Unleash your creativity in the mysterious world of macro photography! Join me as we delve into the enchanting world of miniature wonders and unlock the magic that lies within the tiniest details. Centrally based in Northallerton near my home, this all-inclusive three-day (2-night) workshop will find us in Swaledale, Coverdale and my favourite wetlands centre, where I will show you the techniques I use to create enchanting close-up images of spring wildflowers, butterflies and other insects. You will be encouraged to bring your own macro lens and I will also have a range of Lensbaby creative lenses, which you may use on my camera for a more soft, painterly look. 

Creative Spring Meadow examples

Accommodation

You will be based at a beautiful hotel in Northallerton - a stone's throw from my home (recently opened in 2020). All rooms are double or king size with ensuite bathrooms. You may check in any time after 3 pm. Full hotel details and joining instructions will be sent before the start of the workshop.

Itinerary

Day 1 - 12 noon:  I will collect you from the hotel and drive you to my home for introductions, a light lunch and to discuss camera settings. Using my vehicle, we will head into Swaledale to visit two wooded meadows to creatively photograph the abundant wild garlic and bluebells found there.  Early evening, we will return to my home for drinks and a prepared two-course evening meal before returning you to the hotel for the night.

Day 2 - 9:30 am (after breakfast at our home): I will drive you to a disused quarry (40 mins), where we will explore and photograph several meadows packed with wildflowers and insects. A packed lunch and drinks will be provided. We will return to my home early evening for drinks and a prepared evening meal before returning you to the hotel later in the evening.

Day 3 - early morning shoot: I will collect you from the hotel and drive you to my favourite wetlands centre (35 mins) to photograph roosting butterflies and other insects at the best time of day (weather permitting) as well as a variety of wildflowers, reeds and grasses. We will discuss the many techniques I use to create a more meaningful image. You will also be able to experiment with some of my Lensbaby lenses attached to my camera and keep whatever images you take. We will return home for breakfast at around 9.30 am.

Day 3 - After breakfast (at our home):  After breakfast, I will demonstrate how to process a small number of participants images taken during the workshop in my home studio using Lightroom Classic. The workshop will close at around 1 pm after a light lunch.

Please note: Inclement weather plays its role in creative photography, too - softening and creating water droplets on petals and leaves. If, however, the weather for a particular session is too poor, we will return to my home and discuss composition using Mark's prints as examples. If time allows, I will also offer some useful processing tips using Adobe Lightroom Classic in my studio.

Camera Equipment

Here is a list of recommended equipment you should bring…

• Camera body 
• At least two camera batteries
• A macro lens
• If you own any old vintage lenses or creative Lensbaby lenses please bring these with you.
• Tripod (optional but useful)
• Lens cloth
• A small kneeling mat/blanket as you'll be working on your knees a lot of the time.
• A Wimberley Plamp for holding flowers steady (optional - you may borrow mine when required)

Clothing 

• Outdoor clothing suitable for weather at this time of year
• Walking shoes/boots
• Umbrella  - a black umbrella can be useful as a parasol to eliminate harsh light

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

The fitness level for this workshop is classed as easy as all locations have been carefully selected for their stunning views, safety, convenience and ease of access. However, due to their locations, this workshop is unsuitable for wheelchair users. All walks will be easy-going and not rushed.

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Northallerton - I will send hotel details nearer the time.

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.