The Klein Karoo is a distinctive geographic region of South Africa, almost completely surrounded by mountains, sandwiched between the imposing Swartberg Mountains to the north, and the Outeniqua Mountains to the south. In-between lies fertile country where you will find the Aloe ferox commonly referred to as just the Aloe.
This tall variant of the aloe plant is sometimes likened to red-coated foot-soldiers, waiting for the call to charge, as they were allegedly mistaken by British soldiers for red-blanketed Xhosa forces.
Armed with only flowers as their spears, thorny leaves as their shields, and stick stems as their bodies, these beautiful plants warrant no reason for us to shoot them with guns, but every reason to shoot them in the best way photographers know how to. This workshop pays homage to the mighty Aloe. A plant with such striking form and beauty!
Set on the vast expanses of the Rooiberg Lodge Nature Reserve, with stunning accommodation and exclusive nighttime access to the reserve, you will be guided and driven around the reserve by a private game-ranger, and taken to the best spots to photograph these magnificent plants under the silhouette of a million stars.
In this workshop we focus on capturing the Milky Way and star trails across this massive reserve, visiting numerous aloe forest clusters that we will shoot from multiple angles to capture all their beauty. We will also explore other notable compositions such as a towering wind pump, a well-known structure to shoot for nighttime photography, as well as an old abandoned car that makes for a completely unique astrophotography composition.
Professional photographers Kyle and Jon both offer expert advice on photographing the stars, taking you through the technicalities of the camera settings as well as helping you find the perfect composition to take home memorable images.
The Klein Karoo workshop offers you a premium workshop with unforgettable photographic memories.
Group size:
8-10 people. Non-photographers/partners/spouses are also welcome at a reduced rate. Please enquire for the price.
This workshop caters to 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, wildlife photography
Amazing accommodation
ALL Breakfasts & Dinners
Game drive vehicle to astrophotography locations
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 presentations
What's excluded:
Travel to the venue
Expenses of a personal nature
All personal snacks and drinks
Accommodation
Gear We Recommend For This Workshop
CAMERA GEAR
DSLR or mirrorless camera body
Wide angle (16-35mm f/2.8)
TRIPOD
Leofoto LY-284C + LH-30 Carbon Fiber Kit
BAGS
FILTERS
Hähnel Dual Battery Charger
REMOTE TRIGGER
ThinkTank Backstory Camerabags
Hähnel Remote Trigger Cable Release
BATTERIES
Hähnel Lithium Ion Batteries
MEMORY CARDS
Delkin Memory Cards
ITINERARY
DAY 1
If capturing the the night sky in remote and unique locations, under clear, dark skies gets you excited, then this is the workshop for you.
Our Klein Karoo astrophotography workshop will present you with unique compositions in regions never before been accessible at night. We have arranged exclusive access to stunning compositional locations deep in the Klein Karoo within the Rooiberg private game reserve.
Arrival will be followed by a meet & greet at the Rooiberg Lodge Manor House.
This will be followed by a presentation on astrophotography focusing on the different techniques and compositions available.
After dinner we will head out with our local guides and game drive vehicles to mountain aloe clusters located high up in the escarpment within the reserve. Here we will capture the mountain aloes with Milky Way backdrops, as well as star trails.
Rooiberg Lodge is tucked away in the heart of a 14 000 ha game and olive farm in the Klein Karoo. It offers a rare haven of peace and natural beauty that will restore and uplift your soul.
The accommodation features: Luxury Rooms en-suite, Inside Fireplace, Braai Area, Swimming Pool, Secure Parking, Wifi.
DAY 2
A sleep-in after a late night of astrophotography. The day will start with some freshly brewed coffee and a full breakfast that won't leave you hungry.
The morning will be focused on an editing workshop assisting you with the images you captured the previous evening and how best to edit them.
The afternoon will be a local braai with amazing salads and garlic breads.
An optional afternoon game drive will be available at your own expense.
The evening will see us heading out with guides and game vehicles to new locations. These will include a unique windmill in the Klein Karoo, as well as an old abandoned antique car, great for light painting techniques. We will also focus on more advanced techniques including time-lapses and blended images.
DAY 3
Another amazing breakfast will be on offer. We promise you won't go hungry on any of our workshops.
The morning will be free time for you to explore the area. You can go for a walk or hike, a game drive or enjoy a coffee and good book around the pool area.
The afternoon will have an editing presentation teaching you new techniques for editing your astrophotography images, as well as how to create your time-lapses from the previous night.
We will have another local braai in the late afternoon.
The evening session will focus on the mountain aloe clusters. We will split up into smaller groups allowing for different light painting techniques and time-lapses to run without lights in any of the exposures. This is your evening to master the techniques you have learnt throughout the workshop.
DAY 4
Our last morning will be a simple breakfast followed by goodbyes to new friends made and an excitement to go home and edit all your unique and stunning astrophotography images.
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
I flew in all the way from Northern Hemisphere to join Jon & Kyle for shooting the stars in the southern hemisphere. It has been an amazing experience. The workshop was well thought out. Their astrophotography expertise really helps in improving your techniques and composition. I highly recommend you to join them for workshops and tours. Can’t wait to go back.