This course is completely field based and during your day with us we will visit several locations, teaching you different photographic techniques capturing the stunning variety of landscapes that Exmoor has to offer. Please note that the locations we visit can be more flexible on the exclusive 1:1 course, therefore please do not hesitate to discuss with us when booking, any locations you would like to visit, and we will try to tailor the course to your individual requirements.

The Photography courses are open to everybody but aimed at complete beginners or keen amateurs.

Jack advises that you have preferably a digital DSLR 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.  

Landscape (square filters) if you have them, please don’t worry if not as we have plenty you can borrow. 

Additionally, you will receive Jacks 45 page field guide booklet, which are course specific. If required, Jack will also prepare additional settings guide specific to your camera model and relevant to the course type booked. 

We have several itineraries that we will follow; the locations we visit will be very much dependent on the weather and time of year. Part of the beauty of Exmoor is the ever-changing seasons and we will always try to take you to locations that best demonstrate the natural splendour of this. The locations have been carefully chosen by Jack to offer you a variety of photographic opportunities and subjects that we hope will challenge, inspire and encourage you to be creative in your photography.

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!

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. 

Lunch and hot/cold beverages are included. There is also always a supply of Alison's legendary flapjack and homemade cakes.

Please note we do take other professional photographers on any of our courses.

• 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.
• Manual mode: We will show how and when to use this mode on your camera, i   t’s not as complicated as most people think. This is very useful for all types of photography especially when presented with difficult lighting conditions.
• Metering modes: We will show you how the camera measures the brightness of the subject and the different modes available to do this.
• 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.
• Using filters (we use Lee & Cokin filter systems): We will show you how, why and when to use filters (including 'big stoppers') to create and sometimes gently enhance your final images.
• 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 / Drives Modes: 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.