The Abstract Workshop 2025

WORKSHOP Sunday 19th - Friday 24th October 2025

STAY AND PLAY 26th - 30th October 2025 (rest day 25th included)

5 INSPIRING DAYS TO EXPLORE & DEVELOP YOUR ABSTRACT PHOTOGRAPHY

With Shirley Steel and Len Metcalf

Treat yourself to a week away with the abstract photography workshop in the spectacular Myall Lakes District.

Discover a vast plethora of wild coastlines just three hours drive north from Sydney. Breathe in the fresh sea-salt air and be inspired by the many moods of this inspiring landscape.

Beaches, forests, sand dunes, lakes and estuaries.

This workshop is devoted to abstract photography. Whether it is Abstract Realism that Len pursues or the softer more emotional Photographic Impressionism that Shirley masters with camera movement, de focusing and adding textures.  We study and explore abstract photographic composition so that you can learn to take better photographs. Enjoy Len & Shirley's gentle, supportive teaching style as you participate in lessons and shoots designed to nurture and develop your abstract photography.  You will receive valuable feedback on your photographs from your group in daily critique sessions.  These insights help you take your photography to new heights of excellence.

Shirley and Len started running 'Blurry Lens' together a decade ago.  They have developed a fantastic working relationship and together create a dynamic that nurtures an inspiring workshop environment. The Abstract Workshop has been run for many years in it is current week long format.

By the end of the workshop, you will have printed a small exhibition of stunning images captured during the week.

NB: This workshop includes day workshops but not accommodation, so you are free to choose accommodation that meets your needs and budget.  Read on for more information on local options. 

DATES

Dates: Sunday 19th - Friday 24th October 2025

Start Sunday early evening with our first session at five pm

Finish up on Friday nine pm (dinner and art exhibition on Friday night as the week finale)

We suggest you book your accomodation Sunday until Saturday.

CLASSROOM LOCATION

Batemans Bay - NSW

EXHIBITION 

We finish the workshop on Friday evening with a group exhibition and dinner. It is a visual celebration of the week. This will be held at the classroom venue. Artworks created during the week are yours to take home after the final exhibition. Partners are welcome to this final event.

PREREQUISITES

To join this workshop we ask that you have basic camera handling, operations, and processing skills.  This means you can take photographs, download them to your computer and do some basic editing, such as changing the exposure and cropping. If you’re not sure if that’s you, please contact Len.

If you are a complete beginner and would like to participate in one of Len’s other workshops, they may be a better starting point.

EXTEND YOURSELF

We have had many students return to this workshop for a second time. We keep modifying the content, and those that have returned a second time, found a deeper understanding of the techniques and that it didn’t feel like it being a cloned copy of the original one. You are welcome to return, and both Shirley and Len will endeavour to make it a different experience for you with new content.

EXTENSION - STAY AND PLAY

Have you ever finished a workshop and not wanted to leave, and have wanted to stay on for an extra five days to photography and create art.

We have an option for you to stay for the following days and continue to photograph the area.

All accommodation, meals, and transport is included. Saturday to Wednesday (to photography). Depart Thursday am

Luxury accommodation - though the stay and play may be at a different accommodation venue

26th - 30th October 2025 (rest day 25th included in accommodation and meals)

AUD$4950.00 currently reduced from AUD$5950.00

Please note that Len runs this extension. To book this please make a note in your booking or alternatively please just email us after booking.

GETTING THERE

 By Car

 By Plane, train & Bus

You can fly in to Canberra and hire a car and drive

Need help with transport

We can transport you

ACCOMMODATION

Our classroom at Tea Gardens

Accommodation is not included in this workshop so feel free to tailor yours to your needs and budget. 

We recommend six nights so you can settle in on the Sunday afternoon prior to the workshop, finish up on the following Friday evening and travel home on the following Saturday. We will start the workshop on Sunday evening with a little get together so that we can hit the ground running for sunrise on Monday morning.

Hawkes Nest has a range of lovely accommodation options.  You may like to book a room at a beach front AirBnB or choose from a range of comfortable hotels and motels.

For something a little different, you could consider renting a holiday house or even camping at one of the local camp grounds, which offer options from free camping to cosy caravans.

STAY WE US AT THE VENUE

For this workshop there is limited options for you to stay in our gorgeous venue.

We have large rooms with queen sized beds, for an extra $800 - sold out

We also have small rooms with single beds, for an extra $500 sold out

Limited rooms, first in best dressed.

You will need to provide your own breakfasts and dinners if you choose to stay at the venue.

Shared bathroom facilities.

Luxury venue.

TOPICS COVERED

• Abstract photography composition

• The secrets of abstract photography

• What makes a great abstract photograph

• Finding your own voice in the abstract

• Camera movement for creating abstraction

• De-focusing for creating abstraction

• Adding textures to create abstraction

• Other abstract photography techniques (i.e., holding stained glass in front of your lens)

• Post processing abstract photographs

• Using layers in Photoshop and Lightroom plug ins

• Post processing in Nik Color EFXs, and other programs in the DXO Nik Suite

• Daily critique sessions, feedback, encouragement & support

• One on one tuition when requested in the field and at your computer on your images

• Review of the week

DAILY PROGRAM*

6.00 am Sunrise shoot

10.00 am morning tea (included)

10.30 am - 11.30 am - Presentation on Abstract Photography Techniques

11.30 am - 12.30 pm - Presentation on Abstract Photography Composition & inspirational abstract art & photography

12.30 pm - 1.30 pm lunch (included)

1.30 pm - 4.00 pm Download, process images and critique images

3.00 pm afternoon tea (included)

5..00 pm to 7.00 pm - evening group sunset shoot

* Note: example times. Actual times adjusted to suit actual sunrise times

WALKING AND WEATHER

This is a gentle workshop, which requires a low level of fitness.  There will be a small amount of walking to and from shooting locations, occasionally on uneven surfaces.  If you have any doubts about your ability, please contact Len directly.  He is a qualified wilderness guide who will assess your fitness mobility and find a solution for you.   

The climate in Hawkes Nest is mild. Average temperatures at Hawkes Nest generally range from 18ºC-30ºC at this time of year.  

When you book you will receive a detailed packing list to help you plan for the workshop.    

POSSIBLE LOCATIONS AND SHOOTS

• Lakes

• Sweeping beaches

• Rocky inlets

• Rainforest

• Sand Dunes

• Trees

GROUP SIZE

With two proficient and experienced photography teachers this workshop is limited to 10. That is twelve photography students, one workshop assistant and the two photography teachers. The total group size will max out at 13.

MEALS

All of your morning teas, afternoon teas and lunches are provided by Len's School. We can cater to dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and most allergies. Please let us know of any dietary requirements in advance. Lunches are usually home made healthy vegetable soups.

Breakfasts and dinners are not included in the workshop and can be enjoyed at your accommodation or at one of the many cafes, restaurants, and pubs in and around Kiama.  

On the last evening of the workshop we usually all go out for dinner together to share a glass of wine and a lovely meal.

TRANSPORT

Participants are requested to provide their own transport for the workshop located in The Myall Lakes Area.  Courtesy transport can be provided from our classroom to all daytime shooting locations if required. We are able to provide transport from Sydney if required, but will need advanced notice for this option as space is limited.

Participants car pool to give themselves a greater degree of flexibility.

If this will be a limiting factor for you, please contact Len directly to discuss your transportation options. 

WHAT TO BRING

There are a few things you will need to get the most out of the week:

• Camera equipment

• Neutral Density Filters (6 stop)

• Tripod

• Laptop with image processing software (Lightroom, Photoshop, Capture One etc.,)

• Wet weather clothing

• Clothing for cold temperatures

• Sturdy footwear

• Day pack/camera pack

• Notebook

Len Metcalf is a qualified and experienced trekking guide with 30 years of experience guiding groups to remote destinations.  He knows what you need to keep yourself comfortable in the harshest environments on earth.  Please click here to see his packing list.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• All lunches

• Morning and afternoon tea

• Courtesy transport if required

• Experienced photography educator Shirley Steel

• Qualified, experienced wilderness guide, Len Metcalf

• One-on-one instruction and guidance from fine art photographer and veteran educator Len Metcalf

• Len’s unique and gentle teaching style, which supports you and helps you develop as an artist

• One-on-one instruction and guidance from Shirley Steel

• Gain valuable insights into computer processing software that will make your photos sing

• Plenty of time to shoot at each location

• Calm, relaxing atmosphere, encouraging engagement and connection with the landscape

• Suitable for all levels from absolute beginners to professionals

• A positive environment, which encourages group learning, advice-sharing and support

NOT INCLUDED

• Accommodation

• Breakfasts and evening meals

• Photographic equipment (cameras, lenses, tripods etc.)

• Transport

• Weather-specific clothing

• Travel insurance. Click here for more information.

INVESTMENT

AUD$3450 Abstract Photography Workshop

AUD$4950.00 Stay and Play additional fee

AUD$200 non refundable booking fee secures your spot

If you pay the booking fee, you can pay the remainder by direct deposit.

Remainder is paid by 22 July 2024

No further discounts can be applied to this workshop.

TESTIMONIALS

“ I wanted to thank you for an absolutely fabulous Workshop.

Great workshop leader, great group of people. It was such a pleasure to shoot alongside photographers who were willing to share information, skills, ideas, tips and tricks - and even shooting spaces.

In many ways, it is the dynamics of the group that help make a workshop work so well - and I agree with Thea when she said the nicest of people always do Len’s workshops.

And for me, quite a number, not just one or two, of the building blocks fell into place. It all seems to be coming together and I am really happy with most of the shots that I captured. Roll on the next chunk of building blocks!”

— Pam Handyside

“I was attracted to the Creative Lens Workshop at Myall Lakes because it combined learning about composition and creativity with the opportunity to photograph stark and appealing landscapes (which I find challenging). I arrived at the workshop full of self-doubt about my ability to take good photos. But within a couple of days, with Len’s encouragement to allow my artistic desire and my love of blur and painterly images to take flight, my photos and confidence soared. I learned some valuable technical tips that changed the way I thought about photography and came home with some cracker landscape images that I’m keen to pursue. Thank you Len. A wonderful week. We’ll be back.”

— Jenny Fisher

“What can I say? Having attended three other photography tours in Morocco, Kerala and Venice, Len provided by far the best. Passionate, patient and approachable.
Len truly is the consummate teacher whose field happens to be photography. His ability to communicate the intricacies of what he considers an art form in an easy manner to his students is exemplary. No experience level is judged, no opposing view is rejected. Your opinion, style and views are nurtured and encouraged.
You not only feel you learn so much about your camera and photography, you come away from the experience having benefited from contact with two outstanding human beings.
Thank you Len..”

— Bruce Allen

Click here to read more testimonials.

Full payment is required eight weeks prior to the workshop commencing.

LINK TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS

ABOUT SHIRLEY STEEL

I am a local Blue Mountains woman who rediscovered my love of photography in retirement.  

For 40 years I worked as a teacher in Western Sydney.  I loved photography. I was always attracted to it in galleries and loved taking photos. I shot with a film SLR and had no experience in darkroom and in about 2004  Canon brought out its first digital SLR.  The moment I had it in my hands I was hooked.  My whole approach to photography changed. 

I became an avid reader of photography books and articles.  The digital format challenged me but it also opened another world.  It cost nothing to experiment – and experiment I did.

I came across Len when I was looking for a photography class post retirement in 2010.  Not only did I enroll in Len’s first Photography Master Class in Katoomba, but I did it again the following year.  At the same time I joined a camera club (BMPG) and bought a beautiful printer.  My photography world had no limits from that moment on.

Photography offers me an entrée to a world of art and image making that previously I could not have imagined. It has challenged me both intellectually and personally and has opened doors to new experiences and friendships. It has been so much more than just a camera and a lens.

I love its creativity and I love exploring ways of working with my camera. There are moments when my heart sings; when I see a glimpse of light, an idea, a shape or form through the viewfinder. It is in these moments that I know I can make magic with my camera.

Some of my work is very much Blue Mountains inspired.  I love to find ideas and images from our villages that I can use to create a piece to share.  It gives me opportunities to wander around and know more about the place I call home. 

My real love however, is the more impressionistic, more abstract style of photography.  This is the work that speaks to me the strongest.  I do a lot of work with seascapes where my style is quite distinct. I also do some travel photography like most people but I try to create at least one image from the location that is more abstract in its design so that when I get home I have a chance to create something unique from my trip.

I take my inspiration from art, from painters, graphic designers, and other photographers.

I make a point of seeking learning opportunities.  I have been privileged to be mentored by Len. I did a workshop with Freeman Patterson and Andre Galant in Canada and a photography tour with Peter Eastway.  

In 2016 I felt I needed some new energy in my work so I took the opportunity to work with Jackie Ranken in the Southern Highlands, Tony Hewitt in the Blue Mtns and a week with Len at Jindabyne.  I also joined a second camera club (NCP).  Doing something different has paid dividends, as I now feel excited about my photography again.  

Alfred Stieglitz says it for me in this statement;

Abstract Lens - A selection of Abstracts by Len Metcalf Copyright © 2021