning autumn colours, precipitous mountain ranges, and clean light. Just add camera.
Autumn in the South Island 5-day workshop, with optional 2-day extension, is a spectacular display of the most colourful time of the year. Along with the well-structured shoot program we also make time for instructive Lightroom processing sessions. You are most welcome to join professional New Zealand landscape and nature photographer Phillip Bartlett on this adventure. With a maximum of only 7 participants, this workshop has been designed around the Queenstown, Central Otago and Milford Sound areas. A 2-day extension to the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park is also available. We have planned every day to give us the best opportunity to experience the quality of light photographers dream of. The route we travel provides many opportunities to photograph both New Zealand’s iconic scenery and also backcountry landscapes which are seldom seen.
This workshop is suitable for all levels of photographer, from absolute beginner to seasoned professional. At each shoot location Phillip is always on hand to assist with advice and instruction, and the small-group environment allows for plenty of one-to-one tuition.
If photographing the South Island landscapes in the Autumn season with a small group of passionate photographers sounds like just what you are looking for, please use the links below to book your spot or send us an enquiry.
ITINERARY
Day one ARRIVE QUEENSTOWN
Arrive into Queenstown today and get settled into our hotel. In the late afternoon we depart for our first shoot of the incredible mountain and lake landscapes found here.
Arrive into Queenstown today and get settled into our hotel. In the late afternoon we depart for our first shoot of the incredible mountain and lake landscapes found here.
Day two QUEENSTOWN
We leave our lodging pre-dawn to be in position for the first light on the autumn landscape. We will work the different compositions in this area as the sun rises before returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast we meet in the conference room for an informal ‘Question and Answer’ session to discuss different landscape photography techniques and photo gear issues. We follow this with a hands-on Lightroom processing tutorial, with both standard and advanced techniques covered. In the afternoon we travel to a backcountry location for last-light photography on the mountains.
Day three QUEENSTOWN – TE ANAU
This morning we photograph sunrise at another dream location, with golden autumn foliage backdropped by towering mountains. We then return to the hotel for breakfast before departing for the lakeside town of Te Anau. Te Anau is situated on the fringes of the Fiordland National Park and offers superb photo locations in all directions. Our afternoon/last-light photography session is at a high-country location deep in the mountains.
Day four MILFORD SOUND
We leave our hotel extra early this morning and spend the full day in the Milford Sound area of the Fiordland National Park. We will be photographing dramatic mountains carved out by glaciers, lush rainforest draped in mosses and lichens, and crystal-clear rivers. In the morning we take a photography cruise through the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea. As well as shooting this incredible landscape of sheer mountains, cascading waterfalls and untouched coastline it is possible we will see penguins, seals and dolphins. We return to Te Anau in the early evening.
Day five TE ANAU – QUEENSTOWN
Sunrise finds us down at the lakefront to shoot the first light on the Fiordland National Park mountains. After breakfast we make our way back to Queenstown, arriving in the early afternoon, in time to catch the departing flights.
Day five QUEENSTOWN – TWIZEL
For those joining the extension we continue on from Queenstown heading north to Twizel, South Canterbury. The MacKenzie area, as it is known locally, is surrounded by spectacular mountains and lakes, and is home to the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, where New Zealand’s highest peaks are found. We arrive at our lodging and get settled in before going out for our last-light shoot of Aoraki/Mt Cook and the Southern Alps.
Day six TWIZEL
Our sunrise/first light shoot is at a remote high-country location photographing autumn colours backed by the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park mountains. We will work the landscape in this area as the sun rises before returning for breakfast. After breakfast we meet for another Lightroom processing session, beginning with a refresh of our previous session before exploring techniques professionals use in their work. In the afternoon we travel to a backcountry location for last-light photography in the mountains.
Day seven TWIZEL – QUEENSTOWN – DEPART
Our last sunrise shoot this morning of the magnificent Southern Alps before we make the return drive back to Queenstown, arriving in the early afternoon.
WORKSHOP DATES and FEE
2021:
APRIL 19 – 23
APRIL 27 – MAY 1
NZ$3370.00 per person double occupancy
NZ$3820.00 single occupancy
AORAKI/MT COOK NATIONAL PARK 2-Day Extension:
Add NZ$1130.00 per person double occupancy
Add NZ$1280.00 single occupancy.
We understand that these are uncertain times so we do not require a deposit to secure your place. Upon confirmation that the workshop will proceed 50% of the fee will be due. Balance of the workshop fee will be due 30 days prior to the commencement date. Payments may be made by internet bank transfer or international bank transfer.
Inclusions:
Photography guide services and in-field support
Accommodation for four/six nights in comfortable hotels
Milford Sound photography cruise
All breakfasts from Day Two
Department of Conservation National Parks licence fees
Exclusions:
All domestic and international air travel and domestic transportation within your home country
Any other travel services required to arrive at the workshop commencement location and all associated taxes, levies and insurances
Immigration, duty, passport and visa fees where applicable
Any personal items including meals not listed as included, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs and travel insurance
Click here for our Terms and Conditions.
Photography Instructor
PHILLIP BARTLETT Born in Nelson, at the top of the South Island, I am a full-time professional landscape photographer.Almost 15 years ago I started guiding photographers and have been kindly referred to as the most highly regarded landscape photography instructor in New Zealand by my international peers. I take that with a grain of salt as it matters more that my guests experience the very best while with me: incredible photography backed up with second-to-none instruction and guidance in the field.
A wonderful benefit of digital photography is the instant assessment of each capture. This is immensely helpful when I am working with photographers to develop their individual style and master new techniques.
It is a privilege to share my enthusiasm for the New Zealand landscape with other passionate photographers. You are most welcome to join me on this sensational workshop.
Government Licensed to operate Photography Workshops in National Parks and Reserves
