beginners photography workshop yorkshire dales

Photography, and in particular landscape photography has never been as popular as it is right now. There’s so much readily available information on the internet, and various classroom based courses and workshops that it can be difficult to know which way to turn if you’re trying to learn the basics. I still remember very clearly the problems I came up against, and especially image sharpness, or a lack of it when trying to gain an understanding of my cameras various settings and photography in general. Frustratingly though, at that time the only answer to the problem was to read more books and magazines!

For this reason I have developed a course of one day photography workshops that will cater solely for newcomers to digital photography, or those who have maybe had a lay off and need a refresher to go back over the basics. I fully believe that practical, location based tuition in the company of similar minded individuals is the best way to fast track the learning process  and gain a good foundation that will form the basis of your photography for years to come.

What Will You Learn?

• We’ll initially look at the different settings on the mode dial of your camera, with clear explanations of the possible subjects or circumstances, and why you might choose a particular shooting mode. We’ll also shoot in manual mode for much of the day.
• We’ll walk through all the various settings that control the exposure of your images. This will include choosing metering modes, setting your own aperture, shutter speed, ISO and bracketing exposures. We’ll also look at checking your exposures using the histogram, with clear and un-complicated explanations.
• We will explore the various focusing methods of your camera, and in particular you will learn how to control depth of field, either as a way to maximise the sharpness of an image from front to back, or to blur background/foreground to possibly isolate a subject.
• Composition. The art of seeing images and arranging elements within the frame. There will be opportunity to discuss the rules of composition, as well as finding out how we can use depth, distance and perspective to create more dramatic landscape images. We’ll also cover lens choice at this point.
• Finally, you will also become familiar with the various filters used for landscape photography and also the situations that require them. The types of filters we will use include neutral density graduated filters, to retain detail in skies. Polarising filters to remove glare from water, foliage or create contrast in blue skies and also standard ND filters to lengthen exposures and create motion or blur in water/sky or other subjects.

Group Size

Group size on the beginners’ photography workshops is a maximum of five people with a typical day lasting around eight - ten hours. This means that each individual will receive more than enough tuition time on both a group and one to one basis. Although this is a group workshop, I work with everyone on an individual basis on the day, to make sure all points are fully understood.

Where?

We'll start the day at Malham. This is a full day workshop and will include a sunrise/sunset shoot or both depending on the time of year. We'll visit various locations throughout the course of the day, but to give you an idea of what to expect, we will possibly Photograph; Dramatic Limestone pavements, sweeping views over the Dales valleys, barns and dry stone walls, views to the magnificent 'Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent and usually one or two spectacular waterfalls!

Why Me

First and foremost I’m a landscape/coommercial photographer with over twenty years’ experience, and have run a photography business since 2007.

I’m an established photography workshop provider, teaching hundreds of clients since 2012.

My work is regularly published in the UK and overseas to illustrate books, magazines, calendars advertising etc, and while this might not count as any kind of qualification as such, it does however guarantee a certain technical standard. I have been visiting and Photographing the Yorkshire Dales for over twenty years now, so know the area very well. Knowing the area means we can react to the prevailing weather and conditions when choosing locations, so as to maximise our chances of producing successful images.

Please note; Workshop booking dates are non transferable. If you cancel your workshop within 28 days of the workshop going ahead, no refund will be given.