New dates announced.

I’m pleased to announce my schedule of workshop dates for the first half of 2011. There’s quite a wide mix on offer and I encourage you to visit this page to check them out.

Anglezarke Nature Photography Workshop

Spaces still available.

Come and join us as we venture in this ancient countryside of hill, lake and woodland, exploring and developing our photographic abilities and our vision.

The day costs just £50 per student and I still have 3 places left…

Follow this link for more information.

Workshops Price Change… now only £50

I’ve often been told to price my services according to the quality of my offerings, so I’ve tried to keep my workshop prices in accordance with the quality of the experience that I offer. I wouldn’t want potential students to feel that my workshops were ‘cheap’ in  a negative way! However, I’ve been made to ponder on this following the announcement of my new ‘Autumn in The Lake District’ workshop. Several friends and contacts have expressed a desire to come along but have bemoaned the fact that the workshop is simply too expensive.

So, I’ve had a huge rethink. And, rather than follow my head I’ve decided to listen to my heart. What I really want, and this is the purpose of my Wildscape Workshops, is to encourage as a many people to come out and engage with nature through their cameras, the fact that price is a barrier needs to be addressed. I’ve decided to cut the price from £85 per person to just £50. The workshops will stay the same, for no more than 6 students at a time, the format will be unchanged and I’ll give the same unhindered amount of information, visiting beautiful wild places with, hopefully, more nature loving people by my side.

There will be other workshops that follow a different pricing structure, multi-day ones, one-to-one days and the like, but the core workshops for 6 people will now be £50. I can’t afford to offer a discount for early booking, perhaps the benefit of early booking will be a place on the workshop!

What do you think? Is it a good idea? I’d appreciate your feedback.

Autumn in The Lake District Photographic Workshop

I’m pleased to announce my upcoming autumn workshop when six students will have the opportunity to explore Rydal and Borrowdale for a day, enhancing their photographic skills of composition and camera control amidst beautiful countryside.

The workshop will run on Saturday the 23rd of October, commencing at 9am and will end at 4.30pm or soon after.

Follow this link for more information and to download the booking form.

Bluebell and Spring Woodland Workshop

Well spring does seem to be dragging it’s feet this year! I’m sure there’ll be Bluebells for my workshop but if not, there’s plenty other flora to focus on. Although I’ve not really promoted this workshop much yet the workshop is generating a lot of interest. Places are still available, and I’ll be updating the page very soon with more information. Let me know if you’d like a place reserved.

Update to Wild Coast and Winter Swans

Yesterday I ventured onto the beach to check out the wildness of the coast ahead of the workshop and was amazed by the beauty of the place. The sunless sky reflected off a pewter sea and cast wonderful abstract patterns in the seawashed sands.

Large flocks of waders roosted along the tideline and rolled en masse in the charged sky.

The colours of the coast in winter are so photogenic, the workshop is going to be excellent. More information will be emailed to students directly over the weekend as plans are now finalised.

Fortunately at this time of year the beach here is almost deserted. Only two others enjoyed the open landscapes.

Every now and again prehistoric footprints are revealed in the underlying hard peat base as the sands erode and fortunately we may be in luck next weekend as a fresh set have been revealed. In the shot below is the footprint of an Auroch which is between 4,000 and 6,000 years old. We could well have the opportunity to photograph signs of our ancient anscesters!

Wild Coast and Winter Swans workshop announced

I’m pleased to announce the launch of my Wild Coast and Winter Swans one day workshop which will run on the 6th and 7th of February 2010. Places are limited to just 6 students per day so please book early if you’d like to join me for this wild adventure.

Visit the page above for more details….

The Bluebell workshop

We had a gorgeous day day out in the woods despite a downpour in the afternoon.  Here’s a shot of Jackie determined to get her picture despite the weather!

Photography in the Rain

In fact rain enhances the appeal of a wood to me and the rain cape I use over my 5D mk2 enabled me to carry on the course through the shower.

As more students are already waiting for the next spring woodland photography day I’m going to announce my 2010 date soon. Email me if you want to be informed.

Bluebell workshop final details

I’ve just returned from the Forest of Bowland after spending a day in the rain doing a final check of my selected destinations for the workshop and am really pleased with the two woodlands we’ll be working in. Calder Vale didn’t really work due to potential access issues however the new venue is so gorgeous and lush. I can’t wait to show it to my students!

Bluebell wood one

Here’s a small selection of the images that I quickly made as I toured round the proposed locations.

The colours were really lush and saturated after a few days of rain but I think woodlands always look better like this. This wood is a real jungle and will provide so many opportunities to explore and experiment with our cameras.

There’s a wide range of flora in evidence with Bluebells and Ramsons looking good.

Geums, Stitchwort, Marigolds, Ferns….  the list of species in bloom goes on. And then there’s the trees bursting into leaf and blossom! It’s going to be a good day!

The river is high at the moment and the ground is wet so students must come prepared to get a touch damp! Good stout boots are highly recommended, as is lots of memory card space.

Ramsons and the River

I want to give you, my students, a real day of it. Not one of time wasted on long car journeys, jumping out on the roadside for ‘photo opportunities’.  We’ll be spending most of our time on foot, on location, in the woods, away from it all. It’s the only way to learn how to connect and communicate the best possible images.

As there are no facilities down here, apart from hiding behind a bush, we’ll be having lunch at a farm cafe that’s only a few minutes drive away, so bring a few pounds for a sandwich or whatever.

Boggy Bits Too...

As past students will know I don’t take a break over lunch, but view this as a time to discuss the mornings work, to really solidify what we’ve been over and to quiz me about any concerns.

The Second Location

After this short break we will drive down to the second and awesome spot deep in an ancient woodland minutes away where it’s your turn to show me what you can do.You’ll be asked to complete mini projects in the woodlands, ensuring you have understood the field lessons of the morning.You’ll be asked to complete mini projects in the woodlands, ensuring you have understood the field lessons of the morning. Don’t worry though, it won’t be too challenging. Roll on Saturday folks!

And don’t forget:   There’s still two places remaining!!

Brock

Bluebell Workshop – latest news

With 5 weeks still to go the workshop is virtually full, with only two spaces left.  But don’t worry if you’ve not reserved a place yet, I may  run the workshop twice.

Sunday the 10th of May is now available for booking!

Both days will begin with a meet at the Beacon Fell Visitor Centre carpark before leaving promptly at 9am for our morning shoot in the wonderful Brock Valley. Here Bluebells, Ramsons and White Water await!

Lunch will most likely be enjoyed at the meeting point, either sandwiches or self purchased food and then the plan is to spend the afternoon in Calder Vale shooting flora and landscape in a totally different woodland environment.

To reserve your place email me on jason@wildscape.co.uk or give me a ring at (01257) 260419. Remember there’s only room for 2 more students on Saturday the 9th and 6 on the Sunday.