Swaledale, nestled in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, is a haven for nature lovers and photographers alike. With its enchanting landscapes, charming villages, and breathtaking vistas, Swaledale offers an abundance of opportunities for capturing stunning photographs. The beauty of this dale lies in its rugged terrain, lush green meadows, and rolling hills that are dotted with stone barns and dry stone walls. The River Swale meanders through the valley, adding a touch of serenity and creating picturesque scenes at every turn.

This 6-day (7-night) workshop is limited to just 4 participants and is timed to coincide with the spring wildflower season. The meadows and woodland come alive with bluebells, wild garlic, wood anenomes, stitchwort and many other photogenic wildflowers. You are invited to bring a macro lens as well as borrow from Mark a large range of Lensbaby creative lenses and camera to create dreamy and delicate compositions. In the introductions we will discuss camera settings and work on a theme that suits your way of seeing. 

Printing masterclass

At selected points throughout the workshop, we will process some of the images you took using my 27" computer. I will discuss the techniques I use to glean the best out of the image to create mood, atmosphere and delicacy (where appropriate) using Lightroom Classic software. As part of this process, I'll demonstrate how to create beautiful A3 fine-art giclee prints "first-time, every-time" for you to take home (at least three per person)  - presented in a beautiful, large A3 book to which you can add more prints.

An holistic approach

This Picture2Print workshop is ideal for those seeking ways to develop their creative style from sweeping vistas to macro detail as well as learn how to print to fine art gallery standard. A perfect holistic approach to honing your photography skills from Picture-2-Print!

Accommodation

This 6-day (7-night), all-inclusive workshop is based in the beautiful village of Reeth in the heart of Swaledale. Using two adjoining and beautifully appointed cottages, this will be our base for the week. Each participant will be assigned their own double bedroom with shared bathroom on a 2:1 ratio. No bedrooms are shared!

For an additional £600, 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 practical or processing/printing sessions). There are many lovey walks from Reeth for partners to enjoy. Full joining instructions will be sent near to the time of the workshop.

Key Locations

Woodland, meadows and big-vista locations around Reeth, Low Row, Gunnerside, Muker, Angram and Keld.

Teaching Points

Composition; Using graduated filters; Exposure bracketing; Soft-focus techniques using macro and Lensbaby lenses; Intentional Camera Movement Techniques (ICM); High-Key Black and White; Post-processing and soft-proofing images for print. I do not assume anything about your level of photography, so whether you're a beginner or advanced photographer, all are welcome.

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
• Macro Lens
• Lensbaby lenses / vintage lenses if you own any
• Tripod
• Lens cloth
• Polariser
• Graduated filters (optional as I will have mine which you may borrow at any time).
• Long exposure filters (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 (optional but useful on certain paths)
• Umbrella - a black umbrella can be useful as a parasol to eliminate harsh light when photographing close up abstracts (as well as for rain).

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

The fitness level for this workshop is classed as easy. 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 Reeth in Swaledale - I will send specific location postcode a few weeks before the start of the workshop.

By Rail

There is a railway station in Northallerton 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 Swaledale is Teesside International and I am offering a collection and drop off service from the airport by prior arrangement. 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.