LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS OR COURSES IN THE LAKE DISTRICT AND ERYRI (SNOWDONIA)
****Please note that some of my responses to peoples requests have ended up in spam folders, especially those with ‘gmail’ addresses.
Please add my email to your ‘permissive list’ and check your spam FOLDER if it ‘appears’ you haven’t heard from me within a day or two****
Mark
Below is a quote from Robert Casson OBE who came on one of my workshops. I am always appreciative when people take the time and trouble to write a testimonial.
“If you want to go on the best landscape photography course or workshop and make no bones about it this man is the best, then there are numerous reasons why Mark is an ambassador for many of the industries leading companies. As a veteran of more than a dozen landscape photography workshops across the globe, with some of the world’s leading landscape photographers, I can honestly say that Mark was by far the best. I plumped for the Lake District and his knowledge of the area is outstanding. We had differing weather conditions throughout the days and he was never undaunted. He knew somewhere for us to work every time. His abilities as a professional teacher shine through and you can see why he was the Director of the National Video and Photography course he ran for the Home Office. The way he assessed my work in a nice relaxed atmosphere and gave me a constructive critique was undertaken with a real feel for the craft he teaches. We then spent time out and about in the field getting it as much right ‘right in camera’ as we could. He has a straightforward, uncomplicated method for exposing an image as well as you can and managing your filters in a way that made me think why hadn’t any of the previous pros I had been too suggested it?? Simple and systematic. If Mark could patent it he would be a millionaire! Oh yes, you will have fun doing it too!”
Workshops & Prices
What do I offer?
I would be delighted to see you in the Lake District or Eryri (Snowdonia) for your landscape photography workshop or course. The location you choose is your choice and should you wish to go to specific places we can easily build those in for you. I learn something on each workshop or course that I deliver because everyone is different.
Individual needs dictate how much time you wish to spend with me but as someone who was awarded the Investors In People and British Kite Mark for training, I can assess and deliver accordingly.
It is an honour being entrusted to assist people with their development. Watching them progress and attaining the photographs that they want to proudly show off is very rewarding and I am delighted to post their testimonials on my site as they are genuinely written by 'students' who I am pleased to say have now become friends.
THESE ARE THE costs
•••Please note that all workshops or courses of three days or more, will include extensive travel across the national parks, so I have already included £20 per day for fuel and expenses. That is not per person•••
1-1 ONE DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £250
1-1 TWO DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £465
1-1 THREE DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £655
TWO PERSON ONE DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £185 each per day
TWO PERSON TWO DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £175 each per day
TWO PERSON THREE DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £170 each per day
THREE PERSON ONE/TWO/THREE DAY WORKSHOP - Cost £180 each person per day
GROUP COURSE ONE DAY approx five hours duration, minimum four friends in a location of your choosing - Cost £150 per person
****All Course Fees To Be Paid with a £100 deposit per person and the remaining balance one week prior to the workshop****
LIGHTROOM AND PHOTOSHOP TUITION AT YOUR HOME - £250 which includes online follow up and assessments plus travelling expenses
What To Expect
Whether you want to have your course or workshop in Eryri (Snowdonia) or the Lake District is entirely your choice. You tell me what you want to achieve and I will construct and deliver the day/s to do exactly that for you. The time, your time, is designed to suit you and NOT me.
Cameras are basically the same and whilst I use FUJIFILM, I have taught every major brand. It is the base principals that you need to understand then apply them when using your own camera.
Your time with me actually begins when you make contact and I ask you to send me some examples of your best Landscape work. From that point on your workshop begins.
The main objective will be for you to understand your camera and learn a process that will stand you in good stead no matter where you travel to take your photographs. If you manage great shots whilst with me then that is a bonus. My workshops are solely about understanding your camera, learning the principles of landscape photography, so that you can leave me knowing that your improved skillset can be adapted to all mountainous terrains.
I am renowned for minimalistic processing and ensuring that you get as much captured in camera. I will show you how to do that but you will still have to learn a few Lightroom techniques. That is the nature of the beast because cameras, just like us, are not perfect!
If you do decide to book me on a 1-1, I will happily loan you a set of Lee Filters at no charge. I do have several sets but it is not an unlimited supply. If you are a large group we may have to share. However, we ALWAYS manage. I will have to know your filter thread size in advance.
You will need to try and bring the following:
A tripod that matches your camera (I do have one for hire as well as a mirrorless camera too)
A cable release or remote trigger!
Your camera manual.Please give your camera manual a read and pay special attention to the sections on Aperture, Shutter Speed, Manual and Live View. It will help also to be able to put your camera into the following modes:
PROGRAM
APERTURE PRIORITY
MANUALBe able to move the focus point around the screen and set the metering to spot.
This will reduce time in our initial meeting.
What I can promise, apart from the 'awful sense of humour', is that;
“you will learn more from Mark in two days than any night school or photography club you will join.”
Those are not my words but from many who have attended my workshops. Learning should always be enjoyable and not taxing and I enjoy delivering them in a relaxed, pleasant, jovial atmosphere.
The days will usually consist of us meeting, going through an understanding of the camera, then out and about with 'onsite' practical work and finished off with processing. This will be more in depth the longer you spend with me but I can promise you that you will achieve your goals.
My lovely customers have ranged from people who are total and I mean total novices. Some have just purchased a camera and want to get the most from it. What you don't want to be, is over awed by your gear and I can assure you that I will make you feel at ease with it very quickly.
I did have someone come to me who had only ever taken photographs on an iPhone. I lent them a camera and by the end of the two day workshop, the images they produced were fantastic. Most others who attend are keen amateurs who have a grasp of the subject but want to 'spread' their wings and really get the most from their equipment.
One thing you will notice as we spend time together, is that I rarely take my own equipment. I dont go off, wandering around taking images ‘for me’ whilst you are left to your own devices - it is your workshop not mine.
Occasionally, I will work alongside you, as if we are on a ‘magazine commission’ and we work together.
As I mentioned earlier, the beauty of attending a workshop with me, is that it isn't a formula workshop. It is tailor made for you.
If you wish to book A workshop, then please go to the contact section here.
I can promise you a speedy reply unless I am out and about on the mountains and fells. Phone signals can be spartan occasionally but I do my best to respond promptly.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Regards,
Mark
***We also run club specific group workshops too***
*PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR A QUOTE REGARDING CLUB MEMBER GROUPS OF NUMBERS NOT LISTED*
“I would like to thank you both On behalf of the members of the Lancaster Photographic Society who attended your excellent one day Workshop by the River Brathay. to say that we all thoroughly enjoyed our day, despite the typical lakes weather is an understatement! Just our luck too, being sandwiched in between fine and sunny days!
It didn’t dampen our spirits though.
The approach by Mark and Vicki was excellent and after having a group chat over coffee, we set off along the River which is a perfect spot for great images.
Mark and Vicki are very knowledgeable with their craft and we all learned a thing or two due to the relaxed style they delivered to us. I have to say that they were both very patient with us all.
Not only did we have a good laugh but More importantly, we all came away with a new way of taking a good landscape whatever the weather. Without doubt we all agreed that we would highly recommend Mark and Vicki for a day’s club workshop.”
Ruth Lochrie, Lancaster Photographic Society
Vicki and I with members of the Lancaster Photographic Society
Vicki and I with group members of the Newport Photographic Club at Cwm Idwal
“On behalf of the group from last week’s fantastic workshop in Snowdonia we would like to send a huge thank you to both Vicki and yourself. Since we came back, we have been buzzing about what a great day it was! You will be pleased to know that all five of last week’s group have stated they would now like another workshop with you! You must be doing something right! We need to arrange for next Spring asap. I have already sent over a separate email so please let’s get it sorted!
”
SAFETY ON THE MOUNTAIN
As you would expect, the safety of you, our clients, is of the utmost importance.Whilst I have worked on the fells and in open country for most of my working life, I am not a Mountain Leader but both Vicki and I have undertaken and passed our Hill and Mountain Skills courses. We are also full members of the BMC.
‘The Bible’ we abide by
I have the utmost respect for the terrain and I enjoy a fantastic relationship with the members of the Mountain Rescue Services. I have been lucky enough to undertake commissions for and alongside them and I hold their members in the highest of esteem. Being asked to work for them was a great honour and I am delighted that they chose my work to adorn the walls of their WASDALE MOUNTAIN RESCUE HQ. For this end, I ensure that we learn in as safe an environment as possible and the majority of my locations are in easily, attainable places. They are still fabulous though and many of them off the beaten track. There will always be undulating ground but that is as ‘difficult’ as it gets. Vicki and I have full indemnity insurance as you would expect. Should you wish, I will happily take you to ‘honey pots’ but always be mindful of a larger visitor presence.
I will always be on hand during your workshop to offer guidance
I am happy to discuss any particular location that you are keen to explore. It doesn't matter if it rains or shines because I use a large umbrella for us to stand under. I have been known to paraglide on many occasions.........
Langstrath
My assistant Vicki Procter will occasionally join us. Here she is with Andy North as we worked in The Lake District
““I feel like shouting out ‘Look what I made!’ All thanks to Mark!
I’ve gone from using a phone to taking proper photographs with a camera. I enjoyed a fabulous bespoke workshop with Mark. I would recommend him to anybody
He tailors his workshop with your level of skill - mine was pretty low but what a learning curve! I am now going off to take some pictures!”
- NANCY BANKS, Gosforth”
Chris at The Old Mill in the Lake District.
NB ***All Workshops in the Lake District and Snowdonia with kind permission from the National Trust***
*Please note that should you request payment be made via PAYPAL, an additional £10 will have to be added to the invoice due to their fees*