Hands-On Photography Workshop in Sydney: NFC Students at Capture by Hyatt
WORDS BY NFC STUDENT CHARLOTTE THOMSON
“The most important part of a camera is the 12 inches behind it…”
On the 22nd of March, a group of NFC students passionate about photography were lucky enough to take part in a workshop led by the talented Vicki Hannan. The experience was organised by Elizabeth Walker and hosted by Capture by Hyatt Hotel, with special guest Chris Yee, the designer of the hotel.
Vicki was a kind and caring mentor with a background in PDHPE education. She was awarded a scholarship by the NSW Department of Education to return to university and study photography. She now aims to give back to the community by hosting these incredible workshops for like-minded groups.
We began with a presentation from Vicki, where she shared her top photography tips, both physical and psychological. She taught us how to position our bodies to capture the best shots, as well as how to get into a photographer’s headspace and identify strong photo opportunities. She was thoughtful, thorough, and incredibly open, bringing genuine passion to teaching us new skills and perspectives.
She then handed over to Chris Yee, who gave us fascinating insight into his work, background, and creative process. He shared the concepts and final sketches of the artwork featured in the hotel and explained the meaning behind it, combining the natural world (represented on the left) with the busy, urban energy of Sydney (on the right).
After the presentations and discussions, we were each lent cameras provided by Vicki and Nikon and set off around the Haymarket/Chinatown area in search of photo opportunities. Equipped with our newly trained eyes and a “to capture” list, we explored key landmarks including the Chinatown entrance, Paddy’s Markets, and the famous Friendly Orange Cat, who was more than happy to model from multiple angles.
A major thank you to Vicki, Elizabeth, Chris, and the team at Capture by Hyatt Hotel for creating such an unforgettable experience. I feel like I can now see photography through a new lens, and I’ve gained invaluable skills and insight!