Workshops
ONE DAY YORKSHIRE DALES - £175
This workshop is being run by Landscape Locations. Please book via their website. https://landscapelocations.com/product/one-day-yorkshire-dales-june-2024/
There is not a more delightful and enchanting place in the UK during a gorgeous early summer’s day than the Yorkshire Dales. At this time of the year in early June, the meadows of Muker and Swaledale blossom with a carpet of bright yellow buttercups and white clover which surround the quaint gorgeous stone barns that line the meadows old standing stone walls. When the sun shines down on the abundance of colour mixed with a beautiful pure blue sky and white fluffy clouds, the views are exquisite.
Our one day photography workshop will start at 8am at the lovely little village of West Burton. Here you will meet your two workshop tutors, Alistair How and Mal Crawford. You will leave your vehicle in the village for the duration of the workshop and climb onboard our new eight seater Mercedes V-Class minibus where you will be transported around for the rest of the day in luxury.
Our first location of the day are the stunning Cauldron Falls of West Burton in Wensleydale, where a picturesque waterfall drops down into a gorgeous plunge pool that was once painted by Turner during his wander around the Dales. This location will allow you several opportunities to capture some wonderful compositions.
After our start at Cauldron Falls, we shall venture onwards to Aysgarth Falls nearby which are arguably Yorkshire’s most famous waterfalls. We shall concentrate on both the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. The Lower Falls starred in the 1991 movie ‘Robin Hood and the Prince of Thieves’ starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman however both falls are very photogenic.
After lunch, the early afternoon will be spent wandering among the buttercups and stone barns of the quaint village of Muker. Grassy paths lead you through a gorgeous array of flower filled fields with stone barns and beautiful trees dotted around.
To conclude your day, no trip to the Yorkshire Dales is complete without visiting and photographing the field patterns of Swaledale from high above as the stone walls provide endless opportunities to capture some wonderful abstract images as well as some iconic and beautiful pattern photographs. Black and white photography will be explored on the day and tuition from both tutors on how to shoot in monochrome will be given. All in all, there is something for everyone on this very popular one day workshop.
Please bring your own lunch and drinks
Summer Wild Flower Meadows of Muker - £10 - SOLD OUT
In conjunction with the Royal Photographic Society
The meadows at Muker are rightly renowned as a one of the best places to see the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. The meadows are both a SSSI and SAC, affording them particular conservation rights. The Upper Swaledale area combines wild flower meadows with stone walls and cow barns, against a backdrop of the dale itself. We will visit some of the most scenic locations but also alternative views of Swaledale and the cow barns. This might include Keld.
This event is bookable via the RPS Billetto Site
https://billetto.co.uk/e/member-led-event-summer-wild-flower-meadows-of-muker-tickets-888568
Northumberland Workshop with Landscape Locations - £895
This workshop is run by Landscape Locations. Please book using their website. https://landscapelocations.com/product/northumberland-photo-tour-sept-2024/
Northumberland offers some of the most dramatic coastlines in the UK. Situated on the eastern side of northern England, this fascinating stretch of coastline provides the seascape photographer with miles of outstanding beaches, a huge variety of rock formations not to mention castles aplenty.
The Northumberland coastline is dominated by the castles of Bamburgh, Lindsifarne, and Dunstanburgh but there is much more to Northumberland than just castles. On our specially created three day, two night workshop, we will be visiting the above castles as well as several other locations that will be dictated by the tide times, weather conditions, and the direction of the sun. There are so many stunning locations to visit, from the big, smooth boulder beach of Embleton Bay to the quaint harbour of Beadnell, from the fishing village of Seahouses with its numerous fishing boats and fantastic rock formations to the unique position of being stranded on Holy Island at high tide and photographing the 16th century castle positioned high up on Basalt volcanic rock.
Of course, no visit to Northumberland is complete without standing on the gorgeous beach at Bamburgh at dawn and watching the sunrise side lighting the majestic castle. Little wonder why Northumberland is one of the top destinations for seascape photographers in the UK.
Accommodation for this workshop is two nights bed and breakfast at The Victoria Hotel in Bamburgh, which is a two minute walk from Bamburgh Castle and all of the locations that we will be visiting are located nearby. You will receive dedicated professional 1-2-1 photography tuition from two workshop tutors and all transport between locations will be in my own personally owned eight seat luxury Mercedes V-Class minibus.
All in all, there is something for everyone on this workshop. Places are limited to just six with a ratio of 1:3 with two workshop leaders. I hope you can join Alistair How and Mal Crawford for what will be a fantastic three days on one of the UK’s most beautiful stretches of coastline.
ONE DAY YORKSHIRE DALES - £175
This workshop is being run by Landscape Locations please book on their website. https://landscapelocations.com/product/yorkshire-dales-one-day-workshop/
There is not a more delightful and enchanting place in the UK during a gorgeous spring day than in the Yorkshire Dales. At this time of the year, the fells come alive with a carpet of lush, green grass and when the sun shines down on the abundance of colour mixed with a beautiful pure blue sky and white fluffy clouds, there is genuinely no place no place better.
Our day will start at 10am at the Watersink Car Park at Malham Tarn. Here you will meet your two workshop tutors, Alistair How and Mal Crawford. You will leave your vehicle in the car park for the duration of the workshop and climb onboard our new eight seater Mercedes V-Class minibus where you will be transported around for the rest of the day in luxury.
Our first photography location of the workshop is the iconic Malham tree. This wonderful lone ash tree is situated in the middle of a beautiful section of limestone pavement (rocks). The lack of a backdrop has this tree dominate the scene. Composition is the most challenging aspect in photographing this location and some time will be spent here to allow you the freedom to discover your own angles and subjects.
Once we have photographed the tree, we will break for lunch (bring your own pack lunch). Hot drinks will be provided.
After lunch, we will head a mile east to one of the prettiest settings for a waterfall in Yorkshire, Janet’s Foss. This gorgeous quaint waterfall resides in a magical wood and offers a variety of compositions for the water photographer. Here you can practice the art of using neutral density filters to create long exposure images (smooth milky looking water) or use a polariser to darken wet rocks.
Our third location of the day will have you walk just 400m from Janet’s Foss to one of the most impressive locations in the Yorkshire Dales, the hidden limestone gorge of Gordale Scar. The gorge features two waterfalls and the cliffs stand at a height of 330ft. It is a very impressive location that will have you think a little more creatively if your desire is to capture something unique.
Late afternoon will see us venture onto our fourth location for the day, the nearby Winskill Stones Nature Reserve. Here wonderful old Hawthorn trees dominate the landscape while the surrounding limestone rocks open up many opportunities for a variety of compositions. This is a very easy location to access, unlike say Twistleton Scar on the west side of Ingleton.
For our final location of the day, we return back to Malham Tarn to capture sunset. There is a delightful stone boathouse that will be directly in line with the setting sun and with some good fortune, a beautiful colourful sky will finish off what will be an interesting and photogenic day.
All in all, this one day Yorkshire Dales photography workshop offers a wide variety of subjects to photograph and with a ratio of two workshop tutors to just six participants, plenty of tuition is on offer.
ONE DAY YORKSHIRE DALES - £175
This workshop is run by Landscape Locations. Please book via their website. https://landscapelocations.com/product/one-day-yorkshire-dales-april-2024/
There is not a more delightful and enchanting place in the UK during a gorgeous spring day than in the Yorkshire Dales. At this time of the year, the fells come alive with a carpet of lush, green grass and when the sun shines down on the abundance of colour mixed with a beautiful pure blue sky and white fluffy clouds, there is genuinely no place no place better.
Our day will start at 10am at the Ribblehead Viaduct, where you will meet your two workshop tutors, Alistair How and Mal Crawford. You will leave your vehicle in the roadside layby and climb onboard our new eight seater Mercedes V-Class minibus where you will be transported around for the rest of the day.
Our first photography location of the workshop is Dent Viaduct. This wonderful blue limestone 596ft long, 100ft high ten arched Grade II listed viaduct was built in 1875 and is the second major viaduct on the Settle to Carlisle line north of Ribblehead five miles to the south. The viaduct makes a wonderful subject to photograph as the sun will be perfectly positioned behind us to illuminate the arches and the surrounding scenery is outstanding.
Once we have photographed the viaduct, we will break for lunch at the Seasons Bakery, which is a fantastic family-run artisan bakery in Ingleton.
After lunch, we will head to the village of Austwick where we will start our hike up a hill called Norber on the southern slopes of Ingleborough to discover one the UK’s finest groups of glacial erratic boulders, the Norber Erratics. The erratics are huge sandstone boulders that are precariously balanced on tiny limestone rocks. It is a very photogenic location that is unfrequently visited by photographers.
Our third location of the day takes us back towards Ribblehead and a wonderful gnarly lone tree at Southerscales that is surrounded by limestone rocks makes for an impressive sight, especially if matched to a fantastic sky. Here we can play and experiment with lots of different compositions using a variety of lenses.
To finish the day, we shall head to the most famous and arguably the most iconic structure in Yorkshire, the Ribblehead Viaduct. We will spend the final 90 minutes of the day photographing the 400 metre long, 24 arched viaduct at sunset. This structure looks hugely impressive and can be photographed from a variety of angles with an option to include foreground interest such as the limestone pavement that is located nearby.
All in all, this one day Yorkshire Dales photography workshops off a wide variety of subjects to shoot and with a ratio of two workshop tutors to just six participants, plenty of tuition is on offer.
London Night Shoot - £35
The skyline of London provides an amazing opportunity to shoot city scapes. Not just the range of signature or land mark buildings, but also the River Thames which will be our focus for the evening.
We will be based around the St Pauls area which provides a number of excellent locations, some well known and some less so. In addition to night shooting of landmark buildings we will also have a go at long exposures
North Wales - February 2024 - 2 places remaining - £350
North Wales provides a highly accessible playground of landscape locations, from the majestic Snowdon range to glacial lakes and valleys. Amongst the best locations are the three valleys containing Llyn Cwellyn, Llyn Perris and Padam, and Llyn Ogwen, N Wales also offers the opportunity to explore the coast and Anglesey, both offering seascape opportunities and a different location should the weather be poor in the mountains.
No trip to North Wales would be complete without exploring the industrial past of the region. The redundant slate mines and workings provide a juxtaposition between nature and the man made.
There remains a huge amount of industrial heritage being gradually taken back by nature and a we are likely to visit the vast and often confusing Dinorwic slate mine to photograph not only Nant Peris, but also the former buildings and equipment.
Within Nant Ffrancon we will be able to take in Cwm Idwal, possibly one of the most photogenic locations in the area, plus the waterfalls at Ogwen cottage.
The workshop group is limited to 3 to ensure that we can access all the locations as a small group with maximum time for photography tuition. With a small group we can remain flexible to take advantage of changing weather.
Exertion Level - Medium – All locations within a mile from the car, some much closer. Many of the tracks are well paved but there is some steep areas. The itinerary will be customised for the group and there is plenty of see that is even within walking distance of parking areas. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required.
We will stay at the Glan Aber Hotel in Betws-y-Coed which provides excellent from the East into the central and southern areas. All rooms will be single occupancy B&B. We will meet there in the late afternoon on the 20th. It also provides access to two amazing waterfall areas – Swallow Falls and Fairy Glen. Although the days are short, this means that sunrise and sunset are at reasonable times and we can take advantage of some night photography as well. Hopefully there will be snow on the mountains to add to the experience. In the evenings there will be ample time to critique and edit photographs taken during the day.
Transport during the workshop will be by car. I can offer a lift to N Wales from Harrogate for a share of the fuel costs.
Excluded - Evening meals, packed lunches (we will stop at suitable times at shops or cafes), drinks and snacks , Travel and camera insurance
Glencoe in winter - sold out
Glencoe and Rannoch Moor offer some of the most photogenic landscapes in Scotland. Situated in the Scottish Highlands, the deep valley and mountains were carved out centuries ago by glaciers and volcanic explosions. Among the best locations are Buachaille Etive Mòr and Stob Dearg, the dreamy waterfalls of the River Coupall and Cauldron Falls. The twelve mile road of Glen Etive is framed by gorgeous mountains.
Then there are the beautiful white bothies of Lagangarbh Hut and of course the world famous Blackrock Cottage which is located at the foot of the Glencoe Mountain Resort ski centre. Another truly breathtaking location is the ridge of Bidean nam Bian which includes the famous Three Sisters munro range. The Three Sisters are three peaks that extend over 3,500ft in height and dominate the glen down into Glencoe itself. Quite often snow-covered in the months of winter and spring, these munros offer the landscape photographer one of the most beautiful views anywhere in the UK.
Our base will be the Kingshouse Hotel, literally in the centre of the Glencoe Valley where we will meet in the late afternoon on 16th January. Although the days are short, this means that sunrise and sunset are at reasonable times and we can take advantage of some night photography as well. Hopefully there will be snow on the mountains to add to the experience. In the evenings there will be ample time to critique and edit photographs taken during the day.
The workshop group is limited to 3 to ensure that we can access all the locations as a small group with maximum time for photography tuition. With a small group we can remain flexible to take advantage of changing weather.
Exertion Level - Easy / Medium – All locations within a mile from the car, some much closer. The itinerary will be customised for the group and there is plenty of see that is even within walking distance of the hotel. A reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required.
The Kingshouse hotel was recently upgraded and provides excellent accommodation. All rooms are single occupancy B&B
Transport during the workshop will be by car. I can offer a lift to Glencoe from Harrogate for a share of the fuel costs.
Excluded - Evening meals, packed lunches (we will stop at suitable times at shops or cafes), drinks and snacks , Travel and camera insurance
Lake District Day Out - Buttermere
I am offering 4 individual days in the Lake District each £35 running from approximately 10.30 to 16:00. Depending on where people are travelling from I will modify the sessions to ensure that we have maximum time on the ground.
Buttermere and Crummock Water are two of the most photogenic locations in the Lake District. We will meet at the car parks in Buttermere and probably split the day between the two lakes either side of the village. There are lots of opportunities for long exposure shots, and if the water is calm, reflections of the hillsides. Whilst there is some walking between locations, it is around the lake so reasonably flat.
Walking boots and decent outdoor gear are essential because it can rain. Please bring a packed lunch.
Lake District Day out - Langdale
I am offering 4 individual days in the Lake District each £35 running from approximately 10.30 to 16:00. Depending on where people are travelling from I will modify the sessions to ensure that we have maximum time on the ground.
Our base will be the Langdales where we will probably have two shooting locations. Blea Tarn is a firm favourite, offering tremendous views over Langdale Pikes from a very accessible, although often very wet lakeside. There is a National Trust Car Park 10 minutes walk from the location. Little Langdale has a number of locations including Cathedral Cave, Slater’s Bridge and views over the tarn.
Walking boots and decent outdoor gear are essential because it can rain. Please bring a packed lunch.
Autumn in the Peak District - £35
Spend a day in the Peak District taking in the autumnal colours and rugged peaks. The day will depend on the weather and lighting but expect to photograph the gritstone edges and surreal rock formations in the morning around Stanage Edge. This provides a multitude of photographic opportunities together with some unusual leftovers from the millstone industry. Most locations are a short walk from the road but the terrain is rocky but typically dry.
In the afternoon we will focus on Padley Gorge which has an abundance of gnarly trees, small waterfalls and beautiful colours. Again it is close to a parking area and there are a multitude of interesting locations together with one or two classic shots.
Expect to use a full range of lenses, and graduated and standard filters are useful additions. The later to take longer exposure shots. A tripod is also useful and a long lens can help with inaccessible locations and water movement details.
For both locations reasonable mobility is required to walk to and around the locations. Please bring your own refreshments since there are no shops on location. Car parking is on the roadside and usually free of charge
Lake District Day out - Hodge Close Quarry
I am offering 4 individual days in the Lake District each £35 running from approximately 10.30 to 16:00. Depending on where people are travelling from I will modify the sessions to ensure that we have maximum time on the ground.
Hodge Close Quarry is an abandoned quarry with a host of interesting compositions ranging from a partially flooded quarry, old buildings and abandoned equipment, plus beautiful silver birch trees. There is a parking area at the top of the quarry - free. We will probably spend part of the day at the top of the quarry focusing on the trees and exposed quarry sides where a telephoto lens would be useful. Then down in the quarry where there are two magnificent arches that make for interesting subject matter. Please note that there is a steep walk down to and out of the quarry.
Walking boots and decent outdoor gear are essential because it can rain. Please bring a packed lunch.
Lake District Day Out at Rydal Water - £35
I am offering 4 individual days in the Lake District each £35 running from approximately 10.30 to 16:00. Depending on where people are travelling from I will modify the sessions to ensure that we have maximum time on the ground.
Rydal Water provides a number of different locations around the lake all of which become options. We will meet at a location dependent on the plan for the day and then walk to the different shooting sites. There is usually a car parking charge. The terrain is reasonably flat being in and around the lake but there is some walking. However many locations are wet, in particular the cave.
Walking boots/wellies and decent outdoor gear are essential because it can rain. Please bring a packed lunch.
Possible locations include Rydal Water, with the lone tree and boathouse; Rydal cave and Rydal waterfalls