Photography is more than mastering settings or owning the latest camera. It’s about learning to see — and trusting that what draws your eye is worth capturing. For many women stepping into photography, the journey often begins with curiosity and quickly grows into something deeper: confidence, creativity, and connection.
At Women in Photography, founded by award-winning photographer Lesley Whyte, the focus is not just on taking photographs — it’s about capture-to-print, storytelling through imagery, and learning in supportive, small-group environments while travelling to extraordinary destinations.
Whether you’re photographing dramatic coastlines, rural landscapes, or everyday moments, developing your photographic voice is a skill that can be learned, refined, and celebrated.
Understanding Your Style (Even as a Beginner)
One of the biggest myths in photography is that you must “find your style” early. In reality, style evolves naturally through experience.
As a beginner or intermediate photographer, your focus should be on:
- Learning to observe light and movement
- Understanding how composition affects mood
- Experimenting without fear of “getting it wrong”
Women in Photography retreats are designed to encourage this exploration. Through guided shooting sessions, mentoring, and post-shoot reviews, participants gain clarity about what they enjoy photographing — whether it’s landscapes, details, people, or abstract impressions like ICM (Intentional Camera Movement).
The Power of Shooting With Intention
Before pressing the shutter, ask yourself:
- What caught my eye?
- Where is the light coming from?
- What is the story I’m trying to tell?
Shooting with intention helps reduce overwhelm and improves consistency. Rather than taking hundreds of random images, you’ll begin to notice patterns in your work — leading to stronger compositions and more meaningful photographs.
On Women in Photography retreats, this intentional approach is practised daily, often with gentle creative prompts that help you slow down and connect with your surroundings.
Camera Settings: Keep It Simple
You don’t need complex settings to create beautiful images. A strong foundation includes:
- Aperture Priority (Av/A): Ideal for landscapes and travel photography
- ISO: Keep as low as possible to reduce noise (ISO 100–400 where light allows)
- Focus Mode: Single point focus gives you control over sharpness
- White Balance: Auto works well, but learning daylight vs cloudy can enhance mood
Confidence grows when settings become second nature — and that’s exactly what guided retreat environments help you achieve.
Editing with Lightroom Classic: Simple, Effective Enhancements
Editing should enhance your image, not overpower it. Lightroom Classic is a powerful tool, especially when used thoughtfully.
Beginner-Friendly Editing Workflow
- Start with the Basic Panel
- Adjust Exposure first
- Bring down Highlights
- Lift Shadows gently
- Clarity vs Texture
- Use Texture for subtle detail
- Use Clarity sparingly
- Colour Balance
- Slight warmth can enhance landscapes
- Avoid oversaturation — natural tones print best
- Crop with Purpose
- Strengthen composition
- Remove distractions from edges
Women in Photography retreats include guided editing sessions where participants learn how to prepare images specifically for printing, not just screens — a critical but often overlooked skill.
Why Printing Changes Everything
Seeing your image as a physical print is transformative. It slows you down, sharpens your editing decisions, and builds confidence in your work.
At Women in Photography retreats:
- Images are edited with print in mind
- Participants produce A3+ exhibition-quality prints
- You leave with tangible results — not just files on a hard drive
Printing is where photography truly becomes art.
Photography, Travel & Community
Learning photography while travelling creates deeper engagement with place. Small group retreats offered by Women in Photography and Travel With Lesley Whyte combine:
- Carefully curated destinations
- Expert mentoring
- Supportive, like-minded community
- No solo traveller supplements
From South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula to remote landscapes and cultural journeys, these retreats are about far more than photography — they’re about shared experience, growth, and creative confidence.
Final Thought
You don’t need to be an expert to take meaningful photographs. You simply need curiosity, encouragement, and the right environment to grow.
Photography is a journey — and when travelled together, it becomes even more powerful.