Develop Your Photography

Are there too many twiddly dials and clicky buttons on your camera?

Have you wondered why your photographs never look quite how you thought they would?

Do you want to learn loads of tips and tricks to take your photographs from "That's nice" to "Wow!"?

Then spend one all-inclusive weekend with me in a quiet part of Scotland and engage in two full days of small group tuition that will boost your confidence and make a real difference to your photography.

Is this for me?

If you answered 'yes' to these and you don't know what most of the buttons and menu items on your camera do, then this weekend is for you.

You do need a modern DSLR, bridge or advanced compact camera (see the 'Requirements' section below). If in doubt, drop me an email to ask.

As it includes two nights of comfortable accommodation, all food (except the second evening meal) and no travelling during the weekend, you don't need to worry about anything except getting the most from your camera.

What will I do during the weekend?

Over the two days, there will be a mixture of interactive taught sessions and guided practical tasks (indoors and outdoors), you'll explore portrait, landscape, adventure sport and wedding photography. Each has differing demands and priorities, so this allows you to grow your skills in a diverse range of situations and boost your confidence.

Topics I plan on covering include the following, but the exact content will be guided by you and I will adapt the course content accordingly:

1. the three main functions of your camera
2. how these influence the outcome and affect each other
3. the other principal modes and settings on your camera that put you in control
4. how composition can enhance (and ruin) an image
5. how simple lighting tricks can make the biggest difference
6. why (and how) cataloguing and editing your photographs is essential

Who will be teaching me?

As well as working outdoors and running Otter Adventures, Karl built was a self-employed photographer who built a successful wedding and portrait business over six years before moving to Scotland. During this time, he achieved accreditation with the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP). Karl took all the photographs on the Otter Adventures website, so you could say that he is an adventure sports photographer as well.

Equally important is that he is also a qualified teacher and experienced lecturer that is very flexible, and is able to adapt the teaching style and explanations to suit most people. While living in England, he ran this course in one day but felt that more practical tasks were essential if students were to gain the most from their cameras.

What's included?

This course includes:

1. two nights comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation
2. bedding, linen and towels will be provided
3. the option to share your room with a partner or friend at discounted rates*
4. cooked breakfast or a lighter alternative on both mornings
5. packed lunch and hot drinks on both days of tuition
6. two days of photography tuition tailored to you

This course DOES NOT include:

1. Dinner on the second evening (we can book local restaurants on your behalf)
2. Any drinks with the evening meal (other than water). You are welcome to bring your own drinks, alcoholic or otherwise, to have with your first evening meal.

* The headline price is based on one person in a room. If you wish to bring a partner or friend with you, we have significantly discounted prices for a participating (or non-participating) person sharing your room. Please book one person and add the second in the 'add on' section - otherwise, you will be booking two separate rooms. If in doubt, please contact me directly so I can book you in.

It is essential that you have a modern DSLR, bridge or advanced compact camera that allows you to change modes and settings with dials and buttons (as opposed to menu settings).

Aside from three front steps, Otterburn is on a single, level floor throughout.

We will be heading outdoors at various times depending upon the weather and your desires. Here the surfaces may be uneven and rough, but locations are flexible and this can generally be avoided.

If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know in good time so we can be prepared for your arrival and included meals.

This is a non-exhaustive list of the things you really need to bring in order to get the most out of this course:

1. Your own camera (preferably a DSLR) that can be put into full manual mode (If it has a dial with 'PASM' (or similar) on top, then it shoud be fine
2. Battery and charger for your camera
3. Instruction book for your camera
4. Any lenses or accessories you may have with your camera (optional)
5. Clothes appropriate to the weather - both indoor and outdoor
6. Waterproof jacket, trousers and shoes

You should also bring your usual travel items such as:

1. clothes
2. toiletries
3. personal medication
4. slippers (optional)

All bedding and towels will be provided at Otterburn B&B.

Please arrive at around 18:00 on the first evening as you have two nights accommodation included in this course. We'll meet for introductions before dinner on the first evening (19:30).

Starting at 10:00 on the first morning, we will dive into a mixture of interactive taught sessions and guided practical sessions until around 17:00. The exact content and pacing will be dictated by you throughout the weekend.

Day two will commence at 09:30 with less taught sessions and more guided practical tasks based around your needs (and the weather).

Day two will run through to 15:00 when you will be able to head for home with your head full of ideas as to how you can 'develop' your photography...

NB: Due to a limitation of the booking system, the finish time is shown as 18:30 on Sunday. We aim to finish around 15:00 and ask that you depart from Otterburn by 16:00 as other guests may be arriving from that time. We also ask that you vacate your room before the tuition commences on the second day so they may be cleaned ready for any arriving guests. Subject to availability, you may be able to book additional nights at Otterburn B&B to extend your stay at a discounted rate. Please enquire about availability and prices once you have booked this course.