Summary

Nature's Light offers these Introduction to Landscape Photography Courses throughout the year upon request. This course can be run at any date of your request, depending on availability of course. Feel free to enquire with us to see if we can help you on a date of your choice, and yes, we are happy to consider last minute bookings. ​
WHEN
UPON REQUEST
PRICE
R9 500 P/P (approximately USD 655 / EUR 570 as of October 2018 Exchange rates)
FOCUS
LEARN AND HAVE FUN
GROUP SIZE
MINIMUM 4, MAX 9
INSTRUCTOR GUEST RATIO
1:3
DURATION
4 DAYS
ACCOMMODATION TYPE
Chalets
NUMBER OF DESTINATIONS
2

In Detail

Introduction to landscape photography
We visit two of the finest portions of the Drakensberg Mountains, which themselves are part of a UNESCO World heritage site that stretches into the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho. Although called 'An Introduction to', this workshop is suitable for photographers of all levels, and even for partners that'd like to join as well, but are not that interested in photography themselves. It really is a 4 day excursion which revolves mostly around having fun, but the photographer is there for those who wish tuition or advice. If so desired, we can of course include some more formal 'lectures' in between hiking and shooting sessions, to maximise your learning curve. ​​
key highlights
           Photograph:
  • The Amphitheatre - one of South Africa’s most iconic mountain faces. 
  • The Tunnel and its exquisite sandstone curves.
  • Capture one of the most iconic views of the Drakensberg, seemingly only ‘discovered’ by experienced photographers. 
  • The Cathedral Peak - The inspiration for the Nature's Light Logo!
  • The 'Hanging Boulder' - that would even wow Indiana Jones!
​
           Enjoy:
  • Probably the world’s best instructor to participant ratio, maximizing your learning while on tour.
  • Having highly experienced tutors watching over your shoulders and helping you on the spot as you craft your images of the amazing Drakensberg and its beautiful valleys and peaks. 
  • Spending time with like minded people in one of South Africa’s most spectacular places.

           Learn about:
  • Creative Composition: The basics and beyond, such as The Element Approach, Balancing Composition etc. 
  • Basics to advanced techniques in digital landscape photography. With two instructors (depending on group size) all levels of ability can be catered for. 
  • Workflow & digital asset management. 
  • How to create awe-inspiring Astrophotography and star trail images. 
  • How to create panoramic images. 
  • Post-production using Lightroom and Photo Shop
itinerary
part 1 - Thendele Camp, Royal Natal National Park
Day 1
The first day, which includes travel from St. Lucia/Durban ends at the Royal Natal National Park where we stay at Thendele Hutted Camp with it’s phenomenal outlook of the famous Amphitheatre massif. This curved escarpment wall rises to over 3000m above sea level and is the home to the Tugela Falls. These falls, dropping 947m, are officially recognised as the world’s second tallest waterfall, but recent measurements have made a case for it actually being the tallest (actually beating Angel Falls in Venezuela by 50m!).

Day 2
The second day involves a long day walk along the Tugela River Valley to a point where the river flows through a narrowing in the sandstone rock called ‘The Tunnel’. This spectacular feature is akin to the slot canyons of the United States (albeit on a smaller scale).  We return in the late afternoon to watch the sunset and prepare for star trail photography over the escarpment.
Part 2 - Didima Camp, Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
​Day 3
After a sunrise photoshoot on the third day we make our way an hour’s drive south to Cathedral Peak and the Didima Hutted Camp. Here we start out immediately on the 13km round round trip to the astounding Rainbow Gorge. Walking into this gorge with the river flowing through the bottom always feels to the walker as if they are exploring it for the first time. The narrow gorge terminates near the impressive ‘Hanging Boulder’, a massive chock-stone rock that has wedged into the gorge and under which we walk to the end. On our return we have a convivial barbabcue with the shadow of the tall spire of Cathedral Peak overlooking us.

Day 4
A final optional dawn shoot is the perfect way to begin our final day in the mountains. 
We depart around 10 or 11 in the morning, either traveling back together to Durban (King Shaka airport or accommodation in the area) or separately. ​
what to expect
​The Drakensberg is one of South Africa’s most beautiful landscape features and possesses some of the world’s top trekking routes (the Giant’s Castle Cup Trail is ranked in the top 50 trails of the world and is considered equal to the Fish River Canyon, Otter and Atlas Mountain Trails). Because the Drakensberg is mountainous (an average escarpment height of 3000m above sea level) it experiences extreme weather throughout the year. This can mean that rain or snow can put a damper on activities. From a photographic point of view though, extreme weather also means for the most interesting images. During winter it does snow, so be prepared for cold weather (I have experienced a snow storm on the escarpment on New Year’s Day – the middle of summer).

Water in the streams is drinkable away from the actual lodges and there are no water-borne bacteria in the streams in the escarpment proper as well as in the foothills. The foothills all have decent walking paths and see day visitors walking comfortably in all manner of ill-equipment. The escarpment is another matter. The route we are taking onto the escarpment is popular and well trodden, unlike most of the rest of the escarpment, so trainers or even running shoes are adequate.
​
Some wildlife can be viewed in the foothills, while birds of prey such as the endangered Bearded Vulture are likely to be seen on the escarpment. The escarpment view itself is unparalleled and there have been accounts of people seeing the Indian Ocean on a clear day (technically possible as the escarpment view is roughly a vertical kilometre above the base of the escarpment). What most people seek from the Drakensberg are the amazing mountains themselves, unique in that they form a solid basalt wall that stretches for almost 200km from south to north. In effect the Drakensberg is really the eastern face of the huge Maluti Mountain Range which forms the country of Lesotho. ​
dates
This is a flexible workshop, running on enquiry basis. So if you're keen, just drop us an email on [email protected] and we'll see if you or we can find some other participants to reach the minimum four. And then lets go and have some fun!
price
R9 500 per person (approximately USD 655 / EUR 570 as of October 2018 Exchange rates). Minimum 4 participants, maximum 9 participants.
(If under 5 participants, only one photographic leader will conduct the tour) 
Single Supplement: R1 400 - subject to availability 
​
Guided Tour Includes:
  • All Lodging (based upon sharing)
  • Pickup and drop off from Durban International Airport
  • Dinner day 1, breakfast, lunch, dinner day 2-4, breakfast & lunch day 5 - including most drinks 
  • Local tips for guides and for restaurants
  • Photography guidance by two professional photographers and an assistant
  • All tuition including teaching material and hand-outs
  • All road transport in comfortable 4x4 vehicles
  • All entrance fees and photography permits
  • All toll and parking fees

Guided Tour Excludes:
  • Airfares to and from Durban International Airport
  • Single room supplement (R1 400)
  • Non-meal time snacks if purchased on route
  • Possible extra excursions/activities and/or additional days
  • Travel insurances (mandatory!)
  • Photographic gear rental (if required)
​
The Nature's Light Terms and Conditions apply to your booking with us. For more information see: 
Nature's Light Terms and Condition