tour of yorkshire photography workshop

This workshop has been added in answer to many of my (non Yorkshire based) clients requests over the years, for a residential workshop which incorporates a selection of the brilliant locations we visit on the single day workshops. There are quite a few workshops on offer for the coast, or the Yorkshire Dales for example, but as far as I know, no one else combines all these locations together and more into a single week.

What’s so special about Yorkshire?

Yorkshire, England’s largest county, is renowned for its diverse and stunning landscapes. It encompasses the dramatic Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales and the breathtaking moors of the North York Moors National Park. Rolling hills, verdant valleys, and picturesque limestone cliffs define the region's natural beauty, while the rugged coastline along the North Sea offers stunning vistas, charming fishing villages and a plethora of natural flora and fauna. Yorkshire is also dotted with historic towns and cities, such as York and Harrogate, showcasing a rich and varied cultural heritage. The region's landscapes provide ample opportunities for outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and nature watching, making it a favourite destination for nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike.

Which locations will we explore?

The workshop takes place over five nights and five days. As always, our exact itinerary will be determined by the weather conditions and other factors such as the tides etc, but to give you a loose example of the timings, and locations we might visit.

Day 1.

Yorkshire Coast (Ravenscar to Saltburn). We’ll start the day over on the Yorkshire Coast at 11:00 am. We might begin with a walk around the town of Whitby, taking in the olde worlde charm of it’s narrow cobbled streets and it’s rickety old wooden piers.

Throughout the course of the day we’ll visit various locations all along the coast, possibly including; Ravenscar, Robin Hoods Bay, Sandsend, Kettleness, Runswick Bay, Port Mulgrave and Staithes. We’ll look to photograph the sunset at one of a few different locations, all depending on the weather. This could be Saltburn, Whitby Town or Saltwick Bay.

Day 2.

Flamborough & Thornwick Bay. We’ll begin the day at 11:00 am again, this time concentrating on the white Limestone cliffs of Selwick Bay, the Flamborough Headland, and the north landing. There’s loads to photograph around here, and the geology down in the bays can make for a great subject in itself. The likelihood is that we’ll finish the day photographing the stunning views up the coast, looking towards Bempton Cliffs from Thornwick Bay at sunset. Be sure to bring a long lens if you have them, as there are often great opportunities along the way to photograph stunning wildlife.

Day 3.

Yorkshire Wolds. And now for something completely different, we’ll spend a day exploring the undulating landscapes of the Yorkshire Wolds. If you’re a fan of minimalist, graphic and abstract type landscapes, then I have a feeling you will love the Yorkshire Wolds. I’m not sure why, but it’s a very under appreciated area, and I very rarely see another photographer on my visits here. That’s not a problem though as it just means we’re more than likely to have these places all to ourselves! We’ll start the day earlier, at around 07:00 – 07:30 am. Images here tend to rely more on subtle light than garish, colourful sunrises and sunsets. The middle of the day can actually be very productive, and especially so if we’re lucky enough to have broken cloud overhead. This can create some wonderful light and shadow down in the shapely, twisting valleys and across the rolling meadows of the Wolds.

Day 4.

Limestone Pavements of the Yorkshire Dales. During the last Ice Age, glaciers carved their way across the Yorkshire Dales, dramatically shaping its topography. The movement of these colossal ice masses not only altered the landscape but also transported and deposited a variety of materials, including glacial erratics – large boulders that were carried over distances by glacial ice and then left behind as the ice melted. These erratics can be found scattered throughout the Dales, often appearing as conspicuous outliers amidst the limestone scenery. Composed of different rock types, they serve as intriguing markers of the region's glacial past, offering insights into the complex interplay of geology and climate.

We’ll start the day around 11:00 am. Today we’ll explore the breathtakingly dramatic Limestone Scenery of the south western corner of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Yorkshire ‘Three Peaks’ of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside will all possibly feature in our images at some point on this day. The weather can and often does turn inclement here in the Dales! With such a diverse range of subjects to focus on however, it’s very easy to have numerous back up plans in place. The likelihood is that we’ll photograph the stunted Hawthorn trees and Limestone pavements that characterise this area, but we may also walk up on to one or two more elevated points to photograph the glacial erratics, which provide a foreground to the stunning backdrop of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Day 5.

Swaledale, one of the most picturesque valleys in the Yorkshire Dales, is a photographer’s paradise characterized by its dramatic scenery, vibrant palette, and rich cultural heritage. The landscape is marked by rolling hills, rugged moorland, and lush meadows, all interspersed with charming stone cottages and ancient dry stone walls, all of which adds to its rustic appeal. The meandering River Swale cuts through the valley, creating an ever-changing interplay of light and shadow that provides photographers with unique opportunities throughout the whole of the day. The mix of natural beauty and historical elements offers countless compositions, from sweeping vistas to intimate details, perfect for capturing the essence of this enchanting region.

We’ll aim to start the day at around 11:00 am. As well as photographing a number of locations around Swaledale, we might also drop in to shoot some other fabulous spots in both Wensleydale and Upper Wharfedale on our journey over.