About the workshops

What kinds of workshops?

The workshops fall into one of five different categories, details of which can be found by following the links below or using the “Workshops” menu at the top of every page. Currently scheduled workshop dates and booking links can be found on the workshop schedule and prices page.

Who are the workshops aimed at?

Most of the workshops are suitable for new or existing digital SLR owners from beginner to intermediate skill and experience levels. We do offer advanced workshops and these are clearly labelled “advanced” in individual listings and descriptions. If you have a compact or bridge, you will be welcome on the workshops but you will get more out of your time with us if the camera is a higher-end model that can switched out of automatic mode for more creative and technical control. If in doubt it would be best to contact us so that we can advise you.

What will I learn?

To some extent what you will learn depends on what you already know and how confident you are about it. Yes, there is a checklist below of the kinds of artistic and technical topics we can cover, but we don’t do inflexibly packaged workshops. Soon after you sign up for a workshop I will be in touch to find out about your photographic aspirations, experience and equipment. Because our landscape workshops have a maximum of five participants we can largely tailor them to suit the needs of individuals and specific groups.

On landscape workshops we cover:

seeing the landscape so you can express your vision photographically
understanding and anticipating light as a raw material for photography
the confidence to trust your photographic instincts (we all have them!)
composition tools and techniques
knowledge of photographic “rules” and the confidence to decide whether to ignore or use them to suit your vision
skill and confidence to make the decisions for the camera — breaking free of Programme and Auto modes, perhaps venturing into fully-manual
control of shutter speed to creatively freeze or blur motion
creative and technical control of depth of field (including hyperfocal technique)
understanding and controlling white balance
understanding and using neutral density and graduated neutral density filters

On image processing / software workshops we work through typical post-capture workflow scenarios. However, like the landscape workshops, content is heavily influenced by the learning goals of participants, which we establish well before the workshop.

Maximum number of participants?

To ensure that everybody receives substantial individual attention, we limit the maximum number of participants on landscape photography workshops to five. If you have ever attended an outdoor photography workshop with one leader and too many participants, you will understand why this is important. The upper limit for classroom-based image editing/organisation software workshops is eight people. Smaller group or one-to-one tuition is available.

What’s included?

Landscape photography workshops:

one or more on-location landscape photography days
frequent before sunrise starts or after sunset finishes for the best light of the day
some workshops concentrate on a particular landscape sub-genre or location type: waterfalls, lakeside mountain vistas, and detail in the landscape are examples; see listings for details
one day workshop prices and itineraries include a good quality lunch, which is cafe, restaurant, pub or packed depending on remoteness of locations and how many hours of daylight we have
multi-day residential workshop prices include bed and breakfast accommodation, a packed lunch and evening meal. We generally eat dinner and socialise together in the evenings
image review/photography seminars during residential workshops
transport between locations is provided during the workshops
online feedback and advice about your images and photography for a month after the workshop finishes

On image processing / software workshops

See Image Editing Workshops page

What’s not included?

camera equipment—you will be using your own camera, tripod and accessories
bar bills
insurance
transport to and from the workshop hotel or meeting point (transport during the workshops is included)

What camera equipment and outdoor gear do I need to bring?

Most of this is common sense, but here’s a list of more and less essential items:

your camera and lenses :-)
a spare camera (you never know)
a sturdy but lightweight tripod
memory cards (at least two)
camera batteries and charger (including at least one spare battery)
on residential workshops a laptop for viewing, editing and sharing images
cable or card reader for downloading images to computer
bag or bags for your camera equipment, spare clothing, lunch, water etc (smaller bags usually mean lighter loads!)
filters: neutral density and graduated; polarising
your camera’s instruction manual
camera rain-protector—a shower cap, or plastic bag, or something more expensive if you like
notebook and pencil (pencils work better in the rain!)
a full set of waterproof clothing (breathable waterproof jacket and trousers) and walking boots
wellington boots are useful for river and coastal locations (but not a replacement for walking boots)
more warm clothing and layers than you think you’ll need. You may know that landscape photography can mean sitting or standing still when it is cold
sitting/kneeling mat
torch (we may be out before or after the sun rises)
packed lunches are included on some workshops, but it makes sense to bring some snacks such as cereal bars. It is cheaper to get these from your local supermarket than buy them when you get to the workshop
any medication you need and a personal first aid kit is a good idea
a tick removal tool because we may be in amongst the bracken. I’d recommend the O’Tom Tick Twister
walking poles—very useful if you have a heavy camera bag and don’t want to fall over. Knees will last longer too

For image processing workshops please click here

I’ve still got some questions

Please use the contact form and we will usually get back to you within one working day.

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Inspired by the Landscape