Ogwen Valley Beginners Photography Workshop (January 14th 2024)

Description

Join me on January 14th to visit one of the most beautiful areas of Eryri (Snowdonia) and maybe even Wales to photograph the highlights of the stunning and dramatic Ogwen Valley on a workshop with high rewards for very little walking. Most locations have good access and paths.

This workshop is designed for beginner photographer’s or for those who need to refresh their skills. A lot of my workshops are suitable for beginners but I can understand how intimating it might be for you to be stood there with others who may have more experience, so I am launching this day to help you on your journey and give you the confidence you may be looking for. At the end of the day you will also receive a 50 page technical guide as an eBook, which will remind you about what we learnt on the day as well as being able to explore more subjects.

We will have a small group of four and with everyone being at roughly the same level, I will be able to explain principles and settings to you as a group and then when you are set up we can discuss further advanced aspects or clarify other information on a 1-2-1 basis. As some of the tuition is done as a group, the 1-2-1 time will hopefully be increased. You can also ask questions as a group and bounce off each other through the day.

I have two spare tripods which people can borrow and also one set of filters. If there is a requirement then people can share as part of the group.

This whole area boasts some of the most rugged mountains south of the Scottish Border and some of the most photogenic, particularly Tryfan which not only is photogenic but from multiple angles too.

With big rugged mountains you would be forgiven for thinking the terrain would take a level of mountain fitness to get to the best photographic spots but there is a reason the Ogwen Valley is so popular and that’s because you can get to good viewpoints with relative ease, with Cwm Idwal being a well pathed 2.5 mile walk around with minimal ascent.

We will be looking to visit a variety of subjects from waterfalls to lakes (Llyn’s as we are in Wales) and grand landscapes. We will meet at Joe Browns in Capel Curig (for signal reasons) before heading to Ogwen Outflow to photograph the waterfalls that leave Llyn Ogwen and tumble under the A5 and the old Roman bridge. This is a good way to get acquainted and learn the basics of the camera, long exposures and filters all at a slow pace.

Next we will head up into Cwm Idwal, a large glacial bowl in the heart of the Glyder’s (the mountain range). This is probably one of the most popular walks in Snowdonia and with an ascent you barely feel over a good path before reaching Llyn Idwal. We will stop at points along the way to capture some of the viewpoints.

We will then take a walk around the Llyn. At the far side there is a small ascent for those that fancy it to capture a dramatic view over Llyn Idwal looking to Pen-Y-Ole-Wen with a well placed tree in the foreground too.

We will continue back around, potentially stopping along the way and if we are doing well for time we will then head back down and slightly up the valley to visit Afon LLoer, a 15 minute walk uphill to visit cascading waterfalls with the mighty Tryfan as a backdrop and this could well be our sunset location.

Even if the weather isn’t ideal there will be plenty to learn including technical and compositional aspects.

Upon booking you will be provided with a questionnaire to fill out which is a requirement of attending. I will also provide a recommended kit list and what to bring. Please pay particular attention to required equipment as a certain level of appropriate gear is expected. The list won’t be conclusive but aimed to give you the best guidelines possible. Please take a common sense approach to your packing, for example I suggest 2l of water but you may know from experience you need more or less. Please contact me if you are unsure and I will try and advise you the best I can.

Photographically 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.

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.