Northern Passion

The much promised indian summer finally hit Tyneside last week, and I did my best to make sure that I made the most of it! With the text and processing completed for my next book, Spirit of Cumbria, I continued work on my second book to be released next year, Portrait of Tyneside, and made sure that the laptop was left well alone for a couple of days!

The Angel of the North is an iconic landmark that should be on the 'hit list' for any photographer visiting the region. The only trouble is that it receives 90,000 visitors a year so you may well have to wait for a 'people free' image. Never mind though, you can always indulge in an ice cream if you are having a hot flush in these northern climes!



The joys of working on a book based around the area where I live, are that the logistics of visiting locations is made far simpler - And I can even have a lie-in for early morning shots! Both of the above images were captured less than five miles from my home. The first of the images, Michaelmas Daisies at Rising Sun Country Park, would not have been possible without the use of my new 3 Stop hard Singh-Ray Galen Rowell Graduated Neutral Density Filter. I had to have the filter sent to my from the states but the quality of these filters is second to none - and yes, I have used Lee Filters!

The final shot was captured on Monday morning at King Edward's Bay along the Tyneside Coast in Tynemouth. Again the filter was invaluable to deal with the lighting conditions. It is true that I could have shot the image twice and merged them behind the screen. Or I could have even used the new graduated filter effect in Lightroom 2 to simulate the filter but there is just something more rewarding about completing the process in camera.

Now, when will it finally stop raining!

Firework Display Photography Workshop

Calling all budding firework photographers! We have a number of places left for the forthcoming Lancaster City photography workshop on the 8th November 2008 with award winning photographer Jon Sparks.

The historic City of Lancaster has many magnificent buildings but what really makes it a delight for the photographer is fine setting, spread over two hills with the River Lune curving around them. Few places offer a better range of urban vistas in such a compact area. The grim battlements of Lancaster Castle, the beautiful Perpendicular stylings of the Priory Church and the sweep of the Georgian quayside are just some of the highlights.

But there’s more to this very special workshop than Lancaster’s architectural heritage. Each year Castle Hill is the site of a stunning fireworks display. Your tutor Jon Sparks has photographed this and many other fireworks displays and knows the secrets of capturing them to best effect. Having lived in Lancaster for most of his life and photographed it exhaustively, he also knows all the best angles and will pick the ideal vantage point for the fireworks to take best advantage of weather and visibility on the night.

The build-up to the fireworks display features a number of supporting events with colourful characters in historic costume likely to figure prominently. All being well we’ll also have the chance to photograph the interior of at least one of Lancaster’s finest buildings.

This really is a very special opportunity; early booking is strongly advised. Although this is a one-day workshop Jon will also be happy to advise on other great locations nearby so those staying overnight can take full advantage of Lancaster’s location close to the scenic delights of the Bowland Fells, Lune Valley and Morecambe Bay.

To find out more and reserve your place online, please click here.