Uluru Photography Workshop
12–16 June 2026 • 5 Days / 4 Nights • Red Centre, NT
Duration
5 Days / 4 NightsGroup Size
Max 4Tuition
AU$4,650AU$4,350 Early-Bird *Early bird until 12 Apr 2026 or when 2 seats are filled.
What You’ll Experience
There’s something primal about photographing Uluṟu—desert silence, sudden sunrise glow on red stone, stars emerging as the air cools. This small-group workshop is built to slow you down, sharpen your vision, and help you create work that actually matters to you.
We operate from approved viewing areas inside Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park during opening hours (June approx. 6:30 am–7:30 pm; all visitors must exit by close). You’ll shoot sunrise, golden-hour light, silhouettes and twilight colour at Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa—while learning how to frame respectfully around culturally sensitive faces.
After park close we move to nearby dark-sky locations outside the park to capture full Milky Way data: tracked exposures, stacks, star-trail sequences. Back in the edit lab we combine your in-park twilight foregrounds with your outside-park night-sky data to build a clearly labelled, permit-compliant “Milky Way over Uluṟu” composite. We handle the Parks Australia Media Permit process covering both capture and representation use.
- Sunrise & sunset field sessions at approved Uluṟu & Kata Tjuṯa viewing areas (small group, max 4).
- Desert Night Skies & Composite Milky Way Workflow: twilight foregrounds in park + dark-sky astro outside park; ethical blending in post.
- 1-on-1 field mentoring; group critiques; Lightroom & Photoshop processing blocks.
Respecting Country & Access Window
Uluṟu is sacred to Aṉangu Traditional Owners. Some faces—especially the north-east face—and areas of Kata Tjuṯa are culturally sensitive; detailed or close photography is restricted and some angles require Media Office review before commercial use. We shoot only from designated public viewing areas and time sessions to natural light that helps obscure sensitive detail when required.
The park closes at night and all visitors must exit by the posted closing time (June ~7:30 pm). Deep night astrophotography is therefore conducted from dark-sky locations outside the park boundary; we then demonstrate how to build a transparent composite that honours both cultural protocols and creative intent.
Itinerary at a Glance
Schedule optimised for the short winter day length around new moon. All in-park sessions end by closing (~7:30 pm). Night-sky capture continues outside the park. Subject to weather, permits & cultural briefings.
| Day | Morning | Midday / Afternoon | Sunset / Twilight (in park) | Evening (outside park) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Thu 12 Jun) |
Arrive Yulara by mid-afternoon • Check-in & gear safety brief. | Orientation session • Camera settings tune-up. | Sunset @ Car Sunset View (classic glow) • Blue-hour silhouettes before park close. | Optional intro astro demo at lodge OR short outside-park dark-sky familiarisation (weather / energy dependent). |
| Day 2 (Fri 13 Jun) |
Sunrise @ Talinguru Nyakunytjaku (eastern views). | Lightroom foundations • Colour management for red desert tones. | Return to Car Sunset View or alternate approved vantage for side-light textures; capture twilight base frame for Milky Way composite. | Dark-sky shoot outside park: tracked Milky Way panels + stacking workflow. |
| Day 3 (Sat 14 Jun) |
Silhouette sunrise from designated western carpark (subject to cultural clearance). | Optional Kata Tjuṯa (Walpa Gorge) textures; mid-arvo indoor edit if heat / wind. | Twilight colour @ Talinguru Nyakunytjaku (reverse angle). | Milky Way stack & star-trail capture outside park; noise-managed exposures for blending. |
| Day 4 (Sun 15 Jun) |
Optional sunrise @ Kata Tjuṯa Dune Viewing (wide landscape; culturally mindful framing). | Advanced Photoshop compositing: align sky panels; masking; colour harmony. | Final in-park twilight top-ups (weather dependent) OR rest block if fatigued. | Capstone astro outside park: clean tracked set for hero composite; optional star-trails run. |
| Day 5 (Mon 16 Jun) |
Final sunrise pick (weather call) • Quick in-field review. | Wrap-up critique • Export files for permit submission guidance • Depart late morning. | — | Workshop ends (travel day). |
FAQs
What’s included?
Included: 4 nights accommodation (twin-share; single upgrade available), airport pick-up & drop-off (Ayers Rock / Connellan Airport), all in-park and workshop transport, park entry fees & required permits, small-group field tuition, classroom editing/critique blocks, and guidance submitting select images for Parks Australia Media Office review.
Not included: flights to/from Yulara, meals & beverages, travel insurance, personal purchases.
How do we photograph the Milky Way over Uluṟu if the park closes at night?
We capture twilight / blue-hour Uluṟu foregrounds inside the park before the nightly closure (June ~7:30 pm). After exiting we travel to nearby dark-sky locations outside the park to shoot full Milky Way, tracked panels, stacks, and star-trails. In class we blend the datasets—clearly labelled as a composite representation—under the Parks Australia Media Permit that covers capture and use of images/likenesses of the park (true to life or representation, including from outside the boundary).
Are there areas we can’t photograph?
Yes. Some faces and locations—especially the north-east face of Uluṟu and parts of Kata Tjuṯa—are culturally sensitive. Aṉangu ask that photographers avoid close detail; wide/distant shots only, ideally when shadows obscure sacred areas (1–2 hrs before sunset). Certain angles require Media Office review before commercial use. We’ll guide you on-site.
Do I need experience?
Suitable for committed beginners through advanced shooters. If you can work in Aperture or Manual mode—or want to learn—you’ll get value. Tiny group (max 4) = lots of 1-on-1 time in the field and during edit sessions.
Do I need a permit to use my photos afterwards?
Personal use (private sharing) is fine. Any public or commercial use of images that show Uluṟu or Kata Tjuṯa—including social media promotion, portfolio sites, competitions, or sales—requires approval under the Parks Australia Media Guidelines; a permit is needed even for existing or composite images. We’ll brief you and help you submit.
What level of fitness is required?
Short desert walks (generally <1 km on formed paths) at a gentle pace; sand and uneven footing in places. We stay close to designated viewing areas to respect cultural and environmental guidelines.
Is the park ever closed for weather or cultural reasons?
The park is open year-round but conditions (heat, weather events, cultural closures) can alter access times or site availability. We build backup plans and will adjust the program if Parks advises changes. All visitors must exit by the posted closing time each day.
Reserve Your Spot
Limited to 4 participants. Early Bird ends 12 Apr 2026 (or after 2 seats). Join the priority waitlist—no payment required to hold your place.
Join the WaitlistTestimonials
"Dylan has put a lot of time and effort into this workshop. He is easy to understand and ensures each student gets the time they need to grasp the concepts. I really appreciated that there were only four students—Dylan spent plenty of time with each of us. The follow-up eBooks he created and published are a terrific way to reinforce the weekend and make sure the new techniques and knowledge really stick. Thank you Dylan—I really enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait to see what’s next."
– Jo
"Highly recommend Knighty’s Photography! You won’t be disappointed! I’ve done a few private workshops with Dylan over the last five years and it’s been great! Looking forward to my next workshop with Dylan!"
– Wendy K.
"Knighty's Astro photography session was an amazingly transformative and immersive experience as a beginner photographer... I came back with marvellous photos and newfound confidence."
– Amber
"I was absolutely stoked with the workshop... Dylan clarified a lot of the questions I had. Would love to do this again!"
– Workshop Participant
"Dylan was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor who was prepared to put in extra time... He made sure to check on all photographers and provided tailored advice."
– Participant Feedback
"The workshop was excellent. Dylan was very knowledgeable and professional. He went over and above to ensure we all had a great experience."
– Nikon School Attendee
"Even with the constant rain, Dylan kept me up to date and gave me peace of mind. The workshop clarified so many things that YouTube never could. Highly recommended!"
– Workshop Attendee
"I would highly recommend a Nikon School Workshop and Dylan Knight. He followed up with extra resources and provided a professional experience from start to finish."
– Nikon Workshop Participant