Photo Walks | Tours | Tuition

Beginners

If you are using Scene Modes, Auto or ‘P’ mode, then this is for you. This is a ‘get to know what your camera can do’ course with beginners in mind. You can use any camera which has a ‘Manual Settings’ function with the facility to change aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
The aim of the course is to give you the confidence to move from auto and scene modes to the manual modes on your camera and generally improve your basic photographic skills.
A tripod is not required for this course but bring one if you wish.

What we’ll look at

  • How to hold and support your camera.
  • ‘P’ Program mode and the advantages over auto mode.
  • Focus Points and how to focus your camera on the point you want in focus.
  • Aperture, and how it affects your photos (Aperture Priority)
  • Shutter speed and how it affects your photos. (Shutter Priority)
  • ISO and how it affects your photos both for low light photography and potential noise problems.
  • Histogram and Highlight Alert.
  • Exposure Compensation. How to make your photos lighter or darker.
  • White Balance. When to use it and its effect on your photos.
  • Depth of Field and lens length and the effect of different focal lengths.
  • JPEG and RAW and a little bit about processing your photos.
  • Built in flash on your camera and its limitations (fill in flash)
  • Composition and the simple rule of thirds.

During the session we will put the various elements into practice as we go along.

Where: Various locations in Northumberland, Lakes or Yorkshire Dales
Experience Level: Suitable for beginners
Times: Half day or full day
Group Size: Maximum of 4 students
What’s included: Tuition, Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Travel to and from the course location. Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

Intermediate

The intermediate 1 day workshop is for photographers who are already comfortable using Aperture and Shutter Priority modes on their cameras. You should have an understanding of how the shutter speed, aperture and ISO work together and affect your photograph.
You will need a DSLR, a Bridge Camera or a good quality Compact Camera which has a ‘Manual Settings’ function with the facility to change aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
The aim of the course is to build on your existing knowledge and techniques and generally improve your photographic skills.
A tripod is helpful for this course but not essential.

What we’ll look at

  • JPEG or RAW the pros and cons.
  • Focus Modes and Focus Points.
  • The Exposure Triangle.
  • Metering Modes and when to change them.
  • How to decide which settings to use for a given situation.
  • Full Manual Mode and when to use it.
  • Histogram and Highlight Alert. What is it and how to use it.
  • White Balance. When to use it and its effect on your photos.
  • Exposure Compensation. How and when to use it.
  • Exposure Bracketing. How and when to use it.
  • Depth of Field and lens length and the effect of different focal lengths.
  • Composition.
  • Long exposure photography and using ND filters.

During the session we will concentrate on composition and location using the techniques above. We will discuss the importance of editing and post production to get the very best from your photos.

Where: Various locations in Northumberland, Lakes or Yorkshire Dales.
Experience Level: Suitable for photographers who already use manual modes.
Times: Half day or full day
Group Size: Maximum of 4 students.
What’s included:  Tuition, Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Travel to and from the course location. Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

Photo Walks

A chance to combine your love of photography with a guided walk. Photo walks take place both in the countryside and city locations. The city walks are suitable for any level of photography and any camera, including phone cameras. The countryside walks are lower level (no Helvellyn) and more suited to DSLR and Bridge Cameras as a bit more time will be spent utilising the range of functions that these cameras offer, but feel free to join us with any camera if you wish. Whilst they are essentially a guided walk to some stunning photo locations, tuition will still be given on photo walks.

Where: Various locations in Northumberland, Lakes or Yorkshire Dales and in Newcastle, Edinburgh and London.
Experience Level: Suitable for all levels of photographers.
Fitness Level: See individual walks.
Times: See individual walks.
Group Size: Maximum of 6 participants depending on the location.
What’s included:  Tuition, Lunch or Snack on some Walks. Bottled Water. Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Travel to and from the course location.Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

Go to the Photo Walks section

PHOTO TOURS

Held in Northumberland, Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. These tours are ideal if you aren’t familiar or confident in finding your way around these counties and driving over mountain passes to find the best photo spots.
They are essentially a mix of guided tour, walk and tuition, mainly concerned with getting you from place to place to get the shots you are after. A certain amount of low level climbing and a fair bit of walking will be involved. A bit of flexibility is sometimes required in the itinerary due to parking problems.

Where: Various locations in Northumberland, Lakes or Yorkshire Dales, and in Newcastle, Edinburgh and London.
Experience Level: Suitable for all levels of photographers.
Times: See individual courses.
Group Size: Maximum of 4 participants.
What’s included: Tuition. Lunch or Snack on some Tours. Bottled Water. Collection from meeting point and transport between shooting locations.
Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Travel to and from the course location. Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

Go to the Photo Tours section

Long Exposure Photography

Although long exposure photography is included in the Intermediate, Photo Walks, Photo Tours and Night Photography courses, we also offer a dedicated Long Exposure course.
This will usually take place in countryside locations and is suitable for photographers with a reasonable level of experience and a DSLR or good Bridge Camera.
You will need a tripod and ND filters.

Where: Various locations in Northumberland, Lakes or Yorkshire Dales.
Experience Level: Suitable for intermediate levels of photographers.
Times: Half day or full day.
Group Size: Maximum of 4 students.
What’s included:  Tuition, Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Tripod and filters.Travel to and from the course location. Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

Sunrise and Sunset Photography

Depending on the time of year sunrise and sunset shoots will be included in the Intermediate, Photo Walks, Photo Tours and Night Photography courses. From time to time we have a dedicated sunrise or sunset session which will take place in countryside, city or coastal locations and is suitable for photographers with a reasonable level of experience and a DSLR or good Bridge Camera.
A tripod is essential and ND Grad filters are useful.

Where: Various locations in Northumberland, Lakes, Newcastle and North East Coast
Experience Level: Suitable for intermediate levels of photographers.
Times: 2-4 hours.
Group Size: Maximum of 4 students.
What’s included:  Tuition, Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Tripod, ND Grad filters.Travel to and from the course location. Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

Evening City Photography

Night photography can be challenging but there is nothing more satisfying than capturing long exposure shots of a city at night. We will use your cameras manual settings to capture stunning shots that you never thought possible.
This will take place in city locations and is suitable for photographers with a reasonable level of experience and a DSLR or good Bridge Camera. Depending on the time of year we try to include a sunset.
A good tripod is essential.

Where: Various locations around Newcastle, Edinburgh and London.
Experience Level: Suitable for intermediate levels of photographers, but beginners are welcome.
Times: 2-4 hours (depending if sunset is included)
Group Size: Maximum of 6 students.
What’s included:  Tuition, Free Travel may be available if you live in the Newcastle area or en-route from Newcastle to the location.
What’s not included: Tripod and filters.Travel to and from the course location.Please note equipment insurance and personal insurance are not included and are advisable. Car parking charges.

What you need to bring

  • Camera with fully charged battery
  • Spare battery if you have one
  • Memory cards (check they have space)
  • Camera manual if you have it
  • Tripod (for some courses)
  • Cable release/remote if you have one
  • Waterproof camera cover, a carrier bag  or shower cap will do
  • Head torch (night walk & sunrise/sunset)
  • Snacks and Drink
  • Suitable footwear
  • Gloves
  • Umbrella
  • Rain Coat
  • Coins for car parking and toilets

What you need to Know

Familiarise yourself with your camera menu settings and how to access the settings mentioned in the intermediate section. This will save time on the day, especially if the weather is not so pleasant.

You can get excellent shots  whatever the weather, the courses and walks generally take place rain or shine, so bring an umbrella and warm clothing. If conditions are exceptionally poor or dangerous we will re-arrange the lesson/course for another time. We don’t offer refunds due to weather conditions.
Take a look at the locations so you know what to expect.

Links

Custom Tours, Walks & Courses

If you prefer a location or timetable more suited to your requirements, I can arrange a custom tour, walk or workshop if you wish.

As my daily fee covers my time, overheads and expenses, you may bring along a friend or two to share the cost if you wish

1 to 1 Tuition

1 to 1 tuition is available in any of my favoured locations and can be booked from my shop. Prices are based on distance from the Newcastle area. I am happy to consider travelling to you if you have a favourite location you would like to use.

Book Your Tour, Walk or Workshop Today

And join me on a photographic journey

Colin Morgan Photography