Landscape photography courses Ullapool, Scotland

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

Advanced Landscape Photography Course Ullapool 2012 & 2013		Tranquil Loch, Loch Lurgainn, Inverpolly by Andrew Leaney

Dates: January 28th - February 2nd, 2012 (fully booked) November 10th - November 15th, 2012 (fully booked) February 2nd - 7th, 2013 (fully booked) November 9th - 14th, 2013 (one place remaining) Location: Inverpolly National Nature Reserve Cost: £1,325 Cost includes: Six days of one-to-one and group tuition. Five nights accommodation with no shared rooms and no single supplement, plus breakfast, lunch and four-course dinner with wine. Transport to locations. Comprehensive course notes plus follow-up email and telephone advice Start/Finish: The course starts at 6pm on Saturday and finishes at sunset on Thursday Deposit: £200 per person Group size: Maximum 5 photographers Fitness level: A good level of fitness is required. The course involves a fair amount of walking over rough and uneven terrain and may include a steep one hour footpath walk up Stac Pollaidh. Equipment needed: Digital SLR camera with wide angle and telephoto lenses; tripod; neutral density graduated filters; and laptop. Where we stay: Sheiling Guest House, Ullapool

	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

THIS DIGITAL DAWN Advanced Landscape Photography Course offers the chance to explore one of the last remaining true areas of wilderness in the British Isles.

The course is based in Ullapool in the North West Highlands of Scotland and concentrates on the unique landscape in and around the Inverpolly National Nature Reserve. The date of the course is timed to maximise our chances of meeting the superb Winter conditions to capture the essence of this powerful and unrivalled ancient mountain landscape.

Although the map tells you these mountains are below the height of the 3,000ft-plus Monros, your eye cannot help but be deceived as the distinctive shapes and perspectives of Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh, Canisp and the beautiful whale-backed Suilven rear up from almost sea-level. This close proximity to the coast and Atlantic Ocean means frontal weather systems bring constantly changing big skies...and light.

This six-day Advanced Landscapes 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 for his Advanced Courses. 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 week is the Sheiling Guest House overlooking Loch Broom and this extremely comfortable and warm house is for our exclusive use during the course. The owners serve excellent Scottish breakfasts and the four-course dinner with wine in the private dining room is one of the course highlights. 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 five full days of tuition and photography plus there will be the opportunity for shoots at dawn and dusk which increases the potential for superb photographic light.

Click here for course itinerary

On this Advanced Course we aim to slow the whole image-making process down. We leave the camera bag unopened at first to allow ourselves time to explore the landscape before deciding how the response we get from it can be expressed through a successful composition. After all, creative landscape photography should be a form of self-expression and not just a means of recording where you have been.

You are probably aware of the compositional guideline called the "Rule of Thirds". During this course we explore a much more comprehensive version that covers the entire photographic process while out on location.

Garry's "Rule of Thirds" is where a third of your time is spent tuning into the location and finding the potential for an image (ie. not the photograph itself but the subject of it). The middle third is used to construct the composition, giving thought to its balance, proportion and tonality, always striving for simplicity rather than complexity which is the foundation of all successful landscape photography. The final third is spent recording the image, combining an understanding of the histogram with the use of neutral density graduated filters to keep as much detail in the shadow areas while maintaining vitality and saturation in the highlight detail.

It is this appraoch that is at the core of all Garry's tuition. The majority of our time is spent out on location and because this is a structured course rather than a photographic tour you will enjoy plenty of time to explore each location's full potential and make the most of the changing lighting conditions. Because the group size is just five you will also have more elbow room when you are there.

On this course you will be encouraged not to rush in and snap away. In the first five minutes you have more chance of winning the lottery than finding the perfect place to set up your tripod. The grandeur, beauty or mystery of what your eye sees in three dimensions can often be disappointing when converted into a small, two dimensional image, so you will receive plenty of help in learning how to construct an image that captures the essence of the scene rather than just recording the objects within it.

Another of the skills a landscape photographer can develop is a willingness to match the subject to the available light, so this advanced course teaches you how to think through the possibilities when the conditions are against you. Exciting though they undoubtedly are, there is much more to landscape photography than only sunrises and sunsets, so ask yourself: "Okay, the light isn't great, what can I do that's great with it?"

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 alongside and is designed not only to highlight the successful images but also identify mistakes that can then be rectified when we head back out again, enabling you to learn as much as possible.

Finally, 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, share experiences with equipment and software and often as not debate whether photography can be art!

The Ullapool Advanced Landscape Photography Course costs £1,325. This includes six days of one-to-one and group tuition with transport to the locations, plus five nights' accommodation with no shared rooms and no single supplement, and breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner with wine hosted each evening by Garry Brannigan. You 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 ULLAPOOL COURSES

Settled Waters, Loch Lurgainn, Inverpolly by Robert Hewitt

Golden Dune, Achnahaird Bay, Inverpolly by Jill Eastham

Snow Stag by Mike Casey

Ancient Land, Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag by Andrew Leaney

Highland Reflections, Loch Lurgainn, Inverpolly by Mike Cheetham

Tidal Colours, Achnahaird Bay, Inverpolly by Andrew Leaney

Breaking Day, Loch Droma, North West Highlands by Jill Eastham

Calm Dawn, Coigach and Drumrunie lochan by Bob Evans

Snow Swirl, Lochanan Dubha, Inverpolly by Mike Cheetham

Tranquil Loch, Loch Lurgainn, Inverpolly by Andrew Leaney

Morning Light from Stac Pollaidh, Inverpolly by Len Mackland

Iced Over, Loch Droma, North West Highlands by Robert Hewitt

Coigach Sunrise across Drumrunie lochan by Lou Bray

Distant Suilven from Stac Pollaidh, Inverpolly by Andrew Leaney

Cul Mor and Canisp from Stac Pollaidh by Neil Bryce

Frozen Loch, Loch Droma, North West Highlands by Jill Eastham

Drifting Cloud, Lochanan Dubha, Inverpolly by Mike Cheetham

Perfect Day, Cul Beag, Inverpolly by Robert Hewitt

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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. 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. The standard of accommodation at the Sheiling Guest House is also high and the four-course dinner served by respected Ullapool chef Lauri Chilton is a highlight each evening. We have the run of the entire house for the course and breakfasts are served overlooking Loch Broom.

To see a sample menu click here

What makes it an advanced course?

The presumption on this advanced course is that you already understand the basic fundamentals of photography (ie: depth of field, exposure and focus) and you also have a good grasp of how to use your digital camera in terms of white balance, ISO settings and reading the histogram. The emphasis is entirely on the creative and compositional side of landscape photography with the vast majority of the time spent out on location. Although there's no technical element to the tuition, there's always a great deal of discussion amongst the group about all aspects of photography, including experiences with the latest equipment and imaging software.

What equipment do I need?

You will need a digital SLR with wide angle and telephoto lenses, plus a sturdy tripod and neutral density graduated filters. Please contact us if you would like advice on buying filters before the course. An important part of every Digital Dawn course is when we review the photographs made out on location and you will need to bring a laptop so you can select your photographs for the review.

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, so it's not just nine-to-five. The date of the Ullapool course means there will be the opportunity for shoots at dawn and dusk, 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 Ullapool course requires a good level of fitness. It involves a fair amount of walking, some of it over rough and uneven terrain. Weather permitting, it will include a steep one hour footpath walk up Stac Pollaidh.

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

Thank you once again for a wonderful four days, I learnt so much more about photography and the way that the course was run was a credit to your organisation. I was so impressed that I would like to book the Lake District and Isle of Skye courses.
KEN CAVE, Advanced Course

I learned so much and gained great inspiration. The number of hours we spent exploring photography together as a group and the amount of one-to-one tuition each photographer received made this course great value for money.
MARGARET HARDING, Advanced Course

Thank you for having organised such an enjoyable and stimulating course. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and really appreciated the opportunity to concentrate on nothing but taking pictures. The venues were great, your organisation impeccable, and your tutoring and guidance very helpful.
NEIL PORTER, Advanced Course

Thank you so much for another excellent course. I enjoyed it so much and I learnt a great deal. Once again, I loved being on the go, with not a minute wasted. Many thanks again Garry, your courses are excellent value for money and long may they continue!
ELEANOR COATE, Advanced Course

The tuition was perfect for me: it was just what I was looking for in an advanced photography course. Nothing on technical knobs & dials just pure composition and artistic goals.
MARTIN DOONAN, Advanced Course

Initially, when I am writing out the cheque, I always think that the courses are a little expensive, but then I consider the cost of accommodation, lunch and evening meals, and transport throughout the days, I then realize what great value they are...and your tuition is thrown in for free!
PAUL MORTIMER, Advanced Course

I liked the review sessions too, it is most helpful to see what worked and have mistakes pointed out to you. I also liked that the course was "all inclusive".... everything taken care of once you arrived. The wine with dinner was a nice touch too.
JULIE CLARK, Advanced Course

I can only say thanks a thousand times. I found the four days a completely liberating experience.
JAMIE BODLEY-SCOTT, Advanced Course

A huge thank you for such a thoroughly enjoyable course. Your tuition was invaluable and your choice of locations superb. I wanted some professional tuition on composition & framing which is exactly what I got. I have come away with several very special images.
RICHARD BURN, Advanced Course

Thanks again for another wonderful course. I really appreciated the advice and tuition of a first class tutor and photographer. The hotel was brilliant with excellent food...you have a superb format, don't change it.
BOB ROBERTS, Advanced Course

I loved the individual coaching in the field and the profound analysis at the end of the day. I'm grateful for many lessons that I'm sure will help me a lot in developing to a higher level as a photographer.
GUY HEYLIGEN, Advanced 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 |