Starting in 2023

What are they:
Practical, residential photography workshops.

Who are they for:
Beginners, and those who wish to reconnect with photography.
Groups of 4 booking together, who just require escorting to photo locations with minimum tuition.
Exclusive 1:1 tuition is also available by request.

When are they:
Each spring and autumn – however, due to Covid-19 all workshops are cancelled until further notice.

What to bring:
– Your camera kit. (It doesn’t matter what it is – a smart phone, a point and shoot or a DSLR, all are welcome)
– It’s not essential to be a camera owner as there will be cameras available to try.
– Batteries and memory for your own camera.
– A laptop
– Suitable outdoor wear

…But most important, come with an enquiring and open mind.

Description

A practical series of residential photography workshops where the fundamentals of photography will be explored

All weekends will be tailored to suit the levels of the student guests. They will enjoy a 1:4 student/tutor ratio, and will be geared to the needs of the individual. West Cork Photography Breaks are a fully escorted, all inclusive* home-from-home stay, in the Quality Assured Tourist Accommodation at The Yellow House and which carries Fáilte Ireland’s Welcome Standard. Situated in a beautiful corner of West Cork, overlooking Toehead Bay, it is ideally placed on the Wild Atlantic Way. Here, guests will be surrounded by the stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and fabulous craic.

These breaks are also notable in that all food is suitable for those requiring a gluten free diet, with the host having completed
Coeliac UK awareness training and personally understanding the requirements – not always easy to find when booking breaks!

Overall, these weekends will provide photography knowledge partnered with an unforgettable holiday experience 

More Success!!

One of our spring 2017 West Cork Photography Break photographers has done it again. At the tender age of 7 3/4, our youngest student to date is now a published photographer! Sam got down to photographing the amazing gooseneck barnacles that can get washed up on West Cork beaches. He had never used a camera before, and borrowed a great little Olympus E-M10 from us – just the right size for his hands. This was the picture he chose to submit to the local newspaper for their ‘Readers Picture’ slot. You have to admit, he does look rather delighted about seeing it in print and, he wins a canvas print of it too. 

More Success!!

One of our spring 2017 West Cork Photography Break photographers has done it again. At the tender age of 7 3/4, our youngest student to date is now a published photographer! Sam got down to photographing the amazing gooseneck barnacles that can get washed up on West Cork beaches. He had never used a camera before, and borrowed a great little Olympus E-M10 from us – just the right size for his hands. This was the picture he chose to submit to the local newspaper for their ‘Readers Picture’ slot. You have to admit, he does look rather delighted about seeing it in print and, he wins a canvas print of it too.

A great capture of these unusual creatures which get washed up on the beaches
Image © Samuel Hope

Daily Itinerary

Your host and primary tutor is Celia Bartlett, a dynamic, UK and West Cork-based professional photographer who has been behind a camera for more than thirty-five years. Currently working as an editorial, documentary and reportage photographer, she has also tutored for Wild Adventures under Suffolk’s Skies on the RSPB’s Havergate Island in Suffolk, immersing herself in her other passion, that of wildlife. There will be no more than four guests at any time, providing a relaxing and unpressured environment in which to learn. By combining a passionate and easy-going method of imparting her knowledge of photography, she will also share with you, her deep affection for this stunning corner of West Cork during these exclusive breaks.

The aim of the weekend is to experience a selection of disciplines from those listed below, some which are weather dependent and therefore cannot be guaranteed, However West Cork Photography Breaks will endeavour to offer the best alternatives to provide similar opportunities. These mini-shoots may challenge, and yet will serve to further your understanding and appreciation of the art of photography. The weekends can also be tailored to the requirements of specific groups.

• Landscape photography against the backdrop of the West Cork coastline, hills and mountains
• Macro photography amongst the lush countryside
• Wildlife photography aboard the Holly Jo for unrivalled, seasonal encounters with whales*
• Documentary photography around the landmarks and the pretty towns and villages
• Action photography alongside local Irish sports fixtures
• Low light photography in a traditional Irish session 

• Mini evening seminars on the fundamentals for good photography
• Constructive critique of the images of the day and where appropriate, editing techniques

* As this activity is subject to the weather conditions.

Saturday – Day 1

• Aim to arrive just after 12.00 in time for introductions over lunch from 13.00
• Gentle afternoon ramble around the locality, taking in the flora, fauna and landscapes to ‘see what you can do’
• Home for refeshments and own time before the evening
• Evening hospitality and a chance to chat about the afternoon over the meal (either home or local pub)
• Mini seminar, Q&A, preparation for day 2

Sunday – Day 2

• Capturing the dawn (optional and subject to weather conditions)
• Breakfast at 08.00 (if not on dawn shoot)
• Fully escorted day out, activities subject to local weather conditions*
• Picnic lunch appropriate for the season, and hot drinks
• Home for refreshments and own time before the evening
• Evening hospitality and a chance to chat about the afternoon over the meal (either home or local pub)
• Mini seminar, Q&A, preparation for day 3

Monday – Day 3

• Capturing the dawn (optional and subject to weather conditions)
• Breakfast at 08.00 (if not on dawn shoot)
• Fully escorted day out, activities subject to local weather conditions*
• Picnic lunch appropriate for the season, and hot drinks
• Home for refreshments and own time before the evening
• Visit to local restaurant for farewell meal
• Move to local music venue to experience the craic of a traditional session with low light photo opportunities

Tuesday – Day 4

• Breakfast at 08.00
• Morning session putting into practise what has been learned
• Summary of weekend over lunch
• Departure 14.30

*The plan is to cover as much on the itinerary as possible, however, whale watching is subject to weather conditions

Accommodation

For three nights you will be based in a cosy, traditional, West Cork former farmhouse, located on the Wild Atlantic Way overlooking the picturesque Toehead Bay, with views out over the sea. From here, the flash of the Fastnet Lighthouse can be seen, marking the last rock of Irish land, before the next landfall of America.

The Yellow House is quality assured to Fáilte Ireland’s Welcome Standard, and will provide a special West Cork welcome. This home-from-home cottage has a cosy sitting room has inviting woodburning stove to relax around during the evenings. The bedroom accommodation* will be either a double/twin room with en-suite facilities (this room has a minimum occupancy of two – so bring a partner/friend!) or a single room with shower room (this room has the option of an additional person sharing a double). Meals will be taken in the bright dining room adjacent to the kitchen.

All meals are included and the home-cooked food will be local West Cork produce wherever possible.

This will consist of:

• Full Irish Breakfast with tea or coffee each morning, providing a hearty start to the day (Lighter options are available on request)
• Lunches at the cottage on the first and last day
• Seasonally appropriate picnic lunches on two further days
• Relaxed home dining, or local pub food on two nights (alcoholic drinks extra)
• Final night, farewell meal in local restaurant (alcohlic drinks and menu supplements extra)
• Tea and coffee available throughout the weekend