Woodland Photography Workshops

Woodland Photography Workshops Scotland

Woodland photography is a unique and very rewarding experience. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a beginner, capturing the beauty of nature can be a truly magical experience.

The most important thing to remember when taking woodland photos is to slow down and take your time. A rushed photograph will not have the same impact as one where you have had a thoughtful and measured approach.

Some things you might need on the workshop include:

• A wide-angle lens is perfect for capturing the entire landscape.
• A telephoto lens will help isolate subjects and compress a scene when required.
• A tripod, although not always needed will help to keep your shots steady and blur-free.
• Extra batteries, cable release and a sense of fun & adventure will also help us along the way.

Once you’re out in the woods, keep your eyes open for interesting subjects. Look for interesting trees with colourful leaves, twisting branches, trees that lean, repetitive shapes and contours. Pay attention to the relationships between the trees too. Don’t forget the little things – insects, fungi, and moss can create stunning photographs too. The best time for woodland photography is usually early morning or late afternoon. This is when the light is soft and golden, making for beautiful shots. Overcast skies or rainy days can also be ideal conditions for woodland photography. The optimal conditions of course are mist or fog. When conditions are foggy, this will help isolate and separate your subjects from what may have been a distracting background. My favourite condition is freezing fog, this tends to linger around for hours which helps alleviate any time pressures of mist or fog evaporating, leaving more time to explore and enjoy the experience.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives. Even the simplest of compositions can be stunning. Don't rush, it is important to wait until your composition, lighting and focus are all set and you are happy with the image you see before you push the shutter. With a bit of patience and practice, you’ll soon be capturing stunning images of nature.

Introductory offer £75

Maximum group size of 3 people. meaning you get plenty of 1 to 1 tuition.

What will you learn on the workshop?

During the woodland workshops, we will cover:

• The exposure triangle - Learn how to change the variable settings in camera for an optimum exposure and highest quality in camera, Meaning your photograph will look as you want it.
• Reading a Histogram - Learn how to create photographs with the maximum amount of information in the file to allow for post processing, No more blown highlights.
• Hyperfocal distance - Taking photographs that are pin sharp front to back. (Focus stacking also covered). Say goodbye to blurry out of focus photographs.
• Compositions - Make photographs that have impact and meaning by arranging the elements in a pleasing way.
• Shooting in manual mode - Get full creative control from your camera to allow you to shoot pictures the way you want to.
• Colour theory - Learn about colours, which go well together and how to spot these in the field.
• A correct in camera exposure - Combining all of the above to create beautiful photographs of what you love to shoot.

My woodland workshops are very relaxed, hopefully fun and should help get you in touch with nature. Only a moderate fitness level is required as the wooded areas we visit are not too far a walk from nearby car parks. I generally only bring my own camera along to demonstrate some of the things we will be chatting about, but if you feel more comfortable with me shooting too (So you can see how I approach it) that's also fine by me. The goal for me is to teach you the skills to create your own woodland wonders when out exploring.

Book a woodland workshop with me

Terms & Conditions

Payment must be made in full at the time of booking to secure your place. If a client cancels a booking any money they have paid is non-refundable unless I can find a replacement to take their place. If a replacement is found an admin fee of £25 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 and flight cancellations and delays.

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 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.

Gavin Duncan 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 Gavin Duncan 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 Gavin Duncan Photography.

I do not accept responsibility or liability for death, bodily injury or illness caused to you, 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 capability of participants. By completing the booking form you are agreeing to accept all of the above conditions.