Please note that all workshops under the PSNZ Workshop Series are only available to PSNZ Members. If you wish to attend a workshop, but are not a member of PSNZ, you can join us by completing our online application form.
Please remember to read our Cancellation Policy, below.
Black and White: The Timeless Aesthetic with Peter Rees
20 March 2026 @ 2:00 PM – 22 March 2026 @ 3:00 PM
On this course we are going to explore the Karangahake Gorge, in all its glory, through black and white photography. Why black and white? Well there are many reasons but from my teaching perspective the art of picture-making has a clarity and almost surreal power when it comes to dealing with the formal elements of light, form, tone, and composition in the absence of colour. We will look at the way removing colour can provide an artistic freedom in conveying mood through layering, tone, texture and dramatic light.
During the post processing sessions, I will reveal ways of using ‘pools of light’ to further enhance the creative and dramatic possibilities of your images. On how to enhance depth in images through the manipulation of light, contrast and texture. I say this obvious fact so often, the light at the end of the tunnel doesn’t exist without the darkness of the tunnel itself. The dramatic effect of a simple pathway or track can be made so much more powerful when you start to apply some basic tonal dynamics to enhance your images. These techniques we will explore in some depth.
With black and white photography you are almost transported to another visual world. We will consider its timeless power and how it will also feed back into all aspects of improving your visual awareness and broader range of photographic skills.
The workshop will be led by Peter Rees. For nearly 40 years he has been engaged in fine art as a painter and photographer, with more than 20 exhibitions and vast experience teaching and leading workshops. He brings a painter’s eye to photography and will offer fresh perspectives on how to render the world around us.
The Workshop is based at the Pedlars Motel in Paeroa where accommodation (twin share) is provided. It will commence at 2.00 pm on Friday 20 March and finish at approximately 3.00 pm on Sunday 22 March. This is very close to our key locations in the Karangahake Gorge.
Health and Safety: We will be accessing the tracks in the Karangahake Gorge area. These are relatively level and well formed with some steps where the tracks change level. No long walks are involved. There is a swing bridge from the main car park at the Gorge to the river and tracks. The access way to the Owharoa Falls could be slippery after wet weather.
Small Print: Accommodation provided is twin share, two per room, segregated sexes. All meals, snacks and water are to your account. We will have a pay your own way dinner on Saturday night and will facilitate a joint dinner on Friday night.
Maximum: 12 participants
PSNZ Cancellation Policy
Due to the nature of the PSNZ Workshop Series and that the workshops are generally for small groups and often over-subscribed, cancellations can have a significant financial and attendance effect on the workshop, as well as creating a lot of further administration work.
Although we do everything possible to ensure our workshops proceed, sometimes there are things beyond our control. We strongly advise members to take out the low-cost travel insurance ($20) that Air NZ offer to cover non-cancellable costs such as airfares and accommodation) or to use motels that don’t require advance payment.
- PSNZ reserves the right to postpone or cancel a workshop due unforeseen circumstances e.g. facilitator illness, venue access issues, etc. In the event we do cancel a planned workshop, we will attempt to inform attendees as soon as possible and in most cases you will be given an alternative date to attend or provided with a full refund of the workshop costs.
- If a workshop is postponed, the first right of refusal will be given to those who were already booked on that workshop for the rescheduled workshop.
- Should a workshop fail to attract a required minimum number of attendees to make it viable to run, PSNZ reserves the right to cancel the workshop.
- PSNZ will not accept responsibility for travel and accommodation costs incurred by attendees.
- Attendees booked for in-person workshops may cancel their booking if they give 60 days’ notice prior to the commencement of their workshop and receive a full refund less a $20 administration fee; or where less than 60 days notice is given then we will do our best to fill your place from the waitlist. If we are able to do this, we will refund your fee less a $20 administration fee. Otherwise no refund will be made.
- FOR ONLINE WORKSHOPS – Your registration is final and no refunds will be made unless the workshop cannot proceed.