Photography has given me a wonderful way to explore the natural world and discover details that are often hidden from everyday view. Through my photography workshops, I enjoy sharing that experience with other photographers and helping them develop the skills, techniques and confidence to create their own images.
Throughout the year, I run a variety of nature photography workshops, including slime mold photography, fungi photography, macro photography and landscape photography. Workshops are available for different experience levels, from photographers taking their first steps into macro and nature photography to more experienced photographers looking to develop specialist techniques such as high-magnification photography and focus stacking.
Most of my workshops are based in and around Arundel, West Sussex, where the surrounding ancient woodlands, forests and countryside provide excellent opportunities for nature photography throughout the seasons.
I also travel to selected locations across the UK each year, offering a limited number of workshops on specific dates.
Small Group Workshops
Many of my workshops are run as small group sessions.
Keeping groups small allows me to spend meaningful time with each photographer, answer individual questions and provide hands-on guidance throughout the session.
It also creates a relaxed atmosphere where participants can learn from one another while still receiving personal tuition.
One-to-One Photography Workshops
For photographers looking for a more personalised experience, I offer one-to-one photography workshops.
These sessions can be tailored more closely to your experience, equipment and the areas of photography you would particularly like to improve.
A one-to-one session can be especially useful if you are learning high-magnification macro photography, focus stacking or simply want more time to work through techniques at your own pace.
Private Group Workshops
I also offer private group photography workshops for friends, photography clubs and small groups who would like to attend together.
Private sessions can provide a more flexible experience and, depending on the subject and location, can be arranged around the interests and experience of the group.
If you are interested in organising a private workshop for a larger group, please contact me before booking so we can discuss the requirements.
Learning in the Field
My workshops are practical and hands-on. I believe one of the best ways to learn photography is to work with real subjects in real conditions. Woodland light changes, insects move, the wind blows and tiny subjects rarely position themselves exactly where we would like them to. Learning how to respond to these situations is an important part of becoming a better nature photographer. During the workshops, I demonstrate techniques and explain the reasons behind the settings and approaches I use. You will then have time to practise them yourself, with guidance available whenever you need it. There is no pressure to work quickly. The aim is to understand the process and develop techniques that you can continue using long after the workshop has finished.
Workshops for Different Experience Levels
You do not need to be an expert photographer to attend. My workshops are designed for different levels of photographic experience, and I adapt my guidance to the individual photographer wherever possible. If you are relatively new to photography, I can help you understand the essential camera settings and techniques required for the subject we are photographing. If you already have considerable experience, we can concentrate more closely on advanced techniques, composition, lighting, high magnification and focus stacking. What matters most is an interest in photography and the natural world.
Photography Equipment
Equipment requirements vary depending on the type of workshop. For slime mold photography in particular, high magnification is important because many subjects are extremely small. I normally recommend a macro setup capable of at least 2× magnification, together with a sturdy tripod that can work close to ground level. A macro focusing rail can be very useful for controlled focus stacking, although the exact equipment required will depend on your camera and lens. Lighting requirements also vary. I prefer working with natural light whenever conditions allow, with LED lighting or flash and diffusion available when additional light is required. Full equipment recommendations are provided for individual workshops so that you know what to bring before attending.
Slime Mold Photography Workshops
Slime molds have become one of the subjects I am most passionate about photographing.
These extraordinary organisms can be incredibly small, with many fruiting bodies measuring only a few millimetres or less. Once viewed through a high-magnification macro lens, however, an entirely different world becomes visible.
My slime mold photography workshops are designed to teach much more than simply how to photograph a specimen.
A major part of the workshop is learning how and where to find slime molds in the wild. We explore woodland habitats together and look at the types of fallen wood, bark, leaves and other microhabitats where slime molds can often be discovered.
I explain what I look for when searching, how weather and moisture influence activity, and how to recognise promising areas of woodland.
Once we find suitable subjects, we work through the photographic process, including high-magnification macro photography, composition, lighting, camera settings and focus stacking.
Because slime molds are wild organisms, the species we encounter will naturally vary depending on the season, recent rainfall and woodland conditions. I also keep suitable specimens when possible so that workshop participants have subjects available to photograph.
My aim is that you leave the workshop not only with photographs, but also with a better understanding of how to return to your own local woodland and begin discovering slime molds for yourself.
Fungi Photography Workshops
Autumn brings one of the most exciting periods of the year for woodland photography.
My fungi photography workshops focus on discovering and photographing mushrooms and fungi in their natural environment.
We look at how to find interesting subjects, choose the best shooting position and use the surrounding woodland to create attractive compositions. Particular attention is given to working at ground level, controlling backgrounds, understanding natural light and using additional lighting when conditions require it.
Rather than simply recording a mushroom, I encourage participants to think about light, colour, atmosphere, perspective and composition to create more engaging photographs.
Where appropriate, we can also explore focus stacking and other techniques for increasing detail while maintaining the natural character of the woodland environment.
Macro Photography Workshops
There is an incredible amount of wildlife around us that can easily go unnoticed.
My macro photography workshops explore this miniature world, with potential subjects including insects, spiders, flowers, water droplets and other small details found in nature.
Depending on the season and conditions, workshops may take place early in the morning when insects can be less active and sometimes covered in dew, or later in the day when the light and behaviour of the subjects can create different photographic opportunities.
During the session, I provide practical guidance on camera settings, focusing, depth of field, composition, lighting and working carefully around small wildlife.
For photographers interested in focus stacking, we can also explore techniques for creating a sequence of images that can later be combined to achieve greater depth and detail.
Online Slime Mold & Focus Stacking Workshops
For photographers who cannot travel to West Sussex, or who would like to concentrate specifically on technique and post-processing, I also offer online workshops.
These are available as both group sessions and one-to-one tuition.
My online workshops specialise in finding and photographing slime molds, high-magnification photography, focus stacking and post-processing.
I explain my approach from finding a subject in the woodland through to creating the final photograph. This includes preparing a focus stack, understanding the stacking process and working with specialist focus-stacking and image-editing software.
Online tuition is also a useful option for photographers who already have their own slime mold or macro images and would like help improving their focus-stacking and processing workflow.
UK Slime Molds Photography Tour
The majority of my photography workshops take place around Arundel and the surrounding areas of West Sussex.
Having spent a great deal of time exploring these woodlands, I have developed a strong understanding of the local habitats, locations and seasonal subjects, allowing me to offer the best possible photographic opportunities throughout the year.
I also run a limited number of workshops at selected locations across the UK on specific dates, giving photographers from other parts of the country the opportunity to join me closer to home.
Check my upcoming workshop dates to see if I’m coming to your area.
Discovering the Smaller Side of Nature
One of the things I enjoy most about nature photography is that there is always something new to discover. A woodland that initially appears quiet can contain an extraordinary amount of life when you begin looking closely. A fallen branch may hold a colony of slime molds only a few millimetres tall. A mushroom growing among moss can become an entire landscape through a macro lens. An insect covered with morning dew can reveal details invisible to the naked eye.
My workshops are ultimately about learning to look more closely at nature. Whether we are photographing a tiny slime mold at high magnification, searching for fungi on the woodland floor, working with insects in the early morning or photographing a wider landscape, I want participants to leave with more than a collection of photographs. My goal is to help you understand your equipment, develop your photographic technique, recognise opportunities in nature and gain the confidence to continue exploring and creating images independently. Whether you choose a small group workshop, one-to-one session, private group workshop or online workshop, I look forward to sharing my knowledge and passion for nature photography with you.
