Pinnacles Desert Photography Workshop
11–14 Sep 2026 · Nambung National Park, Western Australia
Reserve Your SpotDuration
4 Days / 3 NightsGroup Size
Max 4Workshop Price
AU$3,350AU$3,150 Early-Bird
Price rises after 2 bookings or 29 July
Permits
After‑Hours Access PendingSunrise · Sunset · Astro
Subject to WA Parks approval
AU$500 deposit secures your seat · Balance due 45 days prior
Location Preview
Why the Pinnacles?
Nowhere else in Australia looks like this—thousands of ancient limestone spires punching through golden sand under some of the darkest skies in WA. It feels other‑worldly at sunrise and turns truly alien once the Milky Way rises overhead.
With special after‑hours permits we’ll have the park to ourselves for pre‑dawn light, sunset colour and three deep‑sky sessions—learning vertical‑core, horizontal‑set and star‑trail composites in one long weekend.
Daily Flow
- Thu: Airport pickup · 3‑hr coastal drive · sunset & vertical Milky Way rise
- Fri: Sunrise spires · edit lab (RAW to keeper) · sunset & horizontal core set
- Sat: Optional dawn seascape · advanced editing · star‑trail masterclass
- Sun: Final sunrise silhouettes · drive to Perth · flights home around 12 pm
- Editing blocks in A/C meeting room while midday light is harsh
- Downtime to recharge—or explore stromatolites on the coast
Skills You’ll Master
- Noise‑free astro exposures at ISO 3200‑6400
- Vertical vs horizontal Milky Way framing & stitching
- Star‑trail stacking & gap‑fill techniques
- Foreground light‑painting without colour cast
- PhotoPills night‑AR planning & moon‑phase timing
- Lightroom Classic desert‑tone workflow
- Photoshop star‑trail blends & colour‑grading LUTs
- High‑efficiency backup & export for print/web
What’s Included
- 4 days of 1‑on‑1 field mentoring
- After‑hours park access & permits (Subject to WA Parks approval)
- Transport from Perth Airport & between shoots
- Free Astro Cheat Sheet & eBooks
- Use of star tracker & red‑light headlamps
- Lifetime access to editing video replays
- Post‑workshop Zoom critique & email support
- Group Lightroom presets for desert nightscapes
What’s Not Included
- Accommodation & meals (recommendations provided)
- Flights to/from Perth
- Travel insurance / medical cover
- Personal snacks & drinks during shoots
Is This for You?
- Comfortable shooting in Manual mode & keen to push further
- Wide‑angle lens (≈14–24 mm ƒ/2.8) & sturdy tripod
- Okay with early alarms & cold desert nights (6–10 °C)
- Happy to walk 500 m on soft sand carrying gear
Secure Your Spot
Only 4 seats – after‑hours permit in hand, desert skies waiting. AU$500 deposit today, memories forever.
Reserve Your SpotFAQs
Where should I stay?
We’ll send a list—Pinnacles Edge Resort & Cervantes Pinnacles Motel are <30 min from the park and both have Wi‑Fi for editing.
Do I need 4×4 experience?
No—your guide drives; vehicle & park fees included.
Fitness level?
Short sandy walks—nothing technical. You should carry your kit 1 km total per session.
Weather backups?
Cloudy skies = deeper edit labs & creative light‑painting. Clear patches often appear after midnight in July.
Gear rental?
Reserve Nikon & Sony wide lenses, trackers & tripods when you book—limited stock.
Cancellation policy?
Full refund up to 60 days out; 50% credit inside 60 if we refill your seat.
Travel insurance?
Mandatory—please cover yourself & your gear.
Are beginners welcome?
If you know where Manual mode lives, we’ll take you the rest of the way.
Drone rules?
Drones aren’t permitted on this trip—focus stays on ground‑based astro.
Testimonials
"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