North Kent Coast: Small Group Photography Workshop

Incorporating sweeping sandy beaches, cliffs, monuments and tidal pools, the coastline of North Kent has long inspired writers, poets and artists from J.M.W Turner to Charles Dickens. Indeed, I have spent my entire photographic 'life' here and continue to draw inspiration from this very special region I call home!

Although not as familiar to many landscape photographers as, for example, the Devon, Cornish or Northumbrian coast, it is no less photogenic and, indeed, is one of the main attractions since you will be creating new compositions of seldom visited locations. No tripod holes here! Daylight is at a premium at this time of the year, and so to avoid spending too much time travelling between locations - thereby impacting on our photography time - we will be concentrating on those locations in the north east of the county from Birchington to Broadstairs. The workshop dates have been specifically chosen in accordance with tidal patterns offering the very best opportunities at sunrise and sunset. 

We begin this Kent coast photography workshop in the hotel restaurant where, over lunch, I'll show examples of images I have made at the location we will visit that afternoon. With a pier and sweeping 'arm,' it's particularly good for long exposure and black and white. This is also the perfect opportunity to set up our cameras and for you to ask any burning questions you might have.  

Day 2 sees us head out to our sunrise location where, arriving just as dawn is breaking and with a receding tide, sand ripples, rock-pools and a monastic church on a headland await. 

 following a sunrise shoot and breakfast, using my laptop, I will look at and critique a single image from everyone discussing processing techniques within Lightroom including Masks, Graduated Filters, Colour Grading and preparing photos for web and print. This, over the years, has always proved to be a very popular aspect of the workshop since a good working knowledge of the 'digital darkroom' arms the photographer with all the necessary tools to translate what he or she saw and felt at the time of capture. We then head out until dusk with the workshop concluding following a sunrise shoot and breakfast on Day 3. 

MY ETHOS
Whenever possible, I prefer to keep my groups small. This not only enables everyone to have plenty of space in which to photograph but also allows me to spend quality time with each attendee on a one-on-one basis. Although, at times, the 'art' of photography can be a serious business, I strongly believe the best way to advance others in their journey is to run such a workshop in a light-hearted, informal manner, never for one moment taking away the absolute thrill and enjoyment of being outdoors photographing the landscape with other like-minded individuals. Furthermore, I love to initiate group conversations about all things photography, so whether over coffee in a local cafe or while giving a post-processing tutorial, you can expect some lively (though always friendly) debating and discussion! 

All the locations we visit are truly inspiring and offer oodles of potential and offer very different perspectives from 'classic' compositions...

to long exposure,...

impressionism and ICM.

HIGHLIGHTS
Very small group of just 3 ensuring bespoke one-on-one tuition
Critique and edit tutorials
Use of Lee Filters
Sweeping sandy beaches
Cliffs and tidal pools
Lessons in long exposure and ICM

WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED?
Almost everything! Below are just a few aspects that will be discussed both on and off-location. 

• Composition: Strengthening and simplifying
• Long exposure and impressionist techniques
• Lens choice and its effect on subject relationship
• Working with different aspect ratios
• Black and white conversions
• Filtration
• Focus stacking
• Exposure blending

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 - do drop me a line. I’m here to help and provide you with an inspirational workshop!