Torridon & the beaches of Wester Ross

We have a range of rooms we can offer at different prices. If you get in touch with either me or Lizzie in advance we can outline the options.

Wester Ross is home to some of the most impressive scenery in the British Isles - it has everything from rugged mountain scenery to stunning lochs and lochans, to beautifully remote beaches and plenty of amazing woodland. We will be based in Torridon, very close to Loch Maree – the Queen of Lochs – and Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.

Scots Pine and birch trees are prevalent in the area, the geology is a delight and the mountains are truly magnificent. There are also some wonderful beaches a little to our north that we will visit. We visit in late winter time in the hope of our visit coinciding with snow on the mountains, if not lower down - this makes the backdrop to many of our images all the most impressive. 

You will undoubtedly see some great vistas but we will also be concentrating on the smaller, more intimate details to be found within the landscape - looking at ways of capturing our surroundings with more abstract interpretations, helping you to try a few different techniques and approaches to photographing woodland, rock and water etc.

Our location photography is then developed during our digital skills sessions where we will show you some of the different techniques available when processing your photographs, including exposure blending, using layers and masks and how to work efficiently in both Lightroom and Photoshop. The emphasis is on encouraging group discussion and lively debate between all participants and we will also use this time to look over and review some of the photographs from our outings.

This has proved a very popular part of our trips, as it helps take the photographs shot on location through the digital darkroom, ready for print or web display. Lizzie and I will share our processing tips with you and are also on hand for support and questions post workshop. We believe this strikes a good balance between shooting on location and practical help with the necessary post production side so that you can leave with a wealth of new knowledge and skills to compliment your photography out in the field.

Our workshops arecarefully planned and adpated to suit the conditions we experience. We like to work with our group to ensure we give you the best possible photo opportunities and are flexible in our approach to ensure you have a fulfilling and rewarding workshop. We also place great importance on our meals together and always seek hotels that can provide beautifully cooked meals.

This is a Tripod Travels workshop - running in conjunction with my good friend and super photographer Lizzie Shepherd. Lizzie and I have thoroughly enjoyed working together for several years now and I’ve included a link to her website here. 

Please see below for more detailed information in question and answer format.

Practicalities

Where will we be staying

We will be staying at the lovely and beautifully located Myrtle Bank Hotel in Gairloch, where we will enjoy superb meals.

How do I get there?

We will pick up from Inverness airport, typically meeting the Easyjet flight from Gatwick that gets in around 3.15pm.

What level of photographer will this suit?

Photographers of any level are welcome - whether a beginner or with many years experience. With a small group of only 7-8 participants, and two tutors, there will be more than enough opportunity to cover everything from the basic skills of landscape photography (if required) to more advanced, creative techniques. We are there to give you as much help as you would like.

How much walking is involved?

Although there are plenty of locations within a short distance of the road, to make the most of what the area has to offer, we expect to do the occasional longer walk, possibly one of several miles, although this one is on pretty flat terrain. There are a few steeper locations that we sometimes visit, but conditions very much dictate which areas we focus on. A reasonable degree of fitness will help you get more out of the trip, but please ask, if in doubt.

Can I bring my drone?

In order to offer everyone the same experience and enjoyment of the natural spaces we visit, free from the visual and sound issues of a drone flying in or around us, we don't accommodate their use on our workshops.

Can I borrow a Lee filters kit?

You are welcome to borrow a Lee filter kit - including big stopper, little stopper and ND grads. Please note if you break it, you buy it, athough we've had no breakages to date! Please ask in advance and advise of the filter ring sizes of any lenses you may be bringing.

Why have you included a carbon footprint offset contribution?

Given the fragile state of our environment, we feel that it is vitally important we all do what we can to help protect and preserve our precious planet. All of our workshops now include a very small fee - typically up to £10 per person - which we donate to a number of certified carbon offset schemes.