Nature makes photo subject

The natural assets around the Peninsula will be the subject of two photographic safaris which will be held in August and in November.

Central Coast photographer Esther Beaton will run the two safaris.

The safari on August 18 will be held at Warrah Trig, Elephant Rock and Ettalong Lookout.

Ms Beaton said subjects will include the "glories of spring; waratahs, flannel flowers, stunning vistas and a secret red gum forest".

Ms Beaton said techniques will include close up techniques for beginners and advanced plus low light and backlighting.

A safari on November 24 and 25 entitled "Pearl Beach full moon weekend special" would feature "birds, beaches and bush" and would take place at Crommelin Native Arboretum, Green Point, Ettalong Point, Pearl Beach Lagoon and Warrah Lookout.

Ms Beaton said subjects would include birds such as brush turkey, kookaburra, satin bowerbird, insects, native flowers and trees, tranquil glades, coastal heath, beautiful beaches, crashing waves, rock platforms and tide pools.

Ms Beaton said techniques would include "moving pictures; techniques of putting emotion into your photography".

This would include slow motion, photographing in the afterglow, composing for high key or low key, graphic compositions, double exposures, time exposures and high versus low vantage points.

Accomodation is available for the event at extra cost.

"Here's a chance to brush up on your artistic skills and contribute to a better environment," Ms Beaton said.

"These one-day workshops were popular last year, with participants coming from other parts of New South Wales as well as locally.

"There's nothing like being out there in nature for getting in touch with ourselves, for understanding our own inner beauty and reflecting it through works of art created by our own hands.

"By learning to photograph nature in a highly skilled and aesthetic manner, you can help raise awareness and spread appreciation of our environment."

Ms Beaton said the Day Safaris would include natural history, ecology and even bush tucker.

Ms Beaton said she had "criss-crossed the whole continent" from the Kimberly to Hobart and from the Great Barrier Reef to Perth but she calls the Central Coast home.

"The Central Coast is a unique environment; we have really amazing wildlife like koalas, phascogales and gliders in our backyards," Ms Beaton said.

"We've got fascinating plants like the tallest lilies, as well as some of the most stunning coastal scenery in the world.

"The Central Coast is under-represented and we should get out there and photograph it."

Esther has been a leading photographer for Australian Geographic for 10 years, having won their award for excellence in 1996.

She has been widely published in international magazines, national magazines and calendars, has co-authored two books and produced several exhibitions.

The first Day Safari costs $145 and generous discounts apply when purchasing several. All levels of experience are welcome.

Press release, 18 May 2007 Esther Beaton, Esther Beaton Wild Pictures