Landscape Photography Workshops

Top





Swaledale Photography Workshops

Swaledale is one of the jewels of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is remote being the most northerly of the Dales and sits west to east from Richmond to Keld, and includes the villages of Low Row, Gunnerside and Muker.

The River Swale, England's fastest flowing river, threads its way through a maze of fields dotted with stone barns.

Choose from:


Yorkshire Coast

From Flamborough Lighthouse to Bempton Cliffs there are secretive bays and coves to explore and photograph. The dates have been chosen with low tides and optimum sunrises in mind.

Choose from:


Malham Photography Workshops

Mentioned in the Domesday book as 'Malgun', Malham has been a settlement for at least a thousand years. Traces of Iron age boundaries are still visible today. One hundred years ago, Malham was a place of mills and mines. Nowadays, hill farms and tourism are the main activities.

The most famous places are Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, Janet's Fosse and Malham Tarn and a tree!

Choose from:


Yorkshire Coast: Staithes

Choose from:


Torridon

With a wealth of unspoilt beauty, the area is famous for its craggy mountains, picturesque lochs and abundant wildlife. Many visitors find it hard to believe that such rugged wildness still exists. Indeed, Kinlochewe lies on the edge of the area recognized as Europe’s last great wilderness.

If you have never visited Kinlochewe before then you will enjoy an unforgettable experience. If you are familiar with the area you will know the riches that await your return. Whatever the reason for your visit.

Choose from:



Swaledale Hay Meadow Day

Dates:
Sunday, June 27th - 3 places left
Features:Traditional Hay Meadows, Barns, Stone Walls, Cake and Tea the sound of Curlews and Oystercatchers.
Start/Finish: The workshop starts at 9.30am and finishes at 6.30pm
Cost: £130 per person which includes afternoon tea in Muker at the village teashop which serves all local produce and scrummy home made cakes.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport or lunch.
Fitness level: Nothing too strenuous. You may be paddling in a stream or walking on moors. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots/wellies, waterproof clothing and packed lunch.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops




Swaledale Midweek/Weekend Photography Workshop

We will be staying in Reeth.

This area is very popular with Coast to Coasters/Penine Way so please book a few months in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dates:
Tuesday, May 18th (6pm) - Thursday May 20th - 1 place left
Tuesday, September 14 (6pm)- Thursday, September 16
Friday, October 8 (6pm) - Sunday, October 10th - 4 places left
2011
Friday, January 22 (6pm) - Sunday, January 24th
Features: Waterfalls, Barns, Stone Walls, the sound of Curlews and Oystercatchers. No mobile signals. Dark nights. Free photoshop session worth £60.
Cost: (includes all accommodation , all meals) : £322
Deposit: £100 with balance to be paid before the course.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport
Fitness level: Nothing too strenuous. You may be paddling in a stream or walking on moors. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, polariser, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops






Swaledale Hay Meadow Weekend

Dates:
2011 - tbc
Features:Traditional Hay Meadows, Barns, Stone Walls, Cake and Tea the sound of Curlews and Oystercatchers. Free photoshop session worth £60.
Start/Finish: The workshop starts on Saturday at 9.30am and finishes on Sunday at 4.00pm
Cost: £199 per person and includes afternoon tea in Muker at the village teashop which serves all local produce and scrummy home made cakes.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport, accommodation, alcohol and meals.
Fitness level: Nothing too strenuous. You may be paddling in a stream or walking on moors. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops




Yorkshire Coast Midweek/Weekend Photography Workshop
We will be staying at the North Star Hotel which is by Thornwick Bay in Flamborough so not far to come back for breakfast.

Dates:
19-21 March - FULL
17-19 September - 4 places left
Features: Free photoshop session worth £60.
Cost: (includes all accommodation , all meals): £322
Deposit: £100 with balance to be paid before the course.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport
Fitness level: Medium as there is some walking up and down cliff paths.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

Itinerary :
Friday afternoon: Meet, afternoon camera session and dine.

Saturday:
We will gather early for a sunrise outing. This is optional should you wish to have a leisurely breakfast.

The brave ones will then head back for breakfast.

There will be a few hours in the afternoon to gather breath should you wish explore some more of the area before we assemble for a sunset outing.

After dinner there is an option to review the days shoot or just chill out.

Sunday:
Sunrise is not optional!

The afternoon will be split into separate sessions which will guide you through the digital workflow from setting up colour management, processing your images from RAW.

Yorkshire Coast:Staithes Midweek/Weekend Photography Workshop

We will be staying around Staithes.

Unfortunately due to the popularity of the area, it is nigh impossible to book 6 rooms in one place, therefore I have adjusted the cost to take into account you will be booking your own accommodation. As it happens this gives you lots of really good value choices in the area.

I will be booking into the Golf Club

Dates:
Tuesday, March 15 (2pm) - Thursday, March 17th
Tuesday, September 6 (2pm) - Thursday, September 8th
Features: Coastal cliffs, sunrises, piers, lobster pots, dark nights. Bonus photoshop session worth £60.
Cost:: £249 including dinner on Wednesday night.
Deposit: £100 with balance to be paid before the course.
Cost does not include: insurance, accommodation, first night meal, alcohol.
Fitness level: There is a hill in Staithes. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops


Malham Day Photography Workshops

Malham days are organised around the times of a sunset, so from June to August the day may start in the afternoon and finish late in the evening to optimise the best light. Although we don't cover such an extensive area as on the weekend, we will be exploring waterfalls, limestone pavements and fabulous scenic views back to Pendle Hill and Skipton.


View Malham Day in a larger map


Dates:
Sunday, March 7th - FULL
Thursday, August 5th - 3 places left
Wednesday, August 18th - 4 places left
Sunday, September 5th - 3 places left
Wednesday, October 6th - 4 places left
Saturday, November 6th - 4 places left
Thursday, December 16th
2011
Saturday, January 15th
Wednesday, January 19th
Features: Waterfalls, Stone Walls, a Gorge, Limestone Pavement and a Tree!
Start/Finish: The workshop is geared around a sunset so may start later in the day. Times will be sent when you book.
Cost: £130 per person
Cost does not include: insurance, transport or lunch/dinner.
Fitness level: Nothing too strenuous. You may be paddling in a stream or walking on moors. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, packed lunch.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops



Malham Midweek/Weekend Photography Workshop

No two breaks are exactly the same.

This is why you will get unique shots on your course.

You may go to the same places but they may be at different times of the day.

Before the course, I plan sunrise/sunset times, where they are going to rise or set and which Dales will get the best light at that time of year which can be quite challenging due to the orientation of the area.

I will do a quick check around the course area to make sure what I think is best works. If not I find alternatives.

This is the area that is covered on the Malham Short Break. This gives you plenty of opportunities for sunrise/sunset shots.



View Malham Short Break in a larger map


One thing I can't control is the weather unfortunately.

We go out in sun, rain, mist, fog, snow, blizzards, hail and due to the location these usually hurl themselves in fairly short chunks which are easy to deal with. In the rare times it is dense fog, or very heavy rain we will go and have a look at our location anyway as weather systems can change from Dale to Dale and if necessary make a joint decision on what to do.

We stay at Beck Hall in the village of Malham. The best feature has to be the roaring real fire in the lounge and there is often a race to tag the first 4 chairs nearest the fire!

There is no sharing of rooms, you have your own ensuite room.

We dine at the Lister Arms (the black pudding fritters melt in your mouth) or the Buck Inn (Malhamdale sausages in a big Yokshire pud).

I only take 5 people on these short breaks to maximise individual attention.

The group will consist of mixed abilities, from the beginner to the more advanced user but at the end of the break you will all be at the same level.

We don't do route marches but we will be walking at a comfortable pace for the maximum of 20 minutes at some locations. There are some hill ascents, again these will be taken at the speed of the slowest walker.

Here is an example itinerary from an April Workshop. As it happened, we had to change locations due to the weather but it does give you an example.

The main changes during the year, as you can guess, are the sunrise and sunset times ie getting up times!

What to bring to get the maximun experience from the short break?
  • Believe me, even in summer it can get cold very quickly in the hills so please extra fleeces, gloves, hats, scarves, hand warmers, thermals.
  • A spirit level for your camera.
  • Remote release.
  • Extra batteries.
  • Extra cards.
  • Tripod.
  • Polariser.
  • Graduated Filters.

If you want more information on the above please get in touch.

Malham is a very popular place and you are advised to book at least 2 months in advance to guarantee a room.

Dates:
Tuesday, March 23rd - Thursday, March 25th - FULL
Tuesday, 2 pm September 7 - noon Thursday, September 9 - ONLY 1 PLACE LEFT
Friday, 2 pm October 22 - noon Sunday, October 24
Tuesday, 2 pm November 9 - noon Thursday, November 11
Features: Waterfalls, Stone Walls, a Gorge, Dales, Limestone Pavement and a Tree! Dark nights. Free photoshop session worth £60.
Cost: (includes all accommodation , all meals) : £322
Deposit: £100 with balance to be paid before the course.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport
Fitness level: Medium. You may be paddling in a stream or walking a mile on moors. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, polariser, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops



Torridon Weekend Photography Workshop

These photography workshops are held from Friday evening to whatever time we finish on Sunday.

Set in the heart of the magnificent Torridon Mountains and at the foot of Beinn Eighe, we will be staying at the Kinlochewe Hotel which is ideally situated for exploring the wild and breathtaking scenery of the North Western Highlands of Scotland.

With a wealth of unspoilt beauty, the area is famous for its craggy mountains, picturesque lochs and abundant wildlife. Many visitors find it hard to believe that such rugged wildness still exists. Indeed, Kinlochewe lies on the edge of the area recognized as Europe’s last great wilderness.

You will be staying in single rooms with ensuite facilities and no single supplements.

Torridon is a very popular place and you are advised to book at least 2 months in advance to guarantee a room.

Friday, October 14 (6pm) - Sunday, October 16 (4pm)
Features: It's Scotland so expect dramatic, beautiful, serene, tranquil mountains, lakes and wildlife. Sunrise/sunset shoots. A bar with 50 brands of whiskies, log fires, Free photoshop session worth £60.
Cost:(includes all accommodation, all meals including a set 3 course dinner with local produce.) :
Weekend Friday - Sunday : £379
Deposit: £100 with balance to be paid before the course.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport
Fitness level: Medium. You may be paddling in a stream or walking a mile in the hills. Come prepared for Scottish weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

All diets are catered for. Please remember to state any special diet on the booking form.

Itinerary :
Friday afternoon: Meet and dine.

Saturday:
We will be at location during nautical twilight for a sunrise outing. This is optional should you wish to have a leisurely breakfast.

The brave ones will then head back for breakfast.

We will then go out on location until sunset.

After dinner there is an option to review the days shoot or just chill out.

Sunday:
Sunrise is not optional!

The afternoon will be split into separate sessions which will guide you through the digital workflow from setting up colour management, processing your images from RAW to printing.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops



The Outline of the Workshops

My photography workshops are spent 100% in the field. It is the only way to truly improve your photography outdoors, to learn how to make the most of our unpredictable weather, to be very aware of how accessible your kit is and to prove to you there are opportunities even under an umbrella!

The day will start in semi-automatic mode, that is, Aperture or Shutter Priority, but you will quickly move onto Manual mode for the rest of the day.

You will have time to explore finding your own compositions as well as having lots of individual attention and hot refreshments.

During the day you will:

  • Learn how to best plan for landscape images
  • Learn new techniques in exposure and metering
  • Learn why the difference between film and digital is important
  • Learn how a composition is structured or not

  • You will learn how to control movement
  • Be aware of different light sources
  • Learn how to use polarising filters
  • Learn how to use ND Graduated filters
  • Learn how to soften backgrounds with Depth Of Field

    • I only have a maximum of five people per course to ensure you all get lots of personal attention.

    I try to maintain an informal feel with a mix of abilities on each course.

    It's also your time out taking photographs in stunning countryside relaxing, meeting like minded people and mucking in together.

    I provide comprehensive notes after the photography workshops for you to consolidate your learning experience, and you are always welcome to contact me via email or phone for further advice for up to 6 months after your course.

    Hot and cold refreshments are provided throughout the day.