This course provides a perfect opportunity to develop your photographic skills by exploring the creative potential of macro and close-up photography. Spend time in the stunning grounds and gardens at West Dean where you will find countless opportunities for natural compositions: plants, flowers, seed heads, fruit, bark, moss, lichen, insects and more. West Dean Gardens has numerous spaces for experimentation: walled gardens with fruit orchards, a kitchen garden and a cutting garden with flowers; there are also Victorian glasshouses with cacti, temperate and tropical plants, wild and woodland gardens, pergolas and ponds. If the weather proves challenging, there will also be an indoor space for studio close-up studies of natural subjects from the gardens (or bring your own small subjects).

The course will be primarily creative, enjoying all the beautiful autumn colour on show at this special time of year, but there will also be practical exercises to improve your photographic technique. During the weekend, you will learn how to handle composition and backgrounds, moving subjects, sunlight and shadows, focusing issues with small objects, plus tips to solve problems and achieve the perfect macro shot.

You will have plenty of time working with your camera, but you can also download and edit your images on desktop computers. It is suitable for those with any type of camera or picture-taking device, but, ideally, a camera with manual controls which offers greater creative possibilities, e.g. a DSLR, mirrorless, CSC (compact systems camera) or advanced compact digital camera. There will be ample time for discussion and this flexible course will, to a degree, be tailored to students’ individual interests.

Please note that weather and temperature may vary in October and this will affect the outdoor/studio balance of activities. A certain amount of walking is involved on this course, carrying your camera equipment, so please come prepared for this.

What students need to bring

• camera (Any kind of digital camera)

• Lenses (optional)

• Battery

• charger

• memory card

• Tripod (optional)

• laptop (optional)

• USB (large storage capacity) or portable hard drive storage device (plus connecting leads)

• bring a note of your own Adobe ID login. If you don’t already have one, Please register for a free account at www.adobe.com prior to the course, and remember to bring the details with you.

• Good footwear and some waterproof clothing are recommended.

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

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