Located to the east of the UK, Norfolk is famous for its Broads - a series of manmade waterways stretching over 125 miles, which have been used for boating holidays since the late 19th century. For landscape photographers, these waterways offer an exciting variety of locations in which to explore and photograph. Adding interest are windmills and moored sailing boats adding valuable height to the landscape.

Norfolk's coast is equally photogenic with plenty of architecture such as piers, groynes and lighthouses to create great foreground and mid-ground interest. Due to the flat terrain, skies play an important role in adding drama to a scene and skies here can be stunning!

During our stay we will photograph both the Broads and Norfolk's coastline using my car for the duration of the workshop. On one or two evenings (or if the weather is particularly poor), I will demonstrate some post-processing techniques using Lightroom Classic on my 27" computer screen using some of the images you took during the workshop. You are also invited to bring a small selection of prints or digital images for discussion (optional).

Accommodation

This 4½ day (5-night), all-inclusive workshop is based near Cromer, centrally located for exploring Norfolk's magnificent coastline and Broads. We will be staying in a beautiful 3-storey arts & crafts style house with each person having a large bedroom to themselves (two separate participants will share one bathroom on each floor, so please bring a dressing-gown). My wife (and business partner) will provide all meals throughout your stay including midday lunch or packed lunches where applicable. 

For an additional £300, non-photographic partners are welcome to attend on a shared room basis and will also include all meals. Please note that non-photographic partners will be unable to attend the workshop or processing discussions. Full joining instructions will be sent near to the time of the workshop.

Key Locations

Cromer, Overstrand, West Runton, Well’s Beach and Harbour, Blakeney, Mundelsey Beach, Happisburgh, Cart Gap & Caister, Cley-Next-the-Sea, Thurne, Ludham & Horsey

Teaching Points

Composition; managing exposure; maximising image sharpness; correct use of filters and shutter speeds; long exposure photography 

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body 
• At least two camera batteries
• A lens (or lenses) that cover focal lengths ranging from wide-angle to medium telephoto
• Tripod
• Lens cloth
• Polariser
• Graduated filters (ideally 1, 2 & 3 stop hard graduated filters).
• Long exposure filters (ideally 6 & 10 stop) - optional as I will have mine which you may borrow at any time.

Clothing 

• Outdoor clothing suitable for photographing at this time of year
• Waterproof coat in case of rain
• Walking shoes/boots
• Wellington boots for the shoreline
• Umbrella - a black umbrella can be useful as a parasol to eliminate harsh light when photographing close up abstracts.

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

The fitness level for this workshop is classed as easy as Norfolk is relatively flat and all locations have been carefully selected for their stunning views, safety, convenience and ease of access. However, due to some locations, this workshop is unsuitable for wheelchair users.

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Cromer - I will send specific location postcode a few weeks before the start of the workshop.

By Rail

There is a railway station in Cromer and I am offering a collection and drop off service from the station by prior arrangement. Please get in touch.

By Plane

The nearest airport to Cromer is Norwich Airport or London Standsted. Please contact me if you're travelling from outside the UK to discuss.

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.