The West – Connemara, Clare & Mayo

17 - 24 Oct 2024 : Available

17 – 24 Oct 2024

Connemara, Clare & Mayo

Dates:
17 – 24 Oct 2024

7 nights : 8 days

Location:
Connemara

Clare & Mayo

Fee:
 €4100

Deposit:
€700

Instructor:
Michael McLaughlin

Fee Includes:
Accommodation for 7 Nights, Transportation, Breakfast and Dinner, 24 hours Tuition, Location Guide

Photography Level:
Intermediate – Advanced

Group Size:
6 Max (We like to keep groups small)

PURCHASE DEPOSIT

Get right out West and amongst some of Ireland’s finest natural beauty. This workshop takes in a great mix of seascapes, lakes, and mountains. Our focus on this workshop will be on the wild seascapes of Co Mayo from Downpatrick Head to Achill Island. Locations right on the edge of the Atlantic. Plus Connemara with such an abundance of lakes and rivers with great mountain backdrops. Don’t forget Co Clare for 2 days to photograph the stunning Cliffs of Moher, Loop Head, and the Burren. Michael has made countless trips to the West so learning new skills will be combined with photographing handpicked beautiful locations. If you want to photograph dramatic mountains, lakes, and seascapes then this is the workshop for you.

We do not set out a specific daily location itinerary, as Michael will bring you to the best locations under prevailing light conditions. As a general guide, however, we will be visiting the lakes, forests, and waterfalls within Connemara including Derryclare Lough, the Inagh Pass, the Delphi Valley, and much much more. Plus epic locations like Downpatrick Head, Achill Island plus the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, and Loop Head.

We will be based in 3 hotels. First up is Mayo near Achill Island for 2 nights then making our way to Connemara for 3 nights finishing up with 2 nights in Co Clare near the Cliffs of Moher.

We will shoot sunrise each morning with a morning break after sunrise and breakfast. We will shoot each afternoon followed by sunset and dinner. There will be a webinar to help you edit your images post-workshop. You send your pictures to your instructor and a selection will be edited live. The webinar will be recorded and sent back to you so you will have a route map to help you make the most of your images after the workshop. We will also offer discounted rates on our online photography courses plus we have a range of free courses you can access so you’re ready to go before you even arrive.

The cost of the workshop is €4100 for single occupancy. For this fee, you will receive all tuition and location guide as described above. Accommodation for 7 nights, transportation costs (from accommodation to shoot locations) and 2 meals per day.  Alcohol and snacks are not included.

FLIGHTS are not included.

It is not advised to book flights until we confirm we have adequate numbers for this workshop to go ahead. In the event of the workshop not going ahead, we will refund deposits in full. However, we will not compensate flight costs.

  • On Location Guidance
  • Compositional Instruction
  • Post Processing Instruction in Free Webinar
  • Understanding Exposure Triangle
  • Modes of Exposure
  • RAW, White Balance and Filters
  • Why is the angle of the sun so important – Understanding Light and seeing like your camera
  • Using Graduated Neutral Density Filters
  • Sharpness From Here to Shanghai – Understanding Depth of Field
  • Choosing the Correct Shutter Speed to get the best Outcome
  • The Importance of Composition – Using Lines and Texture
  • Histograms ExplainedExposing to the Right for Maximum Details

Michael McLaughlin – view gallery of Michael’s images HERE

  • Spare batteries for camera if possible or the battery charger essential
  • We will be shooting both wide angles and intimate details so focal lengths from 17mm to 200mm will be of use.
  • Tripod (essential)
  • Shutter cable release if possible but we can also use your timer if you don’t have a cable release.
  • Camera Manual (just in case)
  • Filters – Circular Polariser , ND’s and grad ND’s will be of use
  • USB drive to store edited images (we can also use your CF or SD cards if you don’t have one)  (In case we have to work indoors)
  • Laptop – If anyone has a laptop with  Photoshop or Lightroom – I’m sure this will come in handy
  • You will need a pair of over ankle height waterproof boots
  • Good waterproof jackets & trousers

EASY with one MODERATE walk – There are no long walks on this workshop with locations typically within 5 minutes of the car. There is however a 20 – 30 minute walk along the Cliffs of Moher to get in positiin. All workshops require walking on uneven ground on beaches or lake edges for example.

Our team is dedicated to getting you the best images possible on every trip. We are an experienced team of leaders and always willing to go the extra mile for our participants. Ask our repeat customers. Most workshops have 50% or higher returning customers. We are a community of photography lovers and we would love it if you could join the ExploreLight experience too.

We will get you to the right place at the right time of day to maximize your chances of making great images. That’s the core focus of every trip. What drives us forward. We love the light as much as you do and our primary goal is always to give you the best chance possible of bringing home special images.

We have small groups and a really high teacher to pupil ratio. Most workshops are only 6 or 7 people. Our max is 9 and there will be 2 instructors. This means that there is always time to give advice and help when on location. It also means we always travel in comfort with 2 people to a 3 seat berth. We’re all friends but a bit of space while traveling is essential too. We take your comfort seriously with single occupancy rooms with private bathrooms as standard. There are one or 2 small exceptions on this point, but they are few and far between, and always noted in the description. We also have a dedicated office team managing logistics so you have a pint of contact for your arrival and departures or other logistical questions you might have around the trip.

The ‘craic’ (fun) is always mighty. We like the feeling of community and fun when on tour. We’re together as a group chasing the light but laughing while we do it.

Every workshop of 3 days or more comes with a free follow up private webinar for the group. 2 hours of post-processing of the images from your trip. Recorded live and emailed back to you so you have a road map through the edit of the whole trip.

So why not join the adventure?

“On a workshop with ExploreLight, there are always laughs, but there are always great photographs too.  Peter and his team go to great efforts to ensure everyone gets the shot they want at a location – whether it’s the continuous checking of local weather conditions, to in depth knowledge of each location, to prepping the group prior to arrival at the location by showing past shots, to walking among the group during the shoot, offering advice and sharing their own shots, total dedication to the client.  I’ve taken some of my best shots while on ExploreLight workshops and that’s no coincidence.

The aftercare is second to none, with a private Facebook group where you are encouraged to share your shots (and where you can receive suggestions for improvement) to social nights out and emails on upcoming workshops, editing sessions, etc.  Peter is building a community of photographers who return again and again.”

Barbara Tanzler

“Something deep within tempted me to attend an ExploreLight fundamentals workshop in the Wicklow National Park in March 2015. I remember coming home feeling invigorated, that a new world was about to open up for me. My photography has improved steadily so much so that I recently achieved my Associate distinction from the IPF but more importantly I have met fantastic people many of whom are now considered friends, I’ve attended many more ExploreLight workshops since and visited fantastic locations all under the expert guidance of the ExploreLight team. These guys are good and are at the top of their game and super professional. I recommend ExploreLight because they are the best Photography workshop and tour operators out there.”

Noel McIntyre AIPF

“I have been on several ExploreLight Workshops and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them.  The ExploreLight workshops are a perfect combination of excellent teaching, superb locations, and great “craic”. Your enthusiasm is infectious, even if it means getting up at 5am to shoot the sunrise, or staying out until 4am to shoot the aurora. I look forward to returning to many more workshops with you guys.”

Paul Byrne

Workshops 2024 – Click HERE

Please read our Terms & Conditions HERE

Email info@explorelight.com if you require any further information

Regarding flights or other personal expenses, we cannot take responsibility for costs if a workshop does not go ahead. We suggest having insurance or a ticket that allows you to move dates. This is available with most airlines at the moment.

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