Workshop Ethos :

Paul and I have spent the better part of the last decade exploring Western Australia’s rugged coastline, immense salt lake systems and industrial interior through the lens of aerial photography. Over that time we’ve watched modern drone technology completely transform what’s creatively possible from above, allowing us to capture imagery and perspectives that simply weren’t achievable only a few years ago.

In 2027 we’re excited to once again invite a small group of photographers to join us on one of the most visually diverse aerial photography workshops we offer, beginning in Kalgoorlie before travelling through Lake Lefroy, the Southern Wheatbelt salt lakes and a range of incredible locations along the way.

The core of this workshop is now heavily focused around drone based aerial photography and the incredible flexibility modern drones provide. Rather than being locked into the speed and limitations of traditional aircraft, drones allow us to slow down, refine compositions, respond to changing light and weather conditions and work landscapes in a far more immersive and creative way. From giant abstract tailings ponds through to delicate salt textures and reflective lake systems, this approach gives participants an enormous amount of creative freedom throughout the trip.

Alongside the drone based component, participants will also have the option to join a scenic doors-off Cessna flight over selected regions of the Goldfields and surrounding salt lake systems. While entirely optional, these flights still offer an incredible sense of scale and provide a completely different perspective over some of the larger industrial and natural landscapes we encounter throughout the workshop.

Our goal is for every participant to head home with a diverse catalogue of powerful aerial imagery while also gaining a much deeper understanding of our approach to image making, exploration and working creatively from above. Whether you’re creating bold abstract compositions over mining infrastructure, isolating subtle textures within the salt lakes or experimenting with reflections and colour at dawn, Paul and I will help guide you through both the technical and creative sides of aerial photography.

This workshop is extensive and immersive by design. By the end of the trip you’ll have covered an enormous range of landscapes and subject matter, often shooting across long days, early mornings and huge sections of regional Western Australia. The pace can be moderate at times, but the reward is an incredibly diverse collection of imagery and a genuine sense of adventure throughout the journey.

So join us as we explore the surreal industrial landscapes of Kalgoorlie, the endless textures of Lake Lefroy and the breathtaking salt lakes of the Southern Wheatbelt from above. We can’t wait to share these incredible regions with you.

About The Locations.

Kalgoorlie and the Super Pit

The Super Pit is a 3.7-kilometer-long open-pit gold mine located on the historic Golden Mile. This mine, which produces almost 900,000 ounces of gold annually, is surrounded by tailings ponds that showcase vivid colours and abstract shapes. Capturing the environmental scale and patterns from a doors-off helicopter provides a rare chance to document the impact of human intervention on the landscape.

Lake Lefroy

Lake Lefroy, near Kambalda, is a vast salt flat known for its reflective surfaces and striking salt ridges. The lake offers a mix of untouched beauty on its eastern edge and industrial mining operations in the centre. Participants will cover this area in our doors off Helicopter, capturing abstract patterns and contrasts between nature and industry.

Lake Grace

As we journey deeper into the Wheatbelt, we’ll visit Lake Grace, another stunning Salt Lake renowned for its patterns created by mineral deposits and seasonal water levels. Drone photography over this lake reveals geometric compositions that shift throughout the day, perfect for experimenting with light and shadow.

Alcoa Tailings Ponds

On our final day, we’ll stop by the Alcoa tailings ponds south of Perth. These ponds provide an opportunity to photograph artful industrial patterns from above, with a palette of turquoise, rust, and emerald hues formed by the mining processes.

Dumbleyung Lake

We’ll also visit Lake Dumbleyung, famous for its connection to Australian history, where Donald Campbell set the world water speed record in 1964. Today, the lake offers stunning reflective surfaces ideal for aerial compositions, especially during the golden hours.

Salt Lakes near the Stirling Ranges

Formed over thousands of years through evaporation, these salt lakes shift colours from pink and white to deep blues. We’ll shoot here at sunrise and sunset to capture the interplay between light and reflective surfaces, rounding off the creative side of the workshop.

 Fitzgerald National Park

This stunning, biodiverse coastal park is home to dramatic cliffs, expansive beaches, and coastal heathlands, offering endless aerial photography opportunities. We’ll capture the rugged coastline, sweeping vistas, and unique vegetation that make this park one of Australia’s most celebrated natural landscapes. The vibrant colors and textures of the park, especially near the shoreline, create ideal conditions for capturing abstract aerial compositions.

For any further details just click book now or inquiries please contact Scott at scott@scottjon.com.au or call 0447744005.