Ken Duncan's Guide to Shooting the Outback

Australia’s favourite landscape photographer shares his tips and tricks on photographing remote areas – from getting friendly with the locals to capturing fast-flowing waterfalls and getting up at the crack of dawn, it’s all in a day’s work. Interviewed by Elisabeth Knowles.

TIP ONE: CREATE DIMENSION

God’s Marbles, Wauchope, NT

This lovely scene depicts the Devils Marbles (Indigenous name: Karlu Karlu), south of Tennant Creek, but, says Ken, “Why would you give the devil the credit for something
so beautiful?"

This is the central panel of an image that would take four Australian Traveller pages laid side by side to show in full, but we’ve chosen this detail so you can see one of Ken’s favourite tricks to bringing an image to life – finding foreground interest.

“One of the most common mistakes amateur photographers make is that they’ve failed to create layers in the image," says Ken. “In real life, the landscape may be incredible but when they take a photo it can look flat. Here, the foreground rocks give a sensation of depth.

“To keep everything in frame in focus, from the foreground to the background, use a small aperture, such as f22 (the bigger the f-number, the smaller the aperture). A good rule of thumb is that the bigger the f-number, the larger the area in focus."

But he also warns: “Don’t be afraid of blur. There’s movement evident in the leaves of the tree in this shot, which adds a bit of action."

The other tip to be gleaned from this image is “be patient". Ken stayed for three days at the nearby Wauchope Hotel to capture this photo.

“I’d have a pub meal, chat to the locals, wake up early [this image was taken at sunrise] then spend the day walking around."

He adds that if you talk to people who live in the region, you’ll be let in on local secrets such as wonderful things to see nearby that other travellers wouldn’t notice or know about when following the well-worn tourist path.

One benefit of getting up early and shooting at sunrise is that you escape the crowds of tourists. “There is such a beautiful feeling here; it’s such a sacred place," says Ken of the Marbles. “When you sit among the rocks you go into a state of quiet contemplation and it filters your mind."

The one thing you may not realise from this image is the size of the rocks: “They’re huge!" he laughs. “People go and push against those balancing rocks and you think, ‘One day they’ll get a shock!’"

TECHNICAL STUFF: Camera: custom-made Seitz Roundshot 220VR (shoots a 220º panorama). Lens: 75mm Pentax 67 with lens shift. Filters: none. Medium: film, Fuji 220 Velvia, ISO 50. Shutter speed: 1/4s. Aperture: F11. Ratio: 5:1. Degrees: 225 scan, shot on tripod. Original image size: 6cm x 30cm.

TIP TWO: SHOOT AT DAWN

Haasts Bluff, NT

As with the previous image, shooting at sunrise means you often get the location to yourself. “No-one else is out of bed," says Ken, so you can take your time enjoying the landscape, uninterrupted. The other benefit to this time of day is the light.

“The best light is with the sun behind you," says Ken. “Everything in the foreground lights up and you get beautiful pastel colours. If you get up early enough, you won’t get your shadow in shot."

Two hundred and fifty kilometres west of Alice Springs, the region around Haasts Bluff is very special to Ken because it’s where he has chosen to set up an art gallery and foundation to teach Indigenous kids from the Ikuntji community to take photographs, produce cinematography and play music. The Walk a While Foundation is named after the Indigenous philosophy that you shouldn’t presume to know anyone unless you’re willing to “walk a while" alongside them. For more information on the foundation, go to kenduncan.com/index.php/walk-a-while.

TECHNICAL STUFF: Camera: Phase One P645 body with P45+ back. Lens: 35mm. Medium: digital, ISO 50. Shutter speed: 1/6s. Aperture: f10. Exposure compensation: -0.3.

TIP THREE: DON’T SHOO PEOPLE OUT OF FRAME!

Glycomis Falls, the Kimberley, WA

According to Ken, another common mistake people make when shooting landscapes is waiting until everyone leaves the frame before taking the photo. “That’s my helicopter pilot," says Ken of the man sitting on the rocks in the image above.

“A person in the shot gives scale. Don’t worry about them being there – bring them in! And don’t worry about them having to show their faces. They don’t need to be recognisable unless you’re looking to get an ‘I’ve been everywhere, man’ shot. Also, wear bright colours! I don’t know why all hiking clothes tend to be made in tree-hugging brown and khakis. I wear red or purple, so if I get lost I can be found!"

Bright hues also stand out beautifully against the ochres and greens of the Outback.

Glycomis Falls is in a remote part of the Kimberley. Ken was here straight after the wet season ended, when the waterfalls were still fully flowing.

“This is my favourite style of shoot lately," says Ken. “Finding locations where no-one else has set foot. Not many people would have ever been on the ground here [some Kimberley cruises, such as True North, come in by boat]. I’m not interested in taking photographs of the same old locations. I’m looking for secret treasures. I find many places by walking and driving, and sometimes by helicopter. I’ve spent over 1000 hours in a helicopter but I’m not interested in learning how to fly one. I want to be able to sit back and look."

TECHNICAL STUFF: Camera: Seitz Roundshot 220 VR. Lens: 75mm Pentax 67 with lens shift. Filters: none. Medium: film, Fuji 220 Velvia, ISO 50. Shutter speed: 1/60s. Aperture: f11. Ratio: 5:1. Degrees: 220 scan. Note: this is a detail from the original panorama.

TIP FOUR: Don’t SHOOT EVERYTHING HEAD-ON

Eagle Falls, the Kimberley, WA

The image of Eagle Falls [opposite page] was shot in another remote Kimberley location accessed by helicopter. Ken recommends viewing your subject from all angles. “Don’t just go for the typical stand-and-deliver shot," he says. “When you shoot a waterfall from the left or right you may catch a rainbow.

“Another consideration when shooting such a contrasty shot is that you need to read your histogram. I want to get everything in one exposure. I hate HDR [High Dynamic Range imaging]. Some people use it when there’s no need – they could have got it right in-camera. Expose for the highlights so your whites don’t blow out. Make the histogram go as far right as possible without slamming into the side."

It’s also a wise idea to do a recce first, to see what time of day your subject is lit by sun.

“There is no such thing as ‘harsh’ light – it only becomes harsh if you’re shooting straight into it. This was taken around lunchtime."

Waterfalls are terrific to photograph because the movement of water creates a sense of drama.

“A good exercise to make you understand water movement is to follow the water with your eyes," says Ken. “Moving water tends to blur unless you follow the flow. Through the camera, the longer the exposure the blurrier the water. This was shot very fast so you don’t see much blur, but in the past I’ve shot with an exposure up to five minutes. The water becomes quite ethereal; seascapes become misty lakes. My daughter calls it ‘smudgy water’."

TECHNICAL STUFF: Camera: Linhof 617S II. Lens: Schneider 72mm. Filters: centre graduated filter. Medium: film, Fuji 220 Velvia, ISO 100. Shutter speed: 1/8s. Aperture: f32. Ratio: 3:1. Degrees: 100, shot on tripod. Original image size: 6cm by 17cm.

TIP FIVE: GET TO KNOW THE LOCALS

Arnhem Land, NT

“You need to build relationships with people before you have any right to take their photograph," says Ken. “I had been on the beach with these children and their parents and we were just mucking around. They were pretty excited when they caught this turtle. It got away, thank God, but another wasn’t so lucky."

TECHNICAL STUFF: Camera: Phase One P645 body with P65+ back. Lens: 35mm. Medium: digital, ISO 200. Shutter speed: 1/320s. Aperture: f4. Exposure compensation: -0.3.

TIP SIX: USE ARTIFICIAL LIGHT

Fitzroy Crossing, WA

This boab tree was taken at sunrise, on the main road between Derby and Broome, in the Kimberley. “People drive straight past all the time," says Ken.

The technique used is called ‘light painting’: “The foreground is lit with a torch. I had my assistant go off to one side and shine the torch back and forth along the trunk and branches. He ‘painted’ it with torchlight while I took a long exposure. You could have lit the tree with car headlights but it’s hard to ‘paint’ with a car! Every traveller should carry a good torch anyway, they’re invaluable. I use the brand Wolf Eyes."

TECHNICAL STUFF: Camera: Phase One P645 body with P65+ back. Lens: 35mm. Medium: digital, ISO 100. Shutter speed: 30s. Aperture: f3.5.

These photos all feature in Ken’s latest book, Australia: Our Island Paradise (Panographs Publishing, $50). You can buy both the book and art prints online at kenduncan.com

There’s no better place to unwind than the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges – a leafy and idyllic region shrouded in mist, fern-filled gullies and a peaceful atmosphere.

Wrapped in the crisp mountain air, ancient ferns and ethereally verdant landscapes of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges , you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in another world (or at least another part of the planet).

But this gorgeous pocket is under an hour from Melbourne, a mix of top-notch food and wine, boutique stays and forested scenery that make for an easy weekend away or even a midweek escape. In fact, visiting during the week can offer a deeply relaxing experience, with fewer crowds and more space to linger.

If you’re keen to unwind, here’s how to spend your time in this idyllic neck of the woods.

Where to eat

From farm gates to cosy eateries, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges house a plethora of places to feast. Start your day with a leisurely brunch and coffee at Ripe . This local hangout combines warm hospitality and hearty cafe fare against a backdrop of the hills’ iconic tree-fern canopies. It’s also nestled in the heart of Sassafras, the quaint village that best captures the Dandenong Ranges’ old-world charm.

Next, take yourself on a gastronomic adventure. Visit Yarra Valley Dairy , a regional favourite doing handmade cheeses, or Cherry Hill Orchards , where in summer you can pick your own cherries and enjoy them in the farm’s picturesque grounds. Treat yourself to a tasting at one of the Yarra Valley’s renowned wineries to finish – Rochford , Re’em and De Bortoli are standout picks for a sample of the region’s signature drops.

By night, book a table at either Citrine in the mountain town of Olinda or restaurant 1309 at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley. Both do elevated seasonal fare paired with excellent drinks.

And if you’re simply in the mood for a tipple, you’re spoiled for choice. The Alpine Hotel in riverside Warburton is a historic and character-filled spot pouring pints and locally made drinks, while Four Pillars is a must for gin lovers. The distillery’s award-winning spirits are famed nationwide, but here you can try them right from the source.

Things to do outdoors

two people walking through Dandenong Ranges National Park — Wander the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

A motley patchwork of misty rainforest, rugged bushscapes and beautifully tended gardens, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are some of Melbourne’s most scenic pockets. No visit to the region would be complete without a wander through its lush surrounds, either by bike or on foot.

The Ngurrak Barring trail stretches 39 kilometres through the Dandenong Ranges, connecting the towns and fern-filled forests that make the hills so unique. Along the way, be immersed in thought-provoking art installations and cultural stories, sharing a different perspective of this ancient landscape.

While in the area, wander through Cloudehill Garden & Nursery and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens , situated in Olinda. The cooler climate, rich volcanic soil and consistent rainfall offer both gardens ideal conditions for vivid and vibrant flora.

Over in the Yarra Valley, the 40-kilometre Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is a flat and family-friendly path perfect for leisurely bike rides and longer walks. It takes you through vine-lined scenery and towns like Seville and Wandin. Biking enthusiasts should head to the Warburton Mountain Bike Destination, a network of 160 kilometres of trails that traverse through untamed terrain.

For a more laidback outing, Alowyn Gardens encompasses seven acres of themed gardens perfect for a meandering stroll. The nearly 100-metre-long wisteria archway that connects different garden zones is a highlight – especially in October, when the lilac blossoms are in spectacular bloom.

The arts and culture scene

Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges are havens for arts and culture thanks to their inspiring landscapes and thriving creative community. Naturally, a slower escape should include a visit to some of the region’s best studios and galleries.

The TarraWarra Museum of Art in Healesville showcases modern and contemporary Australian art, with both a permanent collection and a rotating display of thoughtful exhibitions. The building and grounds are well worth exploring: a striking architectural landmark amid landscaped lawns and open-air sculptures overlooking the Yarra Valley.

Delve into the area’s rich history at the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum , a treasure trove of more than 13,000 unique pieces. See everything from Indigenous artefacts to archival photographs and historical objects that tell the region’s story.

On your way back to the city, stop by the leafy enclave of Eltham to discover Montsalvat . This five-acre artistic playground is Australia’s oldest continuous art community, combining galleries, Gothic-style buildings and expansive heritage gardens.

Stay at a local retreat

Re’em yarra valley accommodation — Re’em is an ideal pick for an indulgent stay.

No matter your style, and no matter your budget, you’ll find a suitable spot in the region to rest your head. If the weather is warm and the sky is clear, set up a tent at BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park or Pine Hill Cabin & Caravan Park. The former has secluded camping spots surrounded by tranquil bushland and local wildlife, along with glamping pods and cabins. The latter has powered and unpowered sites suitable for all kinds of campers, and is pet-friendly if you’re travelling with your four-legged friend.

Or, book yourself into the RACV Healesville Country Club & Resort – a sprawling retreat complete with stylish rooms and luxe amenities that invite you to unwind. Relax at the day spa, tee off at the 18-hole golf course, or recharge with a round of tennis or a few laps in the pool.

And if you’re after something truly indulgent, Re’em is an ideal pick. A boutique collection of just 16, the luxuriously appointed rooms feature plush linens, high-end amenities and oversized baths with panoramic views across the estate. A gourmet breakfast showcasing gorgeous local produce is also included.

Start planning your reset getaway at visityarravalley.com.au.

Ken Duncan’s Guide to Shooting the Outback