2024 ICM Auckland Cityscapes & Seascapes Photography Retreat

Come join Judy Stokes for our annual New Zealand ICM Photography Retreat based at Aucukland and timed to coincide with Kings Birthday Weekend.

We are extremely fortunate to have collaborated with Judy Stokes – global photographer, intentional camera movement (ICM) mentor to lead out Australasian ICM retreats and workshops.   Judy is recognised across Australasia as a leader in ICM photography.   

This four day, three night photography retreat focuses on cityscapes, seascapes and lights as mediums for you to learn how to create abstract expression ICM images.  

A selection of Judy’s images are below – read more about Judy here.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• On arrival Friday morning and over breakfast begin your ICM workshop with Judy, exploring the ICM concept and methodologies
• Auckland’s laneways and cityscapes workshop
• Early morning sun rise across Westhaven Marina, capturing images of the moored boats and Auckland’s Harbour Bridge
• Sunset shoot photographic session at Devonport
• 1 1/2 days of image processing workshop – learning how to edit and prepare your images for printing
• Printing two of your images in A3+ and packaged for you to take home
• Lots of on-location image reviews.

This will be a great learning environment with expert guidance, instruction and personal attention. This photography retreat caters to all levels, from beginners to advanced photographers, but you should have a basic understanding of your camera’s settings. 

• A laptop or SurfacePro type device will be required which has Adobe Cloud Photoshop subscription registered and loaded, Lightroom Classic is beneficial to have – if you use different editing software, please reach out to Judy to ask questions
• iPad/tablet with the mobile (free) versions isn’t suitable due to the workflow editing you’ll be learning.
• Your level of Photoshop understanding can at beginner level as Leanne will assist you with gaining confidence

You will leave this photography retreat with new skills, new friends, inspiration and some really, really, stunning photos to show off with two of your favourite images printed in A3+ ready to frame.

Itinerary:

Friday 31st May

Plan to arrive at MSocial which is on Quay Street opposite Princes Wharf, before 8.00am and leave your bags with reception for check in later in the day. Meet in the foyer of Auckland’s MSocial hotel at 8.00am for breakfast.  Once everyone has arrived, we’ll begin our ICM workshop with Judy and Lesley.  You’ll also receive your beautiful A5 photo diary to take this with you for all our outings and jot down the settings you’ll need.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodation

Friday 31st May & Saturday 1st June 

Over the next couple of days, you’ll be departing from MSocial each day, there’s lots of places to visit with Judy & Lesley:

• Muriwai to capture dramatic black sand and wave ICM images along
• Learning how to capture birds in flight at Muriwai’s Gannet colony
• Westhaven for an early morning start to capture ICM imagery of the sun rising over the water and the yachts tied up at the marina – images from last year were stunning from this location!!
• Devonport to capture ICM images of the sunset over Auckland’s CBD
• Streets, architectural locations and laneways of Auckland’s city

NOTE: As you’ll be out most of the day, it’s best to have at least 3 batteries for your camera

Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodation

Sunday 2nd & Monday 3rd June

After an early morning ICM workshop around Auckland’s wharves, head back for breakfast.  Then it’s heading upstairs to our meeting room where you’ll be learning how to take the photos you’ve captured – merging and blending to create the most amazing ICM images.

Monday: On checkout, bring your bags to the workshop and we will aim to finish the day around 3pm to allow you to travel home late afternoon.

Included: Sunday – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Accommodation

Included: Monday – Breakfast & Farewell lunch

What’s included:

• Accommodation – share twin (own room available at additional cost)
• Breakfast daily – variety of locations
• Working lunch Sunday
• Working lunch Monday with Prosecco
• Transport to all activities, some locations are walking distance
• On location ICM photographic mentoring while out and about
• Photographic & print preparation workshop using Photoshop
• Lots of photography mentoring by Judy & Lesley
• Printing of two of your favourite images on Epson P706 SureColour photo printer.  Printed in A3+ on professional photographic paper, includes tube and acid free paper to transport your images home without being damaged
• A5 photo diary which is invaluable for making notes on where you’ve visited.

What’s Not Included:

• Travel to/from Auckland
• Alcohol with meals
• Morning & afternoon teas

Cost & Other Stuff

• Share Twin room – NZ$4,200 per person
• Own room – NZ$4,600 per person
• No accommodation – NZ$3,550

Other information

• All prices quoted are NZD
• Camera gear & equipment list available here
• Limited to a maximum of 12
• NZ$500 deposit secures your place
• Book now by paying your deposit – balance of payment is due 6 weeks prior to departure.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS APPLICABLE FOR THIS PHOTOGRAPHY RETREAT

• If you choose to cancel your booking, your deposit is non-refundable unless we fill your place
• If we have to cancel we will give you a full refund or you can have your deposit transferred to any of our other events
• Full payment is due 6 weeks before the commencement date and is thereafter non-refundable in the event of your choosing to cancel, unless we are able to re-fill your place.