My Blog

The latest Art and Photography holiday in the Pyrenees was a fantasic success, with fine weather, great company and wonderful students – some have booked for next year already!

We had a very early start before the flight from Leeds, and hit brilliant weather from the moment we landed. The Moulin as usual was welcoming and comfortable and our hosts kept us entertained from the minute we arrived.  This was the first time in the three years that I have been teaching at Le Moulin that I have found the time to jump in the pool each day.  Boy was it good after a hot day taking photos!  

My students chose to spend some time on Macro Photography,  and that quickly became the chosen topic of the holiday, especially catching reflections in water drips hanging from the bamboo, and hunting creepy crawlies and orchids in the grounds of the mill.  The time spent freezing the movement of the water, as we threw pebbles into the river was hillarious as usual, and  David soon found the best spot to shoot from was on top of a boulder mid stream!

The Painting students gained in confidence as the week progressed and produced some fantastic works of art at the end of week exhibition.

I am now busy writing the course notes for the next holiday running from 29th August – 4th September.  We try and find new locations or topics for each course so that those who have been before can develop their skills.

We still have a couple of spaces on this holiday, so if you fancy joining us (we are running Photography and Woodturning courses this time – no experience necessary), we would love to see you….

It is an age since I wrote the last blog. Time just seems to fly by. Lots has been happening here, some good, some not so good. After what promised to be a record year, I developed a health problem which has meant that I had to cut back on the workload. Luckily we have been able to cover most training sessions and have recently been joined on the training team by Jon Cruttenden, a very enthusiastic colleague of mine who lives in Leek.

Hes a fantastic photographer and loves landscapes and shooting from unusual angles. He’s been a popular member of the team and will be running many more training days as the months go on. My health is finally picking up, although until I get back to peak fitness, I wont be climbing too many hills for a while.
I am however about to embark on my second photography holiday in the Pyrenees this Year. It has been my aim to be fit enough to fly out at the end of this month and I have worked very hard  getting there.  The first holiday was a great success even though we had rain, sun, 6″ of snow and winds all in the space of a week. We fitted in extra indoor sessions and the students had a great time discovering that you dont need fancy equipment to set up an impromptu studio.

This next holiday promises to be better weatherwise and judging by the requests from the students attending, we will be spending a lot of time with macro lenses and photoshop.   I love these trips to the Pyrenees. Time stands still over there. Its so unspoilt, and un-touristy.

We still have spaces on the course running at the end of August and a couple of places spare on this one if anyone is interested.        We are running a Painting course alongside the photography this time. and also putting on extra workshops by popular request, so it looks as if we are going to be very busy.   Do have a look at the website, www.materette.com and see what a fantastic place it is.

The wedding season is in full flow now, and we are getting bookings well into 2011 which is great. The recession seems to be a thing of the past for our brides, with more booking our top of the range weddings than ever. We are having a great time producing those wonderful picture book albums, and have loads of new ideas for next years brides. Its so important to stay ahead in this business, to enjoy what we are doing and to produce albums that are timeless and reflect the magic of the day.                                      

Ok, I reckon I’ve waffled on enough for one evening.  You will be soooo bored with this and I need my beauty sleep as I have an early shoot in the morning.  I will try and update more regularly in future….. my latest resolution …..

2009 has been a record year for us all at High Peak Photography, with a new tutor joining the team, a new holiday location, and a total revamp of the courses.

 INTRODUCING OUR NEW ART TUTOR PETER CARMEN

Peter Carmen has joined our team and will be teaching Art both in Derbyshire and France.  He is a popular tutor back at his home near Hereford, and we know our students will love his relaxed, friendly style. 

 A PERFECT WEEK IN BRITTANY

We held our first Art and Photography Holiday at our new location in Brittany this Autumn and it was voted a great success.  Courses run concurrently but Art and Photography students often travel together to locations which gives us the opportunity to keep in contact with what the others are up to!

The weather was fine, the food fabulous and Ed our host kept us entertained the entire time.  We are running six holidays in Brittany for 2010, each one catering for different abilities and covering different topics.   The 8 – 14^th August holiday will hopefully include an evening trip to a “son et lumiere” being held at the Abbaye de bon respose, Saint Gelvin.  Not only do we hope to have an enjoyable evening, but to get some great shots too.  See their website www.pays-conomor.com for a sneak preview of whats in store.

 NOW OFFERING BESPOKE 1:1 TRAINING.

2009 has seen such an increase in 1:1 courses, that we have decided to concentrate on this side of our training.  We offer the same range of courses as before but with the difference that the course is run for you, on a day to suit you, and at a level and pace that you can follow.  How many of us have been on a course and not dared to ask a question because it might seem too simple, or trivial to others?  The trouble is, to us, it is important.  At High Peak Photography, we write each course around your requirements and customise each topic to suit you.

You are not confined to the courses listed either.  These are just a guidline.  If you have a specific topic that you would like to learn, or a new camera that you need to get to grips with, we will happily write a course for you.

FUN WAS HAD BY ALL IN THE PEAK PARK.

Halloween saw the final 2009 “PEAK PHOTOGRAPHY” walk with Peak Park rangers around the Edale valley.  The weather was fine, we had ten students and a handful of rangers and spent the day exploring this beautiful valley.  The colours have been fantastic this Autumn and not only did we have the opportunity to capture this stunning valley, but many students made the most of the abundance of toadstools to capture some stunning shots.  Having been watching Autumn Watch on TV and learning all about Badgers and their habits, we were even thrilled to find a Badger toilet used to mark his territory.  Julia got a good shot of a circle of students snapping the “loo”!  One for the records!

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/index/visiting/ranger-walks.htm gives details of walks.  Keep a look out for 2010 details.

GIFT VOUCHERS

If you are stuck for an idea for Christmas or Birthday, why not give a voucher towards a holiday or training?  Vouchers are available either for the full cost of a course or holiday, or in multiples of £25.00

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

We will be exhibiting at the Christmas Wonderland fair, being held at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton on Saturday 12^th December 2009.  Why not come and see us there, just for a chat, to book your next course or holiday, or simply for a cuppa!    www.paviliongardens.co.uk/fairsevents

If you have any queries about any of our courses or holidays, just drop us an

email or call.  We will be only too happy to help in any way we can.

Julia, Pete, Barry, Steve and Chiz

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!