Welcome to our 2011 Programme

Quest Photography Holidays and Workshops originated in 1993 when Colin Westgate was able to satisfy a life long ambition by turning his all absorbing passion for photography into a satisfying and friendly business. From the start, Quest’s intent was to provide workshops and photo holidays at a reasonable price so as to make them more affordable than other operators in the field.  At the same time, there was to be no compromise in quality or tuition. This has proved to be a successful formula, and today, Quest events are as popular as ever. The emphasis is on friendliness and informality, with group sizes normally being kept to a maximum of eight, which avoids over crowding and enables individual tuition to be given to all who require it.

Quest events are suitable for photographers of all standards, and both beginners and those more experienced are equally welcome. The holidays are hotel or guesthouse based, ensuring comfort and good food in a relaxed environment. The atmosphere is friendly and informal, while prices remain very competitive and excellent value - we do not produce expensive glossy brochures or advertise widely, which helps keep costs down. Travel for the holidays is by minibus, which gives the maximum flexibility to stop as and when we see something interesting or when the light is right.

For 2011, as well as some of the more familiar Quest destinations, including Northumberland, the Isle of Skye and the far north of Scotland, there are some exciting new trips. One of these is to India, where we will be working with documentary photographer Colin Summers, Others are to Snowdonia, the Isles of Arran and Mull, plus an adventurous end of winter trip to Iceland for the more courageous! This is in addition to the usual May trip to Iceland, noted for its very reasonable price and amazing landscapes and is a holiday that has rapidly become one of the most ‘in demand’ in the programme, After a two year lapse, Quest is also returning to Ireland in the spring, now that the Euro exchange rate has eased slightly.

For the workshops, we are delighted to welcome back Joe Cornish. He will lead two workshops, one in East Sussex and, for the first time, one in East Anglia. Joe is probably Britain’s best known landscape photographer, and his enthusiasm, dedication and commitment, plus, of course, his superb photography, are guaranteed to inspire you. Colin Westgate and Hugh Milsom will again be jointly leading a landscape weekend and other workshops include a comprehensive one on exhibitions and a comprehensive Darkroom course for beginners and/or those with experience wanting to improve their printing and expand their techniques. Darkroom workshops are also available by arrangement at very reasonable prices. These can be on a ‘one to one’ basis or for up to three people. These days can cover beginners and advanced printing, lith printing and ‘alternative processes’, such as cyanotype and argyrotype, and can be tailored to individual needs

For many years, Quest has been a retailer of the excellent Fotospeed products, both for darkroom and digital. As well as their own extensive range of premium quality digital papers, Fotospeed’s distribution range now includes Hahnemuhle, Canson and Harman. Quest can supply these materials, as well as other Fotospeed products, including the Quill continuous ink system (CIS) at discounted prices. Modern photo printers are voracious in their demand for ink, and a CIS can be a massive saving. Moreover, Fotospeed will supply free custom profiles for any papers in their catalogue, an invaluable service for getting best results from your printer. Also. Colin Westgate is an official Fotospeed lecturer and is available for talks to Camera Clubs and other organisations - either contact Colin direct or refer to your Federation handbook.

Quest is grateful for the support of David Kilpatrick, of Icon Publications Ltd, publishers of Photoworld magazine. This is available by subscription from the Icon website www.iconpublications.com

Finally, should you have picked up this programme from your camera club or elsewhere, and would like to be included on our mailing list, please email or post your details. Please also ask if you would like any additional programmes for friends or your Camera Club.