Guided Photography Walk around Trevose Head
I had the absolute pleasure of taking a couple of guests staying at Martha’s Orchard out on one of my Guided Photography Walks recently.
As soon as they booked in I asked a few questions via email as to what camera they had, and how they where currently using them. One had a DSLR and the other a smart phone, I asked for the smart phone user to download a couple of photo editing apps before the walk, so we could be ready to use them on the day.
They chose the Trevose Head walk, so we met at the National Trust car park at Trevose Head and with cameras in hand we were ready to head out.
I always start my walks with the basics of composition, as it doesn’t matter how good your camera is if you are pointing it at the wrong thing – your photographs will always be disappointing. Have you ever looked at a professional photographer’s picture and then at the one you have taken of the same location, and wondered why theirs has the edge? Well, 9 times out of 10 it is down to the composition. Are they using leading lines, the rule of thirds, framing, depth of field, balance, contrast – if you’d moved 3 foot to your left or crouched down your whole image could change. These are the techniques I teach on my guided walks, I demystify and simplify composition, helping you see your images, take better pictures and show you the principles that you can use anywhere. Your holiday snaps will never look the same again.
A camera alone can not make a great photo. Imagination, creativity, inspiration and a connection with your surroundings are the tools you already have, even if you don’t realise. The composition is how you translate this into your photography. Your camera is just a tool, so it doesn’t matter if you have a smart phone, a point-and-shoot, or an expensive DSLR – I will help you capture the beauty of Padstow and the surrounding area.
The lighthouse at Trevose Head is such a great landmark for photography. As we walked, I showed how to change the composition around to make the lighthouse look very different.
The sea pinks were in full flow which makes for lots of pretty foreground.
We walked out and around Dinas Head and then down towards Booby’s Bay, stopping regularly to take in different views.
I spend time as we walk going through the different settings on the DSLR and explaining and showing how they work and which different effects are achieved.
With the smart phone, I show how to edit the photos that have been taken with on phone apps, to really make their photos pop.
We walked across to Mother Ivey’s Bay, where the scenery just changes from the really rugged coastline of Booby’s Bay to a more tropical feel. In the sheltered bay (depending on the time of year) the water very often has a tropical look and in the winter there is nearly always a seal sheltering from the waves.
We walked up past Padstow Lifeboat Station telling tales of the lifeboat, the wrecks around the headland and the history that goes with the lighthouse.
We then came across the lighthouse from a totally different angle changing the composition again.
What I love by the time we get towards the end of the walk is when my guests start to see the photos for themselves, crouching down to get that better angle. I know at this point that they are on the road to always taking a good photo.
Guided photography walks are available in lots of different locations around the area.
I also carry out beach location photoshoots for couples, families and just your dog, giving you a lovely reminder of your holiday together in this beautiful area.
