workshop
Workshops and Tours for 2012
A whole host of new and exciting wildlife and landscape photography workshops and tours can now be found on my website here.
I’ll be replicating some that were very popular last year including the Bluebell Photography Walk, Heathland Sunrise and Kent’s Wildlfowers as well as amending the Lady Orchid workshop to make it a half-day instead of a full day which, as the Walks have proved, are both easier on the commitment (just 3 hours instead of 6) and pocket! 
Tours new for this year include Northern Gold – Lapland in Autumn, Bison of Bialowieza- Poland in Winter, Prague and South Bohemia in Autumn and Dark Peak Landscapes – Peak District in Autumn. Below is a brief description of each and the link to take you straight to that page. The lapland tour already has bookings and the Bison tour is proving particularly popular with the first of two dates in 2013 already fully booked. I’ll be leading a tour there in just three weeks and cannot wait to go back there! Thermals at the ready
Lapland in autumn
I have visited Finland 6 times now and in autumn twice and I have to say, this is my favourite time of the year here. The colours are just spectacular with the yellow of birch and aspen and vibrant red of northern bilberry. And, if this wasn’t enough to whet your appetite how does photographing the northern lights sound?! 2012 is The Year of the Northern Lights and should we have clear skies, there is a 50/50 chance of witnessing them and, of course, photographing them!
To find out more about this tour, click here.
Just 2 places remaining!
European Bison in Bialowieza forest, Eastern Poland.
Those of you that follow my blog may, or may not recall, the piece I wrote about my trip some years ago to photograph Europe’s largest mammal, the Bison or Wisent, in the primeval forests of Bialowieza. Well, in partnership with acclaimed Polish nature photographer Marek Kosinski, I shall be leading a 6 day photography tour to this amazing place with Marek as our guide. There is simply no-one better to guide us. Marek, who lives in Bialowieza itself, has been published worldwide, and received many honours.
To find out more about this tour, click here.
West Towers on Charles Bridge, Prague.
Over a period of 5 years, I visited Prague on no fewer than 50 occasions and several to Cesky Krumlov in South Bohemia, photographing for my agents and my own library, as well as providing articles for magazines, one of which was featured in Outdoor Photography. As a result, I know these two places extremely well and would hazard a guess there are few photographers more qualified to personally escort you around to photograph ‘The Golden City’ and the equally beautiful Cesky Krumlov.
To find out more about this tour, click here.
Peak District in Autumn
Over the last few years the Peak District has become my favourite location for landscape photography in the UK. Indeed, as a result of those images I took on my first visit, I had an article published in Outdoor Photography magazine and subsequently held 5 workshops to this region, such has been its impact.
The reason I am doing this workshop during the week and not a weekend is that some of the places we will be visiting are very popular. By holding it mid-week, we will have The Peaks to ourselves!
To find out more about this tour, click here.
I look forward to welcoming some of you along on either the workshops or tours and if you prefer to talk to me in person regarding these, do feel free to drop me a line on 07939 117570.
Donna Nook – Pro’s back down!
It’s no coincidence that those photographers who had planned on taking groups to photograph the seals at DN have backed down and this is in no small part to the stirling work of photographer, Peter Moonlight who brought this problem to light to the masses via his brilliantly written piece in Outdoor Photography last year. There needs to be more photographers like him who pursue something they care about and are prepared to name and shame since surely the best way of regulating (I hate to use that word but can think of no suitable other) wildlife photographers (and I say that loosely for some) is by self-policing. To see reaction to this and to read well constructed comments by leading pro’s, visit Niall Benvie’s blog here.
Photography workshops in Kent
I have just added 3 new workshops which can be viewed here on the workshops page on my website. They have only been up a short while and already places are being filled so if you’re interested, please get in touch soon. Below is an overview of those added.
Bluebell Photography Walk
Sunday May 1st – 10.00 to 13.00 hrs.
(Group size – 6. 4 places remaining)
To be held at Hucking Estate, a beautiful woodland near Maidstone. Ideal for those wishing to learn how to photograph plants, insects and woodland scenes. Suitable for beginners as well as the more experienced. £30
Kent’s Lady Orchids
Saturday May 14th – 14.00 to 18.00 hrs.
(Group size-6)
The location for this orchid photography workshop is a nature reserve near Garlinge Green, south of Canterbury. I’ll be covering such things as composition, lens selection, exposure and flash. Choice of time has been chosen to avoid the mid-day sun and benefit from the low, late afternoon sunlight. £45
Heathland Sunrise
Saturday August 20th and Sunday 21st – 04.30 to 07.30 hrs.
(Group size-3. 2 places remaining on each day)
Experience the vibrant colours of flowering heath at Kent’s largest heathland, Hothfield Heathlands, near Ashford, at sunrise. Suitable for those of all levels and as the group size is only 3, there’ll be no bustling for the best positions! This really is a time when the most atmospheric pictures are created where an early rise is well rewarded. I will go through my thought process when seeking a composition and the decisions I make when choosing the right lens along with using filters, obtaining the correct exposure and assessing the camera’s histogram. Dew laden cobwebs and dragonflies are other possible subjects £35
Kent’s Wildflowers
Wednesday May 4th – 09.00 to 18.00 hrs.
(Group size-2. 1 place remaining)
A full day of photography in mid and north Kent at various favourite locations hand-picked by myself. This is a great time to experience Kent’s ancient woodlands and Downs and the flowers it harbours. The group size has been kept to just 2 so we can all travel in my car and give you pretty much one-to-one tuition. The price also includes a pub lunch at a an award-winning pub run by a personal friend of mine. £125
As with all my workshops, the price includes unlimited correspondence before and after the day and email review of your images.
Cowslips and Cuckoo flowers
A quick recce of a few favourite nature reserves, in preparation for next weeks Kent’s Wildflowers workshop, gave me the opportunity to get a few shots of some of the flowers that are around at the moment. I don’t like to take pictures myself when leading workshops since the emphasis should always be on tuition rather than my own photography, but occasionally I may sneak a picture off, especially if the subject is too hard to resit!
Cowslips
Lady's smock
The 300mm f.2.8 really comes into it’s own in situations like these. A shorter lens would have resulted in sky appearing in the top of the frame. Shot almost wide open also throws the background out of focus and really makes the flowers stand out. Their other name is the Cuckoo flower as they tend to be in bloom approximately the same time as the arrival of the cuckoo. I haven’t heard any yet and really hope it’s not another ‘quiet’ year, as was the case last year.
Peak District workshop
I returned yesterday afternoon from the last of 3 workshops I have held in the Peak District over the last 3 weeks and once again, the weather held out! It’s always going to be an unknown factor at this time of the year anyway, let alone in these parts. So, why didn’t I chose to hold it during the summer? Quite simply, light. During late March and into mid April the sun is still sufficiently low for all-day photography unlike in June and July when it is very much an early morning or early evening shoot. In between these times, the sun is too high and the light too cool. Also, in March and April, the weather starts to improve and the days lengthen.
On this visit, I stayed in a delightful B&B called Crown Cottage in Eyam, situated in the centre of this historic Plague village. I couldn’t have asked for a more comfortable stay and Janet and Ian really do make you feel welcome. So, if you are ever up this way, I can’t recommend it high enough. Next time, I’ll give myself more time to look around as it has a remarkable story of how the village dealt with the outbreak of the Plague in 1665.
Members of the group, photographing on Stanage Edge.
Another great bunch of photographers, and although at times it was quite blustery there was just sufficient sunshine to keep us going, and of course the scenery was as spectacular as ever. Two members of the group decided to stay till sunset in the hope that the weather was going to clear to give us that beautiful evening light and indeed it did. Well, for around 10 minutes anyway! But, it was just long enough for us to set up our tripods and shoot a few frames. The sun then hid behind clouds for the duration so we sat, chatted and enjoyed the moment. It’s not all about taking pictures you know!
Curbar Edge
Weekend workshops
Back from a great weekend of workshops. Well, I enjoyed them anyway and hope all that attended did too. A great bunch of guys on both days who braved the often very windy, cold weather that the Peak District threw at us, especially on the Sunday. Certainly made for some atmospheric images with great skies. Lots of walking, laughs and photography, plus a very filling pub lunch! A perfect combination for a good day out.
Sunday's workshop attendees.
I arrived in the area on the Thursday to do a little photography myself and was blessed with some really dramatic skies.
Stanage Edge
Stanage Edge
Rocks on Baslow Edge
The rain rapidly moved towards me and soon after the image was taken I got a thorough soaking! But worth it I think.
Peak District
Heading off to the Peak District tomorrow morning in preparation for the weekend’s workshops I’ll be holding. Although they are not till Saturday and Sunday, it’ll give me a good opportunity to scout one or two fresh locations for photography and who knows, perhaps hold a workshop there in the future.
Now, all I have to do is pray for decent weather!
Czech Republic photography workshop
Prague bridges crossing the River Vltava at sunset
I’m in the throws of planning a 6 day photography workshop to the Czech Republic, taking in Prague and Cesky Krumlov, the latter being a beautiful medieval town with UNESCO world heritage status in South Bohemia. 3 nights will be spent in Prague and 2 in Cesky Krumlov. I haven’t booked the hotel or finalised exact details as yet, except for the dates, so I am just getting a feel for any interest out there before it gets put onto my website or advertised more widely.
Prague Castle
For around 5 years I made at least 40 trips to Prague and several to Cesky Krumlov, shooting images for my own library and agencies as well as for magazine articles (one of which appeared in Outdoor photography) and also for hotels in Prague. The result is that I know this place quite literally like the back of my hand and therefore know exactly where to go for dawn to dusk shooting. No time will be wasted on your part in getting your bearings, negotiating trams and the metro and potentially getting lost in the maze of medieval cobbled streets and alleys. This I would do on a regular basis for the first half a dozen trips to Prague!
Prague spires
Prague buildings
Prague at sunset
Accommodation in Prague and Cesky Krumlov will be taken care of as will transport to and from Cesky Krumlov. Numbers will be limited to just 4 participants to keep it small and friendly and it also means I can spend quality time with each person.
Cesky Krumlov at sunset
Cesky Krumlov
Dates will be September 6th to 11th 2010 and the price will be around £600 which does not include flights.
Please contact me to register your interest.
To see my full coverage of both Prague and Cesky Krumlov, please visit my website and use the drop-down Category box or in Collections.
New date added and spread for the Peak District photography course
Another date has been added to the Gritstone Edges of the Peak District photography workshop. There is just one space left on Saturday March 27th with Sunday fully booked. I have therefore added another date which will be Sunday April 11th. Two spaces have already been filled. If you’re interested please click here for more information.
Outdoor Photography magazine
The article I was commissioned to write for Outdoor Photography which has just been published and available in all good newsagents…..and bad ones!
Peak District photography course
Having been commissioned by Outdoor Photography magazine to write a piece on the Peak District, I thought it would be an idea to hold two one-day landscape photography workshops in the same location at roughly the time the images were taken, being March. The article will be out next month in the March issue.
View from Curbar Edge to Baslow Edge
View from Baslow Edge to Curbar Edge
The piece itself centres around two gritstone edges called Baslow Edge and Curbar edge which lie to the west within the National Park, approximately 11 miles east of Chesterfield. This is where the course will be held. We will be combining the two with another spectacular edge just 8 miles north called Stanage Edge.
View from Stanage Edge
This is arguably the park’s most famous edge from which wonderful views abound in all directions.
Abandoned mill stones at Stanage Edge
We begin the day at Stanage Edge at 08.00 hrs, break for lunch around midday then onwards to Baslow and Curbar Edges until sunset. It will be on a first come first served basis and will be restricted to just 6 participants so that each benefits from myself as opposed to unfairly, I think, spreading myself thin amongst more.
The price will be £105 per person which includes tuition and a pub lunch. For more information please click here.
About Robert Canis
Robert Canis is a professional photographer specialising in the natural world.
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