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LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP - DORSET'S JURASSIC COAST

Join Tom Mackie for a four-day photography workshop in glorious Dorset, taking in one of the country's most iconic castles and the world-famous Jurassic Coast - England's only natural World Heritage Site. It's a place the word "panorama" was made, and September is the perfect time for photography, with sunrises and sunsets at more reasonable hours than the summer months, and far fewer tourists cluttering the truly stunning views. We'll be capturing both dawn and dusk, as well as moonrises over the sea, conditions permitting.
 
 
 
 

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT A GLANCE

Enjoy four glorious days of stunning sunrise and sunset photography along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset - one of the most beautiful landscapes in England and the country's only natural World Heritage Site, too.

Key locations for sunrise photographs include the romantic, fairytale ruins of Corfe Castle (fingers crossed for mist wreathing the valley below) and the famous sea stacks known as Old Harry Rocks. For exquisite sunset shots, you'll be focusing on the graceful limestone arch of Durdle Door, the singular shape of Pulpit Rock at Portland Bill, and spectacular Kimmeridge Bay.

With Tom's expert guidance, you'll learn how to optimise every moment of the available light, from the golden rays of dawn to the magical blue hour after sunset - from working on your compositions to selecting the most appropriate camera settings. There'll also be the opportunity to pick up some useful post-production skills - although Tom's emphasis will be on getting your images as near perfect as possible in-camera.

With just three spaces on this workshop, you are assured of plenty of quality, one-to-one tuition from Tom and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere as you get to know your fellow photographers.

All transport during the Dorset photography workshop is included, giving you time to enjoy the glorious views as you move between locations. Your bed-and-breakfast accommodation includes a well-appointed private room and a delicious breakfast to set you up for the day, and there'll be ample opportunity to indulge in some of the local specialities, from Dorset Blue Vinney cheese (perfect with Dorset Knobs - crunchy, savoury biscuits that look like small bread rolls) to Dorset apple cake and, with such a long coastline, plenty of fresh fish and seafood. There's also locally produced cider and hand-crafted beer to wash it all down.

There is some walking involved to reach the vantage points Tom has selected for the best shots on this workshop, so a reasonable level of fitness is required, plus comfortable walking boots.

JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR THIS LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Workshop leader: Tom Mackie
  • Exertion level: Moderate

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Tom will use your email address to contact you if spaces for this workshop become available.

AN OPTIONAL MESSAGE TO TOM

Please feel free to include any details you think may help Tom find you a suitable workshop.

Tom will contact you if & when places become available on this workshop.
He may also contact you if he feels there are suitable alternative workshops.

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DORSET WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS

Dawn shoots


The romantic ruins of Corfe Castle tower over the Purbeck hills, on a misty morning appearing to magically float, fairytale-like, above the golden landscape. And even if we don't experience the right conditions for misty images, the fiery sunrise skies will beautifully set off the thousand year old fortress and the terrain it dominates.

The white chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks near Swanage rise majestically out of the English Channel and were once part of a headland joined to the Isle of Wight. Legend has it they were named after notorious Poole pirate Harry Paye or the devil himself, but their fame comes these days as the starting point for the Jurassic Coast. They are also perfect subjects for spectacular early morning shots, with the sun rising from the sea behind them.

Sunset coastal photography shoots


Dominated by Clavell's Tower high on the cliff at its eastern edge, Kimmeridge Bay near Swanage is rich in ammonite fossils and boasts fields of unusual limestone rock ledges, extending some 200m into the shallow waters - creating excellent leading lines and fascinating foreground interest as we shoot into the sunset.

Pulpit Rock stands sentinel on the southwest tip of Portland Bill, a gravity-defying quarrying relic from the 1870s resembling an open bible leaning against a pulpit. With a long exposure to smooth out the often rough seas around it, this eye-catching monolith is perfect for late evening images against a purpling sky.

No photographic workshop in Dorset would be complete without Durdle Door, the Jurassic Coast's most celebrated location. This world-famous natural arch of hard limestone rises 200ft sheer from the sea, creating a compelling focal point for panoramas over the bay and as an image in its own right. The rock glows in the golden light of sunset, and it's also striking in the blue hour - that magical period between sunset and true darkness - especially with the moon rising over the water.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

What's included?
  • One-to-one and group tuition with Tom
  • 3 nights' accommodation
  • Private rooms (no single supplement)
  • Breakfast
  • Transport during workshop

What's not included?
  • Travel to Dorset
  • Travel insurance
  • Lunches, evening meals, snacks and drinks
Whether you're a beginner or a semi-pro, you'll find plenty to learn and enjoy on this workshop.

You'll require a digital camera with at least a 16GB memory card (minimum 32GB if it's high resolution) or a film camera (SLR, medium, large or wide format) - Tom has many years of experience working with both.

Additional kit - a tripod, shutter release and polarising filter will help you maximise your shooting opportunities, although they aren't essential.

A reasonable level of fitness is required, as there will be moderate hiking - sturdy walking boots are highly recommended.

September along the glorious Jurassic Coast is mild - you can expect highs of around 20C / 68F and lows of 10C / 50F. Being England by the sea in autumn, there's always a chance of rain, so bring waterproofs and clothes you can layer.

This workshop is limited to three places to ensure quality, individual tuition, so early booking is recommended.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

HAVE QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about Tom's photography workshops, please check the frequently asked questions page. Alternatively, get in touch with Tom directly and he'll be happy to help you.

Workshops FAQs Contact Tom

Tom Mackie has been a photographer all his working life. His degree in commercial photography took him first of all to Los Angeles, where he spent five years as an industrial and architectural photographer. It was during this period that he travelled widely in the Western States, discovering in himself a previously unknown fervour for the beauty of those vast 'cinemascope' panoramas.

Tom Mackie has been a photographer all his working life. His degree in commercial photography took him first of all to Los Angeles, where he spent five years as an industrial and architectural photographer. It was during this period that he travelled widely in the Western States, discovering in himself a previously unknown fervour for the beauty of those vast 'cinemascope' panoramas.

After that, the confines of a Los Angeles commercial studio were never going to hold him. Tom married his art to this new-found passion and embarked on a 'til death-do-us-part' relationship with landscape photography.

READ MORE

After that, the confines of a Los Angeles commercial studio were never going to hold him. Tom married his art to this new-found passion and embarked on a 'til death-do-us-part' relationship with landscape photography.

READ MORE