Matlock Locations Photography Workshop (September 13th 2025)

Description

Join me on the 13th of September to visit and photograph some stunning locations in and around the town of Matlock. Matlock tends to be quieter photographically, but I spent 5 years living there and as such I have a soft spot for the area and know most of the good locations.I will have an arsenal of spots we can visit depending on the conditions. Black Rocks is a fantastic gritstone outcrop above Cromford which towers like an island in what is usually Limestone Country. We can explore the fantastic Stanton Moor or Robin Hood’s Stride as well to see both woodland and gritstone formations. At Stanton Moor there is even a stone circle. Do you like rustic abandoned barns? I know of a fantastic one near Winster. Finally if the conditions are ripe, the avenue of trees above Darley Dale is another must-visit. Lastly, we will also likely visit Lumsdale to capture some waterfall photography for some of my favourite falls in the whole of the Peak District (even if they are just outside the border of the National Park).This workshop will suit most people. It will be great if you are a beginner as there will be plenty of 1-2-1 time between each person but even if you are more experienced you can learn from my reading of conditions of the day and locations we pick. I will keep the locations within the physical ability of the group as well.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 learned 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.We will meet to do a meet and greet with myself and the other photographers at 12:00 before discussing the final plans for the day.We will break for food around 16:00 and if time allows, look at our images on a laptop to discuss basic processing techniques within Adobe Lightroom. The day will conclude after sunset around 20:00.Please note that although this workshop is listed as easy accessibility there may be some short uphill sections. With enough time this is accessible to most and we will strive to do what the group’s fitness as a whole dictates but please be aware of this. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to get in touch.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 learned 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.