Photography

An Introduction to Black & White Film & Print
This holiday will show you basic photography skills and darkroom techniques and will include composition, light theory, landscapes, still life, portraiture. You will developing your first film and try processing and printing.

Suitable for: Beginners.

Tutor: Mark Whitehouse.

Digital Photography
You will be shown how to use your digital camera to it's full potential.  An explanation of Photoshop image manipulation will be given so that you can make bad photographs good and good photographs great.

Suitable for: Beginners.

Tutor: Mark Whitehouse.

General
If you want to gain practice with your camera, improve your photographic skills and learn about a special sectors of photography we can offer a series of holidays and weekend breaks at different levels. All are based in the Midlands.

They will provide you with general theory and familiarisation of camera and equipment, knowledge and techniques and offer plenty of practical experience in some unique locations or a studio.Choose one of the Introduction weekends if you are a beginner or try the other holiday breaks if you want to take your skills and knowledge to new levels.

All holidays and weekend breaks include elements of
Understanding your camera and its features
What makes a good photo
Aperture priority and depth of field
Lighting and exposure
Composition

Wildlife Photography Introduction Weekend
Red Deer are unreliable at showing up and are camera-shy. But you will be taken to Cannock Chase by Inspire Photography who know the right places to capture shots of this beautiful animal. Other subjects will also be chosen to show you how to capture wildlife and to photograph fast action.

Wildlife Week
A mid-week 5 day break to practice your skills, to learn more about the potential of your camera and to improve your knowledge about photographing wildlife. You will be given explanations about shutter speeds and aperatures, discuss the choice of lenses to use and consider other equipment. There will be trips to Cannock Chase and in to the Peak District to discover wildlife that will make subjects for stunning photographs. Review your work at the end of the day.

Landscape Photography Introduction Weekend
We will take you to some wonderful and unique locations in the Peak District , Derbyshire and Staffordshire.... from iconic views to little known corners where you will be encouraged and shown how to practice your skills. The exact locations will be chosen to give the best opportunity for the time of year ...autumn colours, visibility depending on weather, avoiding crowded honey-pots in Summer.

You will be shown how to capture interest in your photographs, have depth and perspective explained, and prompted to consider composition. with shapes,colour,texture, lines. At the same time you will study light.

Portraiture Photography Introduction Weekend
This weekend takes you into a studio so that you can become acquainted with the equipment and techniques for portraitue. It may be your first time in a studio and you will be given a run down of lighting equipment, backdrops and props before getting a chance to use them with a model. Inspire Photography will teach you how to be confident and comfortable working with the equipment and the model.Models provided.There will be a review of your work to end the weekend.

Portraiture Photography
A mid week break of 4 days developing Studio work and learning to Processing your images.
Progress your use of studio lighting and equipment and perhaps experiment with styles of portraiture, different props and backgrounds. Learn to be at ease working with models with tips and guidance from our experienced tutors.Models provided.

Try importing and manipulating your images and begin to get a feel for digital work flow and printing.

You will not need to walk very far and we avoid a strenuous timetable. The times of day will be optimised and you might therefore expect unusual times. Each day is planned to provide you with a leisure experience and respecting the local environment. The choice of locations and theme for the day will be discussed with you so that we can work with you to get the most out of your time and to meet your personal preferences.

The weather is unpredictable but we cannot do anything about and therefore we don't believe it should prevent us from enjoying the outdoors. It will influence what we do but it is possible to adjust activities and to protect ourselves from the conditions so expect to carry on with the days plan unless the prudent course of action is to seek refuge. If you are British you are probably as adept at deciding “what to wear” as any of us but a list is given (below) to give you a reminder and to provide guidance for our visitors from abroad.

Stout comfortable walking shoes
Sun hat
Sun cream
Midge repellant
Waterproof , windproof coat
Warm base layers and gloves for Winter
Drinking vessels for adequate water intake.

Your leaders are very familiar with these locations and know the best times to shoot,the best routes and the general natural history.

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