Landscape photography courses Yorkshire Dales

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

Introduction to Digital Landscape Photography Weekend Workshop 2008 & 2009		Wain Wath Force by Tim Goodspeed

Dates: November 28th - 30th, 2008 (2 places remaining) March 20th - 22nd, 2009 June 26th - 28th, 2009 Location: Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales Cost: £475 (£445 if booked before Christmas 2008) Cost includes: Three days of one-to-one and group tuition. Two nights accommodation with no shared rooms and no single supplement, plus breakfast, lunch and three-course dinner each evening. Transport to locations plus comprehensive course notes and unlimited follow-up email and telephone advice. Start/Finish: The workshop starts at 6pm on Friday and finishes at 5pm on Sunday Deposit: £100 per person Group size: Maximum 5 photographers Fitness level: Most locations involve a short walk, some across uneven ground and a limited amount uphill, but nothing strenuous Equipment needed: Digital SLR camera; tripod; walking boots; waterproof clothing Where we stay: The Buck Hotel, Reeth, Swaledale

	Click here for full outline of the workshop
	Click here for images made on previous workshops
	Click here for questions about the workshop
	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 WORKSHOP

This Weekend Workshop offers the opportunity to learn about digital landscape photography while making images at some of the country's finest waterfalls. It is an intensive three days designed for photographers who are keen to develop their eye for landscapes and also want to learn how to use their digital SLR camera to its full potential away from the automatic settings.

Our base is Swaledale, which is considered by many to be the most beautiful and intimate of all the Yorkshire Dales. The River Swale, from which the dale takes its name, has tremendous power and the sheer force of its flow has cut through the soft bedrock to create a series of spectacular waterfalls. Many of these are considered to be the finest in the country and they form the basis of the workshop's locations.

The Introduction to Digital Landscapes Weekend Workshop has been designed so the maximum group size is just five photographers, whereas some courses and workshops can have 10 or more. This means you'll receive a high proportion of one-to-one tuition at a level that is right for you.

We begin on Friday evening with a dinner hosted by your leader, professional landscape photographer Garry Brannigan, followed by a lecture where he explains the image-making process behind some of his favourite photographs. The next day is the start of two days of tuition and photography. There is also an evening session on Saturday where we review the day's images and Garry gives a critique of images you have brought along.

The workshop covers all the main technical and creative aspects of rewarding landscape photography and begins by showing you how to gain an appreciation for the vital role the ever-changing light plays in landscape image making.

One of the hardest tasks a landscape photographer faces is being able to take what the mind's eye sees out on location and transfer that three-dimentional scene into a flat, two-dimensional image, so the next section of the workshop teaches photographers who are new to landscapes what to include in their photographs and how to put it all together into a simple but strong image.

The next part teaches you what "depth of field" is and how to achieve it in your images. Taking more control of the technical decisions, rather than letting the camera decide, will improve your images significantly. The less you resort to your camera's "automatic" mode and use its aperture priority and manual settings instead, then the more individual to you your images will become.

We then go on to examine the different settings on your digital camera. You will learn how the white balance controls the colour temperature; how the quality changes between the Jpeg and RAW settings; how faster shutter speeds can come from changing the ISO levels; and how we use the histogram to achieve the exposures we want. At the end of this section you will be able to set your camera up so it's being used to it's full potential.

The next section is done out on location where we explore further the creative side of landscape photography. We look at how to find the picture in the first place and then learn how to use the elements within the landscape to build up a successful composition. We also cover how to focus the image correctly to gain the maximum amount of sharpness in the image.

After spending Saturday achieving a real understanding for the essential camera techniques needed for landscape photography and reviewing the images you've made, the next day is spent putting it all into practice back on location in Swaledale. Sunday starts with an early morning shoot before breakfast, then we head out again to make the most of the abundant waterfalls and tumbling becks that help make the Dales landscape so unique and visit the superb falls at Wain Wath Force and East Gill. 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 build compositions that have simplicity, depth, clarity and impact.

The final section of the workshop covers how to set up your computer and monitor and explains the need for colour management of your equipment and calibrating your monitor. This final session then teaches you how to convert your RAW images and use the Photoshop imaging software to prepare an image for printing.

Our base for the workshop is the lovely village of Reeth, right in the heart of Swaledale. Accommodation is at the Buck Hotel, a former coaching inn positioned by the village green.

The Introduction to Digital Landscapes Weekend Workshop costs £475. This includes three days of one-to-one and group tuition plus two nights' accommodation with no shared rooms and no single supplement, with breakfast, lunch and three-course dinner each evening. Transport to the locations is also included plus comprehensive course notes and 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 WORKSHOPS

Curve in the Swale, Upper Swaledale by Graham Meek

Arrow to the Falls, East Gill Force by John Pickering

Before the Storm, Gunnerside by Neil Bryce

After the Flood, Wain Wath Force by Mark Saunders

Light at the Day's End, Angram by Mike Wilkinson

Diamond Edged Falls, East Gill Force by Wil Thompson

Peat Stain and Flow, Wain Wath Force by Ric Cole

Light on the Barns, above Thwaite by Brian McDermott

Cascade, East Gill Force by Tim Harris

Dawn on the Moor, Grinton by Mike Wilkinson

Wayward Walls, Kisdon by Graham Meek

Rock and a Soft Place, East Gill Force by Simon Hauxwell

Walk Through Colour, Muker meadows by Chris Harrison

Protected by the Dale, Muker by Neil Bryce

Above the Falls, Crackpot by Neil Bryce

Low Water, Wain Wath Force by Tim Goodspeed

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

Why should I choose a Digital Dawn workshop?

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 for this workshop?

You will need a digital SLR camera to get the most out of this workshop, 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 workshop.

What level of experience do I need for this workshop?

You may be completely new to using a digital SLR camera or making the switch from film to digital. Either way, The Digital Dawn Weekend Workshop is ideal for anyone who is keen to learn more about developing an eye for landscape photography and how their digital SLR camera works beyond 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 workshop 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 and using the computer software to prepare the image for printing.

Do I need any filters?

During the workshop you'll learn how neutral density graduated filters enable you to record areas of excessive tonal contrast, often between the sky and the land. They are not essential but they do have a significant impact on the quality of your images. Please contact us if you would like advice on buying these filters or a polariser before coming on the workshop.

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'll pack in a lot of photography, it's not just nine-to-five. Meal times fit around the tuition and there will be an additional shoot before breakfast on Sunday. We'll also review images made during the workshop and have an informal critique session of images you have brought along. Because we are not a photo tour company rushing from one location to another, you'll have the time to explore and enjoy each location's full potential. The workshop begins at 6pm on Friday and finishes at 5pm on Sunday.

What will the locations be like?

All the waterfalls and river locations have been carefully researched beforehand so you arrive at the right time of the day to make the most of the available light. Because of our small group size we'll visit the more intimate locations as well.

How fit do I need to be?

This Yorkshire Dales workshop 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 one mile 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

Just a quick note to thank you for hosting such great weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and there can be no doubt that I have come away even more enthusiastic about my photography. The small group size and tuition was excellent and thank you again for sharing your passion for both photography and love of the landscape.
JOHN PICKERING, Weekend Workshop November 2007

Thanks Garry, I had a really enjoyable weekend...wonderful photography tuition, good company and great locations. I think your course exactly matched the description of it on your website. I am certainly better equipped to improve my photography now.
HELEN COONEY, Weekend Workshop November 2007

It was your enthusiasm for wanting us to get as much out of course as possible that made me book another one.
GREG SMART, Weekend Workshop September 2007

The tuition exactly matched the web-site description. It has considerably opened my approach to photography and I am already recognising more opportunities and making better photographs. Having different levels in the group didn’t seem to compromise anyone. This is where the small group obviously works best.
MALCOLM DAVIES, Weekend Workshop July 2007

I liked the way you dealt with everyone’s issues as they arose and did not spend more time with advanced candidates, which must be a temptation. The encouragement we received was motivational and aimed at a level that we could individually relate to.
JACKY BANYARD, Weekend Workshop July 2007

What struck me about the course most was that it was obviously suitable for photographers at all levels. The one-to-one tuition was excellent.
PETE SHRIMPTON, Weekend Workshop July 2007

The amount of useful information and practical experience you included in the weekend course, without it seeming overly pressured or rushed, was amazing, and certainly confirmed the quotation on your website that the courses represent tremendous value for money.
RICHARD WALLER Weekend Workshop May 2007

I thought the course was excellent and I am already trying to fit one of your advanced courses into my schedule for later this year.
MIKE CHEETHAM, Weekend Workshop May 2007

The course was very well structured, with a great mix of theory and practice, taking you through the image-making process from start to finish, including the basics of Photoshop. The small group size meant that the varying levels of experience were not a problem.
JUDY YEILDER, Weekend Workshop March 2007

This course exceeded all my expectations.
KEITH WHITING, Weekend Workshop March 2007

My photography has definitely benefited tenfold from the first-class tuition. I originally thought the workshop was expensive and now realise that it is actually very, very, good value for money.
DENIS STURMAN, Weekend Workshop March 2007

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ABOUT THE LEADER

Garry Brannigan concentrates solely on landscape photography using a digital camera system and has a passion for photographing the unique landscape of the Yorkshire Dales in the best possible light. He is a founder member of the Foursight Exhibition Group and exhibits his images throughout the North.

Garry designed his courses and workshops to pass on to other photographers his enthusiasm for capturing the moment when light, however fleeting, 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 |