GLENCOE IN WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR

10.02.2021 - 14.02.2021 Western Scotland | Colin Prior adventure, excursion, history, landscape, nature, photography, travel 1599 GBP

The Glencoe Winter Photography Tour will give you the opportunity to photograph some of the most iconic landscapes in Scotland. The potential for snow covered mountains and low directional light is a potent combination for great landscape photography, particularly at locations such as the Buachaille Etive Mor, Black Mount and Glen Etive. Further north in Glen Nevis, we spend an afternoon exploring the turbulent watercourse of the River Nevis and its surrounding woodlands in the foothills of the Mamore Range and there is the chance to visit the Ardnamurchan peninsula and photograph in an Atlantic oak woodland. The Holly Tree Hotel, located at Kentallen Pier in Appin, enjoys sea views out across Loch Linnhe to Ardgour. The hotel is comfortable and has an excellent à la carte restaurant which is included in the price.

  • Spend five days on location with Colin PriorEnjoy access to some of the most varied and dramatic locations in Scotland
  • Four nights, single occupancy accommodation at the Holly Tree Hotel
  • Breakfast, three course dinner and packed lunch
  • Transport to and from Glasgow Central Station
  • Tutorials and critique session with individual feedback


The itinerary may be subject to change to suit weather conditions on the day.

Day 1 – Pickup and Glen Etive

Colin will meet you within Glasgow Central Station at 0900. After the group has met, we will drive to the Holly Tree Hotel and check in. Following lunch, we will head out to Glen Etive and work in a variety of locations and if weather permits, reposition for sunset.

 Day 2 – Glencoe and Glen Nevis

An early start will allow us to position for sunrise in Glencoe. Following breakfast, we will head north into Glen Nevis where we will spend the afternoon exploring the surrounding River Nevis and the adjacent woodland. Reposition for sunset if the weather permits.

 Day 3 – Rannoch Moor and Loch Creran

Another early start will take us onto the Rannoch Moor where the mountains of Black Mount rise beyond Lochan na-h’Achlaise. After breakfast, we will look at a tutorial and then head south on the Oban road to a secluded gorge.

Day 4 – Glencoe and the Ardnamurchan peninsula

Subject to weather, we’ll head back into Glencoe and attempt to capture the sunrise on Buachaille Etive Mor – one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains. Following breakfast, we will board the Corran Ferry and then drive to Ardour and onwards to the Atlantic oakwoods where we will spend the afternoon. On our return, we will enjoy feedback at a group critique, prior to dinner.

 Day 5 – Glen Etive and Castle Stalker

After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel. Our final location will be Castle Stalker, which stands on an island close to the shore of Loch Linnhe against a backdrop of the mountains of Kingairloch on the Morvern Peninsula. We will arrive back at Glasgow Central at 1500 where the workshop will conclude.


PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT

The information below is intended as a guide to help you achieve the most from this workshop.

All brands of cameras and lenses do exactly the same thing; they look outwardly into the world and record what they see on different sized sensors. The only thing that differentiates what they see is not the camera but the person looking through the viewfinder. So, what will help you gain most from this workshop is a familiarity of your own camera’s layout and menu structure and an understanding of the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO.

Consider a camera bag that is comfortable and which allows you carry your equipment over uneven terrain. Backpacks distribute the weight evenly between your shoulders and hips and are normally supplied with a rain cover.

Lenses are very much a personal choice and will be influenced by the subjects which you, as a photographer, pursue. For many outdoor photographers, the combination of two lenses – either a 24-70mm or 24-105mm and a 100-400mm provides them with the ability to shoot from 24-400mm with just two lenses. If working within the landscape is something that appeals to you, then a 90mm or 100mm Macro lens opens up myriad possibilities.

Under certain circumstances, filters are indispensable. Graduated neutral density filters control contrast locally and come in a range densities and graduations. I use, almost exclusively, a 0.6 (2 stop) filter with a soft graduation. A polarising filter is also extremely useful for a number of scenarios and worthwhile having in your camera bag.

A tripod is essential for landscape photography. The emphasis should be on a relatively lightweight model which is easy to carry. The disadvantage of a lightweight tripod is that it is more vulnerable in high winds to both camera shake and to the risk of being blown over. One important factor when considering a tripod is that you can work comfortably with your camera at eye-level – many ‘travel tripods’ reach their maximum height below this height. Carbon fibre tripods are lighter and more expensive than those made from aluminium but do the same job.

Backup and storage – always a good idea to have your images in more than one place. A laptop or iPad is ideal and will allow you to see what you have shot each day and will facilitate feedback.

A remote release is essential. Whether it is a cable, IR device or a phone app it will ensure sharp photographs.

Spare batteries – batteries can be re-charged as required, however it makes sense to bring spares.

Lens cloth – a lens cloth is useful for removing rain or sea spray if it finds its way onto a lens.



GLENCOE IN WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
Colin Prior