By Kevin Raber

Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?

The Kimberley is also known as ‘paradise on earth’ and is located in beautiful Western Australia. Where the sky meets the land, the desert meets the sea, where white sands, red rocks and cobalt blue waters come together, here rests the town of Broome and the start of what will be one of your lifetime’s most amazing adventures.

This amazing trip is being scheduled at one of the most picturesque times of the year to visit one of the most remote places on the planet.  We will be traveling aboard the True North a luxury yacht with its own helicopter and an amazing crew.   This is a total photographic adventure with the whole boat dedicated to photographers for the Luminous-Landscape – Rockhopper workshop. 

This will be one of the most amazing trips you have ever taken.  You will have an excellent team of instructors.  Christian Fletcher, Ken Duncan, Mark Stothard and Kevin Raber CEO & Publisher of this site.  Each of them are experienced in the Kimberley and what is has to offer photographically.  They will guide you to the most photogenic locations possible at the time of the day that has the best light.  

The time of year we are visiting we will typically have blue skies with puffy white clouds,  It will be typical to have a short afternoon storm which will provide some amazing storm backdrops.  The waterfalls will be flowing at full force and we will visit some absolutely beautiful waterfalls.  With our own board helicopter (flights are an additional charge) we will be able to explore inland with numerous landings at very photogenic places.   You’ll experience the famous Montgomery Reef that literally raises out of the water at low tide.  When on board you’ll be treated to some of the most delicious meals you’ll experience with new found photographer friends.  There will be photographic lectures by the instructors as well. 

This is a workshop unlike any other you have experienced.  You’ll come home with new portfolio images and a new knowledge of one of the only truly remaining edge of the planet locations there is.

You will board the magnificent True North in the beautiful port of Broome. Embarkation is at 5PM – in time for a cocktail with your fellow adventurers before departing at approximately 1830. Dinner is served shortly after leaving port for the overnight cruise to Yampi Sound. As with all Luminous-Landscape – Rockhopper adventures we hit the ground and water running full speed ahead.

Short Video Teaser

Day One

Awaken early and witness a gorgeous sunrise of the majestic Kimberley and savour an irresistible True North breakfast as we glide past Cockatoo and Koolan Islands – our attentive crew will be happy to introduce the colourful histories of both as well as assist in capturing the best images. Then it’s time to ‘personally’ introduce you to a Kimberley icon – The Horizontal Falls. Have your cameras ready to experience the awesome power of the region’s huge tidal range in an exhilarating tender ride and then climb aboard your air conditioned helicopter for a view of the falls that very few experience! Then – you will have hardly had a chance to catch your breath when, for those who can’t wait one minute longer, Leadline Creek will be the first opportunity to ‘land a barra’! (if you prefer some fishing as break from your photography.).  Before you know it, your first day onboard will be coming to an end – but there’s still time to select a fine wine and to enjoy a leisurely evening meal as we cruise to Doubtful Bay and shoot even more exquisite images.

Day Two

This morning is devoted to exploring the Sale River. We will ‘ride the tide’ on a classic river expedition with beautiful images around every bend. Enjoy a swim in your very own billabong (small lake) before returning to the ultimate comfort of the True North. You’ll be enjoying lunch as we weigh anchor and cruise for another Kimberley icon –

Montgomery Reef! Montgomery is a unique eco-system that must be seen to be believed – and see it you will – as 140 square miles of coral reef rises out of the ocean right before your very eyes! Water cascades from the reef as the tide falls exposing a privileged glimpse of another world! Turtles, dugong, manta rays and every imaginable sea creature abound and the helicopter puts all in perspective!  From sea level or the air this will be a place to capture some special photographs.

During our down-times and cruises to different locations we hold classroom lectures on processing your images using Lightroom and Capture One, and each instructor will present a lecture or two on their style of photography.  You’ll find these lectures inspiring and they will help you see things differently as you explore this vast wilderness.  We will also have time for one-on-one with instructors as well as an over all print critique.  This will be a cruise and workshop that will be very busy and focused on photography. Also, we will have a few onboard parties that you’ll absolutely love.

Day Three

The early-risers will be treated to a heli-flight with a difference – a champagne sunrise on the top of a mountain! What could be better than shooting sunsise with a glass of champagne and a Phase One camera on a tripod?  Doesn’t get any better. The scenery will astound and there are some not to be missed photography spots as the True North graces the majestic Prince Regent River. At Kings Cascades we maneuver the True North right under the falls. Then it’s time for more ‘adventure in the tender’ – a chance to stretch the laces on your hiking boots and an opportunity to swim in yet another picture perfect billabong. The helicopter will be popular again when the first group of intrepid explorers returns from Jurassic Park!  Photography abounds at every one of these stops.

 Day Four

 If you think the Regent was good – wait till you see the Hunter! With stunning red cliffs set behind rainforest and mangroves – the Hunter River is yet another awesome setting for photography and just simply exploring! It’s only a short hike to Jackson Falls and there’s even more splendor from the helicopter! Hopefully we’ll have time for a sunset drink on Naturaliste Island while shooting sunset and then it’s an overnight cruise to Vansittart Bay. Time for some well deserved rest.

Day Five

Today there will be an opportunity to see the “Bradshaws” – possibly the oldest art known to man. The heli-picnic at Eagle Falls is always a ‘big hit’, the tenders will be busy exploring local beaches and creeks and,we also visit the site of a bomber that crashed during WWII. Overnight we cruise to Koolama Bay.  Need we say more.  Have your batteries charged as this is another day of great photography.

Day Six

Yet another mighty Kimberley river – The King George! As soon as the tide is high enough, we’ll cross the sand bars at the mouth to reveal even more breathtaking river vista. Then our journey upstream will take us to the very ‘jewel in the crown’ – The King George Falls.  You’ll certainly want to be on deck with your cameras for this portion of the cruise. Here we anchor at the base of the Twin Falls and you will find endless places to explore. Climb, or take the helicopter, to the top of the falls for a cruise highlight. The images made here will grace your walls for sure when you return home. Just the thought of leaving this magnificence will inspire mutiny! Visit Koolama Bay and learn about the bombing of a state-ship during WWII, then take a stroll at Tranquil Bay before we continue onto the frontier port of Wyndham.

Day Seven

Your courtesy coach will arrive at approximately 0800 hours for transfer to Kununurra and your crew will already be looking forward to the next opportunity to welcome you aboard the mighty TRUE NORTH!

We know you’ll want to do this trip again as you have just visited one of the hardest areas in the world to reach and where only very few humans have visited.  You’re sure to enjoy the images as well as the new friends you have made on this Luminous-Landscape adventure.  Like all our workshops you’ll learn and shoot and more than anything else have a great time and lots of fun and for sure a few laughs.

This is a trip of a lifetime.  Prices begin at $13,095.00 AUD / $12,058 USD (as of 5/11/14).  Don’t hesitate.  Follow the links and book your spot on this cruise to the Kimberleys today.

Information, Pricing and Registration

Full information and pricing as well as registration is handled by North Star Cruises

If you have any question please don;t hesitate to contact Kevin Raber or call +1 317 379 7482.

The Instructors

Christian Fletcher

Christian Fletcher

I have been taking photographs professionally for over 20 years. In that time I have had to evolve with every advance in technology and creative technique. It is such an exciting and challenging time to be in the industry. The advent of digital has revolutionized photography as an art form. It has also bought photography and image manipulation to the masses. Every second person now takes photographs and many are trying their hand at creating a living from their hobbies. Digital in some ways made it easier to be a “photographer”, but it still takes a certain level of skill and understanding to truly master the craft.

I cut my teeth on film and lived for years in a darkened room, mixing chemicals, printing my own prints and framing them. When I think of where I began, look at where I am now and beyond to the future I am amazed at how far I have come and how far there is still left to go. Every month someone develops an new idea or approach that refines photography just that little bit more. It is these refinements that keep it exciting for me. Photography comes second to my family, I place it that highly. Sometimes it can be frustrating, sometimes depressing, but it is always rewarding if you work hard and want to succeed.

 One of the premiere Australian Landscape Photographers, Christian won the AIPP Australian and Western Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year in 2011.

Ken Duncan

Ken Duncan

Ken Duncan is well known as the pioneer of Limited Edition Photographic Art in Australia. After a visit to New York in the early 1980’s, Ken returned home with a dream to have photography widely accepted as an art form in this country. The increasing number of Australian photographers now emulating his panoramic style and finding a market for their work is testimony to Ken’s success.

Ever the trend setter and still the market leader, Ken is deeply committed to researching and developing the latest and best technology to bring photographic art into homes and offices right around the world. With every new release he delights long-time collectors and new fans alike with his own inimitable style of landscape photography. Each new exhibition is more vivid and stunning than the last.

Ken is truly passionate about his craft. Always striving for excellence, he travels extensively throughout the world in search of the stunning panoramic landscapes – or Panographs – for which he is best known.

Recognised internationally as a gifted and prolific landscape photographer, Ken still chooses to describe himself as “… an average photographer, with a great God – merely an interpreter of God’s creation”. The art, he says, is in seeing, capturing and presenting these images to others. And this Ken does with his own unique style and his exceptional ability to capture the very spirit of a place at a given moment in time.

Mark Stothard

Mark Stothard

Mark Stothard is going to join the coaching team on the Luminous Landscape cruise on the True North next year both as a guide and a coach. Mark is not only a passionate photographer, he is also one of the 2 owners of the True North and as such has been cruising and photographing the Kimberley region now for a number of years and has done around 15 cruises into the Kimberley region. Mark will work in with the Crew on True North to ensure we get to the best locations at the right times, which will also take into consideration the huge 12m tides they get in this region.

Trained by his mentor and close friend Christian Fletcher (also coaching on this cruise), Mark often coaches photography whilst on True North and will be there to show case the Kimberley and his style to all that want to listen. His knowledge of the region is second to none!

He is a high achiever, having been involved in 7 businesses over the years with the main businesses being in aluminum ship building. Mark’s previous company built the True North!!! 

To say that Mark is a focused individual would be a major understatement! Having accumulated 3,500 skydives in his time and also numerous Gold Medals in freefall competitions, Mark has applied the same focused and fast tracked learning techniques to photography.

 Mark has a unique style of his own and is passionate about sharing his knowledge.

Luminous-Landscape Article About Mark

Kevin Raber

Kevin Raber

I have been in the industry for over 4o years. I started my career as a photographer with a studio outside of Philadelphia.  During my 20 years as a studio owner specializing in commercial and portrait illustration, I grew the business and was recognized for my wide range of photographic capabilities and a long list of distinguished clients.  During this time I also founded Studio Information Systems and wrote one of the first Studio Management Software programs on the then early Macintosh computer platform.

The studio and software company were divested in 1990. At that time I became heavily involved in the color lab business for professional photographers.  I joined the Burrell Colour chain of professional color labs as Business Development Manager.  During the mid-nineties, as the digital revolution began, I was asked to spearhead the digital transition for Burrell Colour Labs.  Burrell was the first color lab to implement a Hybrid Digital workflow.  I co-authored a process patent covering this workflow called SmartPath.  While at Burrell I made two large digital prints for a client, made from a Phase One LightPhase camera.  Thus began the next chapter.

 In 1999 I joined Phase One and for 13 years performed a number of tasks for Phase One.  These include dealer management, sales management, and the formation of the PODAS workshop series.  Phase One is a very progressive company and enabled me work with a large number of distinguished professional and enthusiast photographers.  Over the last few years at Phase One I ran the well known PODAS workshops.  These were revolutionary all inclusive workshops  that provided a high end and high resolution Phase One system for each attendee to use during the workshop. 

While at Phase One I had the privilege to introduce Michael Reichmann to the tetherless new Phase One digital back about 7 years ago.  We became instant friends and over the years have had the opportunity to photograph many locations around the world together. 

Early on I became a fan of the Luminous-Landscape web site.  Never would I thought I would be at the helm of this great site.  I feel very privileged to be working with Michael and Chris now.  We have many new ideas and plans for Luminous-Landscape over the next few years.   This is a great vehicle for me to share the passion of photography with a worldwide audience.  Photography provides me great joy and happiness and I hope that it will do the same for you and that Luminous-Landscape can be the catalyst for it.

One of my passions is teaching and leading workshops to the edge of planet locations.  LuLa is the perfect place for me as we will be offering numerous workshops to some amazing places.  I usually do these workshops with some of the finest photographers in the field.  Hope you can join us on one of these.

I have a blog with galleries if you are interested.  I do my best to post a new image every day.  Please visit and subscribe to if you are interested.  kevinraber.com

Information, Pricing and Registration

Full information and pricing as well as registration is handled by North Star Cruises

If you have any question please don;t hesitate to contact Kevin Raber or call +1 317 379 7482.

More Pictures

A Gallery of iamges from the last Kimberley trip can be found HERE.

A Gallery of iamges from the last Kimberley trip can be found HERE.

Published May 12, 2014