Light on Lochranza
It should be easy to take great landscape photographs, especially somewhere as beautiful as Arran. But too often the results are disappointing, and fail to capture the drama of what you originally saw.
It was a sunny day, the view was breathtaking... so what went wrong? ?John Morrison, your tutor for the workshops, is an experienced landscape photographer. As a writer and photographer he has published more than 50 books, most of them featuring his evocative images (most recently: Windermere and Morecambe Bay for Frances Lincoln).??The venue for the workshops is Lochranza, at the northern tip of the island: considered to be one of the most scenically attractive of Arran’s villages. With its loch, coastline, castle, distillery, and location - being surrounded on three sides by hills - Lochranza offers a lot of photographic opportunities in a compact area.
John has some radical ideas about landscape photography. Aware that photography is becoming ever more reliant on hardware, software and computer skills, he has simplified his way of working. And he tries to get pictures right 'in the camera', instead of ‘improving' them with Photoshop. By focusing on the light and the landscape - rather than getting bogged down with camera programmes and a bag full of gear - he creates pictures that show not just what the landscape looks like... but what it feels like too.
To pass on what he’s learned (and is still learning!) about landscape photography, John runs workshops in the Lake District and Pennine Yorkshire. Check out Magnetic North’s website for details.??For the work
shop you’ll need a digital SLR, a tripod and a cable release. A grey grad filter would be useful too. Please make sure you know how to put your camera into manual exposure mode, and change the aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings. Bring an open mind and prepare to think a little differently about your photography. Lenses? Not too many. In fact, a wide-tele zoom would be quite sufficient. Sometimes less is more.
The session will start with a short briefing at Lochranza Youth Hostel and be based around Lochranza, with some walking on good paths. Bring walking boots, something waterproof and a packed lunch. Please note: there are no shops in Lochranza. We will end the day with a review session back at the Youth Hostel.
Beginners (Saturday)
Intermediate, for users of digital SLR cameras (Sunday)
Activity Provider: Magnetic North
Provider Contact Details:
Website: www.magneticnorthphotography.com
Grade: Intermediate
Meeting Point: Lochranza Youth Hostel
Map Reference: 935504
Bus Service 324 connects with every ferry
Make your selection below and proceed through to the secure payment section and your booking will be confirmed by e-mail. Alternatively, please ring the Adventure Centre on 01770 302244 during normal office hours. Please note that Saturday's workshop is for beginners and Sunday's workshop is for intermediates.
Terms & Conditions
Full details of terms and conditions are available on the Festival website.
Payment is required at the time of booking to guarantee your place. No refunds can be given unless the organisers cancel the walk due to circumstances beyond their control.
Tickets available from Arran Adventure, The Book&Card Centre and Arran Active
Useful Links
VisitArran - online guide to the Isle of Arran with accommodation listing
Brodick Castle & Country Park - download a trails leaflet
Arran Coastal Way - 64 miles long through inspiration scenery
The Holy Isle - an ancient spiritual retreat and nature reserve
COAST (Community of Arran Seabed Trust) - Stunning images of the seabed and lots of info on Lamlash Bay. Support COAST with free membership!
Forestry Commission for information on walks on the Isle of Arran
A Cicerone Guide, Paddy Dillon 'Walking on the Isle of Arran'
Mountaineering Council of Scotland - a volunteer rescue scheme
Cost
Adult/teenager (16+) - £55.00