LIGHT, NATURE & BEAUTY
GARDEN photography workshop with Claire Takacs at MALVERLEYS
Dates: Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd October, 2021
Fee: £390 BOOK TICKETS
Group size: 12 max
Address: Malverleys, East Woodhay,
Newbury, RG20 0AA
Workshop Description:
Join Claire for a fully comprehensive two-day garden photography workshop at Malverleys, one of the UK’s most beautiful and innovative gardens. Claire’s entire process from start to finish will be covered, beginning with two presentations on large screen, where she will show her work, breaking down composition, technique and particularly how she works with light to create impactful images.
Head gardener Mat Reese will guide the group for a one hour walk around the garden, giving a good understanding of the space. You will then have several hours to photograph the garden around sunset and sunrise, where Claire, assisted by Perry Rodriguez, will be on hand to offer practical guidance, both as a group and one on one.
On the second day after photographing at sunrise, Claire will give a presentation on image editing and processing with Lightroom, after which you will edit some of your favourite images from the weekend. The workshop concludes with a group critique of your selected images, and another valuable chance to learn.
The weekend will be a gourmet delight, with local produce used, mostly from the garden and prepared with care.
Timetable:
Sat 2nd Oct
11:00 – arrive & coffee
11:15 – Claire Takacs: instruction with presentation
12:30 - lunch
13:15 - Mat Reese garden tour
14:15 - CT, instruction with presentation
15:30 - afternoon tea
16:00 to 18:45 – photograph the garden
19:00 - evening meal
20:45 - depart
Sun 3rd Oct
06:30 – arrive, coffee & light bite
06:45 to 09:45 – photograph the garden
09:45 - breakfast
10:15 - Lightroom and editing instruction
11:15 - editing of own images
13:00 - lunch
13:30 - group critique of favourite images
17:00 - farewell and depart
Image credit: Perry Rodriguez, Malverleys
ADDITIONAL INFO:
The workshop is open to all skill levels but is best suited for individuals who are comfortable and competent operating their own camera equipment
Recommended gear in addition to your own camera and lens(s): Tripod and cable release, Laptop, Lightroom, memory cards, card reader, chargers. Collapsible circular reflector (which has black and translucent sides), waterproof boots, warm clothes/beanie/fingerless gloves, umbrella
COVID guidelines: Much of the workshop will be conducted outdoors, excluding presentations & meals. We ask that all participants are double vaccinated and have a negative lateral flow test prior to arrival.
For accommodation nearby, click here
Booking T&Cs
REVIEWS:
Jon, Sept 2020: "I cant praise this course highly enough. Everything, from the carefully thought through timetable to the excellent food, with great insight from one of the best garden photographers, was excellent. I learned a huge amount, and really enjoyed the weekend into the bargain. Highly recommended."
Lisa, Sept 2020: "The gardens were absolutely beautiful (I especially loved the terrace area) and the food exquisite - I didn't know it was going to be a gourmet weekend too! The great small group of people made it feel like a one to one session. I had a very enjoyable weekend and a superb learning experience.
Thank you too for generously sharing your huge wealth of knowledge in your modest, relaxed and friendly style and I appreciate all the time you must have put in to compiling the programme and slides. I loved watching the slideshow of all your garden images. It was a privilege to spend time learning from such a well renowned expert.
I certainly learnt new stuff and came away with a better understanding of light and its importance in taking a more impressive garden photo - advice which I aim to put into practise with my National Garden Scheme photography along with selective editing on the computer."
Kevin, Sept 2020: "A fascinating exploration of a great approach to garden photography, that challenged me to look at light differently and then see the thought processes in editing and selecting. The course helped me take photos I'd otherwise never have even thought about."
Karl, Sept 2020: "Whether or not you enjoy a course depends on your expectations, I am a gardener first and a photographer second, so the location played a big part in choosing Claire’s course. However I had also seen the work that Claire had done at Great Dixter and her item on Gardening Masterclass. The combination of the two proved irresistible, Claire's compositions and the atmosphere she captures in her gardens, is how I see gardens in my head.
I had a little photographic knowledge and did venture off of automatic mode before the course, Claire inspired me and taught to me to move onto full manual mode with confidence. Claire is a very gentle and patient teacher and at all times, all she was concerned about was that we where having a positive experience.
It did help that the course took place in one of the most beautiful and innovative gardens in the UK, Malverleys, which I had wanted to visit for some time. Being able to wander around it in near seclusion in the evening and morning was worth the fee alone. The afternoon of the second day was the most informative for me from a photographic point of view, Claire showed us her editing process and then we critiqued each others photos. This gave me the desire to master Lightroom and the confidence that my photos where better than I thought. I came away refreshed by Malverleys itself and a much more confident photographer, with a continued desire to take my hobbies further.
The food was also fab and Claire and Perry delightful and considerate hosts."