Quest Photography

2008

These acclaimed weeks include two new destinations this year - Orkney and The English Lakes - as well as a repeat of the very successful trip to Iceland last year. These Photoweeks are for photo enthusiasts, including beginners, who will be given appropriate instruction. They are not ‘whistle stop’ tours, but are designed to allow everyone to spend time in a location for in-depth photography. There are, unfortunately, some price increases due to increased fuel and accommodation costs, and in some cases because of smaller groups, but compared with other operators, these trips are still excellent value! Unless otherwise stated, all events are led by Colin Westgate.

The ever-popular Photoweeks have been expanded and extended. However, there have been changes in minibus hire regulations and for insurance reasons, the 17 seat vehicle used previously is no longer available. Instead, we have the use of a comfortable nine-seat bus and where necessary, a van is also hired to carry our luggage. This does mean that some groups will be smaller and with the cost of diesel now much higher, there is an inevitable increase in prices. Partially for these reasons, the more distant events now include flight options, as with the cheap flights available, this is more economical and efficient in both time and cost. There is also the possibility of overnight sleeper trains in some cases.

Arrangements will be made for you to be collected from the appropriate airport or station at no extra cost. These options avoid what can be a long and tiring road journey over two days and has made it possible to spend more time at destinations, and to include, in some cases, a second centre. However, if you do not wish to fly or travel by train for any reason, a minibus may possibly be available - please ask. Please note, that Quest is not a registered Travel Agent and cannot book flights on your behalf. Assistance with this will, however, is provided where needed.

As well as the usual weeks in Glencoe, Northumberland, Ireland and Skye, two new locations have been introduced: the English Lakes, and Orkney, the latter led by the well-known American photographer Tillman Crane.

Iceland is also back on the agenda, following last year’s very successful first trip there. This turned out to be a real highlight, with some amazing light and landscape. It is being extended to allow a little more time. Accommodation for all trips is in good hotels or guesthouses, where Quest has made special arrangements often at a discount. While this is more expensive than self-catering, it is certainly more relaxing and the prices represent excellent value.

Please click on the Course Title to get more information about the course content and fees.

Winter Landscape, Glen Coe and Rannoch Moor, Scotland

Hotel based, 8 nights; Sat. 16 to Sun. 24 February 2008

The Glen Coe region contains some of the most magnificent and spectacular scenery anywhere in the United Kingdom, and at this time of the year the mountains are usually enhanced by a covering of snow. Many photographers never get the chance to see this stunning landscape in the winter, and a week of photography in the area should guarantee some good pictures! Of course, the weather plays a vital part, but even in bad conditions, it is usually possible to capture the forbidding mood of the mountains, and the rivers and waterfalls should be flowing well. We will concentrate on Glen Coe, Rannoch Moor, Glen Etive and Glen Nevis, and the price includes a trip on the cable car to Aonoch Mor, near Ben Nevis, conditions permitting. The itinerary will be kept flexible, as it will to some extent be weather dependent. Evenings will be spent viewing pictures from everyone. This year we will be staying at the Loch Leven hotel, set in a lovely location by the side of the loch.

The minibus will leave Sussex early on Saturday morning, and will, wherever possible, collect passengers en route. If pick ups cannot be made from home, due to locality, they will be made elsewhere by arrangement (see below). Overnight stops will be made in the Borders each way, and are included in the cost.

Price £755, (deposit £100) (Single supplement £85)

8 places maximumPrice includes accommodation and all meals (except in transit) and minibus travel to and from and at Glencoe. For those wishing to travel to Glencoe independently, the price is reduced by £100. The quoted price is for a shared, en suite, room and a supplement of £85 is payable for single occupation. If you require a single room, this must be made clear when booking and is subject to availability. The minibus will pick you up from your home or nearby, but a surcharge may be payable if this is far off the planned route.

South West Ireland - Dingle and The Burren (two centre trip)

Guest House/Hotel based, 9 nights (6 at Inch and 3 on the Burren), Saturday 29 March to Monday 7 April 2008; (10 places)

The main location for this trip is at Inch Strand, on the Dingle peninsula. This is one of the most beautiful locations in the country, with over 3 miles of sandy beach. From here, we will explore the peninsula and surrounding area, including a visit to fascinating Dingle town itself. As well as landscape, there will be plenty of other subject matter, including the colourful shops and houses, and equally colourful characters! For the second location, we will move to The Burren, where we will photograph the extraordinary terrain and coastline. The friendliness of the Irish is renowned and we can be sure of a warm welcome.

Whereas on previous trips, we have travelled to Ireland by minibus and ferry, this was wasteful of time and necessitated overnight stops. This year, therefore, the arrangement will be to fly to Shannon, which is convenient for both locations. Flights are available from London airports and we will collect a bus locally. Quest is not a travel agent, so regretfully the cost of flights is not included. However, if you require assistance in booking, this will be provided on request. The cost of evening meals is also not included, as the Guest House cannot provide them. We will, therefore, eat at local establishments, including the nearby Beach Restaurant, where there is a varied and good value menu.

Price £765, (deposit £150) (Single supplement £85)

10 places Price includes B&B accommodation and minibus travel in Ireland, packed lunches and all travel in Ireland (minibus). It does not include the cost of flights and evening meals. Accommodation is on a shared room basis, but twins as singles are usually available, subject to a supplement of £85.

Iceland

Sunday 4 May - Friday 16 May 2008, Hotel based tour, 12 nights, minibus travel. (10 places).

Iceland has a unique and often bizarre landscape. This ranges from magnificent waterfalls, black sand beaches, lava fields, glaciers, volcanoes (some still active!), hot springs, geysers, mud pools, and much more. The itinerary has been arranged to include as much variety as possible. Unlike other Quest trips, we will not be based in one place, but will travel round the island, staying for one, or sometimes two, nights at hotels en route. This will enable us to cover as much ground as possible and spend time at prime locations for photography. However, Iceland is full of surprises, so there will be plenty of unscheduled stops as well. With a population of a mere 300,000, Iceland is never crowded, even in the capital, Reykjavik. At this time of the year, the temperature will be similar to a cool spring in the UK, but it is unlikely to be excessively cold and could even be warm enough for t-shirts! It will not get very dark either, so if you have enough stamina, you could photograph most of the night! We will certainly use the evening light when possible.

The schedule is to fly to Keflavik, Iceland’s international airport, and to drive east via Thingvelllir, Geysir, Gullfoss and then along the south coast via Skaftafell and the astonishing glacial lake at Jokulsarlon. We will then head north through the eastern highlands to Myvatn, where there are thermal springs. From there, we will head west and then south, ending with a day in Reykjavik.

Flights are available from Gatwick (British Airways), Stansted (Iceland Express) and Heathrow (Icelandair). Cost of flights is not included, and it is advisable to book early to get the best deals. Should you require assistance with this, please ask.

The cost of meals (except breakfast) is also not included, as this allows for greater flexibility and time for evening photography. There will usually be a choice whether to eat ‘picnic style’ with food purchased ourselves, or from the hotel dinner menu, depending on location and circumstances.

Price £1495. (deposit £300) (Single supplement £350)

10 places maximum Accommodation (B&B) and minibus travel in Iceland included. Flights and other meals not included.

Orkney Islands, with Tillman Crane

Guest House Hotel based, 6 nights; Sunday 25 - Saturday 31 May

This will be Quest’s first trip to Orkney and we are very fortunate to have the well-known American photographer, writer and tutor Tillman Crane, to lead the week. Tillman, from Maine, is a photographer with a singular style. He has a Master of Fine Arts degree and has taught workshops in the USA and elsewhere for over 17 years. Details of his experience and portfolios can be found on his web site www.tillmancrane.com. Tillman has photographed in Orkney for the past five years and his knowledge of the area and unique vision and philosophy will ensure an interesting and stimulating week. Although Tillman works in large format, the workshop is suitable for all, no matter what type of equipment is used, including digital.

Orkney is situated off the northern tip of Scotland and is an archipelago of some 70 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The week will be centred on the largest island, Mainland. In Orkney, there are quiet sandy beaches, beautiful scenery, standing stones, and a wealth of history and culture. Weather conditions allowing, a trip to Hoy will be undertaken (£20 fare, not included in workshop fee).

Flights to Orkney, operated by BA (Loganair) are from most airports to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen and then to Kirkwall, Orkney. If assistance with booking these is required, please ask.

Price £725 (deposit £200) (single supplement £150)

10 places Includes B&B accommodation and travel in Orkney, but not other meals or flights

Landscape South East

Monday 15 - Thursday 18 September 2008 (8 places)

Although the south east of England is perceived to be very overcrowded, it has some unique and diversified landscapes particularly downland and coastal regions. Because these are on our doorstep, so to speak, we tend not to visit them very often, if at all. On the other hand, you do not live in the area, this workshop will be an ideal introduction to it.

We will explore and photograph locations such as Camber sands, Dungeness, Cow Gap (near Beachy Head), the Seven Sisters, Cuckmere Haven, the Sussex Downs and others. Moreover, if the weather looks promising, we will make at least one early start to capture the sunrise across the English Channel. The week will be centred at or near Seaford, and travel from there will be by minibus (unless you prefer to take your own car). It may be possible to collect and return you to your home or nearby if this is near the planned route. Local accommodation can be arranged on request.

Price £195, (deposit £50)

8 places Includes minibus travel daily, but not any accommodation or meals.

Isle of Skye and Applecross (2 centre trip

9 nights, Guest House and Hotel based. (10 places); Saturday 27 September to Monday 6 October 2008

Year after year, this is Quests’s most popular Photoweek and it is not difficult to understand why, as the "Misty Isle" is one of the most beautiful parts of the United Kingdom, full of mood and mountains, rivers, bays and lochs. There is all that the landscape photographer could want - but Skye does not give it up that easily, as it is well known for the fickleness of its weather. But the weather makes the mood, and magic moments are never far away - if only the photographer is in the right place at the right time. This year, instead of minibus travel to and from the Skye, we will fly to Inverness and collect the vehicle locally. This saving of two days travelling time allows the trip to be extended to include the dramatic Applecross peninsula.

On Skye, we will, as usual, be based at The Skye Picture House, near Broadford, which is run by photographers Steve & Gill Terry. It is situated in a stunning location, at the edge of a loch, with superb views, especially for the morning sunrise. Otters and seals are often seen. A talk by photographer Ken Bryan, who lives on Skye, will be arranged if he is available. Our second location will be at Lochcarron, with good access to Applecross.

Flights are available to Inverness from London airports and an overnight sleeper train from London is also available. Arrangements will be made to collect travellers from the airport or rail station on arrival and return at the end of the holiday. The cost of flights is not included in the price, but assistance will be available for booking if required.

Price £845, (deposit £200) (Single supplement £85)

8 places Price includes full board accommodation, based on a shared twin room, and minibus travel on Skye and Applecross. It does not include cost of flights. A supplement is payable for single rooms

Autum in the Lakes

7 nights, Hotel/Guest House based. Free minibus travel to from and at destination (8 places); Saturday 11- Saturday 18 October 2008

A new Quest Photoweek in one of England’s best-loved landscape regions. We will be based in the Keswick area, from where we will explore the spectacular lakes and mountains of the renowned Lake District. Most of these are in easy reach by road, although some walking may be involved. This will not be too strenuous and at this time of the year, the autumn colours should be appearing, to enhance the beauty of this lovely part of the country.

Travel will be by minibus, leaving the south early on the Saturday, and pick ups will be arranged, where practicable, at or near to your home. Should this be significantly off the planned route, however, a small surcharge to cover costs may be payable.

Price £595, (deposit £100) (single supplement £105)

8 places Price includes B&B accommodation in a shared twin room. If you require a single room, this will be subject to availability and a supplement of £105 will be payable. The price also includes minibus travel to, from and in the Lakes. It does not include evening meals.

Northumberland and the Borders

7 nights. Hotel based. Free minibus travel to from and at destination. (8 places); Saturday 8 November to Saturday 15 November 2008

During this week we will explore the superb coastline and inland landscape of unspoilt Northumberland. The beaches on the north east coast are some of the loveliest in the U.K., but as well as these, there are the Cheviot Hills, Roughting Lynn waterfall and several castles. The week will include a visit across the causeway to Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and either Les Mclean, or David Lane will join us on one of the days, as well as giving an evening talk. There will be plenty of subject matter to photograph, and the evening social activity will, as with most Quest trips, include showing and sharing our own work.

The minibus will leave the south early Saturday morning, and will collect passengers en route where this is practicable. This may be at your home or nearby, but if you live far off the route, a surcharge may be payable to cover costs.

Price £735, (deposit £100) (single supplement £70)

8 places Price includes full board en suite accommodation, with packed lunch and is based on sharing a twin room. Single room accommodation is available but a supplement of £70 is payable. If you require a single, you must make this clear when booking, Free minibus travel is also included, with pick up and drop off at or near your home by arrangement. A surcharge to cover costs may be payable if this is far off route.