Yorkshire Photography Holidays

We were all on tentahooks waiting for weather forecasts wondering if this workshop was going ahead as we were in the midst of a very harsh winter with gritting, or the lack of it a serious problem for getting anywhere in Britain. I was contacting Keld Lodge for weather updates every day and in the end it went ahead.

The journey for me was very slow, I had started earlier than usual in case of ice on the A1 and of course the snow in Swaledale. My main problem though was Reeth Hill with it's very slippy slush. So there I was wi' shovel in hand, trying to clear a tyre path to aid me up the hill, when a local said to me

"I shouldn't bother, if you can't get up that hill, you'll never get up the other hill, Low Row, Gunnerside........" and with that he walked off.

I did get a tyre path cleared and thought if I can just get up this hill......... Eventually I did. Funnily enough the roads from then on were very drivable, mainly because it was packed snow rather than slush.

Everyone turned up, including the 2 Australians who had said in their email "I hope it snows, we haven't touched snow..." Someone was wishing a bit too hard methinks!

Although the main roads were passable, side roads were not so we were limited to scenes from the main road.

Wain Wath was frozen apart from a slight trickle under the left hand waterfall, the river above hidden by the snow into a small stream.

The snow was knee high, but it was excellent for explaining how to take shots in snow, in fact exposure as a whole and within minutes, everyone was in manual mode. There was scope for abstracts in the softly sculpted boulders and tree shapes and as luck would have it there was no wind.

After a very welcome coffee at Keld Lodge, we slowly made our way down the road to Thwaite, stopping at some very well known barns. The light was very kind on the pristine snow, outlining the one or two tracks of sheep that crossed the fields. Snowflakes in the light were twinkling like stardust and being so quiet that day just added to the magical feel.

The snow highlighted more opportunities for photography, old run down barns looking more photogenic by the minute, sheep tracks perfect lead ins and not too clear roads kept that feeling of isolation.

The day finished cold with beautiful light over the hills round Keld and I have a feeling it was a fabulous introduction to Swaledale for my Australian friends and guests.

By David Mooney: Hi Dorcas, Thank you very much for a very enjoyable and fruitful weekend. I am over the moon with some of the shots we achieved and very grateful for the patience you showed for me a complete novice. The location, the course content/ tuition and the company where all top class for me. Thanks and regards David.

Swaledale 3 Day Photography Workshop

We will be staying around Keld.

This area is very popular with Coast to Coasters/Penine Way so please book a few months in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dates:
Friday, August 14 (6pm) - Sunday, August 16 (4pm) - 4 PLACES LEFT
Tuesday, September 8 (6pm) - Thursday, September 10 (4pm)
Friday, October 23 (6pm) - Sunday, October 25 (4pm)
Features: Waterfalls, Barns, Stone Walls, the sound of Curlews and Oystercatchers. No mobile signals. Dark nights. Free photoshop session worth £60.
Cost:
Option 1 (No accommodation, or meals) : £222
Option 2 (includes all accommodation , all meals) : £322
Deposit: £50 with balance to be paid before the course.
Cost does not include: insurance, transport
Fitness level: Nothing too strenuous. You may be paddling in a stream or walking on moors. Come prepared for English weather.
Equipment needed: Digital DSLR camera, tripod, walking boots or wellies & waterproof clothing are advisable, laptop (if you have one) for processing images.

Click Here for the Outline of the Workshops
Click here for the Fotodayz Holidays Booking Form.