CHROME HILL AND PARKHOUSE HILL PHOTOGRAPHIC WALK

Join me on the 2nd February for a packed day of photographing my two favourite hills in the Peak District, Chrome and Parkhouse Hill.

Chrome and Parkhouse Hill are in my opinion, the two best-looking hills in the Peak District. They rise out of the Upper Dove Valley swiftly and sharply. These limestone reef knolls are defined and are shaped like nothing else in the Peak, perhaps being two of the only true peaks in the Peak District.

As a lover of these hills, I devised a route which is featured in my book, Peak District Through The Lens. The route is around 5 miles long starting at Hollinsclough and heads up to a limestone pavement and World War 2 bunker on High Edge, then heading past Tor Rock where you get a real appreciation for Chrome Hill before heading up the hill itself. We will walk ‘The Dragon’s Back’, reaching the summit, and photographing along the way. Once we have done Chrome Hill, we will head back to our starting point to drive to Earl Sterndale and walk up Hitter Hill to capture the view of the two hills we have just walked around.

Providing we get the weather, this is an amazing time of year to do this route with the potential of good light through the day. Each location could be shot on it’s own during the golden hour to give you ideas for future visits but if we get good light, there may be no need! Our final spot on Hitter Hill is excellent at this time of year for sunset before the sun moves too far North and starts entering the composition.

At 5 miles, this is route is a small hill-walking route and preferably you will have some experience of hill-walking and with a good fitness. We will be walking on well-trodden paths but there are sections where it is steep and grassy. We will be stopping regularly and will keep the pace comfortable. Difficulty perception can vary from person to person which is why hill-walking experience is preferred so you understand the undertaking prior to joining.

Please note this workshop is designed for people with a working knowledge of their camera as there is a lot of walking and less time on camera than on a standard workshop. You are more than welcome to join if this workshop really sounds good to you, with the understanding of the aforementioned. I don’t expect anyone to be an expert with their camera though and I’ll provide plenty of technical tips & advice as well as composition advice. There will be time to talk on the route around too.

Upon booking you will be sent an order confirmation. email which includes meeting details, kit-list, discount codes and a questionnaire for you to fill out. This questionnaire just allows me to get information about you so I can plan the day appropriately for the whole group.

We will meet to do a meet and greet with myself and the other photographers at 11:30 before heading off from Hollinsclough.

We will break for food around 14:00. Please bring a packed lunch. We will discuss what we have done and learnt on the day so far.

This day is slightly shorter than most workshops as from previous experience, 6 hours is more than enough time to cover the walk and allows us to work until sunset rather than finishing beforehand.

Throughout the day we will look at techniques such as focusing, using a tripod, use of filters vs exposure blending, composition, working with the light and more. This is a photographic walk and as such, we will build techniques throughout the day and the aim is to put what we have learnt into practice for the sunset on Parkhouse Hill.

I am more than happy to discuss other more advanced techniques on 1-2-1 basis as well as to the group, depending on what is beneficial.

The day is tailored around you as much as possible and I strive to give each of you on the course for that day the best day possible. At the end of the day, you will have hopefully learnt new techniques and taken away some imagery you will be proud of. I am a friendly and relaxed tutor and I welcome you to keep in touch with me after the course to ask me any questions you may have looked over on the day. I have also created a Facebook client area where you can keep in touch, share your photos and keep in touch with other attendees from the day.

There will be a maximum group size of 4 meaning there will be plenty of 1-2-1 time. I will be on hand throughout the day for any questions and my focus will be on ensuring you have the best day possible.