Bright Festival of Photography

I have been a proud BFOPer from the start. It is a wonderful weekend to spend in Bright, taking in the sights and a wealthy of knowledge from the instructors.

If you have even a basic interest in photography, grab yourself a ticket and come along. There is workshops for all skill levels.

Can't wait to be back for 2024.

I found that this year's BFOP was very enjoyable, learnt a number of things to take away and try when we arrive home.
I also would like to let you know that all the organisers were very friendly and helpful.
All the camera sales people were very helpful with gear etc and a great day.
Looking forward to 2024.

If you're a shutterbug and aged anywhere from 16-86+, this is the festival of photography you don't want to miss. With scores of workshops to choose from, covering almost every conceivable genre, you'll enjoy a weekend of fun and learning like no other. It's 'festival' at its very best and you get to share it with some incredibly talented instructors who look after everyone from absolute beginner to the more experienced. You'll make new friends and get help when you need it from the most unexpected places. Trust me, this is genuinely good event and you really need to get yourself there! Don't miss out in 2024.

BFOP would have to be one of the best photography festivals in Australia. The location is absolutely stunning, the Workshops are hosted by leaders in Photography and the Sponsors (like Nikon, Tamron, Olympus & Camera House to name a few) give helpful advice & equipment tryouts and great discounts too. As a 4th time BFOPPER I will be back again and again. Nothing is more inspiring & motivating than a weekend with the BFOP Team. Thank you

Wow, every year BFOP just gets better and better! Come alone or with a friend - or even your whole camera club. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. Need equipment? The sponsors can help you out. This year I chose completely different workshops from previous years and learned so much watching and participating in the workshop activities. And then our own personal fireworks display to top it off. Don't miss out next year.

The days were long, the nights were cold
A brilliant event, with so much to behold
Workshops and hi jinx, in beautiful Bright
A class on portraits, one on capturing light
Filters, f-stops, shutter speed and focal length
Camera craft insight was the festival’s strength
The talented presenters were truly sublime
I hope to again attend the event at another time

I had an absolutely fantastic experience at BFOP 2023 (second time attending). It provided me with a wonderful opportunity to immerse myself in photography, learn new techniques, and gain insights from the incredibly talented instructors.

The event's location of Bright is always a delightful bonus, being one of my favourite spots in Victoria, also offers a picturesque backdrop for our creative pursuits.

All the instructors were not only incredibly knowledgeable but also great at sharing practical tips that I can apply to my own photography journey.

Can't wait for BFOP 2024!

Finally attended my first BFOP this year (2023), and I’ll certainly be back next year. A great range of workshops and walks covering many genres. I chose workshops on stuff that’s outside my photo comfort zone and had a blast. There’s plenty of time between workshops to explore Bright and the surrounding area, or enjoy a or while catching up with friends - don’t worry if you come alone, you’ll find friends at BFOP.

Apart from BFOP there is so much to photograph around Bright that you should consider a few days before or after BFOP.to Jess, Adam, Bruce, Karl, as well as the models, organisers, support crew, and everybody else who made this happen.

My first time attending BFOP after online events only. The dedication and passion from the presenters is 11/10. They ensure everyone gets questions answered, projects assessed and constructively critiqued and new possibilities explored. There's also the lunacy that takes place at gatherings that make it such an enjoyable experience. Everyone helps everyone else. Then you find out Cam Blake (thanks for helping me during the trivia night when my team mates left me on my own) is not as tall as he seems on camera, Tom Putt is the larrikin he seems but also an excellent teacher, Denis is the most humble guy and a genius and Matt and Nick have creativity in spades with super patient wives. The addition of Camera House and brand stalls makes this a truly unique experience. Why did I wait so long to actually attend? Prob cos I've been overseas at the time! Adrian Whear and Glynn Lavender in action and an intimate landscape from a Jeff Freestone workshop.

** Newbie’s Tale **
A Facebook feed months ago draws a newbie to investigate
Photography workshop smorgasbord and shenanigans at Bright?
Ticket bought, months of building mystery, finally GO!
Hundreds of smiles there to learn or teach or run the show.
It ran like clockwork thanks to the BFOP crew,
Thousands of snaps and clicks capturing a unicorn or two.
BFOPers shooting, chatting, dining with bevies,
Capturing flowers, waterfalls, sunsets and fairies.
No matter your genre and skills or gear,
Workshops inspire you to shoot with no fear.
Whether it’s a tree or dog or an extreame biker you crop
You’ll not regret the building of skills or friendship from BFOP!

BFOP is an amazing opportunity for photographers of all levels to spend time with like-minded people exploring their inner creativity through a huge range of workshops in and around Bright. There is always loads of support and fun to be had by all, whether you're a party animal or a quieter person travelling on your own! A great opportunity to catch up with friends, make new connections, step out of your comfort zone and learn some new skills.

Simply THE BEST photography festival in the world. An outstanding variety of workshops with world-class instructors. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

Straight up - I am not keen on doing this review. The BFOP is capped at 500 participants, it is very good and I will be very upset if I miss out on getting a position next year.

However, Nick and Matt asked nicely for a review.so here it is.

I came across the Bright Festival of Photography via the 'Down South Photo Show' and 'Matt and Toms Excellent Podcast' podcasts.

During these shows there were conversations on photography and banter that suggested that I may have found my tribe.

I bit the bullet, purchased my ticket and planned to head to Bright. I did my homework and had my options worked out. I was happy with the workshops I was able to book.

Come October, I was more excited that I had been for a long time. Bright was an unexpected surprise. I did not realise how beautiful that town and its surrounds were. The trees, the town layout, the surrounding mountains made me feel at home.

As I walked towards the festival, people with overloaded Lowpro backpacks and cameras of every type appeared. I was getting close. Walking into the festival, I saw the display stands and immediately started suffering from Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). And I wasn't alone. I now felt at home.

My GAS became more aggravated when I found the manufacturers (minus Sony and the other manufacturer) standing there, willing to answer all my questions and to send me away to do workshops with the latest gear.

All of the workshops I attended were fantastic. Every presenter I came across was very knowledgeable, approachable and happy to give up their time. Not only did I learn new things, I picked up a curiosity to try other workshops next year that are not necessarily something I would normally do. Now I was hooked.

Similarly, the BFOP royalty (Nick and Matt) are approachable and somehow are happy to stop and talk. The best way I can describe what they do.they run/MC a three day wedding/reception with 500 guests.all whilst having fun themselves.

I cant describe what the trivia and shenanigan nights involve. I do know that they are entertaining and someone who got up at sparrows fart to attend a sunrise workshop is willing to stay up close to midnight to see what happens.

Hidden amongst all of this was the love for photography and the various people that partake in the hobby. If you have even the tiniest interest in photography, you need to come and experience BFOP and see what I mean.

I am a 50 year old man.this event made me me feel excited, it made me laugh and it even made me cry. I will be back next year.unless my review has been successful and I cant get a spot.then I will be very sad.

Bright Festival of Photography (BFOP) lives up to it's namesake (Bright) as you do come away feeling a bit lighter, brighter and happier. The workshops cover the whole genre of photography from sunsets to sunrises, portraits - light and and normal, abstract, wildlife, action, journalistic, artistic - but also non camera based such as learning how to print, photoshop and green screen classses, solar plate printing and film developing. All of the instructors are very knowledgeable and very approachable. This was my second live festival and will still need to come back next year to cover the remaining genres (and to get my belly laughs as the on stage antics are hilarious!). Highly Recommended.

Well that’s BFOP over for another year and 2023 did not disappoint, more instructors and sessions than ever before as well as more attendees. I’m always overwhelmed by the people who come to BFOP, everyone is friendly and willing to talk and every year I come away with so many new friends.

The vast range of workshops available cover so many different genres of photography that it is impossible not to find something that interests you, over the years I have found that the workshops that are outside of what I usually photograph have been the most interesting and rewarding and I have come away with new ideas and techniques that have helped improve my photography.

I still struggle to explain to people what BFOP is really about, it’s easy to say that it’s just about doing workshops but it’s so much more than that. There is a feeling that you are amongst friends where ever you are and you can talk and interact with anyone, everyone is willing to help if someone is in need of some guidance and no one is judged by their level of experience. I believe that every attendee comes away from the weekend a better photographer and more importantly a happier person.

If you have an interest in photography and would love to explore what is possible then I can’t recommend highly enough attending BFOP, you will not be disappointed.

And finally to Nick, Matt and the entire BFOP crew, thanks for another awesome and inspiring event. Hope to see you all at BFOP 2024.

What a weekend! Nothing better than spending quality time with like minded photographers. Perfectly choreographed weekend of fun, workshops, competitions and loads of laughter. If you love photography BFOP is a must

This was my first ever BFOP and I can't wait to attend again next year and for many years to come. I had vowed to never pick up my camera again after a long illness. I felt like I was home I was welcomed straight away by Matt and I learnt so much from Keren Dobia, Adam Edwards, Jean-Pierre Ronco and Jess Sheppard. I wish there was something like this for every season but I know how much work goes into one and am grateful for that one. Next year I won't be alone because next year my Children will be coming with me. 1 week on and already having BFOP withdrawals

Very well done to Matt, Nick and everyone involved from the Friday Morning to Sunday Wrap-up. Thank you to all the instructors who got involved with everybody’s photography regardless of skill level. It ran smoothly all weekend and very glad Bright turned on its nice weather, I am looking forward to next year.

I have attended the BFOP for every year (7 so far) since the start and already plan to book my accommodation for next year. The calibre of photography mentors sharing their knowledge is just nothing short of amazing. Thank you, thank you. I owe a lot of my journey to BFOP. You are and will always be part of my journey. So much fun, so much sharing, so much knowledge, so many beautiful spots, so many like-minded people. Smiles, laughs, and sharing the love. Love Bright, love BFOP. See you next year!

What can you say about BFOF. I love that each year you learn a little more about yourself as a photographer and you get the opportunity to push yourself outside your comfort zone. I have a motto, choose a workshop each year in an genre that you don't normally shoot.