Photography workshop in Scotland
Outer Hebrides
The Untouched Paradise
Capture the essence of nature in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.
Join Francesco Gola and Alessio Andreani and explore the beauty of the Outer Hebrides. Far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you will capture pristine beaches and majestic lighthouses while developing your photographic skills.
The workshop is designed to take you to the most spectacular places and to grow your photography through a mindful approach to composition. We want to sharpen your awareness and your creativity, so that you go home not only with stunning pictures but with techniques and knowledge that keep your passion going.
A photo usually shows what a place looked like. Here we try to capture what it felt like.
Welcome to the Outer Hebrides
Schedule
We meet in Stornoway, in the Outer Hebrides, on Sunday 15th around noon. Our cosy accommodation in Stornoway is the base camp for the whole adventure.
From arrival to departure we chase the magical light of sunrise and sunset at the most breathtaking locations of the islands, including the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, Luskentyre Beach, Mangersta Cliffs and many more.
Between the golden hours there is time for theory, post-production and well-deserved rest in great company.
Every day we choose the best locations based on the weather, and you take part in the planning. It is how you learn location management, a key skill for any landscape photographer.
The group is small, so you get personal attention: you can work with the instructors in every shooting session.
The last shooting session is on the morning of Saturday 21st, so we recommend booking your trip home for the afternoon of the same day. More details in Getting there.
What you will learn
- Scouting and planning: reading maps, tides and forecasts
- Weather: reading the clouds, and making the most of what the day gives
- Composition, and the discipline of seeing the frame before shooting
- Exposure with the histogram, in light that changes fast
- Filters: graduated, polariser, ND
- Advanced long exposure
- Post-production, on your own files, during the week
- Image review, one to one
No day-by-day itinerary.
A rhythm.
We don't publish a fixed programme, because the weather decides where we should be, and chasing the wrong location on the wrong morning is the surest way to come home with nothing. What stays the same every day is the shape below. What changes is where we point the cameras.
Dry
No rain in the forecast. Out for first light, out again long before sunset to find the frame; the middle of the day belongs to the island.
- SunriseOut before the light, low sun on sand or cliffs
- RestBack to the house: the morning is yours to sleep
- TheoryWe meet again and work on the topics of the week
- On the roadA tweed mill, a distillery, the standing stones
- One meal togetherA single proper meal, because sunset is late up here
- SunsetEarly on location, side by side, ready for the right moment
Stormy
Showers and wind come and go. We skip the sunrise and start later, and the sky usually gives something back in the evening.
- TheoryA later start, and a longer session
- On the roadA tweed mill, a distillery, the standing stones
- One meal together
- Forecast and planningThe evening is decided from the radar
- SunsetWe go early anyway: a sky clearing after the storm is the best light there is
Wet
Rain that will not let up. The day moves indoors, where the week gets its groundwork done, ready to go out if the sky opens.
- Theory, long sessionThe table work that makes the rest of the week better
- Post-production, forecast or planningYour own files, one to one
- Out of the weatherThe pub, and the conversations that come with it
- Image reviewYour portfolio, honestly looked at
- Out if it opensOn this coast a gap in the rain is worth dropping everything for
What you will photograph
Getting there
The Outer Hebrides are still an unspoilt paradise partly because they are remote. The best way to get there is a flight to Stornoway: there are daily flights from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Manchester, so don't worry!
A more adventurous option is the ferry to Stornoway, with daily departures from Ullapool.
Whichever way you choose, we will help you plan your trip so that you arrive on time.
Your teachers
Francesco Gola
Seascape photographer, educator and engineer
Ambassador for ZEISS, NiSi, BenQ, Calibrite, The Heat Company and f-stop. He works with companies, websites and magazines to spread photographic culture in Italy and around the world.
About me
Alessio Andreani
NiSi ambassador
His work has been published by The Times, Digital Photographer Magazine, Traveler, N-Photo, Digital Photo and many others.
Website
What’s included
- Tuition by two professional photographers
- Accommodation in a single room
- Transport, fuel and tolls
- Photographic and logistic planning
- All tickets and entrance fees
- Fun 🙂
Not included
- Your trip to and from the Outer Hebrides
- Food and drinks
- Travel and medical insurance
- Your camera gear (we can lend filters and tripods)
- Anything not listed under Included
- Weather control 😉
Six seats only
Secure yours with a 30% deposit. The balance is due 90 days before the workshop.
Reserve your spotAny questions?
Write to us for information or to join the workshop. Sending this form does not commit you to anything.
Good to know
Accommodation
Accommodation is included, in a single room in a typical local house close to our shooting locations. We stay in the real heart of the Outer Hebrides for all our shooting, and spend our free time surrounded by tradition and charm.
Food and drinks
Food and drinks (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are not included.
We chase the best light every day, so we often rely on restaurants, bistros and cafés along the coast to fit our planning and timing. Our accommodation also lets us cook together!
Fitness level
The workshop is in August on purpose, when the days are particularly long and we can spend more time in the field. The fitness level required is easy: most locations need only short, flat walks. Expect very early mornings and late evenings, to make the most of the best light and weather.
We rest after the sunrise session, before lunch and the sunset shoot. We drive a lot between locations, and in the van you can relax or nap. Flexibility is key, because we always want to be where the weather is best: a small price for the beauty and remoteness of the Outer Hebrides.
If you have any limitations or concerns, just ask: we will be happy to give you more details.
Experience required
The workshop suits both beginners and experienced photographers. We suggest a good knowledge of your camera and of the basics of shutter speed and aperture. We do post-production with simple software such as Adobe Lightroom.
Photographic equipment
We suggest a mirrorless or DSLR camera (and a film camera too, if you like!), a wide-angle lens, a tripod, a remote shutter release and photographic filters.
Thanks to my sponsors I can lend you filters and tripods. For any question, just write to us.
Weather
We chose a season with unsettled weather on purpose, for a better chance of interesting light. We cannot control the weather, but we can adapt to it: with heavy rain the workshop goes on, with more time for post-production and theory.
August in the Hebrides means anything from flat calm to horizontal rain, often on the same day. Waterproofs are not optional.
Payments and cancellation
A 30% deposit confirms your booking. The balance is due 90 days before the workshop.
If you cancel and we fill your place, we refund what you paid for the tuition, minus a €300 service charge. If you cancel and your place is not filled, the penalty is a share of the full workshop fee: 50% within 60 days of the workshop, 100% within 29 days.
The deposit is not refundable, because it books essential services such as transport and accommodation.
Workshop partners
