PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE INFORMATION – WITH DAVID

A Note from David

Each course begins with a relaxed introduction where we chat about where we all are on our photography journey. We then dive into a short, friendly presentation to cover the core theory for the day – focusing on the balance of exposure, shutter speed, and ISO. Once we are all on the same page, we shift our focus to creativity and composition before heading out to nearby locations or into the studio, depending on the course.

FOR EITHER LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY

Physical requirements:

The focus of these days involve walking to and from outdoor locations and working in the field with your camera. Please note, you must be able to walk on uneven paths and be on your feet for extended periods. The Snowdonia day trip may also include some steep sections.

Clothing & essentials

Welsh weather is famously changeable, so please come prepared:

• Walking boots or other sturdy footwear

• Layers – to suit anything from wind, rain, to strong sunshine

• Waterproofs and warm clothing

• Optional: binoculars and sun cream

• A small day bag to carry essentials for the walk

Food & drink

• A packed lunch – we will be eating on location

• Water and snacks – something simple and suitable for in-the-field breaks

Transport

• For the Photography in Nature course, all students will meet at Wernog Wood. From there, we may drive to local photography locations.

  • Where possible, we encourage car sharing to reduce vehicle numbers, but there is absolutely no obligation to share if you are not comfortable

  • Locations may include Lady Bagot’s Drive or Offa’s Dyke and the Clwydian Hill Range

  • If the weather is poor, we will work indoors on still life compositions and RAW file editing in the studio

• For the Snowdonia Photography course, we may either meet at Wernog Wood or meet at a designated location in Snowdonia

  • Final details will be confirmed and discussed closer to the time, taking into account weather, group preferences and travel needs

  • Car sharing may be an option, but again, only if everyone is happy with this option

    
    

What to bring for either of the landscape photography courses:

• A modern digital camera (ideally made in the last 7 years) – preferably with interchangeable lenses

• Lenses – we will mainly work within the 24–200mm (full frame equivalent) range. You are welcome to bring more, but please only carry a couple during the walking parts of the day

• A memory card – with space for at least 100 high-quality images (RAW format if possible)

• Charged batteries – and spare ones if you have them

• A tripod – optional, but useful if you have one

• A camera bag – something comfortable to carry during walks

• A laptop or tablet with Adobe Lightroom – helpful for a short end-of-day editing session. Please download and install the free trial version before you arrive

• If you wish to edit images from your camera: bring a card reader or compatible connection cable

• A phone camera is acceptable for the Snowdonia course if you are considering buying a digital camera soon. However, please note that the majority of the day will be spent working with digital cameras, so phone users may find parts of the course less relevant

STILL LIFE & PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

This course explores how to build strong, visually engaging images – whether artistic or promotional – that communicate clearly and effectively to an intended audience. You will work through subject selection, composition, lighting, camera and phone use, editing, and sharing your work.

What to Bring (if you can):

• A smartphone with a good camera

• A digital camera

• A tripod

• A laptop or tablet with Adobe Lightroom (free trial available)

• A lead or card reader to transfer your images

• Charged batteries and/or a charger for all devices

Optional Extras:

• Personal objects or artworks you would like to photograph

• Fabrics or portable backgrounds that may enhance your still life scenes

Do not worry if you do not have everything – David will have spare kit to help fill any gaps.