Elevate your photography to a whole new level with my private photography workshop training courses on the glorious Gower peninsula in Swansea, south Wales, UK.
Hello and croeso i Gymru! I’m Ben Holbrook, a passionate photographer, filmmaker and writer born and bred here on the Gower peninsula in Swansea, south Wales.
If like me you’re passionate about capturing the world around you with your camera then I cordially invite you to join me for one of my fully-tailored private photography courses.
My photography workshops are perfect for beginners, intermediates and anyone who wants to indulge in their love of photography in an intuitive and experiential way. It’s not just a photography workshop, it’s a travel experience!
Oh, I also run videography workshops too if that’s something you’d like to explore as well!
Meet Your Photography Teacher – A Little About Me
My name is Ben Holbrook and I hold a first-class photography BA from Falmouth University, though I feel I truly honed my skills working as a professional travel photographer.
I’ve travelled all over, working with tourist boards, travel brands and some of the world’s biggest publications, but I am perhaps best known for this blog and my work in Spain (particularly Barcelona), where I lived for a number of years.
My photographic style is informed primarily by the great documentary and street photographers of yesteryear, such as Steve McCurry, Martin Parr, and Joel Meyerowitz. And whilst I like to shoot in beautiful destinations, it’s more the interplay between people and place that interests me.
For this reason I wouldn’t strictly classify myself as a landscape photographer, and a result do not position my workshops as “landscape photography workshops”. I’ve displayed some examples of my work below to illustrate this point.
Your private photography workshop will be completely tailored to you and your specific learning needs. Whether you’ve never even held a camera before or you’re a budding Steve McCurry, we will focus on developing the camera and editing skills you need to start shooting beautiful short films.
Times/dates: 1 or 2 full days of your choice from 10.30am to 5/6pm (though this can also be tailored to suit your schedule).
Location: Gower peninsula, Swansea, south Wales, UK (meeting point dependent on your preferred schedule).
Prices:
2-Day Photography Workshop £850: 1 full day (private tuition) of shooting plus 1 full day of photo editing and feedback (includes 2 full days of private photography and photo editing tuition + all equipment, on-going guidance and support and transport from meeting point.)
1-Day Photography Workshop £500: 1 half day of shooting plus 1 half day of photo editing and feedback (includes 1 full day of private photography and photo editing tuition + all equipment, on-going guidance and support and transport from meeting point.)
Local transport included: I can also meet you at the train/bus station or collect you from your Airbnb/hotel). Gift cards are also available if you’d like to buy this photography workshop for the budding visual artist in your life.
NB: These are private photography workshops and the price is for yourself and, if you’d like, one other person – so feel free to bring a friend or family member who also loves photography.
Ready to book your personalised photography workshop in Gower, Swansea, south Wales, UK? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Shoot me an email and let me know a few different dates that might work for you and we’ll take it from there!
ben@driftwoodjournals.com
What You’ll Learn on Your Private Photography Workshop Course
Here’s a rough outline of what you can expect on your bespoke 1-2-1 photography course in one of the UK’s most beautiful destinations:
Day 1: Basic Camera Skills and Shooting Tips
On the first day of your 1-2-1 photography course, you’ll explore the various camera settings and skills required to capture life in motion – quickly, precisely and discretely.
We’ll traverse the Gower peninsula in search of interesting scenes to photograph, from farmers and surfers to wild ponies, seals and dolphins. As a local I know where to be and when to be there.
Don’t worry if you haven’t got all the gear yourself as you are more than welcome to shoot with my camera/s, or borrow bits and bobs as and when needed. Or of course you can put your camera gear to work and we can explore it together.
You will learn how to:
– explore and set up your camera settings for shooting crisp and beautifully exposed photographs
– control your exposure triangle: ISO, shutter speed and aperture
– explore your camera’s various auto- and manual-focussing options
– experiment with different framing and composition techniques (the rule of thirds, etc.)
– photograph candid images of people discretely and without being “caught”
– capture different types of scenes (element shots, wide shots, moving shots, locked-off static shots)
– streamline your photo storage and editing workflow (to save time, space and money)
– think like a visual storyteller and express your own creative vision
Photoshoot locations, subjects and activities may include some or all of the following (we can tweak this to suit you):
-
- Rhossili Bay – the Gower’s most iconic landmark, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the UK/world
- Worm’s Head wildlife – we’ll seek out the local seal colony, famous Welsh ponies and dolphins
- Llangennith sand dunes – a fascinating place to observe Wales’s thriving surf culture in its natural habitat
- Llangennith village – including the ancient church and pub
- Mumbles village – where we can hone your documentary/street photography skills
Day 2: Photo Editing and Sequencing Skills
The second day of your private 1-2-1 photography workshop will include a hands-on photo editing course at my home studio. Again, you are welcome to use my software (I use Lightroom) and laptop if you don’t have your own. This can be a good way to “try before you buy”.
I’ll guide you through the process of selecting your best photos and editing them. Then we will sequence them together into a story-led photo essay that tells your visual narrative.
Most importantly, I want to help you define and develop your own creative style and equip you with the essential skills you need to propel you forward into your artistic life.
We’ll end your beginner photography course by uploading your photo series online (whether it be to your blog or social media channels).
Book Now
Times/dates: 1 or 2 full days of your choice from 10.30am to 5/6pm (though this can also be tailored to suit your schedule).
Location: Gower peninsula, Swansea, south Wales, UK (meeting point dependent on your preferred schedule).
Price:
2-Day Photography Workshop £550: 1 full day (private tuition) of shooting plus 1 full day of photo editing and feedback (includes 2 full days of private photography and photo editing tuition + all equipment, on-going guidance and support and transport from meeting point.)
1-Day Photography Workshop £350: 1 half day of shooting plus 1 half day of photo editing and feedback (includes 1 full day of private photography and photo editing tuition + all equipment, on-going guidance and support and transport from meeting point.)
Local transport included: I can also meet you at the train/bus station or collect you from your Airbnb/hotel). Gift cards are also available if you’d like to buy this photography workshop for the budding visual artist in your life.
NB: These are private photography workshops and the price is for yourself and, if you’d like, one other person – so feel free to bring a friend or family member who also loves photography.
Ready to book your personalised filmmaking workshop in Gower, UK? I can’t wait to hear from you!
Send me an email and let’s make it happen!
ben@driftwoodjournals.com
Who is this UK photography and photo-editing course for?
My photograph courses are perfect for beginner and faux-beginner/intermediate) photographers. Or frankly, anyone who loves photography and wants a fully tailored photographic travel experience here in the Gower.
What camera equipment will you need?
Whatever you’re most comfortable shooting with, as long as it’s digital. You might have a brand new mirrorless Leica or a classic Canon DSLR, or you might even prefer shooting with your smartphone camera. I will also encourage you to try shooting with my cameras and lenses, which include Fuji mirrorless cameras (XT4), and a Sony Alpha mirrorless beast – as well as various prime lenses, zooms and adapted vintage lenses.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions you might have, and let me know a few possible dates that might work for you. I can’t wait to meet you and start filming!
ben@driftwoodjournals.com
Please do get in touch with any questions you might have, and let me know a few possible dates that might work for you.
I can’t wait to meet you and start shooting!
Ben
ben@driftwoodjournals.com