Photographic workshop offered

Pearl Beach nature photographer Ms Esther Beaton is offering a Day Safari Photographic Workshop for locals interested in the natural environment.

The workshop will be held on November 1 at various sites around the Peninsula including the Pearl Beach Crommelin Native Arboretum and Ettalong Point.

Ms Beaton said the workshop was a wonderful opportunity for the community to further their interest in the natural environment by photographing it.

She has been a professional nature photographer for more than 20 years and spent her career pursuing the flora and fauna of Australia.

"Respecting our environment means understanding what's going on and fitting in with that," Ms Beaton said.

"That's the only way to approach nature photography and that's how I teach it.

"It's not necessary to travel to Western Australia to see an impressive wildflower display.

"A flower so rare, so magnificent, it was declared the state's emblem, is now lighting the Central Coast bushland aflame.

"The waratah, also known by its scientific name, telopea, produces a huge, red flower head in spring and only in the sandstone regions circling Sydney.

"There are only a few waratah patches in the state and the patch in Brisbane Water National Park is one of the largest, with over a hundred flower heads glowing like beacons inside one of the ridgetop forests.

"The winter rains, following on the heels of the 2006 bushfire and the extended drought, seem to be responsible for this year's bumper crop.

"The waratahs will continue to show their splendour through October, that is, as long as they remain protected."

Ms Beaton said a 2005 survey by National Parks and Wildlife Service found that one quarter in the patch was picked illegally.

"Fortunately, there are other ways to enjoy the beauty of waratahs besides picking wild ones," Ms Beaton said.

"They can be planted in gardens and, as perennials, can be enjoyed year after year.

"Another way is to join the Day Safari on Saturday, November 1.

"These photographic workshops are licensed by NPWS so entry into the National Park for purposes of photographing the flowers is done in a responsible and ethical manner."

Ms Beaton said the subjects to be discussed at the workshop included "tranquil glades, close ups and patterns of native flowers and trees, beautiful beaches, crashing waves and ocean-swept rock platforms".

Photographic techniques including close-up techniques, impactful compositions, landscapes with long versus wide angle lenses, critical focusing, composing for high key or low key and time exposures would also be explored.

The Day Safari workshop starts at 9am to 5pm.

Morning or afternoon tea is included in the cost of the workshop and participants should bring their own lunch and drinks as well as their own photographic equipment.

Meeting venue and lunch arrangements will be confirmed at the time of booking.

For more information and bookings visit www.estherbeaton.com.au or phone 0412 456 191.

Press release, 20 Oct 2008 Esther Beaton, Esther Beaton Wild Pictures