London Outdoor Photography! (walks and workshops)

Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating one of the UK's most breathtaking wildlife spectacles!

Date: Saturday 26th - Wednesday 30th April 2025
Price: £895 (single occupancy)
Availability: Only 3 spots left!

Guaranteed Departure!

What to Expect
Delve into the mesmerizing world of the Whirling Wader Spectacular at RSPB Snettisham! Over four incredible days, be captivated as anywhere from 80,000 to 140,000 birds soar into the sky in a breathtaking display. This event is a must-see for any wildlife or photography enthusiast, as you capture this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Fitness Level: Easy to Moderate (approximately a 45-minute flat walk each way)

What's Included:

• Professional Photo Guide
• Return Transportation from London
• Comfortable Cottage Accommodation (private room provided)
• Access to Telephoto Lenses & Camera Bodies (Canon, Nikon)
• Kase Filter Kits to borrow for each participant
• Small Tour Size (maximum of 5 participants)

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 - 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞!

Macro photography creates stunning and captivating images, but it can be both intimidating and challenging when starting out.

In this 3-hour theory and practical workshop, we'll go through the equipment options in detail, then go on a photo walk through the area's colourful gardens to give you an excellent understanding of this very rewarding genre of photography.

𝐖𝐞❜𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫:
• Equipment (many options & we'll have them for you to try!)
• Lens choice
• Settings
• Focusing
• Depth of Field
• Backgrounds
• Lighting basics
• Post processing

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐞❜𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬𝐞:
Nikon 105mm Macro lens (+ camera body if required)
Canon 60mm Macro lens (+ camera body if required)
2 x high-quality macro magnification attachments (to put on your own lens)
Extension tube sets for Canon (EF), Nikon (F), & Sony (E) mounts
Teleconverters for Canon (EF) & Nikon (F)
A selection of reversing rings
& more!

Plus, if time permits afterwards, we'll go through basic post-processing of an image in software such as Lightroom and show what additional software plugins make the biggest difference to improving our shots.

𝐘𝐨𝐮❜𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝:
• Your camera & lenses (bring a selection if you have them - message if any questions)
• Spare blank SD memory card (in case you use our macro setups)
• We need to get down low, so wear trousers/jeans you don't mind getting damp at the knees or something to kneel on.

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐨𝐧❜𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝:
A tripod - We'll be handholding for our shots

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Our studio is situated in the picturesque Hanger Hill Garden Estate, West Acton (W3 0EJ).
Exact location details will be given to attendees once booked. We're only 5 5-minute walk from West Acton Tube Station (Central Line - Ealing Broadway branch) or North Ealing Tube Station (Piccadilly Line).
Roadside parking is available.

𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Summer + flowers = bees. Please take all necessary precautions if you are allergic.

Note: This event is combined with 2 other photography Meetup groups that I run, so I'll update RSVP numbers accordingly (ie myself +3 will mean 3 members from other groups attending).

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡❜𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧❜𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭.

Enjoy the unmistakable roar of the Spitfire's Rolls Royce Merlin engine along with other favourite aircraft, and if the weather is kind the skilled pilots will do their magnificent best in the 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭!

The extensive collection also contains some of the only airworthy examples of genuine combat aircraft from WW1 and WW2, along with the graceful lines of multiple world aviation speed record holders from the 1930s. It is a rare display unlike any other in the world.

The Old Warden airfield is unique in having an L-shaped airfield, allowing the aircraft to bank close to the spectators and to pass at the perfect angle for practicing our panning technique.

We'll have 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 if required to help you get some great shots! 1 x Canon & 2 x Nikon setups.

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:

• Entry to the airshow
• Return travel from central London (from Starbucks, Unit 1A Euston Tower, NW1 3DP), in our comfortable 8-seater vehicle.
• Photographic Tuition at the event (focussing on shutter speed and panning to blur the background and propellers but keep the plane sharp)
• Camera and telephoto lens setups to borrow (just bring a blank SD card)
• Battery charging facilities if required (bring your USB or wall plug charger)

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:

• Food and drink (hot drinks and food are available on site but feel free to bring your food/picnic)

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Please check and dress for the weather. Hat, sunscreen, etc.

𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

• Tripod/monopod optional - we'll have a tripod and gimbal setup.
• Lens choice - telephoto lenses (ideally 200mm+ full frame equivalent)
• We'll have 3 setups to use: 1 x 200-500mm (Nikon F), 1 x 100-400mm (Canon EF), 70-200mm + 1.4x extender (98-280mm equivalent - Nikon), 70-300mm (Canon EF & Nikon F), Sony E adapter.
• Wide-angle/mid-range lenses for stationary (flight-line) aircraft or vintage vehicles.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞❜𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭:

Starbucks Coffee, Unit 1A Euston Tower Podium, Regents Place, London NW1 3DP, at 9.00 am and leave for the venue to get a good space. We'll have plenty of time at the venue to talk about what to expect on the day and look through previous photos of the event, discuss settings, composition, etc. The flying display starts at 2 pm and will end around 5 pm. We expect to return to London around 7 pm.

𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭:

Join us on a magical 7-day trip to experience one of the most exciting seabird colonies in the UK!

• Includes accommodation (6-nights) and return transport!
• All payments fully protected by our Tour Operator Insurance.

We have scheduled six separate boat trips to photograph the birdlife on the Farne Islands and our lovely accommodation is close to one of the world's great coastal castles, Bamburgh Castle!

Along with Dunstanbugh Castle, this gives us the unique opportunity to indulge in some bonus landscape photography with two stunning subjects in the evenings.

Northumberland's Farne Islands are home to more than 20 bird species, with the highlight being over 80,000 incredibly charismatic puffins!

Along with the puffin extravaganza, the islands' other species include arctic terns, guillemots, razorbills, shags, kittiwakes, eider ducks, plus grey seals basking in the sun by the water's edge. More info can be found at https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands/features/wildlife-calendar

Accommodation:
We have an amazing 6-bedroom (including 2 rooms with en-suites) close to Bamburgh Castle!

Single Occupancy Room £1495
Single Occupancy with en-suite £1695

Suggested equipment:

• Telephoto lens - e.g. 300mm+, 100-400mm, 200-400mm
• Walk around wide/mid-range/kit lens – e.g. 18-55mm, 24-70mm, 24-105mm
• Wide angle lens e.g. 16-35mm, 17-40mm (optional for landscape subjects in the distance)
• Don't have a telephoto lens? We'll have 3 telephoto setups available (please let me know at the time of booking). We also have 2 x branded 1.4x (Canon & Nikon DSLR) and 2.0x (Nikon DSLR) are available.
• Tripod (for landscapes)
• Monopod if required

Filters (for landscapes). I'll have some KASE filter kits available (please mention it at the time of booking).

Includes:

• Return transport from central London, plus transport in Northumberland to/from boats & castles.
• Accommodation: An entire beautiful house near Bamburgh! (self-catering, restaurants, pubs, & shops close by)
• Boat fees for 6 boat trips to the islands.
• Photographic tuition on location
• Camera and lens setups to borrow, if required.
• Your funds are fully protected by our Travel Operator Insurance and Financial Failure Insurance.

Not included:

• Food and drink
• National Trust Landing Fees (free for NT members)
• Personal and travel insurance

Note: The boat captain's decision to delay if adverse weather conditions are beyond our control (which is why we go for 6 full days just in case).

Price:
£1495 + National Trust islands landing fees (£13 x 5 boat trips or FREE for National Trust members (see above for en-suite price)

(£50 through Meetup/Paypal and balance via bank transfer to complete booking, payable within 7 days). If you wish to avoid the Meetup.com fees you can contact me directly and you can pay direct.