CEDERBERG WORKSHOP
29 August - 1 September 2024
R8 900 pps*
4-day workshop
Two factors contribute to captivating astrophotography photographs. Clean, clear night skies, and compelling foreground subjects. The Cederberg has these two elements in abundance. And this makes the region one of the best spots in South Africa for photographing the night sky.
Whether this is the first time you’ll be attempting to photograph the stars, or you are versed in the genre, this location offers fantastic and unique compositions.
Join this workshop if you would like to capture photographs that are out of this world!
The clear, clean skies of the Cederberg make this region a hotspot for stargazers and astronomers alike. But for astrophotography, it is the mountains, rock formations, apple orchards and dams that make the location of this workshop truly unique. Some of the much-loved features by photographers who have previously attended this workshop are compositions such as crystal clear star trails reflected in the calm farm dams, as well as the Old Cape Dutch house at the end of a long dirt road positioned perfectly with the Milkyway arch above it. Features such as these are what create compelling astrophotography
This workshop is set in an old-style Cape Dutch farmhouse on a large private farm and offers incredible scenery as well as peace of mind in safety since we will have the farm entirely to ourselves to explore.
We have chosen the springtime months as the best time of year to photograph the stars in this region, not only for milder temperatures but also for the best position of the Milkyway in the night sky.
Group size:
6-10 people. Non-photographers / partners / spouses are also welcome at a reduced rate.
This workshop caters for beginners and advanced shooters. However, we do recommend photographers are familiar with their camera settings and layout and are comfortable shooting in manual mode. If you are unsure about your skill level or gear please feel free to contact us and ask any questions.
What's included:
Astrophotography, landscape, nature photography
Amazing accommodation
ALL Breakfasts & Dinners
Two professional photographers
Photographic assistance for the duration of the tour, including composition, best times to capture the light and help with correct gear settings
Post-processing assistance and presentation on how to correctly shoot astrophotography with techniques and settings
What's excluded:
Travel to locations - you will need to drive in your own vehicle
Expenses of a personal nature
All personal snacks and drinks
Accommodation
Op Die Berg: Gys Se Huis (Luxury Cape Dutch Style House)
Price is per person sharing (pps*)
(single supplement extra 50%)
Gear We Recommend For This Workshop
CAMERA GEAR
DSLR or mirrorless camera body
Wide angle, mid range and telephoto lenses (16-35mm f/2.8 / 24-120mm / 70-200mm / 100-400mm)
TRIPOD
Leofoto LY-284C + LH-30 Carbon Fiber Kit
FILTERS
Hähnel Dual Battery Charger
BATTERIES
Hähnel Lithium Ion Batteries
MEMORY CARDS
Delkin Memory Cards
BAGS
REMOTE TRIGGER
FILTERS
ThinkTank Backstory Camerabags
Hähnel Remote Trigger Cable Release
NiSi Neutral Density and Polarising Filters
ITINERARY
DAY 1
We will be staying on a private apple & pear farm in the Op Die Berg region of the Western Cape with exclusive access to unique rock formations and dams across the farm.
Arrival will be in the afternoon with a welcome followed by a presentation on the trip and what you can expect, as well as some helpful photographic information to assist you for the duration of the workshop. We will then enjoy an amazing home-cooked meal and get ready for our first night of astrophotography.
The first night is based around everyone getting comfortable with the new shooting techniques and their camera settings. We will show you how to focus in the dark, how to set up your cameras to shoot the Milky Way and star trails. We will also demonstrate compositions and astrophotography and how to get the best out of your foreground elements.
The accommodation features: Luxury Rooms, Inside Fireplace, Braai Area, Pool Table, Electric Blankets, Secure Parking, Wifi, DStv.
DAY 2
Sunrise for the eager is always encouraged as the farm has some amazing landscapes, including amazing mountain ranges, dams, orchards, and local fynbos flora.
Following the sunrise shoot, we will have a full breakfast with everything you need to recover from a late night and early morning shoot.
Following breakfast, you are free for the morning until early afternoon when we will have an editing session and assist you with the images you captured the previous evening. We will focus on what aspects we can improve on for the night to come and assist with setting up your gear for more advanced techniques, such as time-lapses and blended images.
After dinner, we will head out again to several preselected regions where we will capture star trail reflections in the dam, panoramic Milky Way images over an old Cape Dutch-style house, as well as use advanced photographic techniques to get foreground detail with minimal ISO noise.
DAY 3
Sunrise is optional at this stage and after a late night of astrophotography, you may decide to sleep in. However, for the more eager photographers sunrise is on the cards and hopefully with some morning fog rolling in the opportunities to capture the Cape Dutch architecture in the fog is truly stunning (see images below).
Following the sunrise shoot, we will have another great fully loaded breakfast. You will be free for the remainder of the day to catch up on some sleep, walk amongst the orchards or take a drive into the region and explore.
The afternoon will have an editing assist session, so if you have any specific questions or need help editing our images from the previous night this will be the time for us to assist you.
Late afternoon will be a local braai with amazing salads and garlic breads.
The last evening session will focus on astrophotography techniques and compositions that you wish to perfect from the previous evenings. Our focus will be to get you the compositions and images you have in mind.
DAY 4
Our last day is a sunrise overlooking the dam onto the majestic mountains in the distance.
A simple breakfast for the last morning and goodbyes to new photography friends made and fond memories.
And that's the end until the next adventure with VentureKJ.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The balance is required one month prior to the commencement of the workshop. Cancellation 30 days prior to the workshop is 100% refund, 15-30 days a 50% refund, 15 days or less 0% refund.
This workshop has been planned to coincide with the best possible photographic conditions for its intended purpose. These conditions however cannot be guaranteed.
Our workshops are hosted in outdoor environments where conditions cannot always be predicted and where terrain can pose hazardous risks.
By choosing to join this or any of the workshops or events hosted by VentureKJ these risks must be accepted by the attendee, and Kyle and Jon accept no responsibility or liability for injury or loss of any nature. On acceptance of participation in this workshop you will be required to sign a liability waiver/s.
REAL TESTIMONIALS
Words from Previous Clients
It was full of excitement and anticipation that we joined Kyle and Jon on a beautiful fruit farm in the Cederberg mountains for an astrophotography workshop and we learned so much under their guidance. In a warm atmosphere of friendship and fun, they guided us patiently and generously imparted their knowledge in the field, punctuating this with a welcome coffee lashed with Amarula to keep the creative juices flowing well into the night.
Their expertise in post-processing was invaluable and their wizardry in the kitchen added a caring and delicious touch to their workshop. Full of admiration for their work, I urge you to join them on one of their many workshops.
Nicole Palmer
I joined Kyle and Jon on their Seascapes and Op Die Berg astro workshop. As a wildlife photographer, I found the workshops very informative and fun. I really learned a lot and will be joining again in the future.