The Maniototo district in Central Otago, New Zealand, has to be one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and in winter it is an extraordinary landscape which begs to be photographed. With snow along the Hawkdun mountains and crystal-clear sunny days, being out there with a camera is more than just an experience; it is a celebration. Photographing the Maniototo landscape offers enormous opportunities to make unbelievably beautiful photographs.

The Maniototo basin spans an area approximately 46 x 25 km, surrounded by mountain ranges and with a vast expanse of sky which is continually offering new vistas. With only 1000 people in the district, the landscape dominates life in the district. It is a landscape photographer’s paradise.

The workshop

The Winterlight workshop will focus on landscape photography, and making images which evoke the beauty and serenity of the area. Topics to be covered will include:

1.       Landscape photography as a genre, and its place within the archaeology of photography. This will include lectures on the history of landscape photography and its place within the wider art historical context along with an exploration of the panorama and photomontage, and the influence of both Impressionism and Expressionism.

2.       Reading the light and getting the best possible in-camera capture. This will include lectures and practical sessions on using raw and obtaining the optimum histogram.

3.       Optimising the image by using post-production techniques. The Winterlight workshop will focus on the use of Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, and will include technical sessions introducing post-production techniques such as selective sharpening and the use of layer masking to fine-tune  the image.

4.       Developing a personal approach to photographing the landscape. This will include visualisation techniques such as the use of the visual diary and learning how to approach a landscape. This will be covered in both lectures and practical sessions in the field.

5.       Evaluating your own work. Each day will include an evaluation session where work from the day will be opened up for discussion and comment.

Now a third workshop has been added:

The Winterlight MasterLight workshop.

This workshop is for people who have already attended the Winterlight workshop and/ or want to take their skills to a higher level. While landscape photography in the Maniototo is the space in which we will be working, this workshop is for those already working at an intermediate to advanced level, and considerable time will be given to developing techniques, both in the field and in post-production, to take work to exhibition level. the aim here is to develop an idea and workflow which will yield prints of exhibition quality. Topics to be considered will include:

1. Successful previsualisation. How to see the final print before you press the button.
2. Shooting for the best possible quality. Avoiding lens diffraction issues and the Valley of Death
3. Developing your own voice. The long road to personal expression. Participants will be given a series of exercises to develop conceptualisation.
   
4. The interaction between Adobe PhotoShop Lightroom and PhotoShop CSx. When to use LR3, when to step past it.
5. The Power of plugins. Speaking with your own voice.
6. Gathering and Allowing.Moving past the Single Moment.
   
7. The Artist’s Way. Using post-production to express yourself.
8. Expressionism. How it can inform us.

Attendees at this workshop will:

1. have done Winterlight before and/or
2. be in love with light and the landscape
3. be competent with  full-version PhotoShop or PhotoShop Elements 9 (at least  you will be aware of layers)
4. have some knowledge of plugins ( don’t worry: demo versions and instruction will be supplied)
5. be willing to take risks to expand their photographic vocabulary

This is a workshop which will use the power of digital tools to enable self-expression.

My aim: that by the end of this workshop  you will be well on the way to an exhibition of your own!

Accommodation and meals

We will stay at the iconic Wedderburn Lodge in Wedderburn. Each course participant will have his or her own en-suited room. The Lodge consists of a series of Settler-style cottages set up on the hill above the valley, each with a view that stretches for miles.

Meals will be at the Wedderburn Tavern. Steve and Cheryl, our hosts, prepare beautiful meals and take real care of us. After rising before dawn and photographing across the day, to come back to the Tavern to a roaring fire, beautiful food and wine and talk about the day is a wonderful experience.

Dates

There are three workshops available. Each one is limited to a maximum of ten participants, to ensure there is time for plenty of individual attention and tuition, both around the fire and in the field.

Workshop one: June 23 to June 29, 2012

Workshop two: July 01 to July 7, 2012

Masterclass workshop: July 09- July 15, 2012

Fees

The fee for the workshop in 2011, including tuition, meals and accommodation, will be $NZ 1995. A deposit of $500 is required to secure a place. Wives/husbands/partners are more than welcome, and there is a special rate for non-participating partners.   People who  who enrol for 2 workshops will receive a 5% discount. Please contact us for details.

Registration

To register for the workshop, please fill out the form here or e-mail us on workshops@thistonybridge.com

Look forward to seeing you there.

FAQs

is it going to be cold?

Of course. The Maniototo is between 1500 and 2000 feet above sea level and the climate is the closest thing to continental that we have in this country, so the temperature can range from -20 C to +20 C in a single day. We can experience both sunshine and snow on the same day, so it’s important to dress warmly. Course participants will be sent a more complete list of things you should bring.

What do we need to bring?

You need to bring your camera equipment and a sturdy tripod. Bring plenty of memory cards and a spare battery for your camera. You will also need a laptop or desktop computer, card reader, memory stick (Flash drive), and suitable processing software. More advice about that when you register.

Are there any extra costs?

Yes. Getting yourself there, and your bar bill ! We are happy to help you sort out your transport needs. We can arrange a pick-up from Dunedin or Queenstown for a nominal fee. Contact us for more details.

Is there a priority queue for registration?

Yes. First in, first served.