Cape Schanck Photography Workshop (3-4hrs)
A 3–4 hour landscape photography session at Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula. Learn long exposure, golden hour, and seascape technique.
Cape Schanck sits on the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula, around 90 minutes from Melbourne. The site offers an unusual combination in one compact area — the historic Cape Schanck Lighthouse, dramatic basalt formations including Pulpit Rock, sweeping cliff views, and accessible rock platforms at the base of the boardwalk. Whatever conditions the day delivers, there's always something to shoot.
This is a self-drive session. We meet at the Cape Schanck Lighthouse car park at the time confirmed in your booking email. Plenty of parking, toilets on-site, and a short walk to the shooting locations.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Operates in all weather conditions (bad weather is sometimes better for photography)
- Not wheelchair accessible
What to expect on the day
Cape Schanck is one of the most dramatic stretches of the Victorian coastline — a place where basalt cliffs meet the Southern Ocean and the light, on the right evening, does something extraordinary. It's also one of the best places I know to genuinely move your photography forward in a single afternoon.
This is a small, focused session for photographers who want hands-on coaching at one stunning location. We'll cover the techniques that matter — long exposure, reading light, composition, and capturing the colour and atmosphere of golden hour — and put them into practice as the light changes.
Whether you're picking up your first mirrorless camera or you've been shooting for years and want to refine specific skills, the session is tailored to where you're at.
Workshop Guidance
Over the course of the session, we'll work through the core techniques of landscape photography in a coastal environment. You'll come away with a clearer understanding of:
- Manual settings and exposure for changing light
- Long exposure technique for smooth water and moving cloud
- Using ND filters and polarisers effectively
- Composition for dramatic seascapes — leading lines, foreground interest, and using the lighthouse and rock formations as anchors
- Reading the light and timing your shots for golden hour
- Histogram reading and exposure for high-contrast scenes
- Working safely on rock platforms and around incoming swell
I'll work with each person individually throughout the shoot, so the time is genuinely tailored to what you want to learn.
Locations
Cape Schanck sits on the southern tip of the Mornington Peninsula, around 90 minutes from Melbourne. The site offers an unusual combination in one compact area — the historic Cape Schanck Lighthouse, dramatic basalt formations including Pulpit Rock, sweeping cliff views, and accessible rock platforms at the base of the boardwalk. Whatever conditions the day delivers, there's always something to shoot.
Quick Answers
Photography Handbook
A landscape photography handbook is provided free of charge in advance of the photography workshop
Learn the Technicals:
- Demystifying the Exposure Triangle: Grasp the interplay of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, and learn to control light for perfect exposure.
- In-Camera Mastery: Utilize in-camera metering, histogram analysis, and graduated neutral density filters to capture dynamic scenes.
- HDR and Bracketing: Explore High Dynamic Range techniques to preserve detail in high-contrast scenes.
- Depth of Field and Focus: Understand how these tools influence sharpness and creatively direct the viewer’s eye.
Meeting Point
This is a self-drive session. We meet at the Cape Schanck Lighthouse car park at the time confirmed in your booking email. Plenty of parking, toilets on-site, and a short walk to the shooting locations.
Equipment
The following equipment is required to be self-supplied;
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with manual mode, digital or film camera although digital is preferred for on location guidance and critique
- SD card/s (or film), charged batteries, wide angle lens 16-35mm (FF Equivalent) or similar, and a zoom lens 24-70mm (FF Equivalent) or similar and a camera bag.
- A sturdy tri-pod
- Weather appropriate clothing
- 3 or 6 stop neutral density filter, 3 stop medium graduated neutral density filter & Polariser Filter (preferred but optional)
- Hiking boots preferred
- Snack, and Money for lunch and dinner
What's Included
- 3–4 hours of guided photography instruction
- Personalised coaching for your skill level
- Digital landscape photography handbook to take home
- Small group format — maximum 6 participants
What’s Not Included
- Travel Insurance
- Meals & Drinks
- Airfares
Season Timing
Each session is timed around golden hour, which shifts throughout the year. The exact start time depends on the date you book — once you've confirmed your booking, you'll receive a confirmation email 48 hours before with the meeting time, kit checklist, and weather outlook for the evening.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 3 weeks prior your tour date for a full refund. If you cancel less than 3 weeks before the tour date, the amount you paid will not be refunded. This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Dedicated, Small-Group Mentorship
All experience levels are welcome. Group sizes are kept small — 4 to 6 photographers — so everyone gets dedicated time and feedback.
Sunset
Experience the magic of golden hour and twilight while learning professional techniques to capture dramatic coastal light and color.
Master Your Camera in Manual Mode
Stop relying on automatic settings and unlock your camera's full creative potential with personalized, hands-on instruction.