PEAK DISTRICT SECRETS Photography WORKSHOP

Join me on the 20th April to explore the Peak District’s quieter photographic spots. This is a chance for you to go where not many tripods have ventured before. This day is suitable for those familiar with the Peak District wanting to head further afield or to those people who have been on a few workshops with me already and looking for something new.

When running my normal workshops, I try to plan locations that offer multiple compositions, bang for buck and popular viewpoints. This does mean I leave a lot of locations out and they are no less special. In fact, one of my favourite things to do is to search out these less photographed viewpoints, head out, spend the time needed walking and capturing them. In some spots it may be there is only one composition but if it’s a great spot, then what’s wrong with that!? This approach of seeking out these spots is what allowed me to write such a comprehensive photography guide to the Peak District with my book ‘Peak District Through The Lens’.

On this workshop there may be some extended walking of around 30 minutes to reach some spots. This means you should be of good fitness and able to walk across a variety of terrains. While walking we can chat about all things photography to ensure we are using this time productively before ending up at our location to capture our composition.

We will spend the day chasing the light. I think this is how these locations will work best. I’ll have a set of spots in my mind to choose from and we will be flexible to maximise our efforts.

We will meet around 12:30 in Buxton before heading off for the day.

We will break for lunch around 16:30 and if time allows, look at my own images on a laptop to discuss basic processing techniques within Adobe Lightroom.

We will work until sunset around 20:00 and finish the day at approx 20:30.

What if the weather is poor? Don’t worry, unless it’s torrential all day, I have plenty of locations that suit a variety of weather and with my experience, you will still get to the best locations possible and you will still get some great images, for example waterfalls are brilliant for those overcast days. As we are in the UK, we see more grey than we do yellow and I am well adapted to getting us to the best spots if we need to change itinerary. This may even include chasing the light, with my knowledge of how the weather works in certain areas and using forecasts, webcams and other tools on the day to help us make those decisions, which I will share with you. We will spend a lot of time working on technique and composition and most of the day is designed to work up until that hopeful sunset so you have the skills to get the best you can at the end of the day. So even if we don’t get the weather or even that sunset you will have learnt a load of new skills, even if you are a more advanced photographer which you can take away with you and use on your next photographic outing.

The fitness rating on this workshop is listed as moderate. Walks to each spots could be up to 30 minutes but I will adjust on the day to how the group is going.

Upon booking you will be sent an order confirmation. email which includes meeting details, kit-list, discount codes and a questionnaire for you to fill out. This questionnaire just allows me to get information about you so I can plan the day appropriately for the whole group.

Throughout the day we will look at techniques such as focusing, using a tripod, use of filters vs exposure blending, composition, working with the light and more.

I am more than happy to discuss other more advanced techniques on 1-2-1 basis as well as to the group, depending on what is beneficial.

The day is tailored around you as much as possible and I strive to give each of you on the course for that day the best day possible. At the end of the day, you will have hopefully learnt new techniques and taken away some imagery you will be proud of. I am a friendly and relaxed tutor and I welcome you to keep in touch with me after the course to ask me any questions you may have looked over on the day. I have also created a Facebook client area where you can keep in touch, share your photos and keep in touch with other attendees from the day.

There will be a maximum group size of 4 meaning there will be plenty of 1-2-1 time. I will be on hand throughout the day for any questions and my focus will be on ensuring you have the best day possible.

There is a £40 deposit required to secure your place on this workshop with the balance due no later than 6 weeks before the workshop.