Photography Workshops and Tours 2010

Below is a summary of holiday tours and workshops on which I will be acting as tutor/tour leader over the months ahead.

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Tuesday 21st September 2010
Places available

Course operated by Nikon (UK) Ltd at Nikon House in Kingston.

To get the most from this course you will have already attained a reasonable understanding of the key photographic terms such as Exposure and Metering; be familiar with the use of Aperture to control Depth of Field and you will know about using appropriate Shutter Speeds to freeze subject movement and prevent camera shake. You will also be familiar with the most common Shooting Modes and Quality Settings, possibly through having attended the “Introduction to Nikon DSLR” course or similar - although this would be beneficial it is not essential.

Red deer stag

This course is designed to fast-track those with a strong interest in the subject to a point where images produced are more consistent, visually interesting and make more intelligent use of the available photographic technology. You will be able to “manage” your long lenses more effectively and be better at finding suitable subjects and locations. You will leave very much inspired by Chris to go on and produce more interesting and visually stunning images.

The course contains three distinct sections; Section 1 deals with the technical aspects of wildlife photography - using appropriate camera settings and controls, choice of optics and getting the most from the lens controls such as VR and Focus Lock. Chris then goes on to discuss the pictorial aspects such as choice of location, viewpoint, and composition. In Section 2 you are given the opportunity to practice some of these techniques in the field at a nearby location. In Section 3, the results of the practical shoot will be reviewed and Chris will offer a useful critique of your images whilst showing how best to deal with processing and output.

Non - Nikon users are welcome!

Cost per person:
£200 including lunch & refreshments

Further information and booking enquiries:
Through Nikon website
or call Sara Marshall on 0208 247 1734

NORTH NORFOLK BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

Monday 1st to Thursday 4th November 2010
(evening start and finish)
Fully booked

Famous for spectacular winter flocks of geese, wildfowl and wading birds. Skeins of pink-footed geese commute between their roosts on the Wash and inland feeding areas at dawn and dusk, and clouds of knot whirl around as the tide covers the mudflats. In the harbours and on the beaches we’ll try to get close to turnstones, sanderlings, bar-tailed godwits, and redshanks.

Sanderling preening

Owls and farmland birds are also likely to figure in our itinerary. We shall visit Titchwell and other fabulous nature reserves along the coast, make use of permanent hides, learn how to stalk bird subjects on foot, and use vehicles as mobile hides. The evenings give us an opportunity to review each day’s photography and perhaps enjoy a digital slide presentation. I am available to offer constructive evaluation of your recent work and address any of your photographic queries. Join me in one of my favourite photographic locations and try your hand at capturing the essence of Norfolk's winter birdlife.

Previous bird photography experience desirable, and telephoto lenses of 400mm or longer recommended. Maximum six participants.

Accommodation:
Le Strange Arms Hotel, Old Hunstanton (3 star).

Transport:
We share cars during the workshop, but if you plan to arrive by public transport you can almost certainly be accommodated - just let us know beforehand.

Cost per person:
£460 (includes three nights full board with packed lunches)
No single room supplement. Additional nights before and after workshop available at extra cost. Partners and non-participants are welcome at the hotel at a reduced rate.

Further information and booking enquiries:
tel: 01767 260769
e-mail Chris Gomersall

See a portfolio of guests' images from November 2008

NORTH NORFOLK BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

Monday 28th February to Thursday 3rd March 2011
(evening start and finish)
Fully booked

Monday 7th to Thursday 10th March 2011

(evening start and finish)

Places available

Late-staying pink-footed and white-fronted geese tend to be quite approachable at this time, while the resident wildfowl will be in smart spring plumage. We’ll also be looking for waders such as avocet, black-tailed godwit and knot, and there may be sightings of marsh harrier, bearded tit and bittern, or some early spring migrants.

Barn owl hunting at dawn

Owls and farmland birds are also likely to figure in our itinerary. We shall visit Titchwell and other fabulous nature reserves along the coast, make use of permanent hides, learn how to stalk bird subjects on foot, and use vehicles as mobile hides. The evenings give us an opportunity to review each day’s photography and perhaps enjoy a slide or digital presentation. I am available to offer constructive evaluation of your recent work and address any of your photographic queries. Join me in one of my favourite photographic locations and try your hand at capturing the essence of Norfolk's late winter birdlife.

Previous bird photography experience desirable but not essential, and telephoto lenses of 400mm or longer recommended. Maximum six participants.

Accommodation:
Le Strange Arms Hotel, Old Hunstanton (3 star).

Transport:
We share cars during the workshop, but if you plan to arrive by public transport you can almost certainly be accommodated - just let us know beforehand.

Cost per person:
£475 (includes three nights full board with packed lunches). No single room supplement. Additional nights before and after workshop available at extra cost. Partners and non-participants are welcome at the hotel at a reduced rate.

Further information and booking enquiries:
tel: 01767 260769
e-mail Chris Gomersall

See a portfolio of guests' images from March 2010

Thursday 16th to Thursday 23rd June 2011

Provisionally full

A unique wildlife photography holiday in the enchanting Northern Isles, led by Chris Gomersall and Brydon Thomason. In association with Shetland Nature.

Majestic cliff scenery, teeming seabird colonies, otters, orcas and seals will be just some of our targets during this specialist photography tour at the height of the “simmer dim”. We will be based on Shetland’s northenmost island of Unst for most of our stay, at the very top of the British Isles. The island is celebrated for a diverse range of wildlife habitats from blanket bog to seabird cliff, freshwater marsh, heather moorland and the strange moon-like “fellfield”, and is home to Hermaness and the Keen of Hamar National Nature Reserves. From here we are also well-placed for exploring the neighbouring islands of Fetlar and Yell, and the north Mainland.

Great skuas

Special birds of these islands include arctic and great skuas, red-throated divers, many species of breeding waders including golden plover and whimbrel, not to mention seabirds such as puffins, gannets, and black guillemots. On Fetlar we may be lucky enough to find the rare red-necked phalaropes as they feed on a freshwater loch. Weather permitting, we shall make boat trips out to the gannet stacks of Muckle Flugga and to the island of Mousa.

Orcas are now very much a regular feature of the Shetland summer, sometimes seen several times a week as they hunt the coastline for unwary seals, just a few metres offshore. During our stay we will be on constant standby to react to any reports of orca sightings, and with our local knowlege and contacts throughout the isles we are often the first to receive news, maximising our chances of an encounter with these awe-inspiring cetaceans.

Otter mother and cub

Perhaps the highlight of this holiday will be the opportunity to track wild otters with one of the world’s leading guides, native Shetlander Brydon Thomason. Throughout the week we will run a rolling itinerary so that just two guests at a time can enjoy this exhilarating opportunity under specialist guidance. Wild otters are one of the most challenging but ultimately rewarding wildlife photography subjects in the British Isles. We are confident that with our considerable field experience and local knowledge we have an excellent chance of delivering this “holy grail” to our clients.

We expect to make some early starts to take advantage of the long days of mid-summer. Moderate fitness and agility level required – involves a fair amount of walking on rough ground, perhaps up to five miles a day.

Maximum group size:

Eight guests.

Cost:

£1250 per person

Including seven nights full board accommodation with packed lunches, transportation in Shetland by minibus, ferry fares, boat trips, entrance fees, and all guiding services.

There may be opportunity to add extra days of otter stalking before or after the main tour, at additional cost, and on a first come, first served basis.

Your accommodation:

The first and last nights will be spent at the Sumburgh Hotel, which is convenient for arrival and departure, whether by air or by sea, and for exploring Shetland mainland. En-suite rooms.

The rest of the holiday will be based at Saxavord resort on the island of Unst. You will be sharing modern, comfortable three-bedroomed houses, and in the restaurant will be able to enjoy some of the best cuisine Shetland has to offer, which makes full use of the freshest local produce.

Booking enquiries:

Tel. 01595 693162