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About my courses

  • All my courses are one-to-one ( unless group or family courses are requested)
  • Course dates are completely flexible because they are one-to-one
  • I have over seven years experience of teaching landscape photography courses
  • Full CRB disclosure
  • Full public liabilty insurance

All courses are run from my office in Builth Wells, a town nestling on the river Wye between Llandrindod Wells and Brecon in mid-Wales.

Landscape photography courses include a Powerpoint presentation with Q & A in the morning (the theory part), and a practical, hands-on session in the afternoon.

As all courses are one-to-one, there is no set plan for the afternoon practical session; you ask the questions you want, and together we will answer them.

 

The courses I provide are:

  • Landscape Photography Course (one day or two days)
  • Digital Editing Course (half day or one day)
  • Advanced Digital Editing Course (one day)

 

 


 

One Day Landscape Photography Course

One day course

  • PowerPoint presentation covering all the basics, including equipment, aperture, composition, lighting and filters
  • Question & answer session
  • Lunch
  • Practical out-and-about
  • Detailed look at images, including some basic editing

£150.00

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Two day Landscape Photography Course

The first day follows the pattern of the one day course above; we will have an extended practical out and about session on the second morning, followed by more advanced editing and printing in the afternoon. The benefit of the two day course is that you can go over all the theory more thoroughly and undertake more practical work to back the theory up.

£290.00

 

 


 

Advanced Digital Editing Course

This one day course is designed for people who already have a basic knowledge of Photoshop but who want to enhance their skills by using layers and advanced techniques. The course also covers the use of plugin filters for black & white conversions, soft focus etc. This is a very practical course.


£160.00


 

One day Digital Editing Course

The full day course looks more closely at how to use the range of editing facilities available in Photoshop, including using layers to apply adjustments.

£150.00


 

Half Day Digital Editing Course

(From 9.30 to 1.00, or from 1.30 to 5.00)

 

Enhance your photographs using Adobe Elements or Photoshop CS3/4

Other editing software package training available, please call.


The course covers the basics of digital editing:
  • Setting your camera for the best results
  • Workflow for editing
  • File formats – jpeg, tiff & psd
  • White balance
  • Basic colour correction
  • Basic editing, marquee, lassoo tool, cropping, etc
  • Sharpening
  • Saving your files, file compression

£80.00


 

General information

  • Please note that the course prices listed above do not include meals or accommodation; these can be arranged if required.
  • For landscape photography courses, please bring waterproof walking shoes and suitable clothing - just in case it rains!
  • A digital SLR can be hired for £10.00 per day, if required.
  • We will use Photoshop CS3/4 for all image editing, unless you have a preference for another program such as Photoshop Elements.
  • All courses are designed for one-to-one tuition; there are no crowded groups and you are guaranteed to receive individual attention.
  • However, I am happy to arrange courses for small groups of friends or family.
  • Coffee and tea are available, please let me know if you have a preference for specific milks.
  • Start and finish times for courses are flexible - and all courses tend to run on longer than advertised! Generally speaking, a full day course runs from 9.30am to 5.00pm.
  • Serious fun will be had by all!




 


 

Testimonials

Claire Williams

Two day landscape course
My husband and I attended Ian's course so that we could increase our confidence in using the manual settings ( and not taking the easy way out with the auto settings). 
We found the format of the course suited us perfectly.  Ian introduced us to some beautiful parts of the area that we would not have found on our own. He has lots of patience and really helped us look at our composition carefully. Our skills are definitely better too. 
And of course the best part of the two days was reviewing our photos with Ian and having his expert help with editing them.  We are looking forward to entering some of our work in our local photo club sessions. 
We will definitely be back for more training.

 


Jeff Lewis

Two great informative days

I had 2 great days with Ian and have left with quite a lot more idea of the ways to achieve much better images. The weather was superb so there was no limitations and I saw the area with different eyes and with such excellent guidance I could not but feel that I now know so much more about the use of complex digital cameras. This also lead to making much better use of manual facilities to give greater control on the results. I now need to put these techniques into action and make them become second nature. Highly recommended - I intend to go back for more software skills!


 

Sue B (Llyswen)

I had a fantastic one day landscape course with Ian.  The morning was spent in the office where he explained everything from aperture, shutter speed, using the camera in manual etc. etc., and then from lunchtime we went out on site to take photos.  When we returned we viewed the photos and did some editing.   He was very patient and explained everything in a really professional manner.  It doesn't manner if you are a beginner like me or an amateur photographer.   I would certainly go back for another day.   Thank you Ian


Claire H (Hereford)

Made to feel very comfortable, Really good fun. Ian even organised the weather, time was no object. The importance was that I was constantly learning. Im not affraid of turning my Camera to fully manual now! Would recomend the courses to anyone.

Claire

Hereford


 

Laura J (Swansea)

I could not have spent money in any better way.  The 2 days were full and intense, but taken at my pace, and not rushed in anyway.  Ian must have the patience of a Saint – to stand with the pouring rain running down the backs of our necks for me to get the right shots.  After years of using only automatic settings, to finally START exploring the full potential of my camera is fantastic. As for the editing and use of photoshop – the knowledge shared was extensive and invaluable my photography will be changed forever.

Many thanks for everything, and you never know I may well be back for another course??

 

Laura


Dianne (Keel)

 

A great fun two days – lots of really good tips and a plethora of patience! He explains everything succinctly and calmly, nothing is too much trouble. I was a complete Photoshop novice, Ian inspired me to get stuck in and I have not looked back.

As soon as I have the time I will definitely be booking another course.

Thank you Ian!


 


Wesley M (Llandinam)

Just like to say that I was very pleased with the photography course
of yours and would like to thank you for all the trouble you went to.I
learned a lot and hope to be able to show you the proof of that in the
near future,would recommend the course to anyone.I am now happy with
most of the pics I take.
Regards
Wes M

John P (Worcester)

 

Hi Ian

I would just like to thank you for your considerable help during my recent course. It was stimulating to be taught by someone with such a mastery of the camera and it's accessories who also had the patience to explain the computer editing side in such detail. I think there has already been a big improvement in my standard of photography as you may see from Flickr. Many thanks for your help.

 


John H  (S Wales)

 

I became interested in photography at the tender age of 16. I am now in my 65th year and I am as passionate as ever about my hobby. I did achieve a small amount of success when I had prints and slides exhibited at the Welsh Salon of Photography many years ago. I “converted” to digital five years ago. I graduated to a Nikon DSLR and learned to use Photoshop 7 through CS3 from magazines, books and tutorial DVDs. I thought I had reached a competent level – a couple of my pictures were printed in Amateur Photographer – until I saw a small exhibition by Ian Nicholson. His pictures were simply breathtaking. I visited his web site and discovered that he ran courses for photographers from beginners to advanced ability levels. I spent a day and a half with Ian at his workplace in Builth Wells which turned out to be extremely informative. I learned more in my time with Ian than I had since I first changed to digital! He was friendly and the day/s was well structured and paced. I only wish I had seen Ian’s work much earlier. I am planning on spending more time with Mr. Nicholson in the spring on his digital landscape course.

 


Paul C (Hereford)

"A very,very full two days ....time no object.
He provided the means to open me out to change the settings on the camera and experiment.
The Photoshop advise and teaching was something one can't get from a book, ie the on hand advice which was perfect.
Subtractive lighting was something I had no idea about but now understand its merits.
The provision of a model (whose name I forget) to demonstrate lighting in different forms was great (hope she will comment on my photos).
The use of RAW and its conversion process means my monochrome photos are stronger.
Very considerate of meal times and ample coffee and conversation to keep me going.

I was given the spark which I needed to get on and do it ...just what I needed.  All I need now is some better weather and space to press on..."

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