Landscape Photography Workshops | Phil Crowder | The Forth Inn

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting Landscape Photography Workshops again this year. We hope you would like to join us. The days are open to everyone from complete beginner to those with more experience.
I’ve put a few links at the beginning just in case you don’t know me, it will give you an understanding about me and about the photography I love to do and more so if it is what you are looking for… here we go:
Seriously, have a look, if you like what you see come back and read on, we should meet.
All the images should enlarge if you click on them

Everyone is a photographer…

It’s true.

With more cameras in the world than ever before and most of those in mobile phones, many of us don’t go anywhere without one.

More than ever our lives are recorded. We’re knocking out, and sharing photographs at a rate that would make you wonder if at some point the whole world will one day be photographed!

We are, certainly, the most photographed, and the most photographing, generation ever.

So my question is if that’s the case why would you not want to be really good at it?

I said recently on one of my Facebook posts…

This photography thing is easy, just turn up, point the camera, press the button, the camera does the rest.

If only!

I saw this image before I set the camera up and said wow, I’ve got to get this.

Come on lad, it’s easy.

I could have just got the trees on the right, but it didn’t have balance, it didn’t have any real foreground interest either but it would have been nice.

So I made a point of including the silhouetted trees & rocks on the left, I think they add a little mystery, why are they so dark when there is so much light in the scene? It adds depth to the image.

Now, come on, get it sharp. Front to back.

Press the button.
Have a look at the screen.
Check the histogram.
Smile. 

This is that post…
A few of the comments on Facebook about this image..
PC… ‘I’ve obviously got the wrong camera cos mine would never take that picture.. Yours on the other is operated by a pro that knows how to use it… Beautiful picture as always’.

MMcN… Middle Earth meets Middle Scotland This is definitely an other-worldly beauty. Apart from the sheer satisfaction of capturing a difficult scene like this, it’s a privilege to be there to see it.

MW…”This photography thing is easy, just turn up, point the camera, press the button, the camera does the rest” . . . . so that’s your secret! 🤣🤣 . . . I frequently see images but must have a lazy camera . .

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is stunning
This area ‘Loch Lomond and The Trossachs’ is stunning all year round, if I had a choice, Autumn through to Spring would be the best time to photograph the area, with the sun rising and setting in just the right position to light the landscape beautifully.

Atmospheric conditions can be interesting too at this time of year, and hopefully, you might see a mist-shrouded Loch (Ard) just like above on the dawn shoot.

Fixed start and end times for the courses are impossible to advise in advance as this depends so much on the time of year you choose to come.
If you choose to stay, you will be staying here at my pub – The Forth Inn, with the photography starting before breakfast and continuing until dusk. If time allows there will be a post-processing tutorial and, hopefully, we will have the opportunity to review your images before you leave.
What do I need to bring..

• Camera with suitable lens/lenses, film or digital storage
• Tripod
• Outdoor clothes to suit our location (best if they are waterproof) and waterproof boots/gators or wellies!
• An alarm clock!
• and bags of enthusiasm!!

Not Required but would help..

• ND filter or grads
• Instruction manual
• Remote release
• Laptop with Photoshop &/or Lightroom or Luminar 2018

Whats not included ..

• Insurance, both Travel and Photographic
• Drinks

“I truly appreciated your guidance and help and now feel both more confident and more competent to “get out there” and capture images, which will be better composed, exposed and ultimately provide more pleasure to me and whoever may view them. Thank you”. SNG

 

             The table below is based on working 1-2-1, we can discount it if more than 1 would like to come, just ask!

 

 1 DAY TUITION

£150 / person / day

 This is what the workshop will cover

  Taking control of your Camera

Equipment & Exposure

  Recognising and capturing good light 

Lighting

   Composition – arrangement of elements in the frame

Composition & Filtration

   What do you want your photograph to say?

Maximise Sharpness, Panoramic, Black & White

 

             If you want to Stay over and do a sunrise the following morning that can be organised too.

 

Well, I guess it’s over to you!

Get in touch using the form below, ask any questions you want, and if possible let me know when you are thinking about coming and your level of photography, learner, experienced etc.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

8 + 8 =

One last thing…

The Forth Inn have ‘Gift Vouchers‘ that you can use for the workshop if you think this would be a great present for someone.

Can you have one Last Last thing?… I’m not sure but I’ve got one!
A few more reasons beyond the “its just Fun” idea… just in case you need to convince someone!
1. It takes you to interesting & exciting places
Whether you decide to specialise in landscape, wildlife, sports, wedding or portrait photography, the chances are that you’ll find yourself visiting some pretty special places during shoots. While you can work on some projects at home or in a studio, few hobbies encourage you to get out there and experience new things, quite like photography. Beautiful locations and exciting activities are the basis for many an amazing image. As those around you begin to recognise your skills, don’t be surprised if you start to get invited to events or even granted special access to all manner of exciting things.
2. It can be combined with almost any hobby
Whether you enjoy music, sports or even miniature railways, photography will pair seamlessly with almost any interest as you record and share your passions. What better way to immerse yourself in your favourite pastime?
3. You can meet people
Photography is a fantastic way to meet interesting new people. You could find yourself working with a creative team during a portrait shoot, meeting members of the public as a press TOG or just bumping into peers while out in the field. Via interactions with photographic communities and sharing your work with the world, lifelong friends can be made. Photography can be as much, or as little, of a social hobby as you want it to be.
4. It’s good for your well-being
Photography can prove very cathartic and is a healthy way to express both creativity and emotion. It’s the ideal activity in which to escape the stressful nature of modern society and provides a welcome change of pace. Whether you’re quietly developing a series of images or hiking to find the perfect landscape, photography can become a relaxing tonic.
5. It doesn’t have to be expensive
Is it any wonder that photography is Britain’s most popular pastime? After all, most of us own a smartphone or tablet with a built-in camera. And besides, creative vision and basic technical knowledge is far more important than owning the latest kit and both of those things can be fine-tuned for free, with almost any camera.
6. You can do it anytime, anywhere
Some hobbies are seasonal, some require specific facilities and some require multiple participants, but not photography. Arm yourself with even the most basic camera and you can capture images almost anywhere and at almost any time. Sure, we must adhere to some restrictions, but on the whole, the possibilities are pretty much limitless!
7. It’s a great skill to have on your CV
It’s almost impossible to find a business that doesn’t have an online presence, and social media pages, blogs and websites all require quality images. It’s not surprising, then, that photography is one of the most desired secondary skills sought by employers. You don’t have to be a professional photographer, but knowing how to handle a camera can improve your job prospects.
8. There are no rules
Photography is an art form. And like all art forms, it’s subjective. You shouldn’t feel forced to stick to the common conventions of any given genre. In fact, forget competing with anyone else; just enjoy finding your own personal style and developing your skills.
9. Anyone can do it
With no prerequisites in terms of age or physical ability, photography can be enjoyed by everyone. Grandparents and grandchildren can stand side-by-side and produce their own creative vision of the same subject. Few hobbies are as inclusive, and this is what helps to make the variety of work produced by the industry as a whole so interesting and diverse.
10. It has the power to change the world
Thanks to the internet, it’s now possible to share your photographs around the globe in seconds. Photographs transcend language barriers and can be consumed wherever in the world they’re viewed. Few hobbies have the power to unite people and spark debate in the same way. The right image seen by the right person(s) can have hugely positive effects.