This three-day (2-night) all-inclusive holistic workshop has been designed for those who wish to learn the finer intricacies of photographing, processing and printing exquisite black and white fine-art images.

Carefully chosen compositions taken with an eye for monochrome can far surpass an image that has simply been turned into black and white in a photo editor. During the first half of this workshop, we will photograph in three different locations - the coast, town and woodland including an early evening night shoot. During these sessions, I will demonstrate and set out activities to help you improve your ability to "see in black and white", as well as provide other tips and tricks along the way. 

The second half of the workshop will find us processing some of the images you took in my home studio. Here, I will discuss the techniques I use to glean the very best out of the image to create mood, atmosphere and delicacy (where appropriate) using Lightroom Classic software on my 27" Mac computer. As part of this process, we will also create beautiful A3 fine-art giclee prints (three per person), for you to take home - presented in a beautiful book to which you can add more prints in the future.

Itinerary

You will stay at the Village Inn, Brompton - a stone's throw from my home near Northallerton, where you will have full access to my studio and printing space.

Day 1 - 12 noon 'til 9 pm:  I will collect you from the Village Inn and drive you to my home for introductions, a light lunch and to discuss camera settings. Using my vehicle, we will then head to Whitby (around 50 mins), where I will set out tasks to help you understand seeing in black and white. We will then head for Whitby's West Pier for some long-exposure black and white photography. Whitby is famous for its fish and chips, so we shall partake (included) before setting out into the town to photograph nighttime scenes (think Victorian lanterns, cobbled streets, mystery and intrigue)!

Whitby in Monochrome

Day 2 - 9 am 'til 1 pm: After breakfast at the Inn, we will head for a local woodland where I will demonstrate the techniques I use for composing successful woodland scenes with an eye for monochrome.

Day 2 - 1pm 'til 5:30 pm:  After a light lunch at my home, we will download all images to my computer before processing a small selection from each participant using Lightroom Classic - demonstrating the techniques I use to produce successful monochrome images. 

Day 2 - 6 pm: An evening meal and drinks will be served at my home (included).

Woodland in Monochrome

Day 3 - 9am 'til 1pm: After breakfast (and checking out), I will collect and bring you back to my home where we will discuss fine art giclee printing in monochrome - including the use of paper profiles, softproofing (and what it means), choice of paper (and why it matters) and how the technique differs for a black and white print over a colour print. You will also witness my "first time, every time" approach to fine art printing, which will save time and the expense of wasted ink and paper many times over. You will leave with at least three beautiful giclee prints of your pictures - and sound knowledge of the holistic approach to black and white photography from picture to print.

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 100mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Hot-shoe spirit level (if your camera has a level indicator built-in, that’s fine).
• Lens cloth
• Graduated and long exposure filters (optional - you may borrow these from Mark if required).
• Head-torch (for night photography).

Clothing 

• Plenty of layers to keep warm
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat and over-trousers
• Sturdy walking shoes/boots
• Umbrella

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A moderate level of fitness is required for this workshop - but 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 Northallerton - please use postcode DL6 2RL to navigate to the Village Inn

By Rail

Northallerton is conveniently situated on the East-Coast rail line. Mark will be happy to collect and return you from/to Northallerton station (with prior arrangement). Please get in touch.

By Plane

Teesside airport is only a 35-minute drive from Mark's home. Mark will be happy to collect and return you from/to Teesside airport (with prior arrangement). Please get in touch.

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.