Just a few of the kind messages from photographers that have attended workshops. Use the arrows to skip through the testimonials.
Please contact Simon here if you’re interested in arranging a tailored landscape/woodland photography workshop.
Simon does so much work behind the scenes choosing locations, planning the logistics and personalising the workshop so that it fits like a glove. This all leads to developing a huge amount of trust in his tuition, making the workshop comfortable and effective.
I have been into photography for 2.5 years now and felt this was the perfect time to attend a workshop and take my work to the next level; Simon was definitely the right person to do this with.
Simon is such a genuine and warm person who makes you feel at ease. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough.
The best day of photography I have ever had. Not only were the conditions superb but Simon's expert tuition was delivered in such a considered and helpful way. The advice was so useful and it really got me thinking about my own connection with the environment. I'll be back!
A year ago I had no intentions of going on a photography workshop, now I have been on two, both hosted or co-hosted by Simon. There is a massive difference between a competent photographer and a great one. Simon is one of the best woodland, tree landscape photographers out there. His knowledge, preparation and compassion for his chosen genre shines through and he has a great ability to communicate this, which is a great skill in itself.
This was a first experience on a photography workshop and I cannot think of a better and more passionate individual than Simon who has a great personality, and anyone who is looking to go and learn more about woodland photography you must book with Simon. You will leave with confidence and a fresh outlook on this special area of Photography. I cannot wait to get out early in the morning with my camera and tripod in the wonderful Woods in my local area.
Thank you for your friendly and professional approach to the workshop in Torridon which was really enjoyable. I learned a great deal and enjoyed talking photography all week. The accommodation and food were exceptional and I would not hesitate to recommend the course to others.
This was my first ever photography workshop and it certainly exceeded expectations! Simon planned the whole experience with military precision, and this was obvious throughout the day. Simon is not only a wonderful photographer, but also a fantastic teacher. I learned a lot from him and he made me think differently about the way I approach my photography, particulatly compositionally. Many thanks, Simon. I had a wonderful time!
If you wish to improve your craft and/or technique, receive excellent mentorship, immerse yourself in photography in stunning locations and leave with renewed inspiration, then I would whole heartedly recommend one of Simon's workshops.
There are a lot of folk out there that can take great photos, finding someone than can express their creative process in such a clear and effective manner is a much rarer feet, Simon has that skill! A wonderful workshop leaving me buzzing with encouragement to look through my lens in a different light.
Simon's skill as a photographer and passion for woodland was clear from the outset. He is also adept at sharing his thought process in a way that makes you think for yourself rather than simple instruction. In short, it was a very enjoyable and enlightening day. Many thanks.
Let me start with a negative... a day isn't long enough!
Simon's company was fantastic, easy to talk to an inspiring on a number of levels. His obvious passion and eye for detail as a photographer was carried into his planning and preparation for the workshop. He gives you a full day of undivided attention and is very happy to pass on tips, stories and his wisdom. His choice of B&B is also excellent - Mandy is a wonderful host and the accommodation is perfect.
Having been into photography for many years, indeed being a professional in the pre-digital era, I had hoped to learn just one or two things to push me on. After a day with Simon and copious late evening note taking I can honestly say I have learnt so much more than I had expected.
I can unreservedly recommend a workshop with Simon (and Meg) and will be booking a longer trip away with hime to Torridon or the lakes in the future.
Many thanks Simon.
It was clear that a lot of thought and preparation had been put into the day to ensure that the day was packed with opportunities for Simon to share his knowledge and experience in a variety of locations. The day covered everything about a day of landscape photography with emphasis on woodland photography from research and preparation, through the thought processes of taking an image to post process.
I was shown things that I didn't even know my camera could do. Simon has a very relaxed teaching style that made the whole day enjoyable. Every detail about techniques suggested was supported with full explanations as to why, this was supported with the taking of images at different settings to clearly see the effect on the final image.
I learnt not only about photography but also the area of the North Yorkshire moors.
He does not subscribe to the "You must do it this way" approach but explains the options available and reasons to support or otherwise each and the effect on the image. A superb packed lunch was taken sat on top of the Moors looking across the valley. All in all a great day and I came a way with a head crammed with information and of course some great images. Great value for money.
My partner, Mandy and I felt a need to improve our landscape photography, particularly in and around woodland. We could not have picked a better workshop.
Woodland is a difficult environment in which to capture good images - for us at least. The natural chaos of ancient woods made composition very difficult for us. So we booked a workshop with one of the very best woodland photographers in the UK…
Simon booked us into a lovely, cosy B&B in North Yorkshire so we would be ready for an early start.
Simon took us to three deserted ancient woods - after the first visit to the woods, we returned to the B&B for a fabulous cooked breakfast. We had all three woods to ourselves and didn’t see another person during the full duration of the workshop. Simon provided a packed lunch - the sandwiches were as MASSIVE as they were delicious and the flapjacks Simon made were really tasty!
Simon is a genuinely nice bloke. He’s great to talk to and made us feel at our ease. I don’t recall any moment during the day when we were stuck for conversation. He was generous with his knowledge and his time. We certainly didn’t feel rushed at any point. He has a natural gift for teaching photography and was encouraging throughout.
At the end of the day, we returned to the B&B and had a post-production tutorial, where Simon talked us through some of his well known images and reviewed the images we’d captured through the day. I like to think I know my way round Lightroom and Photoshop, but Simon was able to show us some new techniques which we will certainly apply to our workflow.
We came away from our workshop with a better understanding of composition, a new way of thinking about our shots, fresh techniques and a huge dollop of inspiration and enthusiasm.
The downside is that we can’t see how any future photography workshops could top this one. We’ve peaked!
Thank you so much, Simon. We wish you all the success you deserve for the future!
Many thanks for your time during the weekend 1 to 1 workshop we did together, it was productive, educational and very enjoyable too. I look forward to putting into practice the things I learnt and to searching out new subjects with renewed vision.
From the first location we visited I knew that the experience was going to be valuable because I felt immediately out of my comfort zone. The variety of locations and shooting conditions posed challenges and offered opportunities in good and equal measure, and I can’t overstate the value of the whole experience to me. I was aware too, perhaps more clearly than at any time before, just how much I didn’t know that I didn’t know; the first notion of my own ignorance was pretty humbling but a great starting point for improvement I think.
Hearing about your approach and considerations around composition, placing elements in the frame and balancing light particularly, really helped to crystallise many vague and disparate influences I’ve been struggling to get a handle on and apply in the field. But I found much more to be of value in terms of crafting an image; workflow, observations that guide setting up the camera, experimenting with exposure and depth of field, and post production techniques, all of which were touched on more thoroughly than I imagined the brief time we had together would permit.
Most affecting I thought was your philosophy (perhaps inadvertently stated) on why you “do” photography, what informs your choice of subject and what you want to communicate through it, affecting because, as I quoted on Saturday, “That which is personal is universal” and consequently it summed up my own sense of “why” too. I found that quite inspiring, and inspiration I think, has to be the most valuable thing anyone can have in a creative practice so I thank you particularly for your candour.
Photography can be an expensive pastime and we all have spent plenty on gear and trips in the hope of improving our work, but in that respect, I really feel that the time I spent on your workshop last weekend may well prove to be one of the most profitable, rewarding and long-lasting investments I have made.
My day and a half with Simon was very worth while and has given me greater confidence with the overall process of finding and refining a good composition, and then finishing it off with a minimal amount of work in Lightroom and PS.
We had a great time exploring local forestry, how to approach different compositions, camera settings to suit, and much more.
Simon has a very easy going approach, and is very enthusiastic about photography and helping you learn as much as possible based around your own needs.
I am certainly thinking about a follow up session in 2018 and will hopefully have some good images to share by then.
Simon's workshop was fantastic. His knowledge and experience was incredible and he has a really hands-on supportive approach to teaching through which I learned a huge amount. Simon's knowledge and passion for his local area was invaluable on the day and we were able to get some stunning photographs.
Simon also went above and beyond the call of duty and paid huge attention to making sure I was learning at the right pace, no question was a stupid one and even down to providing delicious home made snacks for a day on the moors. Thoroughly recommend this workshop.
I had a very enjoyable day out with Simon, his patience (not just with me) and his attention to detail were obvious as soon as we started walking in to his local woodland. Listening to him talk I got some insight into how he looks at a scene and converts it in to a final image before he even gets out his tripod and camera. I also got to watch him processing a couple of the images I had taken during the day and was surprised by the subtleness of the changes he made and how effective they were, It’s definitely something I will be carrying over in to my post-processing.
I can’t recommend a 1-2-1 with Simon highly enough, the hotel he recommended, the locations, the approach to photography, the processing tips and the lunch he provided were all top notch. I will definitely go back again.
A thoroughly enjoyable learning experience in the Lake District. Simon has really nailed the workshop format with a completely client focused experience. While there was a good amount of technical help, the main focus was on composition and applying a personal touch to my photography. I finished the day exhausted but with a mind full of new ideas and I'm very much grateful for Simon's skill and patience. I can't wait to start applying what I've learned in my own local woodlands. And Meg was great fun too.
Thank-you for a very full and rewarding one-day workshop last week, which was the highlight of my recent holiday in North Yorkshire. It was a real pleasure to visit the location of some of your photos in the gallery and to get a sense of the dedication and eye for detail that has enabled you to capture so many evocative images. Your commitment to making the day a success came through strongly and I have come away with both a greater enthusiasm for my photography together with a much better understanding of how to improve my landscape scenes. The growing recognition that you are getting through your website and blogs is testament to the power of the images you are creating in these special places and of course the contribution from your co-star, Meg, who I am delighted to have now met!
I am extremely pleased with the quality of the prints that I bought of a few of my favourite scenes; I will send you a photo of them when they are framed and up on the wall.
Overall, an all-round great day Simon, thanks again.
I am not a prolific photographer but I do like to make steady improvement as I meander along my photographic path.
I have recently been doing more woodland photography and, as a great admirer of Simon’s work, decided to book a one-to-one workshop with him. What a joy the day turned out to be.
Exploring woodland locations synonymous with his inimitable imagery, Simon encouraged me to 'see' differently in order to find compositions in the often chaotic canvas of dense woodland. With each composition he demonstrated how small changes in framing and camera position can subtly affect separation of elements in the image, improving balance, impact and narrative.
He also encouraged me to consider compositions which, while perhaps not working at that particular moment, may have potential when the light and conditions change.
This workshop isn’t about camera settings, although they are necessarily discussed. It’s about slowing down the process of taking a photograph, engaging with the environment, and looking at the woodland with different eyes. I now look forward to exploring my local woods and putting newly acquired techniques into practice.
Oh, and Simon also bakes a mean flapjack!
Simon is a very accomplished photographer, and did an excellent job conveying his passion, process, and philosophy through the workshop. He has found some tremendous locations through local exploration, and tailored the choice of these to my interests. Once there, we discussed composition, lighting, and camera setup - pausing only for excellent homemade flapjacks and coffee. On return to the hotel, I learned a lot from his approach to post-processing. Highly recommended.
I had a really good day out and learnt a lot.
I liked getting out to variety of locations and seeing how you go about selecting subjects and deciding on a composition. It was good to spend a bit of time getting the camera properly set up in different locations in less than ideal conditions. More generally, it was good to see how much effort goes into finding the right place at the right time. Spending time wandering about outdoors was good, regardless of conditions. Homemade quiche and flapjacks were a bonus. Seeing the transformation on the RAWs in LR was good while the scene was still fresh in the mind. Some of your massive enthusiasm for photography rubbed off as well.
Thanks for a great day out.
I highly recommend attending one of Simon's workshops. Being new to photography, I learnt that you don't have to go far from home to get great images but to just see whats around you. Excellent value for money and the staff at the bed & breakfast could not be more welcoming - a lovely place to stay.
Simon is very passionate about woodland photography. In the workshop you can see how much effort he puts into discovering new spots and waiting for the perfect weather conditions. For me it was very interesting to see how he perceives a scene and finds new compositions. The workshop covered all aspects from scouting, over finding compositions, and post processing. I could take away very valuable tips and tricks. Thanks for the good time!
Enjoyed a very relaxed and fun workshop with Simon. His attention to detail is great and I couldn’t have been catered for any better.