Newsletter
8th May 2024
Photographic Cobwebs
Hi Light Catchers,
I know as a nation, foreigners look upon at us as being a bit possessed as to what the weather is doing and these days it seems to be doing everything, with all four seasons in a single day!
This weather pattern I see as an advantage. The constantly changing lighting conditions is great to practise our photography skills under, to get the shot we are looking for. Practise and the mistakes we make along the way, are what help us to develop, building our skills and experience.
I know from the emails sent in to me that some of you have been away from photography for a while. I can relate to this as caring duties quiet rightly, took priority for me. As I have started venturing out with my camera more, I’m making fewer mistakes as I dust the "photographic cobwebs" away.
Photographer - Kelvin Harwood
But the biggest take for me is the sheer pleasure of getting away from the office desk and getting outdoors with my camera. I am lucky to live next to a number of great local locations I can walk around with my camera to hand and even more with a short trip.
Gentle exercise, mental well being, getting close to nature and lots of other benefits are being linked to a hobby such as photography, as you wander and wonder what you may come across, offering a great photographic opportunity to you.
If you are not taking your camera out regularly, I encourage you to find time to treat yourself, perhaps an hour, half day, or a day once in a while …. you don’t even have to take photos but have your camera with you for when you come across something interesting, different, beautiful, or inspiring, for you to capture that moment.
Perhaps you know someone you can go with and act as an accountability partner so you both make the commitment to allocate some time to. Perhaps you have a local camera club or walking group you could join.
In the very near future I will be offering 'Camera Walks' which you can join other photographers on. These will be at various locations and a chance to for you practise and develop your skill, with guidance on hand if required.
Offers
Mean while, for those of you wanting to dust your own "photographic cobwebs" away, I have listed a four workshops and discounts I would like to tempt you out with, which you can find below.
Next Newsletter
Monthly newsletters will be sent out on the second Wednesday each month with the next on June 12th May.
There will soon be the option of a weekly update which I shall be sending a separate email out about later this week, plus when the website is populated.
Website Update.
Website transfer and update should be completed in the very near future and for those of you who like to check and keep an eye on what I am up to, I have left the website header and navigation menu at the top of the page so you can have a look around and check on my progress.
Please bare with the layout as the contents are transferred across to this site and I'll soon be releasing why I have been testing half a dozen website platforms. This is the chosen one for Eclipse Photography!
It is far from finished but you'll be able to get a flavour of what is coming up, in particular:-
* Diary events for the next four weeks .... Diary
* Training date list until the end of the year .... Training
If you have any questions, please feel free to get back to me, but please no feedback on what you have found not working ..... I shall be asking for that when the site is fully populated.
Meanwhile, get your camera out there and see what light you can capture.
I’m off to pack my waterproofs; sun cream; and thermal socks for my camera walk …. and hoping for snow as I've only seen three flakes this year!
Dave.
Newsletter
Readers Offers
Newsletter Subscribers
For those who would like some guidance, coaching and perhaps some company with your photography, I would like to offer you as newsletter subscribers, the following workshops and discounts.
If you would like more information about a particular workshop or would like to make a booking, please use the contact form which can be found using this link .... contact us
Please Note
These offers are for the dates shown and soon to be promoted on social media. As always, newsletter readers get to see any promotions first and if interested, book a place.
Digital Photography
Getting Started
You have the choice of three dates/locations for this workshop.
Andover, Hampshire
Date: May 11th, Saturday
Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Date: May 18th, Saturday
Time: 10:00am to 1:00pm
Tidworth, Wiltshire
Date: June 1st, Saturday
Time: 9:30am to 12:30pm
Overview
When first starting out with photography it is easy to get confused with all the camera functions and menu options.
During this workshop you will be guided through on how and when to use the automatic and semi-automatic camera modes.
These allow us to choose the mode for certain creative effects when capturing images of our subject, with the camera helping us to
ensure we have a correctly exposed image that's not either too light or too dark.
We pay a lot of money for our cameras and this is where we can let your camera assist you as you learn to take control.
The group size is limited to allow plenty of time for individual coaching.
On Your Day
During a short walk of no more than 0.5 mile (0.8 km), you will be guided on how to best shoot a range of subjects using the camera modes, to get various results and effects.
Subjects we shoot will include buildings; nature; waterways; people; landscapes; wildlife and whatever else we may come across.
Each subject offers us different challenges which each will be split into easy steps. First with a look at which camera settings to use and then a demonstration on how to do it. Followed by a walk through as you mirror the steps I take and then you practise with guided coaching given both to the group and also individually to each attending.
Subjects Covered
We will be using the camera shooting modes of Auto and the Scene mode that has options for a range of scenes such as - portrait; landscape; sport; close; night; pet .... and your camera probably has a number of others, we can look at.
A brief description will be given on what is changed inside your camera when different modes are selected and an overview of the 'exposure triangle', a key principle which will help you understand.
A range of related subjects is normally covered both during the workshop and the Q&A session at the end.
Suitable
This workshop is designed with the total beginner in mind but us is also useful to those who have been away from photography for a while and would like a refresher of the principles covered.
Training Support
This includes pre-workshop check sheets to help you prepare; tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience during your workshop; after which you will be emailed a summary sheet of the key points and information about a range of options to help you progress further.
This includes an optional live on-line review session in the week following your workshop, normally in the early evening. Times will be given on your workshop and alternatives if they do not suit you.
Access
The 0.5 mile (0.8 km) route taken during this workshop uses tarmac paths and we will be close to local amenities throughout the workshop.
Price
Your workshop includes the following:-
* Pre-workshop check sheets.
* Tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience.
* Summary sheet of key points.
* Optional live on-line review session.
£37 (normally £47) *
* A carer or guardian may accompany you for free if they do not bring a camera with them.
Mastering The Manual Mode
You have the choice of three dates/locations for this workshop.
Andover, Hampshire
Date: May 11th, Saturday
Time: 1:30pm to 4:00pm
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Date: May 18th, Saturday
Time: 1::00am to 3:30pm
Tidworth, Wiltshire
Date: June 1st, Saturday
Time: 1::00am to 3:30pm
Overview
You will be shown how to shoot in the manual mode which gives you full creative control with your photography.
This mode allows you to control the area which will be in focus within your image, the depth of field, plus controlling how you capture motion from freezing, to adding a degree of blurring for a sense of movement.
This is done whilst balancing the exposure level for different lighting conditions, so your image is not either too light or dark.
This may sound difficult but you will be guided through our simple steps approach to show you how easy this can be.
The group size is limited to allow plenty of time for individual coaching.
On Your Day
We start by looking at how to balance your exposure level by using the three key camera controls of Aperture/Aperture Value; Shutter Speed/Time Interval; and ISO sensor sensitivity. This is followed by a short walk of about 0.5 mile (0.8 km), where you will be guided on how to balance your exposure for a range of subjects we will come across.
Referred to as the exposure triangle, we look at how to use the aperture/shutter/ISO settings to control the area in focus within your captured image, plus the subjects movement, whilst also maintaining a correctly exposed image.
The workshop is split into short sessions for each subject, during which we start with a look at how to set up your camera settings and then a demonstration on how to do it. Followed by a walk through as you mirror the steps I take and then you practise with guided coaching given both to the group and also individually to each attending.
Subjects Covered
We will be using the camera manual 'M' shooting mode throughout this workshop, in which we can control the three camera settings of aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity.
We will look at what sequence to adjust these settings for different subjects and lighting conditions, plus how the camera can help us to balance out the exposure level, for a correctly exposed image.
A description will be given on what is changes inside your camera the three settings of the exposure triangle are adjusted, a key principle which will help you understand.
A range of related subjects is normally covered both during the workshop and the Q&A session at the end.
Suitable
This workshop will help those who have attended a 'Digital Photography Getting Started' (DPGS) workshop and wish to progress to using the manual mode. Plus those who have been using the Automatic and Scene modes will find this a useful next step.
Feedback from previous beginners is a recommendation for total beginners to attend a DPGS, before joining this Manual workshop. It is also useful to those who have been away from photography for a while and would like a refresher of the principles covered.
Training Support
This includes pre-workshop check sheets to help you prepare; tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience during your workshop; after which you will be emailed a summary sheet of the key points and information about a range of options to help you progress further.
This includes an optional live on-line review session in the week following your workshop, normally in the early evening. Times will be given on your workshop and alternatives if they do not suit you.
Access
The 0.5 mile (0.8 km) route taken during this workshop uses tarmac paths and we will be close to local amenities throughout the workshop.
Price
Your workshop includes the following:-
* Pre-workshop check sheets.
* Tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience.
* Summary sheet of key points.
* Optional live on-line review session.
£25 (normally £30) *
* A carer or guardian may accompany you for free if they do not bring a camera with them.
Water Gardens
Longstock, Hampshire.
Date: May 16th, Thursday
Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Overview
These beautifully maintained water gardens offer us a great display of colour and textures at this time of year, with a great diversity of plants, trees and visiting wildlife. Sited within woodland valleys and crystal clear waters, which attracts a range of wildlife.
We will also visit the flowers and plants within the nursery and walled garden which is also home to the national collection of buddleja (over 100 species) ... and a great place to capture butterflies during the summer months!
On Your Day
We will explore the water gardens, where you will be guided through how to capture a range of images from a beautiful mix of colour, plants, woodlands, waterways and wildlife.
This will be done both with and without a tripod so you do not need one for this workshop. If you do bring one, you will be shown how to set up and use it without damaging the plants or the grounds - we will leave the water gardens as we find them.
Entrance numbers are controlled so it should not be too busy but you will be shown how to work with people around, to capture the shots you want.
Subjects Covered
The emphasis during this workshop is looking at how best to capture the colourful displays offered to us, with the great variety of plants and flowers within this peaceful location. Capturing images from really close up to scenic landscape/waterscape shots.
Depending upon our luck on the day, we should see a range of wildlife who frequently visit the gardens. Plus the crystal clear waterways, let us explore working with and through surface reflections.
The workshop is split into short sessions for each subject, during which we start with a look at how to set up your camera settings and then a demonstration on how to do it. Followed by a walk through as you mirror the steps I take and then you practise with guided coaching given both to the group and also individually to each attending.
Guidance will be tailored to whatever level of experience you may have, covering shooting in the Automatic; Scene; and the PASM modes (Programmed Auto; Aperture Priority; Shutter Priority; Manual), camera shooting modes.
Suitable
This workshop is suitable for any level of photography experience and guidance given will be tailored to yours.
Training Support
This includes pre-workshop check sheets to help you prepare; tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience during your workshop; after which you will be emailed a summary sheet of the key points and information about a range of options to help you progress further.
This includes an optional live on-line review session in the week following your workshop, normally in the early evening. Times will be given on your workshop and alternatives if they do not suit you.
Access
This can be split into 3 parts, with links below to take you to the Water Gardens website.
1 - Water Gardens.
Wheelchair access is available to most areas, with pathways between islands, irregular and not smooth, plus some can only be reached over a narrow bridge. Seats around the garden and limited shelter from wet weather.
Toilets with wheelchair access are available in the gardens.
The field opposite the water gardens is used as a car park, right next to the road edge.
2 - Cafe & Farm Shop
The cafe being a recent new build has toilets and a level surface throughout.
There is a tarmac car park next to the cafe.
3 - Nursery and Wall Gardens
Mostly tarmac pathways as is next to the cafe and nursery, with a low/short step to some areas.
During the workshop we shall be moving between the three locations above.
The (2) cafe, farm shop and (3) Nursery are at the top of a hill, the (1) water gardens at the bottom.
If you are thinking of booking this workshop, I would advise you first visit the Water Gardens website .... here,
and then contact me to ask any questions.
* If you have a car, you can travel between the two car parks at the top and bottom of the hill. Toilets are close to both.
Price
Your workshop includes the following:-
* Pre-workshop check sheets.
* Tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience.
* Summary sheet of key points.
* Optional live on-line review session.
£77 (normally £147) *
* Please note that this does not include your entrance ticket to the water gardens.
This you would have to purchase separately, once your workshop booking has been reserved.
This can on the water gardens website.
* Carers and guardians may accompany you for free if they do not bring a camera with them.
Birds Of Prey
Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire.
Date: May 30th, Thursday
Time: 10:00am to 4:30pm
Overview
The Hawk Conservancy Trust is home to a large collection of beautiful birds of prey, that provide great subjects for us to capture both whilst they are stationary and also when 'on the wing' ….. flying during the displays.
Each flying display has different themes and locations, during which a range of different birds are flown for us.
The group size is limited to allow plenty of time for individual coaching to each photographer, tailored to the individuals level of experience from the beginner onwards.
On Your Day
Each display offers us different challenges for our photography, which you will be guided through. From low level passes across wild flower meadows; very fast action and multiple birds flying at once; plus birds weaving through the woods under reduced light of trees canopies.
We work very much in align with the trusts daily program to ensure we witness other events taking place between the flying displays.
Subjects Covered
The emphasis during this workshop is looking at how best to capture the beautiful birds both during the flying displays and also when they ae more static. A lot of tips are given on how to best shoot at such locations, which will also help you at other venues.
The trust is also home to a great range of wildlife and plants, which may distract us a little if we see something interesting.
Suitable
This workshop is for any level of photography experience from the beginner onwards. But I would recommend total beginners first take a Beginners Digital Photography workshop or course, to get an appreciation of the main camera settings and which will allow you to get the most from this Birds Of Prey workshop.
Please ask for details of when these beginner workshops are taking place.
Training Support
This includes pre-workshop check sheets to help you prepare; with tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience during your workshop; and a range of options to help you progress further afterwards. This includes an optional live on-line review session in the week in the week following your workshop.
Review Session (optional) - June 3rd, Monday, 6:30pm to 7:30pm.
Access
The trust has good access facilities plus tarmac paths throughout.
Price
our workshop includes the following:-
* Pre-workshop check sheets.
* Tailored guidance and coaching to your level of experience.
* Summary sheet of key points.
* Optional live on-line review session.
£77 (normally £147) *
* Carers and guardians may accompany you for free if they do not bring a camera with them.
* Please note that this does not include your entrance ticket to the trust.
This lets those with HCT membership to take advantage of any discounts. Plus first time visitors will have a receipt which may entitle them to a discount if they apply for annual membership in the future.