Creative Perthshire: Autumn Woods & Waterfalls is an opportunity to explore a more expressive side of landscape photography amongst some of Perthshire’s most atmospheric autumn scenery. Based in Pitlochry, we’ll venture into the surrounding countryside to photograph richly coloured woodland, flowing rivers, waterfalls, textures and intimate details, concentrating less on grand vistas and more on the quieter scenes that often reveal themselves when we slow down and look more carefully.

Autumn provides the perfect backdrop for creative image-making. We’ll use techniques such as Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), multiple exposure and slower shutter speeds to interpret colour, movement and atmosphere in a more personal way. On some evenings, we’ll also spend time processing selected images in Lightroom Classic, exploring how thoughtful editing can help strengthen mood, colour and visual impact.

As with all my workshops, the aim is not simply to visit locations but to help you develop your own way of seeing. We’ll spend time looking at composition, light, texture and visual rhythm, while also encouraging experimentation and a willingness to try something different. Whether you already use creative techniques or are completely new to them, this workshop is about slowing down, exploring ideas and producing images that feel more personal.

Perthshire Classics

Perthshire Creative

Post-Processing

As the days are a little shorter at this time of year, we will spend some of the evenings discussing photographic topics as well as process some of the images you've taken during the workshop using Lightroom Classic with my computer and large 27" monitor. For one evening, I invite you to bring a small portfolio of images (print or digital) for constructive feedback (optional).

Itinerary

During the week we’ll explore areas such as Faskally Forest and Loch Dunmore, the Hermitage near Dunkeld, the Falls of Bruar, Glen Tilt and the Linn of Tummel, each offering its own mix of autumn colour, woodland, flowing water and more intimate landscape opportunities. The exact itinerary will remain flexible so that we can respond to the best light, weather and autumn colour, allowing us to make the most of the conditions each day.

Accommodation

This 5-day (6-night), all-inclusive workshop is centrally based in the charming village of Pitlochry just a short drive from the majority of locations we will visit - affording us the luxury of more photography time! Each participant will be assigned their own double or twin bedroom - all of which share a bathroom on a 2 to 1  basis (no bedrooms are shared of course).
My wife and business partner, Gillian, will supply exquisite meals whenever we require them allowing us the freedom to photograph at the optimum times without the shackles of restrictive hotel mealtimes. All dietary requirements can be catered for and will be requested prior to the start of the workshop.

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 100mm). 
• At least two camera batteries
• Tripod
• Lens cloth
• Long exposure filters such as a 10-stop filter or a screw-on variable ND filter (necessary for creating multiple exposures and ICM images)
• Polariser (necessary for reducing glare from wet leaves).

Clothing

Autumn in Perthshire can be cold therefore, it’s important to be equipped with the correct clothing. 

• Plenty of layers to keep warm
• Hat
• Gloves
• Waterproof coat
• Waterproof trousers
• Wellingtons and/or boots
• Umbrella

Fitness Level - Easy | Moderate | Challenging

A moderate to GOOD level of fitness is required for this workshop as a lot of woodland we visit have steep paths - but all locations have been carefully selected for their safety, convenience and ease of access.

Getting there

By Road

There is a good road network to Pitlochry - but it would be wise to include, and allow for, an overnight stay en-route if you plan on travelling a long distance. 

By Rail

The nearest train station is conveniently situated in the village of Pitlochry itself and less than a 10 minute walk to the house. Please contact me if you would like collection and drop-off from/to the station if you prefer. Check train times now at https://www.thetrainline.com/

By Plane

The nearest airport is Inverness, where you will need to take the train to Pitlochry. Check flight times now at https://www.glasgowairport.com/ Please get in touch to organise this with me.

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 paid 12 weeks before the course commences (20 weeks for overseas workshops).

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.