Central North Island Photography Weekend

*** waitlist only ***

Blue Duck Station located in the Ruapehu District on the banks of the Whanganui and Retaruke Rivers, and surrounded by Whanganui National Park, is an outdoor photographer’s playground.  Come join Women in Photography’s private photography tour and workshop where we have the opportunity to photograph some of the Blue Duck Station’s most picturesque sights; this weekend is all about landscape and wildlife as Blue Duck Station is home to the endangered New Zealand blue duck, and other native species.

Arriving on Friday afternoon, get settled into your lodge and get to know fellow attendees over dinner and drinks around the open fire. The views of the milky way are the perfect start for a keen night photographer.

Saturday starts early to get to the top of a ridge before sunrise for spectacular views of Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe.

The day will be spent capturing a variety of opportunities from landscapes to waterfalls, historic buildings, native bush and hidden gorges and fingers crossed a whio or two.

Sunday sees another stunning sunrise and then onto the jetboat to discover the beauty of the Whanganui river before heading back to base to reflect and focus on the highlights of the weekend

Designed for all cameras and skill levels, this is a hands-on this is a small group long weekend photography workshop; you will have personalised instruction where you will have the opportunity to expand your technical skills and enhance your artistic vision. As seen recently on Country Calendar, you will also learn about the station’s core values around conserving endangered wildlife, increase the health of native bush and rivers, and preserve the history of the area.

Over this three day weekend, not only will we rise early but also eat late as we will be out capturing the sun setting across the mountain ranges.  We walk the Kaiwhakauka track to the waterfall for long exposure photography and look at photographing New Zealand’s wildlife.

Over a working lunch on Sunday, as we have a high definition data projector, we spend time having an depth review your top five images, along with covering Lightroom and Photoshop processing.

For this weekend you will need a reasonable level of fitness, sturdy walking shoes/boots, warm clothes including thermals. A full list of camera equipment will be provided closer to the time; we suggest that you need a telephoto, a wide angle or 50mm prime and maybe ND graduated or CPL filters plus definitely a tripod.

All attendees receive a Women in Photography A5 photography journal, pen and Cheat Sheets for the photography genres we cover over the weekend.  After the weekend, participants will be encouraged to keep in touch through our closed group FaceBook alumni network.

The price for this three day weekend includes your coach to and from from Auckland (pick-ups along the way) to Blue Duck Station, two nights’ accommodation and breakfast, lunch, dinner (and wine) while at Blue Duck Station with accommodation based on share twin room.

How do I book?

You can secure your place with a $500 deposit by clicking “REGISTER”, the balance payable two weeks prior to travel.

Managed by Women in Photography, this weekend is organised by Pam Young from House of Travel, therefore you can be assured that you are booking through an IATA accredited travel agency with your deposit and final payment secured.