"You have certainly rekindled my interest so much so that I have decided it is now time for me to upgrade....I really want to pick up my camera now more so than in the last few years. In fact yesterday, I brought my camera along for our father’s day lunch with the family in Chatswood!" Patrick Zuluaga , | “It was bloody good - terrific. It was a fabulous day - I got a lot out of it, like how to work my camera a lot better.” Alan Morris (no, not the birdo Alan Morris, different one) , | "The workshop was fantastic! I learnt heaps of information and particularly regarding taking the time to get the camera setting right before shooting, not to mention which settings to use. I haven't had a chance to get back out there and practice yet but may try for the next full moon in a couple of weeks. I thought your teaching techniques and attitude to photography and the entire weekend were a credit to you and I will definitely recommend the course to others." Julie Watson, Toukley, NSW , | "Getting down at eye level","highlighting the animal/subject with a smaller aperture" and to unclutter the background were some of the points I took away. It helped me to … think more about a shot and how I can get the best out of it rather than just "snap away”… My best shots of the wallabies were the ones I took first thing in the morning. So thank you for a great day."- Wayne Rogan, Sydney, NSW , | “The other thing that really made an impression on me was the time and thought required to set up a successful and satisfying shot. When I find myself rushing and snapping I will stop and remind myself to think through the composition and how I can creatively control the scene I want to capture.” Meredith Foley, Sydney, NSW , | “I also liked the little practical suggestions that came up along the way, the lessons in setting up the shot before approaching the subject, the use of flash in daylight, the little ad hoc camera supports for low light shooting etc. And your research/record notebooks -- that's already got my mind ticking over on a much more systematic and organised approach to my own pre-trip research.“ Andrée Lawrey, Sydney, NSW , | “Really wonderful, really mean it. There were so many little things you brought to one's attention. Every bit is important. You put so much into the little books. I'm taking the book with me (on holiday to Asia).” Yvonne Dodwell, Pearl Beach, NSW , | “You look at others photos and talk to where people are. When you said "try one just of the water" it really clicked.“ Peter Cook, Melbourne , | “Liked the way you built it up in stages; those are the sorts of things that stick in your memory.” Bob Spooner, Central Coast, NSW , | “At the end of each day it was so helpful to share our work, evaluate each other’s photos and develop an eye for composition, perspective, lighting … all the elements that go towards creating memorable photos. I had dreaded this part of the workshop (letting everyone see my mistakes), but I found it enormously helpful, mutually supportive and really fun. Your ability to constructively comment on everyone’s work, highlighting the better aspects and explaining why some shots were not working, was invaluable.” Ali Corke, Communications Manager, Cape Otway Centre for Conservation Ecology , | “Esther is just so detailed and wonderful, with loads of experience and willing to share it and heaps of patience.” Rosie Nicolai, National Parks and Wildlife Service , | “I've never had an experience like that before. It was just so interesting, I was hanging off your every word. After the work shop I've been applying everything I've learn from you in every photo I take. I now look at my old photos and think about how I could have made them better.… Thank you so much for your wisdom Esther :)” Courtney Skinner, art and design student , | "I am so in love with the whole photographic thing and really feel like I have more direction now and lots of things to work with since your class. I am very keen to do another with you in the future, so will look forward to your emails of coming events next year." Jenelle Sanna , | I remember reading the article on mutton-birders in GEO and the striking and evocative images have stuck in my mind ever since! Louise Ray – Editor , Habitat Magazine | It (the article) perfectly fit in, so glad, such a last minute thing. Charlie Lockhart , Home Beautiful! | I couldn’t believe when you said you weren’t a writer; your stuff’s great; feel like our own little coup having you on board. Esther, I love your stories, they are absolutely beautiful; I can’t wait to put them in the magazine....the pictures are incredible. Wendy Moore – Editor , Burke’s Backyard Magazine! | Someone in the office came in today raving about some gorgeous imagery they saw associated with Melbourne Water and tall euc forests....and that we just have to get that photographer to do some work with us in our remote/gorgeous areas of the catchment which we call “Special Areas” and are off limits to the world. The photographer turns out to be you of course. Peter O’Malley – Senior Publications Officer , Sydney Catchment Authority | Fantastic having enormous number of them. So many that are useful - just fantastic. Very exciting to see them all. So many shots to be using and refreshing what I had. Exactly what I needed. Peter O’Malley – Communications and Education Officer , Hawkesbury- Nepean Catchment Management Authority | It was just brilliant to have long-time journal contributors of the top calibre there – you, Bill, Frances, Paul and others. Love the pic. Ian Connellan – Editor , Australian Geographic | Your images are just stunning; we just love them. Thank you James Forbes – Marketing Manager , Nature Conservation Trust |