The Course numbers are limited to a maximum of three, so you will have all the one-to-one time you require, with either Jack and/or staff. Obviously, we understand that people’s knowledge and requirements will differ, so what we show you during the course is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your individual ability level, starting with the basics of photography, taking you off ‘auto mode’. We will always ensure that you have plenty of time to develop some or all of the techniques listed below.

Jack has produced a brand new 4-hour workshop field guide booklet that you will be given at the 'meet & greet' at the beginning of your day. This is yours to keep and provides a useful reference for you to use, next time you take your camera out on your own.

Jack advises that you have preferably a digital SLR or mirrorless camera, with lenses for this course are from 10-17/18mm – 300mm (we have lens you can hire if required, must be booked prior to course, subject to availability). If you have a macro (close up) lens it would be very useful but not essential. However, you can also use a bridge camera with at least a 12x optical zoom, but it is essential that it has a mode dial that has manual modes settings available.  

If you’re not sure, please ask Jack for advice when you book. We also have cameras that you can hire on your course day, subject to availability.

Exmoor Photography has private location access when required / for customers (like Jack) with limited mobility during the courses; these will only be used when weather permits and when necessary.

Please note that courses may be postponed if adverse weather conditions are forecast. Jack keeps a close eye on the weather forecast and may postpone the course the day before if necessary. We do not expect our customers to participate on the course in pouring rain!

Don’t forget we run several course options including our full day standard landscape course during which Jack will show you all your cameras' settings in one day and about 25+ photography techniques! Customers often return to complete one of our full day courses once they have mastered the camera settings from this workshop.

They are designed to educate, be fun, relaxed, and hopefully enjoyable. We pride ourselves on providing first class customer service here at Exmoor Photography, something that is supported by our customer reviews.

Sorry, but we do not take other professional photographers on this course.

• Composition (Landscapes & Wildlife – when applicable): We will show how to compose the image or view you are trying to capture using basic composition guidelines and principles.
• Understanding your camera: We are very much aware that modern digital cameras can be quiet intimidating pieces of technology. Jack is very good at helping you understand your own camera during the workshop, and he will show you what most of the buttons, dials do!
• The Exposure Triangle (aperture, shutter speed & ISO): Three of the most important settings to learn understanding these elements will help you achieve the results you want. 
• Aperture priority (f-stop): We will show how this setting controls the depth of field (DOF, what part of the image is in focus) & the effect on the shutter speed.
• Shutter priority: We will show how to set and adjust the shutter speed to control movement.
• ISO: This stands for International Standards Organization, and it is a standardized industry scale for measuring sensitivity to light. We will show how and when to adjust this to control how your digital camera sensor reacts to available light.
• Bracketing (exposure compensation & auto exposure compensation AEB): We will show how to use these settings to control dark or bright images. Part of the cameras metering system.
• Depth of field (DOF): We will show you and demonstrate DOF, this is the distance between the nearest and furthest elements in a scene that appear to be sharp, sometimes called depth of focus.
• White balance (WB): We will show how and when to adjust the cameras WB the process of removing unrealistic colour casts, so that objects that appear white in person look white in your photo for example. By using the Kelvin, colour temperature scale, both camera defaults and manual options.
• Histograms: We will show how to find this on your camera a useful graphic representation of the tonal range in a photograph, and its analysis of the image's tonal range provides a precise check on exposure.
• Picture Styles: We will show you these settings on your camera, these pre-set functions bring together the settings for image processing parameters you can use to control in camera colour matrix settings, sharpness contrast and saturation etc.
• Scene modes: If your camera has the feature, we will show you them. They are not always perfect but can be useful for a beginner if all else fails. In addition, some new digital cameras have a new ‘selective’ colour feature that can be fun and creative.
• Lens choice: We will advise you on what lenses to choose when available to best capture different genres of photography.
• Macro (close ups): We will show some simple settings to use for close up photography ‘freestyle’ that will help you achieve better results and concentrate on being creative.
• Fill in flash: We will show you how to use your flash is daylight to nicely balance the daylight with flash for more pleasing results when required. The pop-up flash on your camera is absolutely ok for this if you don’t have a dedicated flashgun (mounts on the cameras hot shoe).
• Auto Focusing / servo mode: We will show your cameras focus modes, manual, AI focus & AI servo (different names sometimes depending on cameras make). How to set them and when to use them for stationary or possibly moving subjects.

Jack was trained to a very high ‘advanced’ standard to drive while in the service.

We use a new Ford Kuga Hybrid that will comfortably seat 3 guests and their equipment, the vehicle is maintained to a very high standard, it has dual zone air conditioning for your comfort and heated seats! The vehicle is fitted with a ‘cold climate pack’ heated windscreen etc.  Although we do not intend to go ‘off road’ and ‘bounce’ you and your camera equipment about while on the course, the vehicle is fitted with ‘all weather’ tyres that give enhanced traction. We carry a BSI compliant (BS-8599-1) first aid kit on board & a fire extinguisher.