Ken Duncan's travel photography fundamentals for beginners

Four brilliant lessons in travel photography from the legendary Australian landscape photographer Ken Duncan

Everyone’s a photographer these days, but only one man can claim the honour of starting the travel-photography-as-art movement: one Ken Duncan AM.

Often referred to as ‘that landscape photographer’ (and occasionally recognised as Midnight Oil’s main snapper), Ken has shot some 200,000 wall-worthy images, so he’s probably the guy to thank for the pretty field of sunflowers hanging in your dentist’s waiting room. (Never mind the Order of Australia, countless international exhibitions, worldwide fan base or presidential admirers.)

Having set up and conquered the world’s fine-art photography industry, he’s now sharing his extensive knowledge base with anyone who cares to attend his photography workshop on NSW’s Central Coast. At the end of our four-day adventure we’d learnt a bagful of new tricks (and gotten to know a very interesting guy). Here are our favourite pearls of wisdom.

1. Break the rules

It doesn’t take long to work out that Duncan isn’t much of a stickler for rules (his entire career came about as a result of ignoring people who said ‘no’ to him, after all).

“It was a visit to New York in the early ’80s that started me," he muses. “They had fashion photography over there happening in a big way, but when I came back to Australia, photography wasn’t being treated as an art form. I decided to set up a gallery showcasing my images." These days, his portfolio of landscapes is hailed as Australia’s best (and most extensive), and his prints sell across the world.

But breaking the rules is how you get the best images, he adds. “Once I had a woman come to one of my exhibitions with a doctorate in photography, and she was telling me how surprised she was that one of the photos ‘worked’, even though it wasn’t one-third sky, two-thirds foreground," he says. (She had no idea who she was talking to, so he responded: “Lucky this guy didn’t know the rules then.")

His best piece of photography (and life) advice? Screw the technical matters – chase the fleeting moments.

2. Follow your gut

Photography might now be considered an art form (“yes, they call it fine art photography now," Duncan says with amusement. “What’s that?"), but he reckons it’s all about instinct. During the workshop, you’re encouraged to traverse rocky outcrops, scramble up muddy slopes and get metres from stampeding horses or rushing waterfalls – whatever you feel it’ll take to get a good shot.

On a wider level, he tells us that he once felt compelled to put together an entire book shooting American landscapes (called America Wide: In God We Trust), which ended up being gifted to President George W. Bush by then-PM John Howard on September 10, 2011. The very next day was that fateful September 11. Months later, President Bush would write Duncan a letter saying, “Ken, at a time when I had to make some very heavy decisions over my nation, I’d like to thank you for this book, because I’m reminded how blessed our nation is."

The weirdest thing? Duncan says he had no idea why he felt so compelled to create that book – it was entirely an instinct thing.

3. Eat breakfast later

Landscape photography is all about the right light, so even though you’ll be staying in a lovely hotel, don’t expect to get any lie-ins. The best light begins well before sunrise and usually floods the scene five to 10 minutes after the sun has risen, so you’ll be up nice and early. Eventually you’ll be happy about the 4am alarm, though – “everything in the foreground lights up, and you get beautiful pastel colours in your shots that way," Ken enthuses. You also won’t get your shadow in the shot if you’re up early enough.

4. It’s not what you think

You don’t have a huge amount of time to spend yarning at the pub during Duncan’s workshop, but he does extrapolate enthusiastically on the benefits of chatting to strangers when travelling, for the local secrets it invariably results in. “That’s how I found out about the Glasshouse Rocks at Narooma [on NSW’s South Coast]," he says.

“They are as good as the 12 Apostles, but you can get down on the beach with them. They’re an icon in the making." You heard it here first…

Ken’s next ‘Coastal Exposure’ photography workshop is on 15–19 May, 2015. See kenduncan.com

Aussies might think they know what Port Stephens is all about – but it’s time to take another look.

You might’ve driven through this NSW coast town. Maybe even stopped for fish and chips or a quick dip. But spend a long weekend in the new Port Stephens , and you’ll seriously regret not doing it sooner. We’re talking treks across beaches, reef dives and up-close time with rescued koalas.

All in all? It only takes a day before you see Port Stephens in a whole new light, and not much longer until it’s locked in as your favourite family destination.

1. Stockton Sand Dunes

Port Stephens incredible Stockton Sand Dunes are the largest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. They shift like an endless magic trick across the Worimi Conservation Lands , a 4200-hectare coastal co-managed by the Traditional Owners.

Tear over them in a 4WD. Rev through valleys soft as melting ice cream on a quad. Carve down 30-metre slopes on a sandboard. However you choose to cross them, you’re guaranteed a seriously wild ride.

Four rugged 4WDs kick up trails of golden dust as they charge across the sweeping desert landscape. — Chase thrills across shifting sands. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Scale Tomaree Head Summit Walk

A short climb through bushland opens up to the coastal drama of Tomaree Head . Spot Zenith, Wreck and Box Beaches. See the Fingal Island lighthouse and offshore rookeries where Australia’s rarest seabird, the Gould’s petrel, nests.

History buffs can’t miss the WWII gun emplacements. And if you’re hiking between May and November, bring binoculars. Travelling whales might just be breaching below.

Friends enjoying a scenic walk along the Tomaree Head Summit Walk in Tomaree National Park, Port Stephens. — Climb Tomaree Head for jaw-dropping coastal views. (Image: Destination NSW)

3. Watch out for whales

You’ve seen the spouts of migrating humpbacks and southern right whales from shore. Set sail from Nelson Bay to see them up close. Cruise straight into the action, with tail-slaps, barrel rolls and all.

And they’ve got competition from the local show-offs. Port Stephens bottlenose dolphins leap and play. Some tours even spot pudgy fur seals, spending lazy days soaking up the sun on Cabbage Tree Island.

A whale’s tail on the sea’s surface. — Watch for ocean tails. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary

Pop into the Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to learn about the rescued koalas who climb, nap, snack and heal in this natural patch of bushland. Wander the immersive Sanctuary Story Walk to discover more about their habits, then head to the SKYwalk – a treetop platform constructed for spotting these eucalyptus-loving locals. Peek into the hospital’s viewing window, where sick or injured koalas may be resting in their recovery enclosures.

Not enough time around these adorable marsupials? Stay overnight in silk-lined glamping tents.

Koala sleeping in a tree at Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary, One Mile — See koalas in their natural habitat. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Diving Port Stephens

Port Stephens has some of NSW’s best dive spots. At Fly Point, float through sponge gardens and coral castles thick with nudibranchs (AKA sea slugs). Halifax Park has blue gropers and crimson-banded wrasse, while Shoal Bay’s seagrass meadows hide pipefish, cuttlefish and octopus.

Accessible only by boat, Broughton Island is home to a vast array of marine (and bird) life. Snorkel with blue devilfish and stingrays at sites like The Looking Glass and North Rock. More experienced divers can head out with one of the many PADI-certified operators.

At nearby Cabbage Tree Island, expect to see shaggy-faced wobbegongs cruising along.

A couple suited up and ready to dive into adventure. — Suit up and dive into Port Stephens’ vibrant marine life. (Image: Destination NSW)

6. Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters

Not quite ready to dive in? Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters is the perfect way to spot local marine life without getting too deep. But there’s no obnoxious glass tank tapping here. Instead, this interactive aquarium allows guests to wade into natural-style lagoons that mimic the real thing.

Gently pat Port Jackson and bamboo sharks, hand-feed rays, and feel their sandpapery skin with your fingertips. It is all under expert guidance. If you want to go deeper, pop on a wetsuit and swim alongside tawny nurse sharks, white-tipped reef sharks and zebra sharks in the lagoon.

Family enjoying an animal feeding experience at Irukandji Shark and Ray Encounters, Anna Bay. — Meet the ocean’s friendliest faces at Irukandji. (Image: Destination NSW)

7. Fish the estuaries

Fishing fanatics will fall for Port Stephens hook, line and sinker. Here, one of the largest estuary systems in the whole state sees tidal rivers and mangrove ecosystems. Waterfronts are thick with oysters, and residential fish that might include anything from bream, whiting and flathead, to blue swimmer crabs, kingfish and longtail tuna.

If you prefer to choose your own adventure and fish offshore, you can hire a boat from one of the marinas and set your own course.

three men fishing on a boat in port stephens — Join a tour or chart your own fishing trip. (Image: Destination NSW)

8. Taste new Port Stephens flavours

With plenty of activity to fill your days, refuelling on delectable cuisine becomes equally important. And Port Stephens answers the call.

Pop into Holbert’s Oyster Farm for fresh-farmed Port Stephens rock oysters and Pacific oysters, Australian king and tiger prawns, as well as a variety of tasty sauces to try them with.

Take a group to Atmos for an authentic Greek experience over large shared dishes and Greek-inspired cocktails. Or feast on sea-to-plate, modern Australian dishes at the pet-friendly Restaurant 2317.

A plate of fresh oysters. — Slurp your way through the region’s best oysters. (Image: Destination NSW)

Start planning your Port Stephens getaway at portstephens.org.au .

Ken Duncan’s travel photography fundamentals for beginners