Away - The Art of Photography - Hamilton Island

Capture the Best of the Whitsundays

AWAY - THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHYEnjoy a thrilling trip to the spectacular Whitehaven Beach and have the chance to shoot aerial photos of the Whitsundays.

O L I V E R • E A S T W AY • P O T T I N G E R • O L I V E R

Away: The Art of Photography Hamilton Island ExperienceWhether you’re a keen amateur photographer

or an experienced professional, Away: The Art of

Photography can help you perfect your skills - in

one of the world’s most spectacular natural set-

tings.

Away the Art of Photography is an engaging

and rewarding photography course that’s avaiable

to guests of Hamilton Island.

What you’ll love about Away: The Art of Pho-

tography:

• Suitable for all levels of photographers -

from amateurs to professionals.

• Spend time in the field, working hands-

on with some of Australia’s best known

photographers - including David Oliver and

Peter Eastway.

• Enjoy a thrilling trip to the spectacular

Whitehaven Beach and shoot aerial photos

All the locations in this brochure can be visited if the weather and conditions are right. Peter and

David will pick the best options during the week, based on their intimate knowledge of the area.

Pentecost Island from Passage PeakIf the weather is right and you’re fit enough, we have

a 45 minute walk up to Passage Peak early one morn-

ing to catch the sunrise. It’s a walk to remember.

of the Whitsundays.

• Workshop sessions will cover both techni-

cal and aesthetic aspects of photography,

as well as promotion and marketing.

• Watch Clare and David Oliver shoot a mock

wedding and several portrait sessions,

listen to Peter Eastway explain the subtle-

ties of his landscape techniques, and let

Bruce Pottinger demystify the complexities

of digital processing and explain the art of

aerial photography.

Bookings at www.hamiltonisland.com.au/arts-and-culture/away-the -art-of-photography

Or email [email protected] and they will help you organise things!

Fill-Flash At Catseye BeachIf the weather and the tides are right, we’ll

get our models jumping on the beach for

some outdoor fill-flash action

Practical MondayThe Away: The Art of Photography Workshop begins with a welcome gathering

on the Sunday evening. Everyone gets together down by the water for a meal

and a chat, meeting each other and the presenters. It’s a relaxed evening before

beginning the workshops in the morning.

After breakfast, we gather in our water-side meeting room and then split into

two groups to cater for different skill levels.

The Introductory Group begins with Peter and Bruce running through camera

basics, apertures and shutter speeds, colour balance and how to process your

files quickly and easily in software like Lightroom and Capture One.

David and Clare will take the Advanced Group and explain how and why por-

traiture is all about finding the right light. You will have the opportunity to shoot

our models with David, so you fully understand how he captures his amazing

portraits.

After morning tea, the groups switch around. The Introductory Group will be

shown a raft of essential portrait photography skills, including camera control,

posing and lighting – and you can also shoot with David and Clare as they work

with our models.

For the Advanced Group, Peter will take them inside and run through colour

management and a look at layers in Photoshop so you understand everything

needed to enhance and refine your images.

After lunch, the two groups combine for a Mystery Session with the photo

leaders, followed by an Aerial Photography Presentation in preparation for Thurs-

day’s helicopter flight. We want you to come back with amazing photos, so let

Bruce Pottinger share his experience shooting from the air.

Finally we walk along the beach to shoot some more portraits, this time with

studio flash. Then we suggest it’s off to bed early because the next day is going

to be lots of fun!

Fine details of the program is subject to change to meet local conditions and the group’s requirements.

Hill InletWhether sunny or cloudy, there’s always

something to shoot on Whitsunday

Island and Hill Inlet. Try your hand at

panoramas, long exposures or beach

portraits.

Nautical TuesdayWe meet around 8.00 a.m. for a charter from Ham-

ilton Island around to beautiful Whitehaven Beach

- with the whitest sand in the world!

After shooting from the boat, we’ll again split

into two groups, one going with Peter up to the

Hill Inlet lookout to stitch panoramas, the other

with David to shoot portraits on the beach. Then

we swap!

In the afternoon, we will return to Hamilton

Island to give you a chance to download your files

and admire your photography. All participants are

encouraged to bring their own laptops, loaded

with either Photoshop, Photoshop Elements,

Lightroom or Capture One. The instructors will

be on hand to offer personalised assistance and

advice.

In the evening, we share a meal together and

some great audio visuals from the presenters.

Fine details of the program is subject to change to meet local conditions and the group’s requirements.

Wedding WednesdayIt’s an early morning start, either for a heart-stop-

ping climb to Resort Lookout (fitness required)

with Peter, or a leisurely wander up to One Tree

Hill with David. Either way, we hope to capture an

amazing sunrise.

After yet another wonderful breakfast (you will

return year after year just for the breakfasts), it’s

up to the Hamilton Island Chapel where Clare will

demonstrate how to shoot a wedding, or off to

another venue to shoot newborn portrait photog-

raphy.

In the afternoon, we are all back in the Meeting

Room with three inspiring presentations: How To

Create by Peter, Processing Raw files with Bruce,

and using Nik Software with David.

Fine details of the program is subject to change to meet local conditions and the group’s requirements.

Mock WeddingDon’t laugh too much when you see who

we hire as the priest, but the quality of

the photo shoot itself is A-1.

From The AirThe hero photo is looking down on Hill

Inlet, but there are lots of other amazing

sights to shoot from the air. Take a fresh

storage card and a full battery.

Heli ThursdayBy the next morning, your computers should be

bulging with great images and you’ve probably

been up late admiring your work, so Thursday is a

day of consolidation – and fun!

From around 11.00 a.m. we start our helicopter

rides for the amazing aerial photography.

While waiting for your flight, the Meeting

Room will be open and everyone will congregate

with their laptops for a final editing session. David,

Peter, Bruce and Clare will be on hand to help

you refine your images, ready for the group audio

visual and the banquet dinner that night.

During this time, we will also critique and ad-

vise on how images can be improved, and if time

allows, David and Peter will have a photo shoot-

out where they show you how they would each

process the one file.

Fine details of the program is subject to change to meet local conditions and the group’s requirements.

What Level Photographer Do I Need To Be?You don’t need to be a photographer to come on the workshop,

but naturally you’ll get more out of it if you are. We have all levels

of photographers attending, from seasoned professionals wanting

to refine their skills to newcomers who need assistance with basic

camera settings.

We actually like a range of photographers to attend. The more

experienced participants invariably help the newcomers, and the

newcomers give us ideas for things we’ve forgotten how to shoot.

“One of the things that constantly keeps me grounded”, said Peter

Eastway, “is the range of ideas and viewpoints participants bring.

They see things I don’t, so I’m learning just as much as everyone

else. And importantly, it is all done in a positive and encouraging

environment. We’ve been doing this long enough that we don’t

need our egos stroked. What we get a buzz out of is helping other

photographers capture great photos - our reward is seeing the

expression on their face when they nail a top shot.”

Whitsunday IslandLook for shapes and patterns as you shoot

from the air. A mid-range zoom like a 24-

70mm is ideal as it lets you get in a little

closer for details like this.

How Do You Like To Learn?Everyone has different ways of learning. For some,

it is sitting back and watching an expert at work,

noting how he or she positions and uses the

camera, reacts to the light and the weather, or

interacts with people to achieve the best posing

and expression.

Others like to be given suggestions, to under-

stand what the experts are seeing and thinking,

and then left to experiment and discover on their

own. They are looking for guidance, but not too

much.

And yet other photographers like to be shown

how to find the photograph, how to compose

the image and what camera settings are required.

They want help with their camera settings and de-

tailed instructions on how to frame and compose.

Different photographers at different stages require

different levels of assistance and that’s fine! Peter,

David, Claire and Bruce provide all three levels of

interaction, all you have to do is ask. Importantly,

you will never be made to feel silly because you

asked a basic question - Peter will say there’s a

chance David doesn’t know the answer either!

All the instructors will be shooting as well. They

are just as passionate as you are about their

photography, so they want to capture their own

images. They also feel it is important to practice

what they preach and show participants what

they have found. However, they are very aware

that their primary role is to act as your instructor

and guide. And they want you to return on other

workshops or trips, which you will only do if you

are happy. So, please don’t be shy to ask for help

at any time and it will be cheerfully provided with

a smile!

The Yacht ClubYou never know where or when a photograph

may appear. This image happened on one

workshop while providing an impromptu session

on architectural photography at the amazing

Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

Equipment For The WorkshopNeither David nor Peter are equipment snobs! Yes,

they use professional equipment, but that’s their

full time job.

So, whether you turn up with the latest DSLR or

an older camera you’ve loved for many years, it

really doesn’t matter. Our workshops are all about

technique and visualisation, so any camera equip-

ment you have will be fine. We will help you get

the most out of it! And of course, we’re also happy

to give you any equipment advice you might

require.

We do recommend you bring everything you

think you might need, but not so much you can’t

carry it with you. You will be able to leave equip-

ment behind in your hotel room at any time.

For the helicopter flight, you will fly with just one

camera and one lens. Please ensure you have a

camera strap for your camera, an empty storage

card so you don’t run out of space when you’re up

in the air, and a fresh camera battery.

Camera Stuff• DSLR or CSC camera recommended

• Standard zoom - cover everything

• Tripod (best with a quick release plate)

• Spare camera battery and battery charger

• Plenty of storage cards for your camera

Ex tra Camera Stuff• Wide-angles - as wide as you have

• Telephoto - 300mm is not too long

• Backpack style camera bag

• Polarising filter

• Neutral density filters (0.9x, 4.0x optional)

Computer Stuff• Card reader and cable if necessary

• Laptop computer (Mac or PC)

• External back-up drives

• Lightroom or Capture One

• Photoshop is recommended

• Mouse or stylus/tablet

Clothing Stuff• Hiking boots if you’re going for the early

morning walk

• Waterproof coat in case it rains

• Water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect

repellent - especially for the trip to

Whithaven.

• Torch or head torch for early morning

walk.

• Alarm clock (we can’t wait!)

What Can Your Partner or Family Do?Many participants have a non-photographer part-

ner or family. What can you do to entertain them

while you’re at the photography workshop?

Well, you probably don’t have to do anything be-

cause there is already so much to do on Hamilton

Island.

While you’re in the workshop sessions, your

partner can be taking a swim in one of the pools,

walking down to the shops in the harbour, having

a massage or taking a tour out to the reef.

And if your spouse is golf mad, there’s an amaz-

ing course just across the water (but don’t tell

Bruce or David, otherwise they’ll go too and leave

Peter and Clare to do all the work.) There are many

activities on Hamilton Island.

Your family and partner is also welcome to come

on some of the activities with the group, such as

the charter out to Hill Inlet, or the evening dinners

and slide shows. We don’t charge extra for them

to attend, except there is obviously a cost for the

ferry, lunches and dinners etc.

This is a partner and family friendly workshop if

ever there was one!

HILL INLETThere are some new restrictions on where

you can fly over Hill Inlet, plus some height

restrictions, so a telephoto lens can be useful

to capture texture shots like this.

Peter EastwayG.M. PhotoG., hon FAIPP, hFnZIPP, FAIPP

Sydney-based photographer Peter Eastway is a Grand Master of Photography and a two time winner of the

AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year. Known best for his landscape and travel photog-

raphy, he has worked in most areas of the profession and loves also sport, studio still life, portraiture and

wildlife.

Peter is the editor and publisher of Better Photography magazine and website, a position that has given

him special access to many of the world’s leading photographers over the past 30 years. His ability to com-

municate both the technical and aesthetic sides of photography makes him a sought after speaker on the

international circuit.

Peter was the chairman of the Australian Professional Photography Awards for many years and is still

involved in all aspects of photography competitions, both as a judge and an active participant. He judges

and speaks internationally on a regular basis.

Peter’s work has been published internationally in photographic magazines (USA, UK, Japan, Germany,

Greece, New Zealand and Australia). He was also the author of the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Landscape

Photography. His photography has recently featured on the cover of the Lonely Planet’s guide to Austra-

lia, in articles in the Qantas inflight magazine, on an Australian postage stamp, and in an Apple television

commercial. And he has worked with Phase One researching and promoting its high-end medium format

cameras and Capture One raw processing software.

He works with Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and Phase One camera systems.

David OliverG. M. PhotoG., FAIPP

A Nikon Ambassador with over 30 years as one of Sydney’s leading wedding and portrait photographers,

David Oliver has a passion for photographing life and the landscape as he finds it. A devotee of Henri

Cartier-Bresson’s approach to photography and capturing the decisive moment, you will learn from David a

fresh and responsive style of photography where in-camera technique is incredibly important.

Over the years, David developed a keen attention to gesture and nuance learned from posing and lighting

thousands of portrait subjects. This skill has followed him into the worlds of street and documentary pho-

tography, and of course, his passion for the landscape. The connections between portrait and landscape in

terms of lighting are surprising.

David photographs for clients from New York to Hong Kong, has worked with a not-for-profit organisation

in Rwanda, and has been a speaker and workshop leader all around the world. He works mainly in black

and white for his personal work, but is very comfortable with colour compositions.

David is a Fellow of the AIPP and a Grand Master of Photography. He spends half his time at his property in

the Lower Hunter Valley farmlands near Gresford, working from his studio in Pennant Hills as little as pos-

sible. What a life!

Bruce PottingerM. PhotoG., hon FAIPP

Bruce is the managing director of L&P Digital Photographic, one of Australia’s leading professional supply

houses and past Vice President Professional and Chairman of the PICA Photo Imaging World Shows.

Bruce started in 1964 as a professional wedding photographer in London and came to Australia in 1970.

Although today he is focused on running his wholesale and retail photography business, he is a highly

qualified photographer, and both a Master of Photography and an Honorary Fellow of Australian Institute

of Professional Photography.

Bruce has a range of photography skills, from Capture One raw processing through to lighting and camera

technique. He is also our technical boffin and what he doesn’t know about cameras probably isn’t worth

knowing! If you have any issues with your equipment, Bruce will be on hand to assist.

We asked Bruce if he’d prefer to use a different photograph than the one shown here. He declined our kind

offer. However, to be fair, this photo of him in action on the dance floor probably says it all...

Clare OliverAAIPP

Clare has an amazing ability to capture the moment. Her fresh and passionate approach to her work sees

her in high demand as a wedding and portrait photographer.

“I started photography at school then went onto living in the Whitsundays and working as a lab rat in the

Photoshop on Hamilton Island. I would process the film and files for the wedding photographers, the land-

scape photographers, the portrait photographers and then of course just the average Joe’s holiday snaps.

Working in a lab helped me learn the basics of exposure and composition and I started critiquing all the

work without even being a good photographer myself. I then went to TAFE, signed up as a member of the

AIPP and went along to as many lectures as I could of all the photographers who interested and inspired

me.

“I drew inspiration from all the photographers I have been around throughout my life and now I am putting

it all into play and just having a ball.

“Our family has been in the photography business for over 30years. I have been running our studio David

Oliver Photography for the past 8 years, photographing mainly weddings and portraits and when I travel for

jobs interstate or overseas, I always have my camera nearby for some landscapes or streetscapes.

I am so lucky be able to do something I love so much and make a living from it.

Bookings at http://www.hamiltonisland.com.au/arts-and-culture/away-the -art-of-photography(or if that ’s too long, just go to www.hamiltonisland.com.au and look around!)

Or email [email protected] and they will help you organise things!

Capture the best of the Whitsundays

AWAY THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHYEnjoy a thrilling trip to the spectacular Whitehaven Beach and have the chance to shoot aerial photos of the Whitsundays.