Kazakhstan Drone Photo Workshop

The Mangystau region of western Kazakhstan feels like a place from another world. Vast desert, sculpted limestone formations, colourful ridges, salt flats and deep canyons create a landscape that is both remote and unlike anywhere most photographers will have experienced before.

From the air, Mangystau becomes even more extraordinary. Patterns, textures, shadows and geological formations reveal themselves in ways that simply cannot be seen from the ground, making this an exceptional destination for drone photography.

And throughout the workshop, our focus is on your photography. We are there to help you find the composition, make the flight and come home with stronger images. When your drone is hovering over one of the most unusual landscapes on Earth, we want the person beside you helping you make the photograph, not trying to make their own.

• A workshop designed specifically for drone and landscape photographers. Rather than simply bringing a drone on a traditional landscape tour, our locations and photography sessions are planned around creating strong aerial images.
• Photograph the extraordinary landscapes of Mangystau. Capture colourful geological formations, enormous desert landscapes, salt flats, ridgelines and abstract patterns from perspectives only possible from the air.
• Hands-on instruction from two experienced drone photographers. We’ll help with composition, camera settings, flight positioning, altitude, panoramas, abstract photography and developing a stronger eye for aerial images.
• Small group of only six photographers. Fewer photographers means more individual instruction, easier drone coordination and more flexibility when conditions and light dictate where we should photograph.
• Comfortable expedition camps in remote locations. While we may be far from traditional hotels, our camps are set up with comfortable cots, hot showers and toilets, Starlink satellite, multiple generators for charging drones and camera batteries, and two travelling chefs preparing meals throughout the journey.
• We handle the complicated parts. From drone registration guidance and local permits to legal flying areas, location planning, charging and transportation, we take care of the logistics so you can concentrate on flying and creating photographs.

• How to see compositions from the air. Learn to recognize patterns, lines, textures, shadows and relationships that create stronger aerial photographs.
• How altitude changes an image. Understand when to fly higher for graphic, abstract compositions and when flying lower creates more depth and scale.
• How to use light in aerial photography. Learn how sunrise, sunset, side light and even midday light can dramatically change the appearance of the landscape.
• How to improve your drone camera technique. Work with exposure, bracketing, panoramas, camera settings and flight positioning to get the best possible files in the field.
• How to process aerial photographs. Learn techniques for bringing out colour, texture, contrast and detail while keeping the finished image natural.