PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS
ISLE OF SKYE
2024 / 2025 (dates to be announced)
From the North Sea to the Irish Sea, the Highlands to the Lowlands, the landscapes of Scotland may take your breath away. Rugged, colorful, and feisty, Scotland stands apart. From its stony architecture to its wild landscape, the woodlands, windswept moors, deep lochs, to the more laid-back nature of its people, Scotland is distinctly not England. This is exactly what makes Scotland such an interesting place to visit even from a photographic perspective.
Filled with more natural and historical mystique than people, the rocky Highlands are where Scottish dreams are set. The evocative “Weeping Glen” of Glencoe aches with both history and natural beauty. Legends of Bonnie Prince Charlie linger around crumbling castles. The Highlands are the most mountainous, least inhabited, and for many, the most scenic and romantic part of Scotland.
Although it has a reputation for unpredictable weather, the rugged and remote Isle of Skye offers some of Scotland’s best scenery, and it rarely fails to charm. Narrow, twisty roads wind around Skye in the shadows of craggy, black, bald mountains. We will drive around the appealing Trotternish Peninsula, visit a pair of castles, go for a hike in the dramatic Cuillin Hills, sample a peaty dram of whisky, and walk across a desolate buff to a lighthouse at the end of the world.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
Group
A maximum of 6 participants
Lodging
2 cottages/apartments minutes away from each other
Duration
5 days/6 nights
Meet
Somerled Square, Portree
Transport
All transport included – Mercedes Vito 9-seater
Tuition
Conducted by professional photographer John Grech
Accommodation
Our accommodation for the Isle of Skye workshops will be in two cottages/apartments located on the Trotternish peninsula. The cottages which are minutes from each other enjoy magnificent sea and rural views. They are set in a quiet location in natural croft land with magnificent views of Staffin Island. The apartments, also minutes away from each other are in a quiet area of Portree.
With no light pollution, at night, there are amazing starry skies and if we are lucky it is also possible to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). Highland cattle and sheep graze here in front of the cottage and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen.
What you will learn
- Shooting landscapes, sunrises & sunsets
- Visualising and seeing differently
- Using filters creatively
- The difference between snap-shots and making photographs
- Shooting with different lenses and how they can change your image
- Low Light / Night Photography
- Creative exposure control
- Using movement creatively
6 Day Schedule
The schedule below is just a guideline of what the workshop would look like. There will be a mix of out-in-the-field photography, discussions, packed lunches, lunches and dinners together. There will also be some free time, which can be used to work on the images you capture during the week or spend the time in whichever way you please.
Day 1 – Day of Arrival
- 12:00 Arrival of Participants
- 13:30 Initial meeting, quick lunch & introductions
- 15:30 Afternoon shoot (Loch Leathan, Bride’s Veil Falls, Loch Fada, Portree)
- 20:00 Dinner
Day 2
- 06:00 Breakfast
- 06:40 Morning shoot (Old Man of Storr)
- 12:00 Lunch (Packed)
- 13:00 Afternoon shoot (Fairy Pools)
- 17:30 Dinner at The Old Inn (Carbost)
- 19:40 Sunset shoot (Talisker Bay)
- 22:00 Drive back to Cottages
Day 3
- 04:00 Breakfast
- 04:30 Sunrise & Morning shoot (Quiraing)
- 13:00 Drive back to cottages for Brunch
- 13:30 Rest time
- 15:00 Discussion
- 17:30 Afternoon shoot (Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls)
- 19:00 Dinner in Portree
- 21:00 Night/Astro shoot
Day 4
- 07:30 Breakfast
- 08:30 Morning shoot (Plockton)
- 13:30 Lunch in Plockton
- 14:30 Afternoon shoot (Plockton)
- 18:30 Dinner at Elgol Bistro
- 20:00 Sunset shoot (Elgol Beach)
- 22:30 Drive back to Cottages
Day 5
- 07:30 Breakfast
- 08:30 Morning shoot (Eilean Donan Castle)
- 13:00 Lunch in Sligachan (Packed)
- 14:00 Afternoon shoot (Sligachan)
- 18:00 Dinner in Sligachan (Seumas’ Bar)
- 20:45 Sunset shoot (Neist Point)
- 21:30 Drive back to Cottages
Day 6 – Day of Departure
- 07:30 Breakfast
- 08:30 Discussion
- 11:00 Check-out
Dates & Cost
2024 / 2025: dates to be announced
Workshop Cost: £1650.00 – €1895.00 – $2075.00
Deposit: £350.00 – €400.00 – $450.00
You can pay the full price now or the deposit
with remaining balance payable 6 weeks prior to workshop start date
OTHER WORKSHOP INFORMATION
We meet in Somerled Square, Portree, Isle of Skye
On day 1 @ 12:00pm
- Loch Leathan
- Old Man of Storr
- Quiraing
- Fairy PoolTalisker Bay
- Plockton
- Elgol Beach
- Eilean Donan Castle
- Sligachan
- Neist Point
There are a number of buses from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness which will take you directly to Portree. Inverness and Glasgow have the best direct connections.
- Tuition during the entire workshop
- Accommodation for the entire workshop where all rooms have their own bathroom
- All transportation during the entire workshop
- Daily breakfast
- Packed lunches
- International air travel to and from Scotland
- Transfer to and from airports, train or bus stations
- All meals and drinks apart from breakfast and packed lunches
- Travel and health insurances
- All other expenses not included in the package
Some of the places we visit will be close to where we park our van but there will be a number of routes which will require between 1 hour to a full day of walking. Terrain could be uneven in certain parts, slippery, boggy, steep and no clear paths. A good level of fitness will be required for this workshop.
Photographic
Photographic equipment you normally use, make sure that it is in perfect working condition
Some sessions will need a tripod
Filters if you have them
It is useful to bring a lens cleaning kit, we will be working mostly outdoors so it is a good habit to keep your equipment clean to avoid dust problems
I suggest you bring your own laptop: you will have the independence to work on your images when you have the time
Rain cover for your camera and camera bags
A selection of your work for our first meeting. This will be very useful for me to evaluate your photographic level and interests
Clothing
Weather in Scotland can change in minutes so bring clothing which you can wear in layers when cold and remove when warmer
Rain is a constant so please make sure you have the right clothes to keep yourself dry, rain will not stop us from shooting
You should go home with very fond memories not only of the landscapes, friendly people and great experience, but also of the food experience. Meals are an important communal moment to relax, exchange opinions and ideas.
Due to the nature of this workshop it is impossible to have a designated place for our meals, however we will be eating at chosen restaurants where we will be guaranteed good traditional local cuisine. The meals in this workshop are not included in the price.
There will be Wi-Fi Internet connection throughout the accommodations
Workshop will be conducted in English
Photography is a passion shared by many. Participants may choose to travel with their husbands, wives, partners or friends, who may or may not share this passion. It is possible, and encouraged, to come with a companion, who will not take active part in the workshop. I do my best to make non-participating partners as welcome as everybody else. Should you wish to attend with a partner, who might opt to or not to follow the workshop, and require a double room upgrade, please state this upon registration. I will contact you with further details and a quote.
One has to bear in mind however, that even though I still do encourage companions, since we will be constantly on the move from one location to another, the freedom of companions doing things other than the photography part of the workshop will be greatly affected.
The Terms & Conditions hereinunder are deemed to have been read, understood and agreed upon once registration has been submitted. Registration is automatic once a payment for a workshop has been made either in part (deposit) or in full. These terms and conditions are binding once registered.
Fees & Registration
Workshops are limited to 5-6 participants in order to maintain an intimate feeling, and to allow each participant to have more individual time with the instructor.
You register for a workshop by paying the deposit or the full payment of the workshop.
There is no registration deadline but because of the small size of the groups it is advised to book your place as early as possible not to be disappointed.
Full payment of the workshop fees must be made forty (40) days prior to the date of commencement of the workshop.
Method of Payment
Payments can be made via PayPal or bank transfer.
PayPal payments can be made through the online facility on this website.
If you would like to pay via bank transfer please send me an email here [email protected]. I will send you all the information necessary for the transfer of bank payments.
Waiting Lists
If places at a workshop fill up, a waiting list will opened. You will be entered in a wait list once you fill in and send the appropriate wait list registration form on this page. You will not be required to pay a deposit at this stage. You will be notified of your position on the list, and if there are any cancellations you will be informed accordingly.
Cancellation / Refunds
Cancellation by the applicant due to illness or for personal or professional reasons does not entitle the applicant to a refund. Any cancellation by a participant must be made in writing by email or regular mail. The date on which the letter is received by will determine the cancellation charges applicable.
These charges are as follows:
1. 41 days or more before workshop – 100% of deposit
2. 21 – 40 days before workshop – 50% of total workshop fee
3. 20 days or less before workshop – 100% of total workshop fee
Cancellation by JGP
Even though I have never cancelled a workshop in my career and hope I never will, when working with professional photographers it may happen that at last minute notice, circumstances force them to cancel a workshop. In these cases the participants of that workshop can choose either to be fully reimbursed or to be transferred to another workshop.
John Grech Photography:
- reserves the right to amend or cancel workshops, change workshop schedules or substitute educators (where applicable) at any time.
- guarantees a five (5) working day notice when a workshop is cancelled or rescheduled. The applicant will be given the option to choose another workshop or to be given a full refund of the fees.
- will provide refunds within one calendar month from notification.
- will not, in any manner whatsoever, be liable for any losses including, but not limited to, travel and accommodation expenses arising as a consequence of any modification or cancellation of courses.
Insurance
John Grech Photography is not responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses in case a workshop is cancelled. It is recommend that you buy refundable air tickets and/or travel insurance.
Certificate on Completion of Workshop
A certificate of attendance will be awarded to all participants of a JGP workshop.
Students will be presented with a certificate which they will get at the end of the workshop or will receive it via email thirty (30) days after the completion of the workshop. The Certificate will reflect the details provided on the registration form.
Data Protection
John Grech Photography endeavours to keep confidential all personal information divulged by the applicant. Such personal data will not be given to third parties. Personal information will only be used for educational, promotional or marketing purposes and only if the applicant had specifically given instruction and consent on the registration form upon enrollment.
Copyright
John Grech Photography:
- reserves the right and retains copyright to all promotional photographs, which may be taken of students on its premises and during its activities outside the premises.
- will obtain permission from the student before taking photographs, and the student has the right not to be photographed. No personal details of students will be passed to third parties, except the appropriate authorities, without prior consent.
Disclaimer
John Grech Photography is not liable for personal injuries or equipment damage during the workshop duration. Your registration to this workshop will by default release JGP from any liability. JGP is not responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses in case a workshop is cancelled.