Landscape photography courses Lake District

Maximum five photographers per course...no room sharing...no single supplement

Digital Dawn Landscape Photography Course Lake District 2010 & 2011		Blencathra Blue by Linda Jackson

Date: November 9th - 12th, 2010 (fully booked) May 10th - 13th, 2011 (two places remaining) November 8th - 11th, 2011 Location: Borrowdale in the North-Western lakes Cost: £745 Cost includes: Four days of one-to-one and group tuition. Three nights accommodation with no shared rooms and no single supplement, plus breakfast, lunch and three-course dinner each evening. Transport to locations plus a fine art print of your favourite image made during the course. Comprehensive course notes plus follow-up email and telephone advice. Start/Finish: The course starts at 6pm on Tuesday and finishes at 5pm on Friday Deposit: £100 per person Group size: Maximum 5 photographers Fitness level: A reasonable level of fitness is required as most locations involve walks, some over uneven ground and a limited amount uphill. Longest walk two miles with stops for photography along the way. None of the walking is strenuous Equipment needed: Digital SLR camera; tripod; walking boots; waterproof clothing Where we stay: The Derwentwater Hotel, Portinscale, Keswick

	Click here for full outline of the course
	Click here for images made on previous courses
	Click here for questions about the course
	Click here for feedback from photographers
	Click here to learn about the leader
	Click here to see where we stay (off-site link)

FULL OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

WITHOUT doubt the Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas of Britain, in fact you could put up a very strong argument that it should be top of the list. This remarkable landscape of high peaks, enchanting lakes, secluded valleys and ancient woodland continues to attract photographers from around the world.

It's no surprise to learn that the Lake District is vulnerable to the shifting moods of the weather but this only increases the chances for dramatic lighting to help the photographer capture the essence of this unrivalled landscape. This Digital Dawn course is centred around Borrowdale in the North-Western lakes and has been timed to capture the stunning colour around Derwentwater, Buttermere and the Newlands Valley.

The four-day Digital Dawn Landscape Photography Course has been designed so the maximum group size is just five photographers, whereas some courses can have more than 10. This means you'll receive a high level of one-to-one tuition out on location and also back at the hotel during the one-to-one review sessions of the images you have made.

It is the small group and individual nature of the tuition that has made course leader Garry Brannigan one of the country's most popular instructors of landscape photography, with many returning photographers booking a year ahead to join him. Garry does not make any of his own images while teaching so he is able to offer his tuition at a level that is exactly right for you.

Our base for the course is the Derwentwater Hotel. With 16 acres of grounds that stretch down to the lake's shore, this three-star hotel offers an ideal base for dawn locations, plus we enjoy our own separate teaching room set up with computer, monitor and printing equipment and a wide selection of landscape photography books.

The course begins with dinner hosted by Garry Brannigan then afterwards he outlines the course content and explains the image-making process behind some of his favourite photographs. The next day is the start of three full days of tuition and photography plus there will be the opportunity for shoots at dawn and dusk, depending on the time of year, which increases the potential for superb photographic light.

Click here for course itinerary

During the first section of the course the emphasis is on the technical side of landscape photography. You will gain a real understanding for what depth of field is and how to achieve it in your images. When you learn how to take more control of the technical decisions, rather than letting the camera decide, your images improve significantly and your photography will become a great deal more creative and satisfying. The less you resort to your camera's automatic mode and use its manual settings instead, then the more individual to you your images become. The intention is that by the end of the course you will be confident in using your camera fully manually.

Next you'll learn how to set up your digital SLR so it is working to its full potential. We look specifically at the difference between the two shooting formats, RAW and Jpeg and learn why RAW is nearly always preferable, especially if you want to produce your own prints. We will examine the white balance settings and how RAW gives us far greater control over the vital colour temperature and exposure of our images.

We also concentrate on the different lightmeter options and gain a real understanding for using the histogram to obtain exposures that record all the available shadow and highlight detail. This section of the course is rounded off by explaining what the ISO settings are and which are most suitable for landscapes.

We then head out on location to put it all into practice while also learning how to focus the image correctly to gain the maximum amount of sharpness. We will also explore the crucial use of filters in landscape photography, learning when and how to use neutral density graduated filters to control excessive contrast range and how a polariser can have a significant effect on the saturation and clarity of our images.

With the technical side studied we move on to enjoy learning the vital creative aspects of landscape photography. It's the eye behind the camera that really counts and all the photographic equipment money can buy won't create great pictures for you. So a Digital Dawn course shows you how to make strong landscape images that are unique to you. We look at how to find the picture in the first place and then examine in detail how we can use elements within the landscape to create successful compositions.

A vital part of every Digital Dawn course is when we review the images made out on location. This is also done on a one-to-one basis with Garry on a monitor back at the hotel and is designed to highlight the successful images but also identify mistakes that can then be rectified when we head back out again.

Also the group sits round the same table each evening to enjoy a delicious three-course meal with wine and we have the chance to discuss not only the day but views on differing styles of photography and share experiences with equipment and software.

The final section of the course covers how to set up your computer and monitor and explains the need for colour management of your equipment and calibrating your monitor. Then Garry demonstrates how to convert your RAW images and use the Photoshop imaging software to prepare an image for printing. We then produce a professional-quality print on Hahnemuehle fine art paper of your favourite image made out on location for you to take home.

The Lake District Digital Dawn Landscape Photography Course costs £745. This includes four days of one-to-one and group tuition, plus three nights' accommodation with no shared rooms and no single supplement, and breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner with wine each evening hosted by Garry Brannigan. Transport to the locations is included and also the fine art print of your favourite image made during the course. You will also receive comprehensive course notes plus unlimited follow-up email and telephone advice.

Click here to see where we stay (off-site link)

If you would like to check availability or find out more about the tuition, accommodation and the locations we visit, Call Garry Brannigan on 01748 821041 or |

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IMAGES MADE ON PREVIOUS LAKE DISTRICT COURSES

Early Morning Calm, Hawes End by Suzy Keeley

Light on the Spire, Keswick by Margaret Harding

Sidelight on Standshag Bay by Paul Quinlan

Mist on the Lake, Derwentwater by Linda Jackson

Mist and Mellow Fruitfulness, Hawes End by Margaret Harding

Lakeland Dawn by Sanda Emptage

The Beauty of Blossom, Derwentwater by Sue Bulmer

First Rays, Strandshag Bay by Suzy Keeley

Still Reflections to Borrowdale by Eleanor Coate

Autumn Light, Shepards Crag by Tad Moyseowicz

Beauty in Miniature, Hawes End by Sue Bulmer

Cloud over Borrowdale by Barbara Sellars

The Buds of May, Hawes End by Paul Quinlan

Soft Light, Soft Colour, Strandshag Bay by Barbara Sellars

Blencathra Blue, Derwentwater by Linda Jackson

Curves on Skiddaw by Barbara Sellars

Halo of Light, Brandelhow by Paul Quinlan

Autumn Hues, Friars Crag by Chris Harrison

Verdant Verticals, Hawes End by Tony Hitchcock

Skiddaw in Spring by Tony Hitchcock

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE

Why should I choose a Digital Dawn course?

Perhaps the main reason is that our group size is never more than five photographers, whereas some photographic courses and workshops can have 10 or more. This smaller group size means you receive a larger amount of personal in-depth tuition out on location. It also means we can visit more varied locations and have more elbow room when we get there. Also, course leader Garry Brannigan will not be using your time making his own images. All his time out on location is spent alongside photographers giving them one-to-one tuition. It's a combination that has proved successful and a large proportion of photographers return for additional courses at a different location. Some are now on their third or fourth course.

What type of camera and equipment do I need?

You will need a digital SLR camera to get the most out of this course, plus a wide-angle lens and a telephoto lens. After your camera and lenses, the most essential item is a sturdy tripod. It is heavy to carry around, but landscape photography often involves freeing yourself from holding the camera and using a sturdy tripod will have a direct effect on both the technical and creative quality of your photographs. Also, it is not possible for the course leader to help with your compositions if the camera is hand-held. Please contact us if you would like advice on buying a tripod before coming on the course.

What level of experience do I need for this course?

You may be completely new to using a digital SLR camera or making the switch from film to digital. Either way, The Digital Dawn Landscape Photography Course is ideal for anyone who is keen to learn more about how their digital SLR camera works and wants to move off the automatic settings. Because of the small group size you enjoy individual attention and receive the tuition at a level that is right for you. This course is designed to teach you the entire photographic process from the creative enjoyment of finding the image out on location, to the technical aspects of actually taking the picture. The final part of the course teaches you how to use the computer software to produce a professional-standard print.

Do I need any filters?

During the course you'll learn how neutral density graduated filters enable you to get the exposure right between the sky and the land. They stop the sky being bleached out or the land being too dark. They are not essential but they have a significant impact on the quality of your images. Please contact us if you would like advice on buying filters before coming on the course.

How long is each day and how much time do we have at each location?

Photography and the landscape come first, so our daily routine is determined by the time of year. We pack as much photography into the day as possible, it's not just nine-to-five. There will be the opportunity for shoots at dawn or dusk and in some months it's possible to do both, weather permitting. Meal times fit round the photography. We'll also review the images made during the course and have informal critique sessions of images you have brought along. Because this is a structured course rather than a photo tour rushing from one location to another, you'll have the time to explore and enjoy each location's full potential.

What will the locations be like?

All the locations have been carefully researched beforehand so you arrive at the right time of the day to make the most of the available light. You'll be photographing the bigger vistas and because of our small group size we'll visit the more intimate locations as well.

How fit do I need to be?

This Lake District course involves leaving the road to walk mostly on well-developed paths. A small amount is uphill and some of the ground covered is uneven. The longest walk is about two miles with stops for photography along the way.

What will the other people be like?

You will be joining an enthusiastic group of mainly individuals with a wide range of ages. Because The Digital Dawn concentrates solely on landscape photography, you will be able to enjoy the company of like-minded photographers who share your appreciation and enjoyment of the landscape.

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FEEDBACK FROM PHOTOGRAPHERS

A very big thank you for your excellent tuition and patience. You are a great teacher and I got far more out of these few days than I have from seven weeks of evening classes.
MARK BRISTOW, Digital Landscapes Course

The course was excellent value for money. I really liked the way each person's individual creativity was encouraged and the amount of time that we were each able to have in terms of one-to-one tuition.
JILL EASTHAM, Digital Landscape Course

Thank you for a brilliant course, it was very comprehensive and exceeded my expectations. It has had a big impact on my photography and has made me a better photographer.
GLENN ROZE, Digital Landscapes Course

Inspired as undoubtedly I am, I'm sending a deposit and booking form in today's post in the hope I can grab the last place on next June's advanced course in Swaledale. Thanks for a great course.
GRAHAM BELL, Digital Landscapes Course

Just a note to thank you for a wonderful course. You have opened my eyes. The food was delicous and the locations splendid. Compared to two other courses I have been on this year, you take more time over the whole approach of looking and seeing the landscape. Thanks once again for a brilliant course.
CAROL SCHLYPER, Digital Landscapes Course

I really enjoyed the course and learnt a great deal. I have to admit that when I saw my images after the first day I was very shocked, although very pleased...it shows what a good teacher you are. Thanks again for a great course.
HELEN ROE, Digital Landscapes Course

Just a quick line to say what a wonderful three days I've experienced with you. The course gave me just what I wanted...a great leap forward in technical ability and a new way of looking at making images. So thank you for your patience, good humour, and most of all your ability to put over your enthusiasm and expertise in such an understandable way.
ROSIE MATHISEN, Digital Landscapes Course

I liked everything! The small group size made it appropriate for students of varying levels of experience; the balance of practical and theoretical study was right; the teaching was delivered in a friendly, easy to understand (but not patronising) way; you were very generous with your time; the accommodation was good; and the fact that we spent so much time together as a group meant that there was no time when you were at a loose end and felt uncomfortable - something which lone women in hotels are all too familiar with. What more can I say!
MARGARET BURRELL, Digital Landscapes Course

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ABOUT THE LEADER

Garry Brannigan has become one of the country's most popular landscape photography instructors with students booking a year in advance for his courses in the Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Northumberland and Scotland. He concentrates solely on landscape photography using a digital camera system and exhibits his images throughout the North.

Garry designed his courses and workshops to pass on to other photographers his passion for capturing the moment when light, in all its different forms, transforms the landscape from being merely distinctive into something beautiful. Since establishing The Digital Dawn, photographers from around the world have joined him out on location learning how to create images that say as much about themselves as they do about the landscape.

Click here for a gallery
of Garry's images

If you would like to check availability or find out more about the tuition, accommodation and the locations we visit, Call Garry Brannigan on 01748 821041 or |