Orkney Landscape Photography Workshop

ORKNEY, HOY & ROUSAY

19th - 25th March 2023

A multi island landscape photography workshop in the Orkney Islands. Connect deeply with this quiet, historic land whilst developing your photography and creativity. Two tutors plus an Orkney born photographer guide will bring you to some of the most beautiful and relatively unknown locations on the Orkney islands.

£1300

Landscape Photography Workshop Orkney

Orkney is a unique and very special landscape. It has long been a source of inspiration for artists with its dramatic coastline, culture, and incredible light. We will visit many of the beautiful and historical places in Orkney. From crashing waves and big cliffs to the Standing Stones of Stennes. We have added a special addition to the mainland locations and will visit the two of the beautiful outer islands, Hoy & Rousay. With local knowledge and a dedicated photographer guide, we will be able to access some lesser-known gems on the islands and experience the best of the Orkney Islands.

During this Orkney photography workshop we will focus on slowing down and immersing ourselves in the beauty of the landscape. From a fundamental belief that creativity is a personal and individual expression of yourself, the aim is to give participants space and inspiration to explore this.

Gently encouraging everyone to find their own voice through photography. There will be plenty of wonderful wider landscapes but also the chance to look for smaller details and intimate landscapes. An opportunity within a wild and beautiful landscape to consider what you are drawn to photographing and finding your own voice in your photography.

birsay cliffs study 1 orkney scotland 2018

image captured during orkney photography workshop

crashing waves captured on orkney island photography workshop

crashing waves on orkney photography workshop

skail bay big waves crashing into rocks on orkney

orkney isle landscape photography workshop leaders

YOUR LEADERS

Margaret Soraya has a deep love of coastal photography and remote places. She has an in-depth knowledge of light, wind, and wave conditions on Orkney. From big crashing waves to gentle slow shutter speed images of water to capturing fleeting light on Orkney's standing stones, Margaret will teach and encourage you.

Lesley Lintott's photography is very intuitive, mainly working with her smartphone or handheld mirror system. Lesley will be on hand to help with some creative in-camera techniques such as ICM, multiple-exposures and shallow depth of field close-up work. You will also have the opportunity to explore how to get the best from your phone camera using creative apps and editing.

Rob Sutherland will be your guide. His love of history originates from growing up in orkney and from his grandfather who was involved in the excavations of Skara Brae. Photographing the monuments and other influences of history on the landscapes became a passion for rob. So he not only knows all the most incredible locations on Orkney and the outer islands but is a photographer in hs own right.

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GROUP SIZE

8 participants:

This workshop has been designed to provide bespoke teaching and individual attention. There will be 8 participants with Margaret Soraya leading and Lesley Lintott assisting. Orkney born, Rob Sutherland will guide us to some stunning locations.

This is a rare opportunity to benefit from seeing the landscape from contrasting photographic angles with three photographers who share a passion for the remote, wild landscape of Orkney. You will have ample opportunity for 1-2-1 support both in the landscape and whilst back indoors.

OVERVIEW

Duration: 6 nights / 5 days

Dates: 19th - 25th March 2023

Included: All tutoring. Lunches. Complimentary transport during the workshop. Ferries to Hoy & Rousay

Excluded: Accommodation staying at Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms, Evening meals, alcoholic drinks, travel to the island & camera insurance.

GRADING

Fitness level: You do not need to be super fit for this workshop but there will be cliff walks, short uphill sections, and options for longer walks. We find a basic level of fitness is required in order for you to access the landscape. As a rough guide, you should be able to walk carrying your camera gear for 20-30 minutes across uneven ground.

There will always be options to stay nearer the vehicles, although this may mean separating from the group for a while. Your safety on location is our top priority so Margaret & Lesley are both qualified outdoor first aiders.

LOCATIONS

Locations will include ( all weather dependent) :

The tidal island of the Brough of Birsay

A day trip to Rackwick Bay on Hoy

The island of Rousey day trip

Marwick Head RSPB reserve and fisherman's huts

The Standing Stones of Stenness

The Italian Chapel

The Scapa Flow Wrecks

Yesnaby Sea Stacks, Cliffs, and Wild Seas

The Ring of Brodgar

Churchill Barriers

Broch of Gurness

Bay of Skaill

DAILY OUTLINE

What the days will look like

Our days during this landscape photography workshop on Orkney will start the day with a delicious breakfast before heading out to the most suitable location for the day based on the weather and wind forecasts.

Making the best use of each day is important and part of that involves ensuring everyone’s comfort. With this in mind tea and coffee are provided on location and we will break for lunch which will usually be taken in a cafe to enable us to stay outdoors all day. Occasionally if the weather is really against us we may return to the hotel and take time for one-to-one tutorials, editing or any assistance you need. We will have two day trips to outer islands, which will be weather dependent. These will be arranged around the best ferry times available for light and weather.

If we have been out all day there will be some time to relax before meeting for dinner back at The Storehouse around 7pm. If we have had a more relaxed day then we often meet a couple of hours before dinner for inspirational talks, demos and slideshows. The small group size on this landscape photography workshop in Orkney ensures plenty of time for everyone to be helped individually.

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ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation for this Orkney photographic workshop is your own responsibility. Rooms have been reserved at The Storehouse Restaurant with Rooms. Built in around 1880 as a herring and pork curing store the Storehouse is a grade B Listed Building off Kirkwall's historic stone-paved main street, close to St Magnus Cathedral.

Your rooms are being held and you will need to call to book the room of your choice. Please call to choose your room grade.

Payment for your own accommodation and meals at the end of your stay can be made direct to the hotel.

TRAVEL

How to get to the workshop

ARRIVAL : Please try to arrive in Orkney on or before the 19th March. Check in is 3pm. Welcome dinner is on 19th March. Please email if you need assistance or advice about your travel.

DEPARTURE : Departure is after breakfast on the 24th March. You are free to schedule an early flight that day if you wish.

Fly to Orkney

The fastest way to get to Orkney is to fly. Flights to and from Orkney are operated by Loganair. The airline manages routes to Kirkwall from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

Ferry to Orkney

Northlink Ferries - https://www.northlinkferries.co.uk

Scrabster to Stromness Ferry

• Comfortable ferry with catering and facilities • 1.5hr crossing • Terminal 5 minutes from our accommodation

Pentland Ferries - https://www.pentlandferries.co.uk Gills Bay to St Margaret’s Hope

Orkney Landscape Photography Workshop

ORKNEY, HOY & ROUSAY

19th - 25th March 2023