Michael Snedic, Author at WildNature Photo Expeditions

Photography Refresher and Beginner Course

by Michael Snedic | Apr 19, 2016 | Short Photography Workshops and Courses

Past photography workshop attendees regularly mention to Michael that they learn lots of photography techniques on workshops, but then lose some of the skills learned due to not getting out with their camera(s) for long stretches at a time. Some people also struggle understanding the various camera settings and photographic techniques needed to take great photos.

For this reason, Michael has created this new, short ‘Refresher Photography Course', that allows participants to hone and fine-tune their photographic skills. Michael will go through each participant's camera menu, making sure it is set correctly. He will also explain, in easy-to-understand terms, how to get the best use out of their camera(s).

Mammal and Bird Photography Workshop

by Michael Snedic | Apr 18, 2016 | Short Photography Workshops and Courses

This workshop is designed to give you, the photographer, the opportunity to photograph variety of of birds, mammals, frogs and reptiles at close range. Some of the species are virtually impossible to photograph in the wild, so this is a chance you will not want to miss! All species are set-up in a totally natural environment, so that your images don’t have man-made structures showing.

Michael will also give professional photographic tuition throughout the workshop. He will teach you how to take the best possible photos as well as getting the most out of your camera.

Diane Cowley – Brisbane.Queensland

by Michael Snedic | Apr 8, 2016 | Uncategorized

Antarctica has always been my dream… it’s the one on the bucket list that you feel it may never happen and when it does you hope the reality it as good as the dream. It was!! I have been on photo workshops with Michael before (macro, bird, whale watching), and by chance saw the Antarctica January 2016 trip listed. I contacted Michael and the gods were on my side, I fluked a cancellation spot. During the planning both Michael and David Burren were very helpful. Prior to leaving Australia I was emailed information regarding clothes and useful camera equipment hints. This information was a great help given the zero summer temperatures in Antarctica and the unknown locations. Remember Penguins don’t go shopping, so no shops means you need to take all your equipment with you. The biggest hint is a wet weather camera bag for travelling off ship.

On board the ship Ocean Diamond, Michael and David conducted workshops and the group were encouraged and made to feel we could ask any question. The twice daily Zodiac trips off the ship were made easier when Michael and David organised with the ship staff to get the best for the group. When in Antarctica you are in awe of the pristine scenery, the peace, and each day is different because you are subject to the weather. The Captain and crew are wonderful at trying to give you the best locations to maximise the most of what Antarctica has to offer. Even with ice blocking the ships intended route an alternate route found us in amazing scenery. We were even lucky with falling snow, which added to the photographs even though you got wet, spectacular icebergs, ice capped mountains, amazing wildlife, birds, penguins and humpback whales. So go on… talk to Michael and plan your photographic trip.

Diane Cowley – Brisbane.Queensland

Annette Balnaves “Balnaves at Coonawarra’ – Coonawarra.South Australia

by Michael Snedic | Apr 8, 2016 | Uncategorized

In January 2016 my husband & I were extremely fortunate to be able to join a photographic group organised by Wildlife Photographer/Tutor/Writer Michael Snedic & fellow Wildlife Photographer/Tutor David Burren to sail on the Ocean Diamond to the Antarctic. There is no doubt that this was a voyage of a lifetime, & was a very well organised one. We were fortunate that the crossing of Drakes Passage from South America to the Antarctic was a relatively mild event & once we crossed the Antarctic Circle we were treated to an unforgettable experience. No amount of research could have prepared us for the sheer beauty of the icebergs, large & small some with streaks of the deepest blue imaginable. Nor could any of the wildlife documentaries have prepared us for the wonder of the penguin colonies, the awe of the Humpback Whales surfacing a few metres from the Zodiacs we were travelling in, or the drifting through sea ice to within a few meters of seals sunning themselves on icebergs. Or to be able to see & film a Leopard seal making an enjoyable meal of an unfortunate penguin, the graceful gliding of Albatrosses on the wing & to be able to photograph all of this.

Through all these unforgettable experiences Michael & David were on hand to pass on their expert guidance, advice & encouragement, with patience, when it came to lenses, F stops, ISO, camera handling etc.,as well as the back-up photo techniques talks on board.

Thank you so much for the opportunity & help.

Annette Balnaves “Balnaves at Coonawarra’ – Coonawarra.South Australia

13 Day Japan Photography Workshop and Tour

by Michael Snedic | Mar 24, 2016 | Workshops & Tours

Join us on this 13-day adventure, exploring the the culture and scenery of Japan and learning new photographic skills with two professional photographers and tutors: David Burren and Michael Snedic.

The tour starts in Kyoto, and finishes in Tokyo. We travel by a mixture of high-speed train, private bus, and on foot. We will be exploring some of the cultural highlights which make Japan so special. This is not a pure “nature” photo tour (although we will of course be visiting and photographing some natural areas with wildlife and landscapes). Each region we visit also has its own range of local cuisine, which we aim to be able to experience along the way.

Photographers of all experience levels are welcome. David and Michael will be guiding you and supporting your photography during the week. Not just in taking photographs in the field, but also in reviewing and refining your photos along the way using software such as Lightroom.

During the tour we have a number of group tuition sessions where we will be covering practical photographic advice as well as some digital topics.

No matter what your level of experience, Michael and David will help you gain valuable photographic techniques that will ultimately lead to you taking better quality photos.

Anyone in normal good health can join us on this adventure. There are no special fittness requirements, although we do advise you to bring good walking shoes for some of the longer walks.

Kyoto has many attractions: temples, parks, people (including costumed geisha), and even the train station is stunning.
In Hiroshima we explore nature, more temples, and the Peace Memorial Park.
We explore the Edo-era Nakasendo trail in mountainous central Honshu.
We visit (and spend a night in) a buddhist monastery. The rest of the accommodation is in “western-style” hotels.
We finish the tour with several days in Tokyo, which is an experience unto itself!
With two professional photography tutors and 14 workshop participants, you will have plenty of opportunities for one-on-one tuition.
Our itinerary and activities have been planned throughout to provide exciting photographic and cultural experiences
Our local bi-lingual guide will be with us throughout the trip, helping us concentrate on the photographic opportunities and tuition.

On this workshop you will have access every day to two professional photographers and instructors. David and Michael are there to help you photograph the scenes we will encounter. We will be conducting a series of classes throughout the tour, as well as being on-hand throughout the trip.

As full-time professionals, David and Michael are both accredited members of the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers (AIPP). As well as being experienced photographers they’re both experienced photographic tutors who regularly conduct workshops together.

Michael Snedic

Michael is an experienced (20-years) and widely published photographer, writer and Photo Expedition Leader. His photography articles and images have featured in numerous publications in Australia and across the world.

He is owner of ‘WildNature Photo Expeditions’ and presents exciting photography workshops and tours to many wonderful photographic and travel destinations including Australia, Antarctica, the Arctic, SubAntarctic, Africa, Galapagos, Peru, the Amazon and many more. He is also an Australian Ambassador for both Lowepro and Lenscoat. Michael loves sharing his photographic knowledge and passion with workshop participants, helping them improve their photographic skills.

David Burren AAIPP AAPS

David has been photographing since the 1970s (professionally since 2002). As well as winning awards for his photography, and teaching the field craft to hundreds of people, his IT background provided important tools in managing the photography workflow.

He is an Adobe Certified Expert, and has spent years teaching Photoshop and Lightroom at a tertiary level and to individuals and groups. As the principal of LuminOdyssey Photo Expeditions, David regularly conducts photographic workshops and tours to destinations around Australia and the globe. This will be David's second expedition to Japan.