2025 dates – Sat 12 Apr (2/3 left) or Sun 20 Apr or Sun 27 Apr or Sat 3 May (2/3 left) or Sun 11 May —
In late March and through April and into early May the colours of the non-native, deciduous trees start to glow yellow, orange and red. There are a few Autumn hotspots where we are guaranteed some magnificent displays in Mount Wilson, Blackheath, Hartley and Mount Victoria – all worth exploring and Gary knows many back lanes that others don’t find, so we won’t be sharing the area with many other photographers (although the Autumn weekends do get busy!). Gary will give compositional and technical instruction out on locations, from wide colourful panoramas of big Autumn lanes, to middle distance leaves, colourful floral arrangements, on the importance of atmosphere and light, through to abstracts and tiny macros of Fly Agaric (fairy) mushrooms (if around!).
Rough Itinerary:
We will meet at my training gallery at 9am or Gary can pick you up between Katoomba to Mount Victoria at 8.30 ish. You can also leave your car for the day close to his gallery where the first part of the morning will be orientation, techniques, some compositional examples and a little on processing – all useful when we get out in the field. We then use the rest of the morning to explore some of the best Autumn lanes and a lookout or two in the Blackheath area (or Mount Wilson trip 1) and Gary to give helpful shooting advice.
Afterwards we drive to Mount Victoria, Lithgow or Blackheath for a good lunch followed by a quick look at your images, check you are getting good results, and some quick Autumnal post production at Gary’s Training Gallery. We will then head off to Mount Wilson 20 mins away, and explore the best spots where the mid afternoon light brings the Autumn colours to life. On the way back we will visit a couple of great photo spots in the less visited Hartley or Lithgow areas where many don’t get to.
Included:
- Paid for entry into one of Mount Wilson’s famous Gardens
- Transportation from your hotel to location and Gary’s Pulpit Rock Gallery Training room in single 4WD car
- Personal instruction from Gary in the field and in his Training Gallery.
- Lunch at local restaurant and tea/snacks in late afternoon. Cool drinks all day in 4WD
- Use of laptops for post processing instruction if required.
- Workshop certificate and exposure of your best image on Gary’s social site/s – (print optional if time)
Any questions please email Gary
Book ‘The Colour of Autumn, Blue Mountains’ 2025:
Cost: $500 per person. In the event of only one booking on a workshop 1 week out, a full refund will be given or the participant moved to an agreed future workshop.
Please read the Cancellation Policy before booking …
Sat 12 Apr 2025 9-6pm (2/3 left)
Full amount $500 [wp_stripe_checkout_session name=”Autumn Colour Workshop Sat 12 Apr 2025″ price=”500″ button_text=”12 Apr Booking Checkout”]
Sun 20 Apr 2025 9-6pm
Full amount $500 [wp_stripe_checkout_session name=”Autumn Colour Workshop Sun 20 Apr 2025″ price=”500″ button_text=”20 Apr Booking Checkout”]
Sun 27 Apr 2025 9-6pm
Full amount $500 [wp_stripe_checkout_session name=”Autumn Colour Workshop Sun 27 Apr 2025″ price=”500″ button_text=”27 Apr Booking Checkout”]
Sat 3 May 2025 9-6pm – 2/3 spots left
Full amount $500 [wp_stripe_checkout_session name=”Autumn Colour Workshop Sat 3 May 2025″ price=”500″ button_text=”3 May Booking Checkout”]
Sun 11 May 2025 9-6pm
Full amount $500 [wp_stripe_checkout_session name=”Autumn Colour Workshop Sun 11 May 2025″ price=”500″ button_text=”11 May Booking Checkout”]
Pre-requisites for all workshops
Note: photographers without all of the camera equipment below will be instructed in how to get the best out of what they have and see the advantage of extra equipment.
PASSION: It is inspiring to Gary and the other photographers if you have a great attitude and can make the best of whatever the weather throws at us or your expectations of the workshop. We will come away with great pictures regardless.
- BRING: A good quality hiking tripod and familiarity with using it.
- BRING: A decent quality DSLR or Mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and have a working knowledge of it.
- BRING: Two or three lenses. Suggest an ultra wide (14 to 20 ish), wide (24-35 ish) and medium telephoto (60-100 ish). Or combinations in zoom lenses.
- BRING: Filters. Any combination of – neutral density, 5 or 10 stops. Graduated neutral density 2 and/or 3 stops. Polarizer circular. It is not critical to have filters as we will explore blending and/or HDR techniques without using them.
- DO YOU: Have a moderate level of fitness and able to walk confidently on rocky terrain with camera equipment (this will vary on each workshop but call for information if in doubt). Gary is not liable for equipment damage, so use protective camera bags at all times when moving between locations or exploring new spots as a group.
- BRING: Comfortable hiking shoes, good camera back pack and waterproofs/warm clothes in case the weather goes south.
- READ: It is recommended that you orientate yourself with the mountains by reading my introduction post A Landscape Photographers Guide to Visiting the Blue Mountains Australia which helps break down the geography and refers to many of the locations we will be exploring.
Hi Gary,
I have a few queries about the Colour of Autumn workshop on 23rd April.
1. What will you recommended for hiking tripods in terms of features and materials used?
2. How much rocky terrain is covered during this workshop? I only have non-slip runners.
3. I currently possess a camera backpack with a rain cover and a camera messenger bag which has a waterproof exterior. Which bag will be suitable for this workshop?
4. What post-processing techniques (e.g. Luminosity Masking or HDR blending) will you cover in your workshop?
5. I currently possess a Sony A7 with a wide angle lens f2/25mm and a kit lens f3.5-5.6/28-70mm along with the corresponding CPL filters. Will that be adequate for the workshop?
6. Will you be willing to cater specific dietary requirements for the workshop? I’m vegetarian.
Thank you for your time in answering my queries.
Thanks Nicole – see private mail
Hi there
A friend and I are considering joining this tour but I wanted to check exactly how much rough or steep terrain will be covered on the day? I am happy to sit parts out if it is only portions of the day but if most of the day involves this I would probably be better leaving it.
Many thanks
Thanks Yvonne for the question – please see private mail reply. 🙂 Best Gary
Hello Gary,
for the April 30th Workshop, I have some queries:
* Where is the meeting point and at what time ?
* Will the session will continue, even during rain ?
* I have got Canon 7D, 18-200 IS 3.5-6.5f , 50mm 1.4f and 10-22mm 3.5-4.5f lens.. will this be OK ?
* Any post processing tools (Photoshop, lightroom etc. ) are covered ?
HI DJay – all of this and lots more will be put in an email before the workshop once you book.
We will be starting at my training gallery in Mount Victoria at 9am – I can pick up anywhere from Wentworth Falls to Blackheath too.
Yes if it is light rain we will continue, heavy or stormy weather we may reschedule if it is at the start of the day
The 7D with the 50mm and wide 10-22 is ideal, with polarizers and of course tripod recommended
Yes we go through basic autumn raw processing using Lightroom – so a laptop is useful
Best Gary
Hi Gary Do you still have availability on the 11th of May and what is the workshop cancellation policy?
I have a Canon 7D mk1 and a EF-S 15-85mm (our house burnt down and I lost all my camera gear. I will have to hire other lenses. Are there cheaper alternatives to Canon I could hire? Sigma, Tamron that will give me the same quality photo?
Hi Peta – yes a couple of spots on the 11th of May still and one left on 20 Apr. Sorry to hear about the fire and losing your equipment, hopefully your images were safe? For lenses the independent lens manufacturers make great alternatives and for a landscape workshop (on your 1.6 crop body) I would look at primes personally vs zooms – perhaps a moderately expensive 10mm (or similar zoom) for the big wide shots, a cheaper 50mm for medium telephoto/macro and if you can afford a 70-200mm f4 for the long shots. Shop around and look for 2nd hand too. Write on gary@garyphayes.com if you want me to check out options once you have found a few. Best Gary
Hi Gary,
Would you mind if I ask you one question about this workshop? Can you pick up us at Katoomba station because I don’t have car and will go there by train?
Thank you so much. I’m looking forward for your reply.
Khoa
Hi Khoa – yes of course I can pick up at any station from Wentworth Falls up to Mount Victoria – times to be arranged nearer the date 🙂
Hello Gary,
I was just wanting to know if it was required to bring a laptop for editing. I am currently without a laptop and very interested in attending your workshops.
Thank you
Hi Jodie – we certainly go through some basic Autumn processing and I can supply a machine with Lightroom or On1 Raw for those without their own so they can learn a little processing! Hope to see you 🙂 Best Gary
That is great. Thank you
Hi Gary, I just tried to book 2 people for the colours of Autumn on Sundsay 4th April. I got to the payment section and then got kicked out. When I went back in the date was not available, please can you confirm if this has locked us out or it has been booked by other people this afternoon. Thank you
Hi Sharon – sorry about that. I had a request to block the date this afternoon by a group but they have confirmed now to do it midweek instead of Easter Sunday. So please go ahead with this date if you still want it. Best Gary
Hi Gary,
Thanks for your time at your Gallery this afternoon & for the heads up & opportunity for a mid-week workshop.
Looking forward to attending the Autumn Colours Workshop on Wednesday 19th April.
Kind regards,
Brendan