DESCRIPTION
THE POETIC WITNESS
Street Photography
Sydney Street Photography Adventure – Newtown: The Poetic Witness
Step into the vibrant streets of Newtown and discover the art of storytelling through your lens. Whether capturing the spirit of a city or documenting its dynamic culture, this popular Aperture Club workshop will guide you in photographing people, architecture, street art, events, and more.
Newtown’s diversity and thriving street culture make it a street photographer’s paradise. From bustling cafes and eclectic vendors to buskers, pets, historic buildings, and striking street art, every corner offers a new story waiting to be told.
We kick off the day at Café Newtown, where the streets come alive as markets set up and the community begins to hum. Together, we’ll roam past antique shops, quirky boutiques, and graffiti-adorned alleys, capturing moments of inspiration and creativity along the way.
Midway through, we’ll pause for a break—a perfect time to share stories, ask questions, and reflect, the focus shifts to refining your shots, with personalised guidance from our experienced tutor to elevate your technique.
By the end of this immersive workshop, you’ll leave with a captivating visual narrative of one of Sydney’s most iconic neighbourhood, along with the skills to observe, react, and connect with your subjects to create impactful, unforgettable images.
What’s Covered:
- How to improve your power of observation
- How to identify your ‘points of interest’
- Composition
- Quality and properties of light
- Street awareness and etiquette
- Candid photography techniques
- How to predict and time a great moment
- Approaching people and requesting a portrait
- How to be inconspicuous
- Choice of camera equipment
Workshop format:
Tutors: a professional photographer and a photographer’s assistant (subject to group size)
Class size: minimum four; maximum 10
Time: 2pm to 6 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes before the workshop to ensure we start on time.
Meeting point: Cafe Newtown, 329 King Street, Newtown (corner of King Street and Enmore Road, opposite Newtown Station)
Getting there: Public transport: easy access from Newtown Station, and a variety of buses from the city.
Private transport: parking available at Dendy Cinema, 261 King Street; entry via Lennox St. Maximum
fee $12. Phone 1800 PARKING (1800 727 5464) Some back Streets west from Police Station has free all day parking – allow time to find these laneways.
What should I bring?
- a digital SLR camera or compact camera with manual settings and a built-in flash. Please make sure you also bring the user’s manual
- a lens hood if you have one
- a cleaning cloth
- at least one empty memory card
- at least one set of spare batteries —make sure they’re fully charged
- your camera manual
- camera bag
- water bottle and snacks
- comfortable walking shoes
- sunscreen and hat
- comfortable, inconspicuous clothing; check the weather forecast!
What will I learn?
The Poetic Witness street photography adventure will help you sharpen your
powers of observation, improving your candid photography, teaching you how to
predict and capture moments without being noticed and how to tell stories with
photography. You’ll also build confidence in meeting and photographing new
people.
Further information
Detailed Aperture Club course notes will be emailed to you on completion of each workshop.
Camera kits are available for $75 per workshop if you want to experiment using a professional DSLR camera. Kits include a camera, lens and other equipment (flash/tripod) appropriate to the particular tutorial. Kits are limited, so make sure you reserve one when you confirm your workshop.
Workshops do not include drinks, meals/snacks, public transport or parking
Weather:
If it looks as if the weather will be unsuitable on the day, we’ll contact you early in the morning. In the event of cancellation, you can select an alternative workshop date.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
Please read our full Terms and Conditions before booking.
Re Cancellations please note the following.
Please note our cancellation and rescheduling policy.
a. If cancelled 15 days or more in advance of the workshop or special event date, the cancellation fee is 25%.
b. No refund is available if you cancel 14 days (or less) before the start date of the workshop or special event.
c. If you need to re-schedule to another workshop date, we need at least 14 days notice in writing. Otherwise an admin fee of 25% will be charged. The Aperture Club has the discretion to change or waiver these fees under exceptional circumstances though please note, if the workshop is running on a minimum number only then no rescheduling is available.
We look forward to welcoming you to our next street photography workshop!
The Aperture Club Team
Sharon Hickey: 0411 370 577
Email: info@theapertureclub.com.au
