Bird Photography Courses in Andalucia
Why the Alpujarras and Andalucia is so perfect for Bird and Landscape Photography?
In a word...... variety. From the high Sierra Nevada mountains to the rolling hills and lower regions of the Alpujarras. From the baking hot sub-tropical summers to the arctic-like tundra of the winter mountains. Andalucia has it all. Accompany that with whitewashed sleepy villages and the colourful and friendy people, you are not lost for subjects with which to learn, practice and develop your skills as a photographer.
We have teamed up with award winning professional photographer, Chiz Dakin, to bring you a selection of bird, outdoor and landscape photography courses and workshops, that will bring out the photographer in you.
Chiz Dakin
Chiz Dakin is an award-winning professional photographer and guidebook writer, who specialises in landscape, outdoors adventure and travel photography
Website; www.peakimages.co.uk
Photography Techniques for Birdwatching
The courses are designed for people who have had some photographic experience but wish to learn more about photography. Either compact or SLR cameras may be used, but the latter is recommended. In particular cameras that have the ability to:
(1) change the exposure (exposure compensation),
(2) have M (manual), Av (aperture priority) and S (or Tv on a Canon - shutter priority) options and
(3) are able to provide an intentionally blurred out background (shallow depth of field) will give the most benefit on this course.
These are almost invariably SLR cameras, but many of the techniques can be learned on good compact cameras. We cover the basics at our base in Lanjaron then head out on location in the Sierra Nevada to put what we have learnt into practice. The aim is to teach you how to improve your handling of the camera and how to take better images by applying the rules of photography.
In addition you will be given an aide memoire to help you in the weeks and months ahead. The courses include; Individual tuition by your guide on photographic topics. Guided walks to the best locations in the area. Comprehensive course notes provided for each student. Transportation during the course.
Course Contents: Basic Birding Photography techniques concentrating particularly on giving you the tools and skills to move away from the fully Automatic settings that many photographers get stuck on. (And in the process giving you a sound understanding of essential photographic techniques). We will cover how the camera sees the world differently to the human eye - and some of the differences that have to be allowed for, composition, framing, positioning the subject, tips and techniques for moving objects (the birds!), perspective, selective focusing, exposure metering, filters, controlling depth of field, scale and using the correct lens for effect. The course can be flexible to cover individual requirements; additional options that could be covered include panning (to show intentionally blurred motion) and shooting panoramas.
The course can be flexible to cover individual requirements, additional options that could be covered include HDR techniques, advanced exposure topics including getting the best fit-exposure for the situation (a simplified “Zone” system), and shooting panoramas.
Practice: Set tasks involving all the above as confirmation. Guided walks to stunning locations in the mountains and hills of the Sierra Nevada Alpujarras to view the wonderful and varied birdlife.
Price with accommodation, activities and airport transfers
105 euros per person per day (minimum stay 4 nights)
Price includes: Airport transfers (Granada, Malaga, Almeria), photography course as described, choice of accommodation, local transport and backup vehicles, experienced professsional guides.
Choice of accommodation: Apartment in Lanjaron or 2 star hotel in Lanjaron, with en suite facilities, TV etc
Dates
From September to June, inclusive.