I have often desired a time of concentrated photography to help improve my photographic eye. Time is precious, however, and apart from family holidays and my annual eye care trips there is little time left to dust down the camera. A milestone birthday, and a very understanding wife, gave me the opportunity to contemplate such a trip.
But where to go and with whom? After searching the internet for possible courses and venues I narrowed down my options and realised that my most important decision was who would be the tutor, as their style would ultimately dictate the tone of the course.
I had come across the work of a Scottish photographer, Bruce Percy, several months before and had been keenly following his blog. His landscape portfolio from around the world was stunning, not least because of its reliance on simple form to tell a story.
My mind was made up when I found that he had a place on his workshop on the Isle of Eigg for September 2015.
I joined 5 other, vastly more experienced photographers, on a 5 day workshop under the expert pupilage of Bruce. We split our photographic time between two beaches on the western side of Eigg, affording us an ever present view of the dramatic backdrop of the Isle of Rum.
Early morning sunrise shots were followed by a hearty breakfast served up by Sue at our superb accommodation, Lageorna. The rest of the morning and early afternoon were spent constructively reviewing our images. Bruce has a great ability to teach his approach to photography by assessing our images and offering nuggets of advice.
I learnt a great deal during these review sessions, not only about improved post processing techniques, but most importantly about taking greater care in visualising the final image.
The evening light was captured at one of two spectacular beaches, Laig Beach & the Singing Sands. During each shoot Bruce would share his time between each of us, giving advice and suggesting subtle changes of camera angle or emphasis to help with our composition.
Would I go again, oh yes! Would I choose to go with Bruce Percy again? Without a doubt. I loved the chance to develop my photographic technique and visualisation but most of all I loved being back in the Western Isles. Eigg is a wonderful island and is blessed with two of the most amazing beaches in the whole of Scotland.
Credits:
All images copyrighted Graham Coates