The Lake District is a wonderful place for landscape photography and this workshop date has been specially chosen for the optimum time for autumn colour. I have specifically chosen a property in Grasmere as it's in the heart of the English Lake District. From here, we will have convenient access to many fabulous locations, most of which will be less than a 20 minute drive from our base. 

Most mornings we will photograph sunrise in carefully chosen locations - think mirror-like, misty lakeside reflections, red skies and majestic mountains and you'll get the idea. During the day, we will visit quarries and woodland as well as areas that afford big vistas of rugged mountain terrain (don't worry, we won't be climbing any)! I've been running photography workshops in the Lake District for many years and I know it intimately, so I'll make sure we're in the right places at the right time for sunset, too.

Printing masterclass

During the evening, we will process some of the images you took using my 27" computer. I will discuss the techniques I use to glean the best out of the image to create mood, atmosphere and delicacy (where appropriate) using Lightroom Classic software. As part of this process, I'll demonstrate how to create beautiful A3 fine-art giclee prints "first-time, every-time" for you to take home (at least three per person)  - presented in a beautiful, large A3 book to which you can add more prints.

Join me

The Lake District comes alive in November! Changeable weather and vivid colours all make for one of the best places to be in the UK in autumn. You'll not only experience it yourself but you'll also leave with 3 beautiful gallery standard fine art prints to show for it. Please join me and prepare to be punch-drunk on colour!

Carefully Chosen House

We will be based in a large 5-bedroom house in beautiful Grasmere, a carefully chosen location in the heart of the English Lake District - all with double rooms and ensuite facilities (no sharing). This means that most photographic locations are within a short driving distance from our accommodation. 

Fully Catered For

Although the house is a self-catering property, don't worry, you won't need to do any cooking (or washing up)! My wife, and business partner, Gillian, will provide all meals at a time to suit our photography. All bedrooms are double and have full ensuite facilities (no sharing). We will provide a cooked breakfast, packed lunch and a 2-course evening meal with complementary drinks each day - all included in the price!

Itinerary

Arriving from around 4pm on the evening of Sunday 3rd November, 2024, we will meet in the main lounge for drinks at around 5.30pm to discuss in detail the format of the workshop and to answer any questions you may have. A more detailed itinerary will be shared after I have checked the weather forecast for the coming days. An evening meal and drinks will be served at around 7.30pm. Transport will be provided to all locations for the duration of the workshop and will come to a close after breakfast on Saturday 9th November, 2024. 

You will learn

• Detailed discussions on composition.
• Exposure bracketing.
• Using graduated filters and polarisers when required.
• Technical camera skills.
• Exploring non-traditional ways of taking pictures such as Intentional Camera Movement (ICM) and/or multiple exposure photography.

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body and a selection of lenses that ideally cover wide-angle to medium telephoto (for instance 25mm to 200mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• 1, 2 & 3 stop hard graduated filters (optional - you may borrow mine where necessary).
• Long exposure filters (optional - you may borrow mine where necessary).
• Lens cloth

Clothing 

• Appropriate outdoor clothing to meet predicted weather
• Waterproof coat
• Waterproof trousers
• Walking wellingtons and/or boots
• Umbrella

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A Moderate level of fitness is required for this workshop as one or two locations may require a 15-minute ascent (although this will be optional). However, all locations have been carefully selected for their stunning views, safety, convenience and ease of access.

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Grasmere. Full directions to the house will be provided before the start of the workshop.

By Rail

The nearest train station is Penrith. A taxi service will be necessary to take you to Grasmere. Check train times now at https://www.thetrainline.com/. Please get in touch for further details.

By Air

The nearest airport is Carlisle or Leeds/Bradford - please check flight details online prior to booking. From here, you can get the train to Penrith where you will need to take a taxi to Grasmere. Hiring a car from the airport for convenience and flexibility would be another option. Please contact Mark for further details if you plan on flying.

Payment must be made in full when booking a single day workshop (you will be sent an invoice). For residential workshops, a deposit of £500 is required (unless otherwise stated) and the balance is payable 12 weeks before the course commences.

The balance of the cost of the workshop will be due 12 weeks before the workshop starts. If a booking is made less than 12 weeks prior to the beginning of the workshop, the full cost is payable at the time of booking.

If you, the client, cancel a booking any money you have paid (including the deposit) is non-refundable unless I can find a replacement to take your place after all other places have been filled. If a replacement is found an admin fee of £100 will be deducted from the refund. If I cancel a booking any payment received will be refunded in full. Please ensure that you have adequate travel insurance in place. It is a term of the contract between us that you will obtain the appropriate travel insurance cover before you set out on the workshop. The insurance must cover the loss, expenses and damages arising from, including but not limited to, the cancellation of the workshop (whether in whole or in part), personal accident and injury, medical and repatriation costs, loss of baggage and personal money and belongings, flight cancellations and delays as well as your inability to arrive at the workshop destination due to fuel shortages and other such disruptions out of my control.

Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions, I regret I cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of my obligations under my contract with you is prevented or affected by or you otherwise suffer any damage, loss or expense of any nature as a result of “force majeure”. In these booking conditions, “force majeure” means any event which I or the supplier of the service(s) in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events may include, (whether actual or threatened), war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, adverse weather conditions, fire, epidemics/pandemics, fuel shortages and all similar events outside my control.

Please note, I cannot accept any liability for any damage, loss, expense or other sum(s) of any description (1) which on the basis of the information given to me by you concerning your booking prior to me accepting it, I could not have foreseen you would suffer or incur if I breached the contract with you or (2) which did not result from any breach of contract or other fault by myself where I am responsible for them, my suppliers. Additionally, I cannot accept liability for any business losses.

You will be allocated either a single room or a double/twin room for single occupancy. There is no single occupancy surcharge. Where double or twin rooms are available, they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of check-in.

Mark Banks Photography reserves the right to cancel any workshop. In the event of any cancellation, I will offer either a total refund or a place on an alternative workshop. If the alternative workshop is cheaper, I will refund the difference, and if it is more expensive, you will be required to pay the balance.

All applicants participate at their own risk and Mark Banks Photography accepts no responsibility for injury or damage done to their persons or property. It is recommended that applicants hold their own personal Public Liability Insurance.

The type of workshops I offer require flexibility and must allow for alternatives. For this reason, the outline itinerary and workshop description must be taken as an indication of what may take place on the workshop, and not as a contractual obligation on the part of Mark Banks Photography.

I do not accept responsibility or liability for death, bodily injury or illness caused to you during the workshop, unless arising from the negligent act and/or omission on my part or on the part of any of my employees (providing they were at the time acting within the course of their employment). Please note that any itinerary noted on the workshop description is subject to change due to weather conditions and/or the capability of participants.

By booking a workshop with Mark Banks Photography you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.