Camera Foundations
Get off auto mode and start seeing composition, not just settings.
This half-day (or full-day, with post-processing) workshop is for photographers who are new to landscape photography, or who've never really moved off auto mode. Before you can develop your own way of seeing, you need a camera that isn't getting in the way.
We'll spend our time in the field working through exposure, aperture and shutter speed, and the fundamentals of composition — using Hawke's Bay's countryside as our classroom rather than the main event. You'll leave with a working understanding of your own gear, and a foundation to build on in whichever direction your photography takes you next.
A past Foundations participant working through composition at Te Mata Peak
Who It's For
Beginners who are new to photography, or have never shot in RAW before
Anyone who owns a camera but still relies on auto or program mode
Photographers who want a solid grounding before tackling composition or post-processing in more depth
This track isn't about chasing a particular kind of image yet — it's about removing the technical barriers so you can focus on what you're actually seeing.
This workshop currently runs in Hawke's Bay.
What You Can Expect
Each workshop is tailored to where you're starting from, and built from a small set of session types that we combine depending on the format you choose.
Before the workshop, we'll have a chat about your camera, your current comfort level, and anything specific you're finding confusing or frustrating. Based on this, I'll shape the session around what you actually need to work through.
Outdoor Foundations Session — Our starting point, in relaxed morning or afternoon light. We'll head to one or two nearby locations — Te Mata Peak is a reliable choice — rather than covering a lot of ground, so we have time to properly work through exposure, aperture, shutter speed, and composition without rushing between spots. Throughout, I'll be actively teaching rather than leaving you to figure things out on your own — ask as many questions as you like, that's what this session is for. Some light walking may be involved, but no long or strenuous hikes.
Lightroom Foundations Session — Included by default in the full-day format, since it's usually the most valuable part of a full day for beginners. We'll cover importing and organising your images, and simple adjustments like exposure, white balance, cropping, and straightening. Happy to swap this for more time in the field instead, if you'd prefer.
Golden Hour Session— A second outdoor session, timed for sunrise or sunset once the fundamentals feel comfortable. This is where everything from the Outdoor Foundations Session gets tested against harder conditions — changing light, faster decisions, less time to think through settings — with guidance close at hand if you need it.
Lightroom Follow-Up Session — A second pass at editing, working with images from a previous session or anything you've shot practising on your own in between. We'll build on the first Lightroom session, going a little further into local adjustments, tonal balance, and preparing images for sharing or printing.
After the workshop, I'll send you relevant follow-up material — such as a guide to organising your Lightroom library — along with links to any of my website guides that match what we covered. At the end of the day, I'll drop you back at your accommodation (if you're based in or near Havelock North) or your vehicle.
Format
Half Day (approx. 4 hours) — An Outdoor Foundations Session followed by a Lightroom Foundations Session, in the morning or afternoon.
Full Day (approx. 8 hours) — An Outdoor Foundations Session followed by a Lightroom Foundations Session, in the morning. After a lunch break, we would have the Lightroom Follow-Up Session and end with the Golden Hour Session.
Full Day, Spread Over Multiple Days (recommended) — The same four sessions, split across two or three visits with a practice gap in between. Timing is flexible and worked out around your schedule, the forecast, and how much practice time you'd like — including whether the Golden Hour Session is a sunset or a sunrise. The Lightroom Follow-Up Session is usually the final session to develop photos you have taken throughout the outdoor sessions. This format usually leads to the best outcome, as you have more time to practise between sessions.
The times above (4 / 8 hours) refer to the total duration of the workshop — driving, shooting, and any post-processing session included — not just time spent taking photos.
Locations
Sessions typically take place around Havelock North and Te Mata Peak, with the option to include wetlands, coastline, or hill country depending on what's practical for the day's light and weather. Location here is a backdrop for learning rather than the focus — if you already know you're drawn to a particular landscape, our Hawke's Bay Highlights track may be a better starting point.
What You'll Need
Appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear, your camera and gear (spare batteries, memory cards, tripod), and — if including the post-processing session — a laptop with Lightroom installed. A full packing list is sent after booking.
Where this Camera Foundations workshop can take you.
Words from Workshop Participants
“Calling on Jos to help me with my photography, and especially through the beginnings of using Lightroom Classic has been very worthwhile, and wish I had done it sooner. ”
Prices
Half Day: $300 per person
Full Day: $560 per person
Full Day, Spread Over Multiple Days: $600 per person
A 20% deposit is required after we have set a date and full payment is due before the workshop.
Ready to book?
Complete the details below to book your workshop today. Or contact me if you’d like to know more.
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Once you're comfortable with your camera and composition, you might be ready for Seeing the Landscape — a workshop focused on developing a more personal, expressive way of photographing.
Or, alternatively, you can contact me and we can work out the right workshop for you.