General FAQ:
What makes doing a Matt Lauder course different from the others ?
I have seen TAFE photography courses that go for one night a week for 8 weeks. How are your courses different ?
Is your equipment able to be used by students ?
Why have courses limited to small numbers ?
What happens if the day / weekend my course is on it is raining or terrible weather ?
What if on the day I am sick or I have another engagement and cant make the course date ?
What happens after the course ?

Weekend Courses FAQ:
I see some courses offer luxary accomodation and gourmet fine dinning meals. Why dont you ?
Why do you recommend staying in packer accommodation and why do we book our own accomodation ?
Why do a weekend course over a day course ?
Meals / Drinks and Snacks ?
Do I need my own car to travel to locations on the weekend course ?
What if I am travelling intersate to do the course and I dont have a car, can I get picked up ?

Please note:
Information contained below is general in nature, if you have a particular need or concern please contact me directly for clarification if it is not addressed below.

I am a totally self taught photographer who over the years has developed and fine tuned their skill with a camera to the level where I am today. The techniques I use to take my photo's is what I teach. My courses teach you what you need to know about landscape photography and none of the stuff that just wastes time. My instruction comes with not just the "how to" but also telling you " the why" and this is an important step to make sure each time you venture outside with your camera it is a learning experience to make you a better photographer.

My work has been sold and displayed to companies and private collectors around the world. I have commercial contracts with calendar companies and have shot for the NSW Tourism, Channel 7 and other government departments like the National Parks and Wildlife. My work is featured in numerous tourism and private promotional printed media and web sites.

I shoot both slide film (Velvia) on my Fuji GX617 panoramic camera and I also shoot with a high end pro digital camera being the Canon 1ds Mark II. I'm a photographer who practices what I preach and I use the techniques on my courses in my everyday shooting. I am always out there learning and developing my own techniques which are then taught to those on my courses.

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On my courses I will teach you the right information you will need to take a great photograph. In an 8 week TAFE course you have to sort through the dribble of what's important and what isn't. At the end of the 8th week will you remember what was taught in the first week. On my day and weekend courses we cover everything you need to know to capture and master landscape photography, because my courses are run out in the field methods taught can be put into practice immediately and from there more questions can arise and be answered. Classroom teaching prevents this.

When undertaking a TAFE course it is also impossible to know who is going to be teaching the subject and what type of photographs do they take ? are they a good photographer ? or someone who can just explain and teach the process. With me as your teacher I believe the work seen on this web site is a clear indication of what I can do with a camera.

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On all my courses my students will use a variety of equipment that is used in my everyday shooting. Students are welcome to use my panoramic film camera if they are interested in this type of photography and want to try before they buy. Students frequently use my additional tripods during the course as they are yet to buy one and some have even done my course without a camera and they have used my Canon 1ds Mark II for the whole day.

I'm not precious about my equipment and don't mind lending it to those who take the time to do my courses and learn landscape photography.

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My courses are limited to eight (8) persons per course as this ensures that everyone gets one on one tuition along with group discussion where all your questions can be answered.

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The main goal of all my courses is for you to get the most out of the day. If the weather is forecasted for rain and bad weather the day will be re scheduled. This notice is given 24 - 48 hours prior to the course starting. There are some courses like the Blue Mountains where rain will actually assist the day as it will provide a great setting for waterfall shots.

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Life is unpredictable and should you need to re schedule your group course booking then that is no problem and you can re book on the next available. If it is a one on one course the same applies. Just give me as much notice as possible if you can. No explanation for the re schedule is required.

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At the end of all my courses it is good bye but the door is always open for students to email or call me at any time for advice, feedback and assistance with their photography. Quite often I am asked for advice on new equipment purchases and to critique new images taken by past students and where they can improve. It is great to see the change in the quality of images that they are taking.

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I can see how the offer of this on a photography course is a nice draw card but the reality of it is this. The cost of the luxury accommodation and fine dinning meals is incorporated in the cost of the course. When doing a landscape photography course you will (or should) be away from your room for most of the day shooting and learning photography so an expensive room is going to waste.

With fine dinning meals again a lot of time is going to be wasted traveling to and from the restaurant when it can be spent out in the field. Also you may miss critical shooting times or have to stop when the light is great as you have to be at a restaurant to have your lunch or dinner. A good packed lunch or a BBQ on location is just as good and rewarding. The money saved on a course that do sent offer these luxuries can be better spent on more camera toys.

Save luxury accommodation and fine dinning meals for a weekend away with your loved one. (but sneak your camera into your suitcase when their not looking)

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When I did a trip to the 12 Apostles for two weeks I stayed at the Port Campbell YHA. The place was alive with atmosphere people were coming and going and the accommodation prices where the best around. I wasn't there much as I was out taking photo's so I just needed a place to sleep/rest, cook and shower.

The YHA's offer all variety's of accommodation from group shared rooms to private rooms. So I leave the accommodation bookings up to students as they may like to have a private room or not even stay at the YHA at all. The choice is up to them and it keeps the costs of the course down for those on a budget.

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The content of a day course is taught on a weekend course. The advantage of a weekend course is having the opportunity to shoot a large range of light settings during the day to hone and fine tune your understanding and confidence in shooting difference locations while under instruction of myself. The weekend course opens up the opportunity to teach advanced shooting concepts and techniques used out in the field.

The weekend course will give you an excellent insight into the world of professional shooting the in's and outs, the planning and dedication involved to get the shot.

All weekend courses also offer an evening Photoshop masterclass where after our sunset shoot and dinner in the comfort of our accommodation we will look through the images of the day and image processing skills will be taught. This will give students the opportunity first hand to see the benefits of a perfect quality exposure over an average one and how it makes life easy come processing time.

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During the course I will provide a continental breakfast and BBQ lunch on both days. Drinks and snacks are also provided to ensure hydration. The evening meal is at the cost of the student.

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During the course transport is provided to accommodate the course size and their equipment. You only need your vehicle to travel too and from the main township the course is being run from.

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Prior to the course starting local easy to get to and access pick up points will be listed. So you can be picked up and dropped off at the end of the course to make your way home or continue on your holiday. If you have a particular request or location to be picked up from please contact me and I am sure we can come to some arrangement.

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