Ever wondered how to make the camera work for you rather than just leaving it on the “Auto”or “program”mode and hoping for the best?Or perhaps you know how to control the camera (rather than it controlling you!) and have a good eye for composition already,but time is the issue. You know –you’re away with friends or family,you see a fantastic shot,but the light’s not quite right,or you need time to work out the best composition to do the subject justice,but the others don’t want to wait,even for a few minutes. Dare I say it,they’re beginning to whinge along the lines of “You’re not still faffing with that camera are you?”!
If either of these ring a bell with you,then perhaps some time spent in the legendary location of Andalucia –the pretty whitewashed villages along the slopes of the original (Spanish) Sierra Nevada,the wilderness of the high mountains,or the rolling landscapes of the gentler Alpujarras could be just the answer.
These “holidays with tuition”are ideal for the outdoors person who wishes to improve their control of a camera with interchangeable lenses (digital SLR,compact system or even a high end bridge camera). They are best suited to those who have recently upgraded from a compact camera,or with to learn how to take control of it,rather than continually leaving it on the automatic settings and hoping for the best! Participants do not need a high level of fitness (we will usually be moving slowly and stopping frequently for photos!) but do need a basic to moderate level of fitness,as we will often be walking for most of the day between images. Sometimes this will be at moderately high altitudes to get to the best locations.
In winter,there is the option of donning snowshoes to venture into the higher mountains. These require no previous experience or training,(just strap them on and enjoy!) and allow us to reach some stunning views that would otherwise be hard to reach on foot. We usually try and stay overnight at a mountain hut (Refugio Poqueira) for one night,where Chiz will show how star trail images are made,and (in summer conditions) the very keen may have the option of stopping overnight in some unmanned refugios (extremely basic but worth it for the view!)
We typically spend the first day on intensive tuition (depending on your existing skills and what you wish to learn) to get everyone up to speed on the camera’s main “creative”controls,before changing the ethos to more of a “photo-walk”with coaching available as and when needed.
Cost:£475 (for 4 nights accomodation + 4 days tuition),minimum two clients in the group.
For single participants –we will try our hardest to build together a group,but if this proves impossible on any occasion,we will give you the option of 1:1 tuition at a cost of £700 (for 4 nights accomodation and 4 days tuition).
All local transport and basic hotel accommodation in the Hotel Central (2*) (or Refugio Poquiera if we stay overnight in the mountains) is included in the price. If you wish to stay elsewhere in or near to Lanjaron that’s also fine,and we can give recommendations on more luxurious (and expensive!) options. Snowshoes (in winter) provided within the cost if the conditions dictate their need. Flights to Malaga are not included,but Malaga is served by plenty of budget airlines (and from May 2012,Jet2 is planning to run from East Midlands,filling the gap left by the departure of Easyjet!)
I’m an award-winning photographer,friendly and approachable with lots of ideas on how to get the best out of your photography,and I’ve joined forces with the leading trekking company in the region to lead photographic groups there. It’s only a short-haul flight away with easy access via budget airlines,and (just as importantly!) it’s a very affordable location,so what are you waiting for?!
For more information see a details of a “typical trip”, or to enquire about when courses are available contact me here.
For additional days after a four-day course,we can offer a reduced price of £75 a day* if booked in advance with the course. (*Local photography days or group transfers via El Torcal £75 per day,individual transfers to the airport via El Torcal or trips out to the Tabernas Desert may cost extra depending on numbers).
If you’re wondering what’s a participant’s view of my photo tuition is –Kiersten wrote this review after coming on one of my courses,in exchange for being my chauffeur and location finder on my first recce trip out there.
