FAQ
The best way to choose a photography workshop or tour is to look at the work of the person leading it – not just a few top images, but dozens of images over many different places and subjects. Every photographer has a different style and will teach towards their own style. So it’s important to find a tutor whose images you like and relate to. See our travel photo galleries, or more about David here
The better the camera you have, the more we can teach you. A DSLR with an interchangeable zoom and wide angle lenses will allow more creativity. A flash and tripod can also be useful on some tours. However even if you have a basic compact camera the majority of what we show you will still apply. Some great images can even be taken with your phone if the camera is of good enough quality.
Our emphasis is on what you can do with your camera – not what camera you have. The most important aspect for your equipment is to have plenty of storage and battery capacity.
Because of our very small groups limited to just five people, we can accommodate photographers of all abilities in the one trip, from absolute beginners, right through to professionals.
We often find that enthusiasm is just as important as experience when making great travel photos.
Yes. You can take great travel photos (as above) on a phone, within it's limitations. However a DSLR with interchangeable lenses, or a compact camera, can open up many more oportunities and advanced techniques that may not be available on a phone camera. Though much of what is taught about travel photography is about how to see and think, and applies to all types of camera.
Both. We take in numerous sights on our tours, however, every stop is all about learning the tips and techniques about how to take the best travel photographs possible. Unlike many workshops, all our tuition is hands-on photography on location in the field – not in the classroom. And unlike some photo tours we don’t just take you places and leave you to it – there is tuition at every stop.
We take a maximum of five people on our Dunedin day tours and NZ tours so that everybody gets a comfortable seat, full safety belt and plenty of individual tuition.
We typically pick up at 9am, and return at 4pm. However, for some cruise ship visits, we may adjust this to better fit with arrival and departure times, always with the aim of getting you back to the ship at least one hour prior to departure. Read more about the Dunedin Tours.
Yes. We periodically run multi-day tours in New Zealand and also occasional multi-week international photo tours. Keep an eye on our tours page to see any upcoming tours.
No. While there can sometimes be great photo opportunities, it is best to have plenty of time to photograph wildlife. It can often take many days, or even weeks and months to get great wildlife photographs. Often the best viewing for penguins can be when they return from the sea, very late in the day well after day-tours have finished.
We believe we can teach you vastly more about travel photography in the time available if we don’t spend most of it at the albatrosses and penguins. If wildlife photography is your passion, it’s probably best to go with one of the very good Dunedin tour companies who specialise primarily in wildlife tours.
For our one day Dunedin photo tours we offer a full refund for cancellations two weeks or more prior to departure, and for any cruise ship passengers if the ship is unable to dock for weather or any other reason.
We give a 50% refund for cancellations two weeks to 48 hours prior to departure.
For cancellations within 48 hours of departure, there is no refund, except as above, if the cruise ship is unable to dock.
Our longer tours have differing cancellation polcies depending on how much preparation, accommodation deposits etc, are required for each tour. See each tour for details.
We can pick up from Dunedin accommodation, or for cruise ship visits we pick up from Port Visitor Centre, located on the wharf at Port Chalmers, approximately 200m from where the ship berths.
Inside the Port Visitor Centre there is a sign saying 'Private Hire Assembly Point' David will be waiting for you in this area with a David Wall Photo Tours sign.
As our tours are entirely in the field, there is a moderate amount of walking, climbing in and out of the van, and occasional short tracks that can be uneven. We try to break up any long walks with a lunch or coffee stop, so our tours are fine for anybody with average fitness, but probably not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. Please email us if you have any questions.
No, but we stop at a café for lunch, and also try to have one or two coffee breaks at a café to rest, and absorb and talk about what we have learned.
You will need to bring local currency or a credit card if you wish to buy food from the cafés. You are also welcome to bring along your own food and drink if you wish.
New Zealand, and Dunedin in particular, is known to frequently have 'four seasons in one day'. Even on a warm day, some of the viewpoints can have a cold wind, so it’s best to be prepared and bring along warm and waterproof clothing.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as for much of the tour we will be on our feet taking photos.
Don’t forget to bring along any medicines you while on the tour. If there are any health concerns that could cause a problem, please notify our guide, or let us know when you book, and we can take that into account.
Sure. Non-photographers can book our tours, as long as they can handle 'photography talk' most of the day. Our Dunedin day tours, longer NZ tours and multi week international tours visit multiple iconic locations as well as many places off the beaten tourist path.
