Isle of Harris photography workshop

Nov 25th-Dec1st , 2023

£1300

1 SPACE

overview

,A small group photography workshop on the beautiful Isle of Harris at the most atmospheric time of year. Fabulous light, big swells, and changeable conditions, as well as the ease of sunrise and sunset times! Switch off from the pressures of our modern world and take time out for your photography

3/4 participants, led by Margaret Soraya

INCLUDED: pick up from Stornoway or Tarbert, outdoor led trips, inspirational sessions, complimentary transport during the workshop 

EXCLUDED: travel to Harris, Accommodation ( rooms are held for you at the Harris hotel) Food & drink, camera insurance

"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul" Kate Chopin

Outer Hebrides creative retreat

Possible locations:

  • Locations will include some of the following:

    The roaring waves and sheer expanse of Scarista Beach,
    The white sands and turquoise waters of Luskentyre beach
    Exploring the rocky headlands on the Eastside 
    Bagh Steinigidh, rocks, swirling seas and views to Taransay
    Northton Salt Marshes 
    Astro photography if the opportunity arises

Your leader

Margaret Soraya

Isle of Harris photographer Margaret Soraya holding a camera and standing on the beach. Margaret offers one to one tuition and creative mentoring.

 

 

 

Margaret specialises in encouraging and inspiring others in a genuine way. She teaches others to find their voice and live in line with their core values.

She has a deep love of creativity, the coast, and quiet places and a belief in retreat to revitalise and replenish.

Living on Harris she has a special love and connection with the Island. She knows best where to find those special places on the Isle of Harris that will give you that special quiet connection that you need. 

"If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water" - Loren Eiseley

                 

         photographing the outer hebrides 

A small, bespoke landscape photography workshop for you to develop your photography on the Isle of Harris, Outer Hebrides. A landscape photography workshop for those who love truly remote, beautiful places. This workshop focuses on the individual with gentle and encouraging tuition.

The Outer Hebrides is tranquil, peaceful, and welcoming. One of the most remote places you will ever go and ideal for a coastal photography workshop. I have been visiting and photographing the Isle of Harris for 16 years. It has become my home and is very close to my heart. 

My intimate knowledge of locations, sea states, and wind direction contribute to leading a group into the best spot each day, depending on the forecast. My desire now is to share this with you. Sharing with openness is at the heart of what I aim to do with my photography workshops on the Outer Hebrides. To lead you to places that I know and love, find locations that will inspire you and give you freely all the knowledge you need to develop your own photographic work.

The coastline is second to none, and Harris feels like an island on the edge of the world in the winter months. In November, we will likely have a beach all to ourselves. Perfect for landscape photography, the weather can be wild, changeable, and bracing. Daylight will be at its most atmospheric at this time of year with some great weather patterns. On Harris, you can often see many seasons in one day – experience fast-moving weather and clouds, rainbows, and sunshine all in one day. The Isle of Harris is best known for its sweeping, beautiful coastline. We will not stay out all day if the weather is against us; it is important to relax and feel comfortable. There is great value in being out when the best opportunity for weather is on our side, and to keep warm and relaxed back at the hotel having discussions at other times. 

Much of my work is photographed on the beaches of Harris. These beaches and seascapes will be the focus of this workshop. Yet, in addition to the wide-sweeping scenes, you will find opportunities to photograph textures, intimate details, minimalist imagery, and creative photography such as ICM and multiple exposures. I will ensure that the locations are varied enough to balance seascapes and traditional Harris landscapes, such as the rugged east side.

As an experienced astrophotographer, I will also be looking out for any clear skies or Northern lights. As these are very random, it can never be guaranteed, but if they occur, there will be the option to photograph the stars, the milky way or Northern lights over the Outer Hebrides.

Expect to be cut off from the real world for a few days, immersed in the wild open spaces of some of the finest and emptiest beaches you will ever see. As well as capturing landscapes and seascapes, this is an opportunity for you to recharge your personal batteries and reinvigorate your photographic practice by connecting with nature.

The pool at Una St Ives in Cornwall - part of the facilities for our creative retreat.
The pool at Una St Ives in Cornwall - part of the facilities for our creative retreat.
The pool at Una St Ives in Cornwall - part of the facilities for our creative retreat.
Una lido in St Ives at dusk.
Una lido in St Ives at dusk.
isle of harris photography workshop
St Ives creative retreat accommodation - Creative Landscapes.
St Ives creative retreat accommodation - Creative Landscapes.
St Ives creative retreat accommodation - Creative Landscapes.
Outer Hebrides creative retreat

accommodation

Accommodation for this Isle of Harris photographic workshop is your own responsibility, but rooms have been reserved at the Harris Hotel. The hotel is in Tarbert, close to the ferry terminal and a 20-minute drive to the beaches of Harris. The food is excellent at the hotel and we will gather in the evenings for dinner together. The hotel also has a bar and plenty of lounge space for gathering for editing and discussion.
 
Payment for your own accommodation and meals at the end of your stay can be made direct to the hotel. The hotel has arranged a special delegate only rate for you with no single supplement.

 

Travel

AIRPORT: Fly into Stornoway Airport

FERRY: Catch the ferry from Uig ( Skye ) to Tarbert ( Harris ) or Ullapool to Stornoway