The Lake District is a wonderful place for landscape photography, and mid-September is particularly known for its soft, warm light and misty valleys. This 4-day (3-night) workshop will be based in Cockermouth at the Premier Inn within easy striking distance of the Western Lakes. We will photograph around the shorelines of Wastwater, Buttermere, Crummock Water, Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater in locations carefully selected for their fine views and artistic merit. 

We will also visit a number of higher viewpoints chosen for easy access and panoramic views into the valleys below (no steep hill walking). As well as big vista landscapes, we will visit local woodland and quarries to create beautiful abstract pictures.

This is an all-inclusive workshop, so breakfast, lunch and two-course evening meals are provided daily. I will drive you to all locations where I'll be on hand giving tuition, advice and tips throughout the day. I do not take any of my own images whilst running a workshop (other than when demonstrating a technique) as my main aim is to ensure you leave with sound knowledge, beautiful images and great memories of your stay. I will bring with me a selection of accessories such as neutral density and graduated filters and polarisers which you may borrow at any time. 

We will meet and greet at 12 O'Clock midday on Monday 18th September at the Premier Inn, Cockermouth and, after a full itinerary of Lakeland locations over the next four days, the workshop will end at around 4 pm on Thursday 21st. Full joining instructions will be sent nearer to the start date of the workshop. 

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body and a selection of lenses that cover wide-angle to medium telephoto (for instance, 25mm to 200mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Hot-shoe spirit level (if your camera has a level indicator built-in that’s fine).
• A small set of graduated filters (optional, as you may borrow mine when required).
• Polariser (optional, as you may borrow mine when required).
• Lens cloth

You may also bring with you a laptop computer for processing images taken during the workshop with guidance from Mark.

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 - 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 Cockermouth. Use Postcode CA13 0QX for Sat-Nav directions.

By Rail

The nearest train station is Penrith where I am offering a collection and drop-off service on the day of arrival and departure. Otherwise, a taxi service will be necessary to bring you to the Hotel. 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. I am offering a collection and drop-off service on the day of arrival and departure at Penrith train station for those flying in from overseas and willing to get the train. Alternatively, I can offer a collection and drop-off service from Durham Tees Valley Airport as this is less than 25 minutes from my home. Please get in touch for further details.

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.