Photo tours

I am thinking of signing up for a Light and Land photo tour of the Northumberland coast next November, has anyone any experience of these? A bit put off by the questionnaire which asks you to pick your camera make from a list which includes Hasselblad and Kodak (?) but not, you guessed it, Pentax.

From my limited experience with organized photo events, that generally means, the organizers are familiar with listed brands only. So if you are a beginner user, you may be advised that they won't be able to offer quick tips relating to your camera. Granted, it's an awkward approach but that was twice, the explanation given to me. At the same time, understandable as the amount of people showing up for events like that that do not know the basics of their own equipment is mind boggling.

Even more mind boggling if its a Hasselblad

The amount of people with a lot of disposable income and the desire to posses, regardless of use is quite large. Just the other day, I was photographing a lovely house. Walk in to a 'music room'. Easily half a million dollars worth of instruments, a Steinway grand piano, a state of the art dj set up, synthesizers, electronic drum kit (every drummer mother's dream lol). Ask the owner if he makes music. Nope. Well, he plays with stuff in his free time but does not really play anything well. Hopes to learn at some point. It's no different with cameras or anything else. A good car does not make you a good driver, but it does make you feel better

Quite right Mag07, I went into Park Cameras’ online photo gallery the other day and saw some photos taken with a Phase One camera and lens which must have cost north of £40,000, and they all had really bad chromatic abherration and out of focus foreground. Did the owner think that this equipment would automatically produce fantastic images? Same with some of the tours listed, taken to well-known photo spots around the world in a neat package at eye-watering cost. The one I am looking at says the area will be deserted at the time of year, except, thinks me, the other photographers on the tour all getting in the frame.

Going back to the original question about Light & Land, I haven't been on one of their tours but I have been on tutored days out with some of their lead people and they've been very good. I also know several people who use Light and Land tours a lot in various parts of the world and reckon that they are really good (if a bit expensive).

Phil

Foreground does not HAVE to be in focus, it depends on what you are photographing.

I have received a nice response to my grumpy email to Light and Land, promising to put Pentax on the camera list. A couple of excellent tutors so I think i’ll sign up.

Just had a look at their web site, some excellent looking trips on there.

Spitsbergen - An Arctic Adventure .... thought that was a fair price at £1000 per person, then nearly dropped my laptop when I saw that was just the deposit.

Sue and I have often thought a photo trip would be nice, but the cost has put us off. That and wondering what ability level they are aimed at.

I did a day course last year and the tutor gauged the skill levels from a few pertinent questions at the start, and adjusted her presentation accordingly. In small groups it would be easier to get more individual attention but that of course is reflected in the cost.

I could easily book into the same hotel for a third of the cost and just do my own thing, but am I likely to get up before dawn in November in Northumberland? Probably not so a bit of incentive is needed, plus I like the look of the tutors’ work so hopefully something will rub off. Be a bit of pressure though as likely to be the only Pentax representative.

Clearly you shouldn't go if you are looking for operating tips and tricks with your camera. You'll have to know already how to set up and engage the common modes and working procedures. It would help if you were familiar with some common CaNikon / Pentax terminology translations. ....eg "Evaluative"/"Multi Pattern" , as the CanNikon versions are going to he the common parlance. So long as you know what they are talking about and can find the equivilents on your camera, then there's no concern.

You could get your own back by suggesting to the group that they activate their AA filter simulators and that PixelShift mode is excellent for landscapes ......"Oh (pitying look) ...I see, your camera doesn't have that? Ah well, I suppose you can make do for now"

Spitsbergen is on my bucket list. It will stay there too unless I win the lottery.


Their website is wrong though, Arhus is not the European capital of culture this year - Leeuwarden and Valletta are.
Interesting courses and tours but the prices

I went on a couple of one day macro workshops years ago. The guy running it was a Nikon man, who also knew Canon cameras. Mine was the only Pentax there, and I was gently ribbed about it, until they realised I didn't have to dive into the menu to change the simplest things. I was useless at macro, but I enjoyed the workshops. The guy running them tried my Pentax, and got some fantastic pictures with it and my secondhand Tamron. Just me then!

Well, hope you have a great time and come back with photos to share

Hi Rob

We haven't done it much lately (come on you Sheffield / North of England members where are you hiding?), but I've always found the best way to learn is to go on a day out with like minded people and you can do that without paying if you organise something with fellow PU members. The 'Sheffield' group have done several such trips out to Haddon Hall, Chrome Hill (Derbyshire), Cave Dale (Castleton), Hardwick Hall, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield Graffiti Walk, Sheffield 7 Weirs Walk, Sheffield Park Hill Flats (1 lens challenge), Old Moor Nature Reserve, Martin Mere Nature Reserve, The Lake District. These days out do take a bit of organising and it can be difficult to get people to go, but it's well worth the effort.

I think it's about time we did another one!

Regards
David