Crazy about wildlife? Join a photography masterclass for beginners!

This year our masterclass will be a full day out learning all there is to know about wildlife photography at the London Wetlands Centre. Led by Iain Green, author and photographer of ‘Wild London’, this is a practical guide to achieving great images of your favourite wildlife.

Where: London Wetland Centre
Who: Beginners interested in wildlife photography
When: 10am-4pm
Price: £55 (payable via Paypal when you sign up)
Getting There: Barnes rail station or Hammersmith tube

Masterclass: Wildlife Photography

During the largely practical day, professional photographer Iain Green will cover composition & lighting, ideal approach and best equipment for wildlife photography. He will include specific wildlife photography techniques with his top ‘pro’ tips, for achieving stunning images of fauna and flora.

Tuition will be outside on the reserve as there are plenty of interesting spots where technique can be practiced including the hides and observatories to photograph from. Due to small class numbers (maximum no. is 12), individual tuition and attention will be paid to each student.

The London Wetland Centre

The 42 hectare London Wetland Centre is the best urban wildlife site in Europe. Located next to the Thames it is close to the heart of the capital but as noted by The Times, “When you enter, you leave London behind”.

Take the opportunity to encounter wildlife up close and spot wildlife such as beautiful kingfishers, the gregarious lapwing, the undeniably cute water vole and a whole host of wildflowers.

About Iain Green

Iain has worked as a professional wildlife photographer since 1997 and runs regular wildlife photography courses. He has:

• Presented wildlife feature for BBC London/Springwatch
• Published three books including Wild London
• Sold photographs to famous names & royalty
• Led wildlife photography workshops on the Isle of Skye
• Exhibited at events such as Hampton Court Flower Show

Book now at www.meetup.com/the-photo-school/calendar/14178370/

Bored Of London, Bored Of Life

There’s so much to see in London it seems weekends just aren’t long enough! So I’ve decided, like Wednesday afternoons at uni were for playing sport, my Wednesdays (some at least) will be taking and viewing photos!

The first Wednesday afternoon event I’m going to will be to Somerset House and is aimed at those who have different work/life schedules (like me)!

A Positive View

What: More than 100 pieces including rare and vintage works across a century of photography

When: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 3:00 PM

Where: Somerset House @ Terrace Rooms

Highlights:

• Henri Cartier-Bresson’s masterpieces: Seville (1933) and Queen Charlotte’s Ball, London (1959)
• The iconic Kate (1990); the photograph that marked the beginning of Kate Moss’s career
• Wim Wenders’ contemplative interior Lounge Painting, Gila Bend, Arizona (1987)

Learn More About Photography

Taken from Somerset House website “A Positive View showcases an extraordinary range of photography on an international scale, under the Royal Patronage of Prince William supporting Crisis, the homelessness charity.”

Taken from A Positive View website “A provocative exhibition which brings the best of 100 years of photography into collision, collusion and dialogue. The rich collection of photographic images from around the world together challenge preconceptions.”

Are you free to join me? Please get in contact if you are!

Photos from Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

Back in August, the Photo School spent a sunny summer’s day at Kew for our Garden Photography Masterclass. So it was nice to have a reminder yesterday of the fun we had by seeing some more stunning photography shot at Kew.

This time is was by professional photographer Heather Angel.

Heather spent a year capturing the plants and animals that inhabit west London. I love the commentary that she gives in her slideshow. See her pics from Kew on the BBC website and our beginner shots from August on the Photo School’s events page.

Looking forward to seeing more wildlife photos at the National History Museum later this month.

Join us if you can!

Happy photographing! Natalie

What better to do on a summer Sunday than to have a day at Kew Gardens learning how to improve your garden photography.

This practical photography event coincides with The International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition.

There will be the chance to view the best images taken from gardens across the world whilst exploring Kew and improving your garden and plant portraiture photography.

The event runs from 10:30am til 4pm and costs £35. This includes:

• Kew entrance costing £13
• Tuition by acclaimed landscape and portrait photographer, Jon Mortimer
• Hands-on photography at Kew’s Houses, Conservatories and Walkways
• Chance to view and be inspired by the Garden POTY exhibition
• Beginner garden photography handouts

Please pay via Paypal to natalie@photolate.com to confirm your place. Min 8 people. Max 15 people. This practical is aimed at enthusiastic beginner photographers. Lunch not included.

Theme
Jon Mortimer, an acclaimed landscape and portrait photographer will lead the group. The topics to be discussed and taught during the day will include:

• How to select the angles in a garden
• Framing and composition in relation to garden and plant portrait photography
• Using a variety of lenses for different elements of garden photography
• Learning how time of day and weather affect garden photography
• Using natural light and small camera top flash
• Switching to indoor plant photography
• Choosing the best equipment for a desired theme

Itinerary
The event will comprise of the following parts:

1) Warm-up: be inspired by others’ garden photographs at the POTY exhibition

2) Introduction: Jon will discuss the main elements of garden photography

3) Hands on tuition: we will be travelling around the gardens stopping at Kew’s key attractions. For each attraction, the tutor will talk through the main areas of this field of photography and then we will spend some time practicing what we have learnt, with Jon always close by to help and advise

4) Late lunch: stopping at one of the cafes we will take the chance to discuss and share our own experiences, each sharing our best photo so far

5) More key attractions and teaching: attractions may include Xstrata Treetop Walkway, Palm House, Princess of Wales Conservatory, Waterlily House

6) Evaluation: we will discuss our experiences and evaluate our images

Exhibition
The International Garden POTY exhibition is in its 2nd year and receives over 19,000 images from amateur and professional photographers alike.

This year the exhibition includes a special category ‘World Botanic Gardens’ to celebrate Kew’s 250th birthday. Other categories include garden views, plant portraits, wildlife in the garden, trees, people in the garden & the edible garden. It is likely to be a great inspirational start to the day!

Things To Bring
Please bring your camera and a tripod if possible. It’s always advisable to carry spare batteries and memory cards just in case. If you wish, please bring printed samples of your own garden photographs.

We will be stopping at one of the cafés for a late lunch.
Feel free to bring a packed lunch if you prefer.

Location
We will meet promptly at 10:30am at Kew Gardens, Victoria Gate.

This is the largest entrance and nearest to Kew Gardens station (District line and London Overground services), about 3 minutes walk from the station.

This gate is on Kew Road, situated in the middle of the Gardens, and the 65 bus stops outside. The Victoria Gate visitor centre provides retail, coffee shop, toilets, information and Friends desk.

Find Out More
http://www.kew.org/vi…
http://www.tfl.gov.uk…
Call Natalie on 07773 819053