Previous courses with Esther

Travel Photography Workshop: The Rocks and Sydney Foreshore

Saturday 5th May. 9am - 5pm

Cost $195.00

During the workshop Esther will share her insider tips on how to make your travel photography "tell the story" by including all the elements: cityscapes, people and details, and how to get the best of each one.

 

The full day workshop will be a walking tour (and part public transport) to prime destinations around Sydney's foreshore: The Rocks, Walsh Bay and the Sydney Fish Market.

During the day you will learn:

-photojournalism style of photography
-working fast and keeping it light
-working with people and getting their cooperation
-candid people shots
-finding unusual perspectives others would never think about
-adding foreground interest
-training your visual eye
-creating atmosphere
-working in difficult lighting situations, like indoors, in shade, or high contrast outdoor
-lighting people without using flash units.

This will be a great day out and an opportunity to discover the sparkling city of Sydney in a brand new light. After completing this workshop you'll have a new confidence in your ability to approach people and in getting natural looking, interactive portraits. Plus you'll know how to craft an interesting sequence of photos that keep any audience interested. Also, you'll be secure in knowing how to head off, fully prepared, for any future trip or major travel destination.

 

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Landscape photographySaturday 15 October 9am - 5pm

Cost $195.00

• Do you get frustrated with all the new controls on your digital camera? Have you struggled with depth of field? Do you even know what it is?

In this workshop Esther will give simple theoretical explanations and cover the three best techniques for accurate focusing of landscape shots, from the quickest and easiest to the most meticulous and accurate.

• Have you given up on landscapes because your results tend to look too flat? Do your results lack rich, sparkling color? Do they lack a sort of "oomph"?

Learn why poor exposure results in poor color. Learn how to meter properly, including the differences between spot, center-weighted and matrix / evaluative metering systems.

• Do you rely too much on Photoshop because you're not sure how to get it right in the camera first?

Learn how, why and when to use RAW captures. If your camera only does JPEG's, you'll also learn how to get the most out of this file format. Learn how to get the most out of the histogram and whether or not all those other aides on the back of the camera are of any use at all. Also learn why your camera doesn't always get it right, and how you can read the scene to bring out the colors you want.

• Do you hear photographers always talking about “the light” but have no idea what they mean or why it's important?

In this Day Safari, you'll definitely “get your eye in” and will start to see the way a camera does. You'll learn how to translate "the light" and understand how every photo is made up of shadows, mid tones and highlights.

If you are fairly advanced, you'll benefit from this Day Safari by filling in the gaps in your landscape photography. Also, Esther will demonstrate how to create high quality panoramas with your existing digital camera. There's no need to purchase one of those massive wide format cameras to get superb panoramas.

This workshop is also a good introduction for beginners where you'll learn only the important controls and how to get it right from the start. Esther has a knack for taking difficult subjects in giving you just what you need - and in a style that cuts through jargon and make sense. There will also be plenty of time for individual tuition and you'll go home with a customized notebook full of exercises and notes so that you can keep learning and practicing.

The Central Coast has some beautiful coastlines, rainforests, and habitats, all perfect for capturing dramatic scenics. Bouddi National Park has intriguing rock formations like tessalated pavements and nearby Cockle Bay has tidal flats and a rich rainforest. These will give us plenty of opportunity to create alluring landscapes like classic postcard shots, mysterious forests and other scenic elements.

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Here's what past Day Safari participants have said:

“I got a lot out of it, including techniques I hadn't used before. I didn't know how to use the numbers in front (on the lens). It it was a good balance between aesthetic and technical. The booklet is really excellent and I will do the exercises. Thank you so much for the course - absolutely loved it.”
- Marion Semptner

“I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's amazing the little bits of information you pick up. It all clicks in. It was a really good stimulus - it's always nice to photograph with other people. I like the way you go with the flow… I've been in too many technical ones where you just nod off after a while.”
- Jan Laycock

“It was what I expected and more. It was a really positive day and I want to do it again. I'm seeing more now through the lens, as you say “with different eyes”.
- Richard Riley

“It was quite stimulating - the different subjects and how to approach them. I've got some things to follow up on and can work on techniques like shallow depth of field. To see how I shoot was surprising; it broke my train of old patterns of thought. What was really useful was your particular teaching style.”
- Graham Ramsey

 

 

Warra Trig, Elephant Rock and Ettalong Lookout (Central Coast)

WILDFLOWER HOTSPOT

Saturday 3rd September. 9.00am - 5.00pm Cost $195.00

COURSE FULL

The wildflowers of Australia's eastern coast are amazing and the Central Coast, just an hour and a half north of Sydney, is a wildflower showcase. In one tiny patch, as many as 60 species of wildflowers brighten up the landscape in the winter months of July and August. This hotspot is notable also as having the densest patch of Waratahs anywhere in Australia.

What better way to enjoy the glories of spring than to capture the strange and wonderful beauty of Australia's wildflowers with your camera. But do you know how to bring out the best in these wildflowers? This is your chance to work with a long-time professional Esther Beaton, who has sold many of her wildflower photos around the world and who will instruct you on the best techniques for for bringing out the best of these jewels of nature.

WHAT WILL BE COVERED

There will be three major points of emphasis during this one-day safari: macro photography, lighting for wildflowers and story production.

Macro photography can involve a great deal of equipment and expense. But you can accomplish great results very economically also. We will cover the spectrum from close-up filters to dedicated macro lenses and beyond.

We will also learn the best lighting techniques for flowers. extra lighting, like from flash units, is almost always required For macro photography. But even with larger subjects, like large flowers or fields of flowers, it is important to know what to do with the available light. We will cover the use of flash, reflectors, diffusers and other handy gadgets.

Going home with one or two great photos will be very satisfying. But you can extend the value of your photos by creating a story with them. How does someone like Esther produce a story on flowers for a magazine like Australian geographic? On the day Esther will show you how she produces a magazine feature, like the one on wattles for Australian Geographic. This will set you up for producing your own photo essay, whether that's for family and friends or if you have higher aspirations of getting into print.
If you are interested in flowers and macro, all happening in great coastal scenery, then this workshop is not to be missed. Wildflowers are only out for a short time each year and now is the best time of all. Plus you'll get a storehouse of the quickest and best tips from a seasoned professional.

As well as a new appreciation for nature, you will come back with new skills, possibly the best photographs you have ever taken and the knowledge and skills to keep taking them.

 

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WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT ESTHER BEATON'S DAY SAFARIS:

"The workshop was fantastic! I learnt heaps of information and particularly regarding taking the time to get the camera setting right before shooting, not to mention which settings to use. I haven't had a chance to get back out there and practice yet but may try for the next full moon in a couple of weeks. I thought your teaching techniques and attitude to photography and the entire weekend were a credit to you and I will definitely recommend the course to others."

- Julie Watson

 

"I am so in love with the whole photographic thing and really feel like I have more direction now and lots of things to work with since your class. I am very keen to do another with you in the future, so will look forward to your emails of coming events next year."

- Jenelle Sanna

 

"You have certainly rekindled my interest so much so that I have decided it is now time for me to upgrade my old film based camera to the new digital ones. All the topics we discussed were very good and I really want to pick up my camera now more so than in the last few years. In fact yesterday, I brought my camera along for our father’s day lunch with the family in Chatswood!"

- Patrick Zuluaga

 

“It was bloody good - terrific. It was a fabulous day - I got a lot out of it, like how to work my camera a lot better.”

- Alan Morris

“The other thing that really made an impression on me was the time and thought required to set up a successful and satisfying shot. When I find myself rushing and snapping I will stop and remind myself to think through the composition and how I can creatively control the scene I want to capture.”

- Meredith Foley

I enjoyed the weekend & learnt a lot that will help me in taking photos of birds. The 'A' setting is especially useful.

- Margaret Crane

"Just a short note to thank you for a great day of photography experience last Saturday. "Getting down at eye level","highlighting the animal/subject with a smaller aperture" and to unclutter the background were some of the points I took away. It helped me to be reminded to think more about a shot and how I can get the best out of it rather than just "snap away" which I sometimes tend to do. Also backlighting for the macro shots and the animals was very effective. My best shots of the wallabies were the ones I took first thing in the morning. So thank you for a great day."

- Wayne Rogan

Bloody good, “terrific” really enjoyed it. Fabulous day - got a lot out of that. How to work my camera a lot better. Being in Arboretum playing with camera, getting to see results of different settings.

- Alan Morris

I got a better idea of not letting the camera do its own thing. It’s given me enthusiasm to try bigger and better things.

- Geoff Davidson

Really wonderful, really mean it. There were so many little things you brought to one's attention. Every bit is important. You put so much into the little books. I'm taking the book with me (on holiday to Asia).

- Yvonne Dodwell

Warra Trig, Elephant Rock and Ettalong Lookout (Central Coast)

Highlights: the glories of spring: warratahs, flannel flowers. Stunning vistas, a secret red gum forest.

Techniques: all the close up techniques, suitable for beginners and advanced; low light and backlighting.

Saturday 27th August. 9.00am - 5.00pm Cost $195.00

 

 

 

 

Past Courses:

Strickland State Forest and Somersby waterfalls (Central Coast)

Highlights: Rainforest, rainforest fruits and patterns; a large, beautiful waterfall
Techniques: working in dark places; colour balance; moving water fast vs slow; reflections
Saturday 26th February 9.00am - 5.00pm

Australian Reptile Park (Central Coast)

Highlights: Reptiles, cage birds and captive animals, hi speed action of croc feeding
Techniques: working with flash units, indoors and out; making glass disappear; panning with moving subjects.

Park entrance fee not included
Saturday 2nd April 9.00am - 5.00pm Cost $195.00

 

Bondi, Tamarma (Sydney)

Highlights: Wild winter surf, cliff top scenery, ocean baths, swimmers
Techniques: Techniques: perspective; shutter speed; full sun or "postcard scenics"

Saturday 11th June 9.00am - 5.00pm Cost $195.00

 

Instructor

Esther Beaton

Hungarian-born Esther Beaton came to Australia as a child, grew up in Canada and the United States, and finally returned to settle in the country where she remembered “picnics under the gum trees and cockatoos in the backyard”.

She initially took up photography as part of a bird-watching hobby, but it soon led to a career as a government-employed wildlife photographer and later to commercial work. Presently situated outside Sydney in a tranquil seaside village, she makes several trips a year into the Outback to bring back nature features and stock photos for her clients around the world.

She was awarded Australian Geographic Photographer of the Year for her feature Some Truths About Cane Toads. She served as Chairman of the New South Wales committee of the Society of Advertising, Commercial and Magazine Photographers (ACMP).

She feels Australia’s landscape and wildlife have a truly unique beauty, and she has a passion to to share her exciting discoveries with as many people around the world as possible.