This workshop is aimed at encouraging participants to adopt a different way of looking at the built environment.

Architecture and the urban environment present a wealth of opportunity to create abstract images that will challenge the viewer to understand what they are looking at and/or to arrive at their own personal interpretation. The workshop will introduce a range of techniques for identifying, capturing and processing abstract images.

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The tutor: Martin Leitch

Martin is an established architectural and construction photographer, recently migrated from Victoria where the majority of his assignments were undertaken.

He spent most of his career as a consultant in the built environment. Having studied architecture at Edinburgh University, he started working on interior planning and design before progressing into major project management and latterly facilities management. This exposure to the full the life cycle of buildings gave him a comprehensive understanding of buildings, knowledge that he combined with his life long experience in photography. As an architectural photographer, he has photographed many small, medium and major projects, on completion or in progress.

Among many of his qualifications, Martin is a qualified Trainer and Assessor, with extensive experience in delivering classroom and field-based courses and workshops. Martin is also a SAPF judge.

The Program

Saturday 9 May 2026

Part 1: 12:15 – 13:45

Location: State Library of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, Meeting Room 1

This first part of the afternoon will be classroom based during which the following will be covered:

• What is abstract?

• What is architecture?

• Types of architectural abstracts

• Working with prevailing lighting conditions

• What to look for

• Where to look

• How to look, see, interpret and create

• Camera settings

• Post processing techniques

• Homework

Part 2: 14:15 – 17:00

After a break for refreshments/late lunch

Location: Adelaide CBD

The participants will follow a pre-determined route, led by the tutor. There will be a range of stops at key locations to discuss the possibilities of creating architectural abstracts and for each individual to use their camera to create their own abstract.

Part 2 Field Trip Requirements

A camera suitable for capturing images, preferrable in RAW.

Both wide angle and short telephoto lenses are useful for creating abstract. A 24-70 mm zoom lens would provide a good level of versatility.

A tripod is a hindrance and unnecessary.

Travel light. Too much gear can be a distraction.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothing to suit weather conditions.

Slip-Slop-Slap and bring a water bottle.

Mobile phones allow you and the tutor to find each other.

Saturday 16 May 2026

Part 3: 12:15 – 15:15 (A 30 minute break is included)

Location: State Library of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, Meeting Room 1

Each participant will present up to four abstract images for group review and discussion. It is preferred that the images presented are not taken during Part 2, rather during the intervening period. Each image will have been produced using different techniques of shooting and post production, as presented in Part 1.

Cost

$100 per person.

Coffee breaks and lunch are at the participant’s own expense. A café is located on the ground floor of the State Library. Neither the State Library nor the café open before 12 pm on a Saturday.

Payment

Payment can be made using your credit or debit card, or via PayPal. Please visit the SAPF website https://www.sapf.org.au/courses for more information.

Agreement

Please read the SAPF Workshops and Courses – Terms and Conditions attached to this document (also available on the SAPF website under ‘Workshops’). Registering and paying for the course assumes you accept these terms.

Enquiries

Contact the SAPF President (David Shetliffe) president@sapf.org.au. After 1 May you may contact the Course Coordinator (Marg Phillips) coursecoordinator@sapf.org.au