Workshops
Donna Nook Statement
It’s getting to that time of year again when hordes of photographers descend upon a certain seal colony in Lincolnshire. A statement has been released (which makes for pretty convincing reading) linking it’s rise in popularity with an increase in pup mortality. And, going from many first-hand witness accounts, I can well believe it! You can read it on Terry Whittaker’s Blog here.
Grey seal, photographed at Donna Nook almost 20 years ago.
In an older blog post here I talked about how I was pretty much the only person there throughout my stay. I haven’t been back since and, quite frankly, I have no intention in doing so since it would only ruin a perfect memory.
So, how do we stop groups of photographers flouting the LWT’s request to stay behind the fence? Simple, don’t attend group workshops organised and led by those who will. In other words, all photographers that advertise seal photography workshops here since it is HIGHLY unlikely that, given the money that has been exchanged, that they would remain behind the fence as opposed to trudging off across the beach. I would personally like to see permit-only access where, each year, a lottery based permit system is drawn up where, for a fee, a certain amount of photographers/public are permitted to walk across the beach to the main seal colony. The money could then be put into the LWT’s pot. This would be beneficial to all concerned, not least the seals!
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.
South Downs 1:1
A very enjoyable day yesterday was spent holding a one to one. We met at Alfriston then headed off in my car to several locations centered around the Cuckmere valley. The location was chosen as it gives a range of opportunities to illustrate techniques within a relatively small area. Total time spent from one location to another never exceeded 10 minutes. The picture below was taken to illustrate how to ’anchor’ the image. To give it foreground interest where your eye then leads through the frame to the distant cliffs. Without the rock it would have been rather uninteresting of just the beach, pebbles and cliffs. I then processed it in black and white since in colour I felt it was too monotone whereas in monochrome it brought out the textures and contrast of the chalk and seaweed.
Nikon D300, 12-24mm at 15mm, iso 200, 1/80th sec. f16, Manfrotto tripod. 2 exposures, one for the rock, the other for the sky then merged in Photoshop CS4. Using an ND Grad would have also darkened the cliffs.
About Robert Canis
Robert Canis is a professional photographer specialising in the natural world.
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