Mastering Minimalism and Long Exposure

On this Minimalism and Long Exposure photography workshop, we will be concentrating, solely, on the North Kent seaside resort of Herne Bay. With a pier, promenade, harbour arm and far-away views of the North Kent coast, Herne Bay is perfectly suited to long exposure and minimalist photography. 

All manner of relevant topics will be covered on this workshop from composition and technique to exposure, filtration and focusing. 

An early start is required for this workshop which not only enables us to capitalise on soft, pastel dawn conditions but we would, largely, have the place to ourselves. Of course, it also means that once the workshop has finished (and we have warmed ourselves up in a local cafe!), you can head back home avoiding the worst of the traffic! 

PRE-WORKSHOP NOTES & EDITING TUTORIAL
First light is not the ideal time to be explaining technique, so in order to prepare you for the workshop, prior to the day, briefing notes and a pre-recorded Lightroom tutorial illustrating how I edit my images will be supplied. Of course, on the day itself, I will 'gently' reinforce what has been covered but hope that, in any case, both the notes and recording will have prepared you for the workshop. 

BEGINNER TO ADVANCED
This Minimalism and Long Exposure photography workshop is suitable for all levels, from those with a rudimentary grasp of the basics to the more seasoned practitioners. With just 4 in attendance, there'll be little worry of others being in your way and, importantly, means I can spend plenty of quality one-on-one time with each. To perfect the art of a technique, photography can be a serious business, but I like to run things in a light-hearted fun and constructive way; an approach, I feel, everyone benefits from. 

LEE FILTERS LOAN
Lee Filters has kindly donated a full complement of filters including ND and ND grads along with holders and adaptor rings. Should you already have such filters then great but if not you are most welcome to use those provided. Please inform me prior to the workshop should you wish to borrow any. 

FINALLY...
Thank you very much indeed for considering this workshop and should you have any questions - however small or insignificant you think they might be - then do drop me a line. I’m here to help and provide you with a wonderful fun day of inspirational photography in the company of like-minded enthusiasts.

On this workshop we’ll be spending the day at locations along the North Essex and Suffolk coast which are suited to long exposure techniques.

An understanding of camera basics will be useful but this course is suitable for photographers of all levels, anyone looking to learn about long exposure photography and enjoy a day out and hopefully a few laughs, with a small group of like-minded people. I pride myself on providing plenty of personal tuition during my workshops, so numbers are limited to 5 participants to enable me to spend time with everyone.

On this workshop we will look at all aspects of long exposure and landscape photography, including composition, exposure settings, focusing, using live view, using filters and anything else that comes up. I have spare sets of LEE filters for those who do not have them to use on the day and as a LEE Filters ambassador, I can give expert advice on how, when and why to use them as well as individual buying advice on choosing filters along with a discount code, to anyone who needs it.

A detailed information sheet will be sent out before the workshop but here is a bit more information…

Largely concentrating on the decaying barges that can be found along the Kent coast this half-day workshop will teach you all you need to know about producing eye-catching images using long exposures. 

Old barges are relatively common throughout this region but there is nowhere else that can compete in terms of access and potential. Although the location in which we will work is relatively small, this has the added benefit of forcing you to work the area and not feel rushed through fear that at any moment you will be moved on to another location. Personally, when I am learning a new technique I much prefer to do so somewhere that is relatively easy to get to and affords a number of compositional opportunities.

Upon meeting we will walk a short distance to the barges where I will discuss the technique of long exposure photography both in terms of equipment and suitable subject selection. It's certainly not just a matter of putting on an ND filter and hoping for the best for there are technical and pre-visual challenges, both of which we will tackle in detail. 

There is very little walking involved on this workshop so you are able to move between compositions in a very short space of time. However, you'll be amazed just how time flies when doing this kind of photography since exposure times often run into several minutes. It's not uncommon, for example, to work on a single subject experimenting for 20 minutes, or longer. 

Workshop notes
Following the workshop, I will email you notes outlining the important principles and techniques behind long-exposure photography which, I hope, will assist you in your journey towards consistently creating creative, memorable photographs in this unique style. 

Lee Filters

Lee Filters have kindly provided me with a full complement of filters, holders, and adaptors which you are more than welcome to use. Please let me know beforehand what you need. This works on a first-come-first-served basis. 

If you are unsure whether you have the appropriate equipment then please contact me since in order for this workshop to be beneficial to you must have those filters stipulated.