Isle of Harris Landscape Photography Workshop
30 October - 3 November 2023, 4 nights | from £1100pp
Workshop Overview
30 October - 3 November 2023, 4 nights/5 days | from £1100pp
SOLD OUT
Join Murray Livingston on a landscape photography workshop to the Isle of Harris to experience the island’s white sand beaches, dunes, and mountains while developing your photographic skills and artistic vision. Please see below for extensive galleries of the types of locations and photographs you can expect to make. This workshop is open to photographers of all levels.
Autumn and Winter on the Isle of Harris displays the Outer Hebrides in all its glory; dramatic weather sweeps through the islands and provides endless photographic opportunities at all times of day. This landscape photography workshop will visit some of my favourite locations on Harris including Seilebost beach, Luskentyre beach, North Harris, and Hushinish.
What can you expect from this workshop?
The workshop itself will begin with a short walk along the beach to situate ourselves before delving in to the practice of photography, composition, image critiques, and more. Throughout each day, we will be focused on the art of photography & developing personal expression through a contemplative creative process. I will aim to help you make your own intimate connections with nature through the practice of photography.
These mentoring workshops are designed with the understanding that each photographer must find their own path. They are intended to open a conservation and encourage self-reflection. I am a facilitator in your creative journey.
If you want to get a sense of how I teach, you can watch me in the field on my youtube channel. If you have any questions please get in touch!
Your Tutors
Murray Livingston
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A long enough stay to get your bearings on any new locations, as well as get creative. This also allows us plenty of time to revisit locations under different conditions.
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The intimate setting allows for lots of 1-on-1 time as well as group tutoring.
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We will explore the beautiful coast and shorelines of Harris, as well as its dramatic northern mountains.
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A wonderful beachfront cottage within walking distance to one of the best coastal photography locations on Harris.
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This 3 night / 4 day workshop is designed to improve your photography. I will be particularly focused around teaching the link between composition and ideas. The main reason to join this trip is to learn; each day is structured to help you move forward on your artistic journey. Please note: this is not a “tour”. We will be revisiting locations at different times of day and tides.
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Each day will include processing tutorials of both your images and my own so we can learn impactful techniques in a group setting.
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Paired with processing tutorials, we will take part in critiques that look at each others work in a constructive manner.
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Everything is typically within 20-30 minutes walk from the car. If you are a regular walker then the physical requirements for this trip will be easy.
Accommodation
Self-catering in a wonderful cottage right on the east coast of Harris. The cottage has fantastic views out over the coastline and is walking distance to one of my favourite locations, Seilebost beach. We will go out one or two evenings for a meal in Tarbert at the local hotel/restaurant. Please note that there are very limited restaurants and groceries should be planned in advance. The best locations on Harris for groceries are in Tarbert and Leverburgh, or ideally before you reach the island.
There are 4 bedrooms in the cottage; 1 is a double ensuite on the ground floor, and 3 are on the first floor with a shared bathroom. There is one double ensuite, one twin bedroom, one small double bedroom, and one large double. Prices are tiered depending on your room choice:
Twin Bedroom (up to 1 pax total)
£1100pp/single bed
Smaller Double Bedroom (up to 2pax total)
£1200pp, double bed, solo occupancy
£2300 for 2pax, double bed, shared occupancy (for couples or close friends at your discretion)
Larger Double (up to 2pax total)
£1250pp double bed, solo occupancy
£2400 for 2 pax, double bed, shared occupancy (for couples or close friends at your discretion)
Large Double Ensuite (up to 2pax total)
£1350pp double bed, solo occupancy
£2600 for 2 pax, double bed, shared occupancy (for couples or close friends at your discretion)
Please note there is a maximum capacity of 4 total guests for this workshop, so room availability will depend on existing bookings. Sharing of double beds is only available to couples or close friends (at your discretion). See photos below, or you can see more about our accommodation here.
Fitness and Experience
Most of the locations we will be visiting are only a very short walk from the road, although we may explore some lower slopes of the hills in North Harris should favourable conditions present themselves. These hills all have good footpaths and the walks won’t last for longer than an hour or so with minimal elevation gain.
Equipment
Please bring with all your standard photographic equipment. This should include:
Camera and lenses (wide + normal + telephoto, ideally covering up to 24-200mm)
Tripod & ND Filters (essential for long exposures on the beaches)
Lens cloths (to wipe off sea spray!)
Outdoor clothing including rain jackets, warm jackets, beanies, gloves, good socks and shoes. Be prepared for winter conditions.
I would highly encourage you to bring wellies.
*Copyright Borve Lodge Estate
*Copyright Borve Lodge Estate
*Copyright Borve Lodge Estate
*Copyright Borve Lodge Estate
*Copyright Borve Lodge Estate
Itinerary & Agenda
The itinerary for the trip will be relatively fluid to work with the fast changing conditions of the Outer Hebrides at this time of year. Some days we will be out during the middle of the day depending on weather and the tides. Other days we will be on location all day making the most of winter’s shorter daylight hours. Weather is of course changeable, but I aim to teach creativity in any conditions.
Each day will follow the following rough format:
6:00am - 8:30am Morning Photography
8:30am - 9:30am Breakfast
9:30am - 12:30pm Rest Period/Morning Activities
12:30pm - 1:30pm Lunch
2:00pm - 4:00pm Afternoon Critique/Computer sessions
5:00pm - 6:00pm Dinner
6:00pm - 8:30pm Evening Photography
Tuition
I will be on hand at all times for 1-on-1 and group tuition. In addition to this, we will be performing a series of short creative exercises both to stimulate the group and to introduce the participants to the area. Part of this mentoring workshop is also to watch how I go about making photographs in the field. As such, I will also be making images with my camera to demonstrate my creative process.
An emphasis will be placed on (self-)critique: what is your creative process? Why is your creative process the way it is? How does your process influence the final result? Why are you using your chosen medium? What ideas is your work alluding to and how could your process capture those ideas? How can your creative process better tell the story of this place?
Creative agenda:
Basics of how exposure: aperture, shutter speed, & ISO (and how to use exposure creatively)
Importance of light
Using visual language to find meaning beyond aesthetics
The use of tension and asymmetry in compositions
Building an intimate relationship with nature
Photographing in black & white and colour
How personal expression dictates composition and subject finding
Environmental philosophy
Image critiques
Post-processing techniques
Working in projects and themes
Transport and Additional Expenses
Please note that transport to and from Harris is not included in this trip. This includes needing to book your own ferry crossing. I have found that the best ferry route is from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on Harris, although you can also get a ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway. Bookings are made through CalMac Ferries. Flights are also available from mainland UK to Stornoway. The cottage is a short 1hr drive away from Stornoway. There are also taxi/shuttle services available on the island - I can offer up to two clients space in my vehicle during the workshop itself. Please contact me first if this is your preferred option! All locations are only a short drive or walk away from our accommodation and have ample parking. We will endeavour to car pool during the trip.
It is a condition of booking that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover you for cancellation, activities involved and destination. This cover should include repatriation costs and medical costs. You must provide the details of your insurance with or before your final payment.
Payment & Terms
An initial deposit of £300 is required to secure your booking. The final balance is due 8 weeks prior to the trip. Your space is only secured if payment is made on time. I reserve the right to cancel your space if I cannot get in touch with you or your final payment is past due.
The deposit should be regarded as non-refundable, as I have to pay a deposit to 3rd party suppliers (accommodation, etc.) in advance to guarantee the services I have booked on your behalf. In the event of a cancellation initiated by you, should there be any costs that are refundable, we will do our utmost to make a refund to you, or to offer a re-booking on a future workshop. All cancellations incur a £100 administrative fee (deducted from any refund) for covering the resources involved in the refilling process.
I understand that times are tough in the current market environment; I would be more than happy to work out some sort of payment plan to help alleviate any stress, just get in contact and we can figure something out!
By signing up to this workshop you agree to the standard Terms & Conditions.
Who am I?
Murray is a trained architectural designer who has been practicing photography for over 10 years. He uses a variety of media (digital & film) to express a love for natural processes and complex scenes.
His photographs seek to express what makes a particular area unique. Murray’s work specialises in black and white landscapes, but he lets his encounters with the natural environment dictate the end result. Currently, he is living in a self-built campervan travelling the UK for photography.