Tours & Workshops

“So many of our natural instincts are smothered by society; and much of our daily lives are directed by false goals, dictated to us by others. Even in this day and age, with our sophisticated technology and developed culture, it must still be important, just occasionally, to find a wild place, where the land and the animals that move through it speak loudest, and the sun and the moon dictate the rhythm of our lives. Only through this can we remember our proper place in the order of things.”
Guy Grieve, The Call of the Wild (2006)

Islandscape Photography offers both photography tours and workshops all year ‘round. Both the tours and workshops operate on the following principles:

• We provide professional, enthusiastic and, above all, friendly advice and tuition. Tours and workshops are very informal and we want our guests to have fun as well as have an opportunity to explore Mull and to enhance their photography.

• Guests are transported in a Land Rover Defender. This design classic is not only robust enough to deal with the island’s roads (which are notoriously poor in places) but also enables us to access some off the beaten track locations without a long ‘walk in’. We are fully insured and fully licensed by Argyll and Bute Council to carry passengers on a commercial basis.

• You will have the time to fully explore and absorb locations. We don’t believe in rushing you from place to place. You will have the luxury of being able to reflect on your surroundings and learn how to convey a sense of place through your photography.

• You will have the opportunity to learn how to respond to and exploit the available lighting and weather conditions.

Photography Tours

Our photography tours are primarily field-based, with an emphasis on exploring the best photographic locations on the island, accompanied by helpful tuition and advice in the field. After a tutorial at the Islandscape Studio at Taigh Solais in Tobermory, we then head out in the Defender to make the best of the prevailing lighting and weather conditions. The tours are generally one day but longer tours can be offered by arrangement. Whilst we aim to visit as many quality locations as possible during the day, we also ensure that guests have the time to absorb their surroundings and learn how to fully ‘work’ a location. The day ends with an opportunity to review the day's images on an Apple LED cinema screen at the Islandscape studio. Tours cost £85 per person.

Family Photography Tours

New for 2010, we are offering special family photography tours on demand and these are already proving to be a success. We suggest that these are suitable for children aged 8 and over but are happy to discuss individual requirements. The family tours are similar to our mainstream tours but with a slightly shorter day and a tutorial tailored for children. Please contact us to discuss your requirements and prices.

Photography Workshops

Our photography workshops are more structured and commence with a classroom based session at the Islandscape Studio at Taigh Solais in Tobermory followed by tuition in the field at some of the island’s most stunning locations. Each workshop closes with a wash-up and feedback session when we review images taken in the field. One day workshops are priced at £125 per person and two day workshops are priced at £225 per person. Our workshops focus on essential skills or photographic themes including:

• Digital SLR Photography Essentials for Beginners (one day)
• Digital SLR Photography Skills for Beginners (two days)
• Landscape Photography Essentials (one day)
• Landscape Photography Skills (two days)
• Seascapes and Waterfalls (one day)
• Woodland and Forest (one day)

Digital SLR Photography Essentials for Beginners (one day)

This workshop is suitable for those who have never picked up a digital SLR before (we have a small number of Canon SLRs available for hire) or those who want to move off the auto mode. This workshop will help you familiarise yourself with the manual settings of the camera and introduce you to the basic principles of exposure and composition. You will leave the workshop with confidence in how to use your DSLR to its maximum potential as well as an understanding of how to create impressive landscape images.

Digital SLR Photography Skills for Beginners (two days)

This workshop is also aimed at those who have never picked up a digital SLR before or those who want the confidence to move off the auto mode. We cover the same themes as in the one day 'essentials' course but in a little more depth and there is also the opportunity for feedback on images taken during the workshop.

Landscape Photography Essentials (one day)

Suitable for beginners and intermediate photographers, this workshop focuses on the essential skills for successful landscape photography. We examine the principles of composition, the use of filters and other equipment and how to fully ‘work’ a location.

Landscape Photography Skills (two days)

This two day workshop is aimed at those photographers who want to move their landscape photography to the next level. Unlike the one day ‘essentials’ course, this workshop provides an opportunity to cover a wider range of landscape photography skills as well as more time for feedback on images taken during the workshop or from personal portfolios. Using a combination of classroom tutorials, in the field tuition and practical exercises, the workshop aims to give guests an enhanced understanding of composition and reading the landscape; how to fully ‘work’ a location, including fieldcraft and equipment; light and filtration, working in colour and black and white, and developing a personal vision.

Seascapes and Waterfalls (one day)

With over 300 miles of coastline, the sea is a constant presence for photographers on the Isle of Mull. In this workshop we look at the plethora of photographic opportunities along the island’s coastline, from beach abstracts to images capturing the power of the tide, as well as sweeping panoramic views of sea cliffs and Mull’s offshore islands. We also explore some of Mull’s famous and lesser known waterfalls. You will learn how to use photographic exposure and filters to convey different effects, from capturing spectacular ‘star bursts’ of waves striking rocks to the flowing cascade of a tumbling waterfall.

Woodland and Forest (one day)

Many photographers find capturing woodland a challenge. This workshop looks at the skills and techniques required to photograph the secret world beneath the forest canopy, whilst exploring Mull’s rich and diverse woodland. You will learn how to identify patterns and to make order out of forest chaos, capturing speckled light falling across woodland paths as well as creating abstract images.

Bespoke Workshops and Tours

Or in the words of Status Quo: ‘whatever you want’. We can organise bespoke tours and workshops for individuals and groups, tailored to your exact requirements. Please contact us with your ideas and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Accommodation

We are happy to advise on local accommodation to suit a range of budgets. We also offer all inclusive holidays in conjunction with award winning Scottish holiday specialists, McKinlay Kidd and See Scotland Differently. Visit our holidays and cruises section for details.

Discount for Isle of Mull and Isle of Iona Residents

We offer a discount on our tours and workshops for individuals who are permanent residents on Mull and Iona. Contact us for details. We are unable to offer a discount on the Elizabeth G photography cruise.