2008 PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
Grey seal workshop: 11th to 13th January 2008 (FULL)
Slovenia in winter: 7th to 11th March 2008
Irish seabird workshop: 9th to 12th June 2008
Slovenia in summer: 20th to 24th June 2008
Slovenia in autumn: 10th to 14th October 2008
THE SPECTACULAR LANDSCAPE OF THE SLOVENIAN ALPS
Together with my good friend and experienced photographic guide Marko Trebusak we invite you to discover a spectacular and little photographed region of Europe where the Alps meet the Mediterranean. All workshops are based around the dramatic Julian Alps (with many peaks above 2000m) and the Soca Valley with its amazing turquoise river. Marko’s knowledge of the region and my photographic experience will be on hand at all times for you to learn something new.
GREY SEAL WORKSHOP
11th to 13th January 2008 (FULL)
A two-day weekend workshop based around one of the UK’s most dramatic animal spectacles.
Join me to shoot hundreds of grey seals on the isolated sandbanks of the Lincolnshire coast. The workshop is timed to coincide with some of the best lighting and tidal conditions of the year (weather permitting). There will be seal pups present and plenty of activity is assured! I will take you directly to the best location so that we can concentrate on producing spectacular images of all aspects of seal behaviour from fighting, playing and sleeping to suckling pups. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to shoot sanderling and other wading birds on the shoreline.
All photographers from beginners to more experienced are welcome and you can be assured of individual tuition as and when required. You won’t need to possess the longest focal length lenses in order to make the most of this opportunity – frame filling shots are possible using a wide-angle lens! I must stress that this workshop will involve a hike across wet sand flats to a very exposed location open to the full blast of cold North Sea winds. A decent level of fitness together with clothing appropriate to the time of year and conditions will be necessary. The experience of working in the heart of a colony of some 200-300 grey seals, and the amazing images that you’ll obtain, are sure to make this a truly memorable workshop. Each workshop is limited to a group size of 4 participants. The price of this workshop is £295 per person. The workshop package includes guesthouse accommodation and transport to and from the beach if required. An illustrated talk and critique session will be held at the guesthouse on the Saturday evening.
For more information and booking form please to contact me by e-mail or phone +44(0)1297443276
Slovenia in winter: 7th to 11th March 2008
During the winter workshop we hope to capture snow scenes, frozen waterfalls and hoar frost in and around the deep mountain valleys and high passes. This region of Slovenia is a popular skiing venue and snowfall is regular through the winter. The alpine glow on snow-covered summits can be spectacular and we will attempt some long exposures at night with star trails over the mountains. The days will be relatively short, providing us with plenty of time to discuss Photoshop techniques and also to critique the images we have taken during the day.
IRELAND SEABIRD WORKSHOP
9th to 12th June 2008
A weekend workshop photographing a wide variety of seabirds in a spectacular island location off the south-east coast of Ireland.
This workshop is timed to coincide with the breeding season for many species of seabird. The birds will be in peak condition and we can expect to witness a variety of behaviour. We will photograph gannet, puffin, guillemot, razorbill, kittiwake, fulmar, shag, lesser black-backed and greater black-backed gull, oystercatcher and possibly chough and peregrine falcon. The seabirds are very approachable as this is not a tourist hotspot like many of the British seabird colonies. Previous visits have provided me with some of my best seabird images. One of the main benefits of this location is the clean surroundings – free from bare earth and guano. Birds can be photographed on grassy slopes and attractive lichen covered rocks. Due to the fragile environment (puffin and shearwater burrows underfoot) I have to restrict this workshop to a small group of no more than 8 photographers.
I have arranged a local boatman to ferry us to and from our location early and late in the day so that we can make the most of the best light (hopefully!). Due to the long summer days we will make several crossings to the islands beginning with a late afternoon crossing on the Friday when we will be on the island from 5pm until 10.30pm. We will go out again early the following morning 6.30am until 11am, returning to the hotel to rest and review our images,
before heading back to the island for another late evening shoot between 5pm and 10.30pm. This will be repeated on Sunday. On Monday morning there will be another early shoot between 6.30am and 11am. All these boat trips do push the price of the workshop up a little, but previous experience has shown that this is the best way to make the most of the photographic opportunities. The midday breaks also allow us to discuss techniques in more depth and to consider what we will try to achieve during our next stint. I must stress that in order to make the most of this workshop a telephoto lens of at least 300mm will be required. You will also need to be reasonably fit, as the terrain is quite rough in parts. I am experienced with both film and digital capture and will be able to advice on all aspects of photographic technique. We will tackle bird portraits, behaviour and flight shots. There may also be a chance for some evening landscape photography.
Obviously the weather in coastal locations can be unpredictable. In the event that we are unable to get to our location during the weekend I will refund the cost of all boat trips affected on the Ireland side.
The cost of the workshop is £450 per person. In addition to photographic tuition this figure will include three nights hotel accommodation (in single en-suite rooms) and all boat fees during the workshop (Irish sea crossing, taxi’s from the port to the hotel, food and drink are not included). I will liase with all participants in order to make bookings for ferry crossings and taxi’s (if required) on the Irish side.
For more information and a booking form please to contact me by e-mail or phone 01297 443276.
Slovenia in summer: 20th to 24th June 2008
The summer workshop is usually a little more challenging as we will be able to drive high into the mountains and then hike (usually no more than an hour) to find some fantastic locations off the beaten track. The alpine wildflowers will be in full bloom at this time and can make a wonderful foreground to mountain vistas. Although this is predominantly a landscape workshop we will also photograph close-ups of the native wild flora and its associated insects when opportunities arise. It is not unusual to have some fantastic misty morning at this time of the year. You’ll need to be prepared for unusual hours at this time of the year, as we will be out and about between 2-7am and 6-10pm! We will be based in the Soca Valley, with it's amazing turquoise river flanked by towering peaks.
Slovenia in autumn: 10th to 14th October 2008
Our autumn workshop has been running very successfully for three years now. At this time of the year the foliage colours are at their height with the golden tones of deciduous larch trees set against a spectacular mountain backdrop. We also explore rushing mountain rivers, tumbling waterfalls and deep gorges carved into the limestone. We will also visit Lake Bled and some amazing limestone caverns. The atmosphere of our images has the best possible chance of being enhanced by layers of mist and fog during this workshop.
The cost of each Slovenian workshop is £495. This price includes transportation from Ljubljana airport to our hotel, all transportation during the tour and transport back to Ljubljana airport. It also includes four nights hotel accommodation (in single rooms) with breakfast.
to e-mail me for further details and a booking form.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ABOVE WORKSHOPS BUT THEY ARE EITHER FULL OR YOU CANNOT MAKE THE DATES THEN PLEASE CONTACT ME TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN MY 2009 WORKSHOPS.