What to expect?

Generally this workshop is addressed to beginners as well as ambitious advanced photographers.

During the afternoon I would like to guide you through all the different aspects, beginning with choosing the right gear, changing light situations, composition, focus aspects and the creative use of filters.

What are you going to learn?

The basics of long exposure photography. The creative use of filters in photography, like polariser, neutral density and graduated neutral density filters. When are we using them, why and what do we want to achieve – and when is it better not to use them?

• Image composition, lead-in lines and creative use of colours.
• Understand changing light conditions
• Photography in Manual and Bulb mode.
• Creative use of filters
• Useful equipment – sometimes less is more!
• Without a doubt you will be taking many photographs and have loads of fun!

Program:

After meeting on location, we will have an introduction and a bit of basic theory, followed by a little scouting of the area before we start taking photographs. Throughout the day I will demonstrate you the techniques, provide individual tuition, answer your questions and give you plenty of time to practice your skills yourself. After shooting into and past sunset – if there will be one that day – we can have a little processing lecture at a local pub if you fancy or just have some refreshments.

What to bring?

• Your camera obviously! A DSLR or a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses in the range from wide angle to moderate telephoto is recommended. That does not mean a compact or bridge camera can’t be used but the options will be limited.
• A stable tripod is required for the use of ND filters and taking long exposure photographs. To make the flow in the water visible, we enter exposure times from half a second to potentially multi minutes.
• A remote shutter release, ideally one that allows you to operate the bulb mode of your camera. Again, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have one and there will be workarounds but it is way less convenient.
• Filters – if you own some! Whether it’s screw-in filters or if you have a filter system with square filters, bring it! Polariser and Neutral Density filters plus graduated ND filters is what we are going to use that day.
• Weather protection! We are in Wales, rain can ruin your day outdoors when you are dressed inadequately.
• Robust shoes! Ideally you wear your hiking boots. Wellies are not a bad idea because they will allow you to walk into shallow water and reach camera positions which would not be accessible otherwise.
• In case things go horribly wrong, a pair of dry socks is not the worst idea.
• Be prepared to get wet and dirty!

There will be (limited) opportunity to have a play with my set of LEE and NiSi filter equipment. The limitation is the available number of filter holders and adapter rings in the sizes 67, 72, 77 and 82 mm. Unfortunately we can not install these filter holders on different size filter treads.

For those of you who should not own a Tripod, we can potentially create the opportunity to have a little test run with either my Gitzo or Manfrotto tripods – but please bear in mind that I will need this equipment for demonstrations too.

Fitness Level?

• This workshop will not involve walking long distances but we will be standing and kneeling for a good few hours. Also the terrain can be rocky, slippery and uneven. Even on very low fitness levels it should be possible for everyone.

Booking:

Bookings will be accepted in strict chronological order.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the contact form, email or phone.