DESCRIPTION:

Jervis Bay has remained relatively unscathed from the ravages of development and this area of outstanding beauty makes for an ideal short break. The fauna and the flora are diverse. There is eucalypt forest, woodland, swamps, dunes, mangrove, rainforest relics, coastal scrub, grassland and heath lands rich in wildflowers. There are lakes and estuaries, historic sites, high sandy ridges, a coastline of coves, majestic cliffs up to 135 metres, and beaches noted for their length and the remarkable whiteness of their sands. There are many middens and rock shelters which indicate that Aborigines have been living in the area for at least 20 000 years.

We concentrate on nature, wildlife, bird and seascape photography throughout our two days..... And also cover natural outdoor portraiture techniques.  We are up early on Saturday, spending the entire day at Steamers Beach, Booderee National Park and Summercloud Bay.  We snap Lorikeets chattering amongst the Scribbly Barks and Blackbutt trees, take close ups of the Jervis Bay Grevillea and the Little Pied Cormorant and if we're lucky, see the Short beaked Echidna before it scuttles off into the Pink Swamp Heath.  Lessons in macro and nature, wildlife and bird photography are held in Booderee Botanic Gardens Thanks to the vast range of habitats found in this small area, Booderee National Park is rich in bird life with over 170 species recorded here. We regularly see the majestic black cockatoo, Crimson Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet Australian King Parrot ,Pied Currawong Laughing Kookaburra and the New Holland Honeyeater. This reserve also boasts a variety of fauna with ringtail, brush tail and pygmy possums, eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked and swamp wallabies, echidnae, dunnarts, bandicoots, bush and swamp rats, tortoises, lizards and plenty of frogs.

On Sunday, we explore more of the gorgeous Jervis Bay beaches including Green Patch, Summercloud Bay and Murray’s beach. The waters in Jervis are remarkably beautiful and range in hue from aquamarine to a deep blue.

On our December trips we practice shooting action shots of swimmers with an understanding of how shutter speed can be used for creative effects. The photographic skills learn here are put to further use on our Dolphin boat cruise.  Dolphins surf the bow waves and swoop up and down , back and forward. We show you how ISO adjustment can increase your shutter speed to freeze motion and how to correctly expose the shot in strong backlight scenarios. We finish our wonderful weekend after this cruise and for those from Sydney... its a fast two hour drive back with late afternoon tea or coffee in the historic, quaint village of Berry.

highlights:

• Green Patch: The birdlife here is prolific, the flora is diverse. There are dolphins and penguins to be seen in the Bay and kangaroos about the campsite.

• Hyams Beach is a quiet village which claims to have some of the whitest sand in the world.  Our house at Hyams beach  is at http://www.hyamsbeachonline.com.au/displayproperty/46

• Steamers Beach:  a magnificent isolated beach flanked by high cliffs and backed by steep sand dunes

• Summercloud Bay:  landscape photography and sunsets

• Murray’s beach:  crystal clear azure blue water and pure white sand

• Governor Head:   a short walk from Murray’s beach with its sandstone cliffs towering 90-120 metres above the waves.

• Booderee Botanic Gardens:   with its vast range of habitats found in this small area and over 170 species of birds

• Jervis Bay photographing Bottlenose dolphins on our dolphin cruise

• Beach shots and swimwear shoot- how to shoot natural outdoor portraits on the beach

• How to shoot great nature, landscapes, flora and fauna shots with macro photography techniques taught throughout

location:

Jervis Bay NSW

DATES:

• friday 21 August to Sunday 23 August 2009   (option to extend the weekend to Monday morning)

cost:

$495 Inc. pdf detailed notes and pdf souvenir album
This fee is for a total of 20 hours of intensive photographic tuition and excludes accommodation, food (we have a food kitty for those staying together in the house) and beverages and transportation from wherever. We suggest you budget around $150 to $200 for this.

meeting point:

 On the table outside the café next to Hyams Beach Real Estate 76-78 Cyrus St Hyams Beach
Map location:  click here 
 

useful links:

We usually stay at this great house: click here to view details

Or look after your own accommodation - just try a Google search!

     General tourist information links (just click on the links below)

• www.environment.gov.au/parks/booderee

• www.smh.com.au/news/new-south-wales/jervis-bay

• Lonely Planet - Jervis Bay

INSTRUCTOR:

Andrew Thomasson

options:

Why not do a wildlife workshop beforehand?