North Coast Ireland
1 - 7 May 2024 : Fully Booked
1 – 7 May 2024
Our North Coast Ireland trip is a brand new addition to the ExploreLight collection. It draws on a number of shorter trips which we have pulled together into a full 7-day adventure. Taking in iconic locations around Antrim such as Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, Dunluce Castle and more. Plus less well known but equally stunning places in Donegal like Fanad Lighthouse, Bloody Foreland, Glenveagh National Park, Mt Errigal and much much more.
Seascape heaven mixed with some awesome old structures and wild untamed seascapes.
Our north coast workshop is spread over 6 wonderful nights. We will spend the first three nights along the Antrim coast near Bushmills with a vast array of seascapes on our doorstep. This part of the trip is very much focused on the ocean with iconic locations like Giants Causeway and Dunluce Castle plus so many more. The Dark Hedges are also in the vicinity so say your prayers for a perfect misty morning.
From Antrim, we slip over the border to Donegal East for one night. Lighthouses and some wild cliffs before we drive further west for our last 2 nights in the northwestern tip of Ireland. Glenveagh National Park, Mt Errigal plus the usual array of stunning cliffs and wild Atlantic beaches.
We will shoot sunrise each morning with one morning in the middle off to recharge the body. We like to shoot the North Coast in Spring or summer as the angle of the light is much better at this time of year. This does mean early starts hence the one morning off as we transit. For all other days, we will have the morning break after sunrise and breakfast. We will shoot each afternoon and eat dinner in some fine local establishments before sunset which we will of course shoot every day. There will be a webinar to help you edit your images post-workshop. You send your pictures to your instructor and a section 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 in single occupancy, transportation, breakfast and dinner each day. Alcohol is 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
Peter Gordon – view gallery of Peter’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, rain gear and other warm clothes.
- Wellington Boots are also a good idea for seascape shooting.
EASY – There are no long walks on this workshop with locations typically within 5 minutes of the car. 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 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 take your comfort seriously with single occupancy rooms with private bathrooms as standard. We also have a dedicated office team managing logistics so you have a point of contact for your arrival and departures or other logistical questions you might have around the trip.
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? Join the ExploreLight Community!
“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
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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.
The Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland is one of Ireland's most famous spots for landscape photography. Despite the notoriety, it can be a tricky place to shoot so I was delighted to come away with this moody shot. Focus stacked and sky blended for good measure.