I've been lucky enough to live in Yorkshire all my life. As a landscape photographer, Yorkshire offers many stunning locations to photograph whatever the weather or season. To the west of my home, we have the famous Yorkshire Dales, to the east we have the North York Moors and finally the coast where we have miles of stunning coastline. This exciting all-inclusive three-day (2-night) workshop will find us in all of these locations carefully selected for the optimal time of day for photography - with tuition and guidance from me throughout.

As the title for this photography workshop suggests, we will explore some of the many less-known but incredibly photogenic locations found within an hour of my home in North Yorkshire. During the workshop, we will discuss and photograph a large range of subjects from abstracts to big vistas. From dramatic waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales to stunning yet secluded beaches on the Yorkshire coast, it really is a landscape photographer's paradise! Please note, therefore, that all images below represent the general area but not necessarily the specific locations (otherwise, they wouldn't be hidden ;). Times and locations may vary slightly for optimal photography experience.

Itinerary

You will be based at the Village Inn, Brompton - a stone's throw from my home near Northallerton. 

Day 1 - 12 noon:  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 head into Wensleydale (approx: 50 mins) to photograph a little-known yet dramatic, tall waterfall (not Cauldron, Hardraw or Aysgarth falls). Here, we will discuss composition and shutter techniques to create differing effects of moving water and other creative styles to suit the location. We will then head into the neighbouring valley of Swaledale to photograph the bigger landscape in a location less trodden but truly spectacular!

We will then return to my home for a prepared evening meal and drinks before returning you to the Village Inn for the night.

Yorkshire Dales examples

Day 2 - 4 am (pre-dawn shoot): I will collect you from the Inn and drive you to a location on the Yorkshire Coast in time to witness a beautiful sunset (or long exposure photography if it's overcast), where there is a wonderful pier, beach and fishing paraphernalia. We will return to my home for a cooked breakfast before returning you to the inn for a well-deserved rest (around 10 am). 

Yorkshire Coast examples

Day 2 - 1 pm: I will collect you from the Inn and drive you to a beautiful Beech woodland that I love to visit on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales for creative spring woodland photography before heading for a big-vista location nearby for sunset. We will then return to my home for a prepared evening meal and drinks before returning you to the Village Inn for the night.

Creative Woodland examples

Day 3 - 9 am (after breakfast and checkout at the Inn):  I will collect you from the Inn and drive you to the edge of the North York Moors to shoot bluebells in an ancient wooded area. We will discuss various techniques to take advantage of this beautiful area, including macro photography and the use of creative lenses such as Lensbaby (which you may borrow from Mark).

Day 3 - 1:30 pm:  We shall return to my home for a light lunch. You are invited to bring along a small number of prints for a portfolio review, and I will answer any further questions you may have. 

Day 3 - 4 pm: The workshop will draw to a close, and I will transport you back to the Inn to collect your vehicle.

Creative Bluebell Wood examples

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). 
• Macro lens (optional)
• Lensbaby creative lenses (optional  - you may borrow Mark's if required)
• 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).
• Polarising filter (optional - you may borrow one from Mark if required).

Clothing 

• Warm, outdoor clothing suitable for the time of year (early mornings can still be a little chilly)
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat and over-trousers
• Walking wellingtons and/or 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. 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.