September 2024, THE THEORY, ART AND PRACTICE OF NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY (Beginners to Intermediate)

Join award-winning nature photographer Dr Damien Esquerre for a comprehensive small group of 8 people for nature photography on site at beautiful Murramarang National Park!  

• Dates: September 2024 (TBC)
• Times: Check in Friday at 2.00pm; Saturday & Sunday (Check out of rooms is at 10.00am - but the course will continue to 4.00pm on site (lectures and practical field sessions)
• Venue: Murramarang Nature Resort, Murramarang National Park, South Durras, NSW. 

The Course:

This is one of the most comprehensive nature photography courses delivered in Australia. Over 12 hours of lectures and practical sessions over the weekend learn all the essential theory behind the fundamentals of nature photography, exposure, lenses, light, composition and delve into more specific topics like macro and flash photography.

Aimed to both complete beginners and more experienced photographers who want to expand their knowledge and understanding of the science of photography, the aim of this course is to have all participants comfortable with manual modes, getting the sharpest images, using light creatively, thinking critically about composition and choosing their equipment wisely.

Running this course in the wild and beautiful Murramarang National Park also provides the added opportunity of having the best playground to perform the exercises given by Damien to put your new skills to practice. Damien is also an evolutionary biologist and experienced wildlife guide who is intimately familiar with how nature works and the local wildlife, and he will show you how understanding nature is the best way to photograph it.

Only 8 places are available for this exclusive opportunity. 

Accommodation and Meals:

Your accommodation is in absolute beach-front villas facing the ocean, on a twin-share basis at one of the most beautiful locations on the NSW south coast. 

Meals will include dinner on Friday evening, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and a final lunch on Sunday.  Please bring your own breakfast to have in-room or on your verandah as you enjoy the views. 

Experience/Pre-requisites: This is an adult beginner to intermediate level course using your own equipment. A materials/equipment list will be emailed to you prior to the start of the course.

The Tutor:

Dr. Damien Esquerré is a professional wildlife photographer and evolutionary biologist, currently employed as a permanent academic staff (lecturer and researcher) at the University of Wollongong. He was over 17 years of experience as a wildlife photographer (initially professionally trained by Chile’s top nature photographer), and has been teaching this course and an introduction for macro photography course for 6 years at NatureArt Lab, also joining as a wildlife photography instructor to tours in Borneo, Western Australia, Cape York, Costa Rica, Ecuador (Galapagos and Amazon) and Peru.

Damien won a finalist award at the Australasian Nature Photographer of the Year in 2023, and two of his photos are on display at the South Australian Museum. Damien's photographs have won multiple awards and have been published in number of books (including Damien’s authored book on the reptiles of Chile), magazines, calendars, websites and expos.

His main profession is a University biology researcher and lecturer, working to understand how biodiversity evolves, with a special interest in snakes, lizards and frogs and teaching evolution and ecology. The combination of Damien’s science, art and teaching experience means he knows how to make complex topics simple and accessible. 

Images: A selection of photographs taken in Australia and during NatureArt Lab international tours by Dr Damien Esquerre.