Photographing landscape; whatever the weather

POSTPONED - We will be contacting all those who have already booked to facilitate a transfer or refund ASAP. Thank you for your patience.

In the mind of some, a great "landscape" needs to conform to some ideal paradigm, a sun-kissed Caribbean beach bathed in rich sunlight, or a snow-capped Alpine shot with a cluster conifers occupying the foreground, unaware that the moment we step out of our homes, we are entering "landscape". Tutor - Tony Worobiec FRPS

The first thing we need to appreciate is that landscape is an extremely wide-ranging genre; while of course there will always be a place for the bucolic landscape, we also need to consider "industrial landscape", "coastal landscape" and of course "urban landscape". It helps to understand that every location will have it is golden moment it is simply a matter of being at the right place at the right time. Moreover, photographers can often be quite disappointed when visiting a photographic "honey pot", as it does not appear quite as they had expected. It is only when we understand that the defining quality of any landscape is the weather; it governs the two most important features, notably lighting and mood.

Rather than determine where you wish to photograph on any specific day, it is often far better to assess the weather, then choose a location that best suits.

The purpose of this course is to alert you to the potential of photographing landscape, irrespective of the weather conditions. While we are all quite comfortable shooting in more benign weather conditions, we should also be aware of the excellent opportunities. Whether it's sunny or raining, calm or blowing a gale, each of these weather conditions will help to define the landscape in front of you; it's all a matter of learning how to respond.

• Explain why each landscape is "defined" by the nature of the prevailing weather conditions.
• Enhance the drama of a Stormy Sky/Threatening Sky/ Tumultuous Sky
• Celebrating Grey Skies. Explain, they do promote a unique mood.
• Overcast light / a bland sky. When and when not to include the sky.
• Photographing Rain.How to keep the camera/ lens dry. The beauty of rain at night.
• The unique beauty of rainbows and when to capture them.
• Flooded Landscapes. A feature of landscape that is becoming increasingly more common.
• After The Storm.  Explore the clarity of light one often sees immediately after rain.
• Gales & Wind.Learn to turn a negative into a positive.
• Becalmed.Explore those occasions revealing complete stillness.
• Mist & Fog.Consider the best use of lenses.
• Rising Mist.Celebrate those moments as the mist rises to reveal the hidden landscape.
• Frost.Explore the high-key landscapes created by frost.
• Snow & Ice.Aside from the obvious beauty, consider the precautions one should take in cold weather.
• In full sunshine. Don't overlook the obvious. Explain how a blue sky can create uplifting images.
• The beauty of Clouds. Learn to identify the various groupings.

If you wish to bring a few images of your own, please do - time is limited so we can't guarantee that Tony will be able to look at all of them.

Please bring a packed lunch or use local amenities. 

Address: The Royal Photographic Society, RPS House, 337 Paintworks, Arnos Vale, Bristol, BS4 3AR

Please visit https://rps.org/contact/ help plan your trip. Please be aware that the car park in the Paintworks on a weekday is limited to three hours.  Weekends, and evenings after 6pm are unlimited.

Bristol Temple Meads is a 30-minute walk to Paintworks.

Buses running from Bristol Temple Meads to Paintworks are: 1, 178, 349 or the X39, but please check before leaving.

A Park & Ride service is available from Brislington Park & Ride. More information can be found at www.travelwest.info/park-ride/bristol/brislington  

Local Parking

If you need to bring your car and don’t want to use the Park and Ride Buses, you can book a place to park at a nearby supermarket using this link yourparkingspace.co.uk

You can also park all-day for £5 at Arnos Manor.  Visitors will need to go to the hotel reception to purchase a ticket to display on their windscreen. 

Image: © Tony Worobiec FRPS