The aim of the workshop is to help you achieve the maximum potential of your camera to shoot exciting close-up and macro images of a wide range of natural subjects such as flowers, lichens, insects and other invertebrates.
We will be using various methods to achieve a wide range of close-ups. It will include general close-up photography in the field of subjects such as butterflies and dragonflies, as well as studio photography. Various light sources such as daylight, LED and flash will be discussed, as well as advanced techniques such as focus stacking. Whilst DSLR and mirrorless cameras are ideal for this, most camera types can be used to achieve brilliant results. As well as your own equipment plenty of extra equipment, such as different light sources and other equipment, will be available for participants to use.
Tutor: Adrian Davies
Adrian Davies is a freelance nature photographer, lecturer, author and highly experienced course leader. He has written numerous articles and books, including Digital Close-up and Macro Photography, (Focal Press), Digital Plant Photography (Bloomsbury Press) (RHS magazine:: "...an informative study that would make an excellent gift for plant photographers of all levels ...") and Digital Ultraviolet and Infrared Photography (Focal Press, 2018) His website devoted to invisible photography can be found at: www.imagingtheinvisible.com. He is currently writing a new book called “Photographing the Unseen”.
Example Timetable
Arrival day
Welcome and “Introduction to Close-Up & Macro photography
Day 1
Morning - Initial equipment issues
Afternoon - Slapton Ley nature reserve – close-up in the field
Evening - Image review and further theory
Day 2
Morning - Introduction to close-up and macro in the studio
Afternoon - Fieldwork – Prawle (dependent on weather)
Evening - Image review; studio photography
Day 3
Morning - Fieldwork
Afternoon - Round-Up before departure at 15.00
What's Included
-
Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
In Course Transport -
Picnic Lunch
Start and Finish Times
Resident participants are requested to arrive for registration between 1:00pm and 4:00pm on arrival day, after this time self-directed arrival information will be posted on the front door. There will be an introductory talk at 5:00pm. Supper is usually at 6:30pm. Non resident bookings should arrive just before 5.00pm. A non resident booking also includes dinner during your course as teaching does progress into the evening. Breakfast, for resident participants, will be from 8:00am. The course will end at 4.00pm on Thursday, with departure after breakfast on Friday for resident participants. On the final day please vacate your room by 9:00am, storage is provided for your luggage.
What to Bring
- Your camera, and any lenses you might have
- Tripod or other camera support (it may be possible to borrow one)
- Flash guns if you have them.
- Memory cards and batteries
- Laptop if you have one.
- Any subjects (e.g. fossils) you may wish to photograph during the workshop.
Reading List:
- Cremona, Julian (2014) Extreme Close-Up Photography and Focus Stacking. Crowood Press.
- Davies, Adrian (2010) “Close-Up and Macro Photography”. Focal Press
- Thompson, Robert (2018) “Close-Up and Macro Photography”. Focal Press.
Sorry this course has ended
