Join me to photograph the award-winning coastline of Northumberland from St. Mary's Lighthouse in the south to Berwick on the Scottish border. As well as visiting the mystical locations of Bamburgh and Dunstanburgh with their iconic, towering castles, we will also photograph intimate shoreline studies, including Spittal Beach where I took 'Liquid Gold', a finalist in the 2020 Close Up Photographer of the Year Competition (see right). A visit to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) is a must, famed for its breathtaking natural beauty, enchanting history and rich, spiritual heritage. We will also photograph around less well-known locations such as Cambois Beach, Newbiggin and Craster.

I've been photographing Northumberland for decades, so I know its coast intimately. Checking the weather throughout the workshop, I'll make sure we're in the right place at the right time to get the best shots! This workshop includes all meals throught the day provided by my wife, Gillian. This gives us the flexibility to photograph whenever we like without the constraints of hotel mealtimes - particularly at sunrise and sunset.

If we experience a particularly poor spell of weather, we will use the time to process some of your images taken on the workshop using Lightroom Classic on my computer and 27" monitor.

Join me

Northumberland holds endless inspiration for landscape photographers. Join me on this amazing photography workshop, where we will unlock the secrets of this magical area. Whether you're an amateur seeking to refine your skills or a seasoned photographer looking for fresh inspiration, the breathtaking beauty of the Northumberland coast will leave an indelible mark on your artistic journey.

Carefully Chosen House

We will be based in a large 5-bedroom house in beautiful Alnwick, a carefully chosen location just a  five minute drive to the A1 - the main arterial road through the county (full joining instructions will be sent before the workshop). This means that most photographic locations are within a short driving distance of under 30 minutes 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 Gillian, will provide all meals at a time to suit our photography. We will provide a cooked breakfast, packed lunch and a 2-course evening meal with complementary drinks each day - all included in the price! Bedrooms are either double or twin - all with private en-suite facilities.

Itinerary

You will arrive any time after 4 pm on the afternoon of Sunday 22nd September, 2024 and we'll meet in the 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. For the next five days, you will be transported to numerous locations around the area by me, where we will discuss composition and technical skills to meet your expected goals. I will be on hand throughout each session offering tuition, advice and help with any technical issues. The workshop will come to a close after breakfast on Saturday 28th September, 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

An Easy level of fitness is required for this workshop - 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 Alnwick, Northumberland via the A1 road network.

By Rail

Mark is offering a pick-up/drop-off service from Alnmouth train station on the arrival/departure dates. Check train times now at https://www.thetrainline.com/. Please arrange this with Mark prior to booking.

By Air

The nearest airport is Newcastle where Mark is offering a pick-up/drop-off service on the arrival/departure dates - please check flight details online prior to booking and contact Mark to arrange. 

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.