Spend a day with a Pro Photographer
The brand new Amateur Photographer Masterclass series
We’re always looking for ways to involve readers of AP in the magazine and what we enjoy most is meeting other photography enthusiasts. To kick-start the new year we are launching a new series of Masterclasses, offering AP readers the opportunity to spend a day with a photography expert on various locations throughout the UK. The Masterclasses will run once a month and be led by one of our four photographers: Brett Harkness, Paul Hobson, Clive Nichols and Lee Frost.
Brett Harkness: portraiture expert 
From documentary-style wedding photography to lifestyle portrait photography, Brett is a true expert when it comes to photographing people. Having worked for six years as a photographer in Miami, Brett now runs his own business in Manchester. He regularly holds studio and location based workshops as well as seminars and one-to-one tuition. For more information go to www.brettharknessphotography.com
Paul Hobson: wildlife expert
Paul has over twenty years experience photographing wildlife in the UK. A trained environmental scientist, Paul became a fulltime professional wildlife photographer in 2009. He was specially commended in the 2008 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and regularly lectures on wildlife photography. He also runs workshops. For more information visit www.paulhobson.co.uk
Clive Nichols: garden expert
Clive is one of the UK’s most respected garden photographers. With over twenty years experience, Clive’s images have been published in numerous books, calendars and magazines. As well as being one of AP’s Photo Insight experts, Clive runs regular workshops for the Royal Horticultural Society and is a judge for the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition. For more information visit www.clivenichols.com
Lee Frost: landscape expert
As one of the leading landscape photographers working today, Lee has a wealth of experience in all areas of landscape photography. He has published many books on photography including: The Creative Photography Handbook, 50 Photo Projects Ideas and most recently Lee Frost’s Landscape Photography. He runs workshops and also one to one tuition. For more information go to: www.leefrost.co.uk
For more information click on the links below:
Brett Harkness Masterclasses
Previous Brett Harkness Masterclasses:
'Capturing candid street portraits' see AP 12 June
No photographic subject is more in the public consciousness now than street photography. While some authorities are making it difficult for photographers to pursue this area of photography, don't be put off! Brett will show you how, with a little confidence, a keen eye for detail and artistic flair it is possible to capture some truly great candid images. This Masterclass will take place on Wednesday 5 May in Newark. To take part please see 'How to Apply' at the bottom of the page. Closing date for applications is Friday 23 April.
'Mastering Flash' see AP 13 March
The secret to successful flash photography is to get the flash away from the camera – as far away as possible! When shooting with flash you can balance the flash with ambient light or use it to contrast with the light that is available. In this Masterclass Brett shares some creative techniques you can put into practice anywhere.
Clive Nichols Masterclasses
Previous Clive Nichols Masterclasses:
See Garden portraits - 14 August 2010
In this Masterclass at RHS Rosemoor in Devon (www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor) Clive explains everything you need to know to take stunning garden images.
See 'Plant Portraits' - AP 10 April 2010
Spring is on the way so what better time to grab your camera and take advantage of the flourishing flowerbeds adorning the UK’s finest gardens. In this Masterclass at Cambridge University Botanic Garden (www.botanic.cam.ac.uk), Clive shows participants how to get the best from the budding blooms in one of Britain’s most beautiful gardens.
Paul Hobson Masterclasses
Spend a day at the British Wildlife Centre (www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk) with expert wildlife photographer Paul Hobson!
In this Masterclass Paul will explain how to achieve fantastic animal portraits. After a day spent photographing the various animals at the wildlife centre we'll have special access to a select number of enclosures to get up close and personal with animals including owls and foxes. Date: Wed 28 July 2010. To take part in this Masterclass see 'How to Apply' at the bottom of the page.
Previous Paul Hobson Masterclasses:
'Photographing kites in-flight' see AP 9 January 2010
'Macro photography at Sheffield’s Tropical Butterfly House' (www.butterflyhouse.co.uk)
Have you ever tried photographing butterflies and been dismayed by the results? Perhaps the composition was slightly off-centre or the images blurred or underexposed. In this Masterclass wildlife expert Paul Hobson shows how to capture fantastic close up images of butterflies.
'Photographing Butterflies' see AP 8 May 2010
Lee Frost Masterclasses
'Recording motion in coastal landscapes' see AP 10 July 2010
In our first Masterclass with Lee Frost, we visit tranquil Embleton Bay in Northumberland, and use long exposures to record motion in the sea. In order to get this right, there are several factors to consider – when to go, the state of the tide, weather conditions, what to include in the foreground, how long to expose the scene for and so on. Lee Frost addresses all these factors and explains how to create fantastic atmospheric images.
Published in July. Applications for this Masterclass have now closed.
How to apply
If you would like to take part in the "Animal portraits" Masterclass with Paul Hobson on Wednesday 28 July 2010, please send an email to appicturedesk@ipcmedia.com clearly stating the Masterclass you are applying for, and include your name, telephone number and address in the body of your email. You will also need to send four lo-res images relating to the Masterclass subject area, in this case, candid street photography. You can also apply by post. Please send a letter with the above information and enclose prints of your images. We are unfortunately unable to accept CDs or DVDs. For prints to be returned you must include a stamped addressed envelope with sufficient postage. Please send postal applications to:
AP Picture Desk
Amateur Photographer
IPC Media
Blue Fin Building
110 Southwark Street
SE1 0SU
Tel 020 3148 4121/4138
If selected to take part, applicants will be notified two weeks before the Masterclass date. You will need to bring your own digital or film SLR camera, lenses and memory cards, as well as other equipment such as a tripod, polarisers and filters if relevant to the Masterclass. Full details of what to bring and a description of the techniques to be covered will be announced nearer the time. We cannot cover travel costs but food will be provided on the day.
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