Sue Fitzgerald
I just wanted to thank you for a fantastic day yesterday, I have just downloaded my photos and am suitably proud of what I achieved with your guidance. Your patience and knowledge enabled me to learn so much not only about my camera and it’s capability but also as very much a novice photographer the importance of picture construction. Learning how to slow down your life and notice things will also have a massive impact on my many car journeys up and down the country.Thank you once again, I shall certainly be looking to book one of your courses again.
Hugh Kenny
Just a short note to say how much today was enjoyed by, Karen,Paul, and myself. It was a delight to spend so much time with someone who has the technical ability to pass on his experience in an easy and informative way. It was obvious the you love what you do, and this came across very clearly during the day. Once again many thanks for your time,and for the friendly way we were received.
Chris Robinson
Many thanks for wonderful one to one photography course. It was an excellent introduction for a complete novice like me into the world of photography and specifically how to use my newly acquired camera. You patiently led me through the mysteries of shutter, aperture and ISO so that the principles made sense and I learnt how to be in control of the camera rather than always using the automatic setting and therefore letting the camera dictate. I was enthralled by the exploration of picture composition and although I have a scientific background the science behind it was all new to me. I now have confidence to know what I am trying to achieve rather than just snapping because it looks nice.
Your responded very positively to my request for some wildlife pictures.
You offered Orchids.….Tick, Owls……..Tick, Hares…….Tick, Woodpeckers......Tick
The session with the orchids was fascinating as I have a special interest in Botany. I now know how to compose and take really detailed photos and particularly to use a tripod to achieve the results I was looking for. We went on to explore more wildlife and landscapes and what particularly impressed me was your knowledge of the area. I was intrigued by the way you were able to offer observations about the history of the places we visited so that the day just flew by.
You have inspired me to take up a new hobby and I would thoroughly recommend your one to one course for anyone who would like to take up photography but hasn’t the confidence to take that first step. I look forward to returning at a later date to continue my development as a photographer.
Clive Tomlinson
Really, really enjoyed the day and your company. Can't say enough to praise you. Thanks ever so.
Kay Marples
Yesterday, along with 2 friends I attended Chris's Landscape Photography course. I learnt such a lot about how my camera and tripod work, composition and making the best of the light and weather. This is by far the best course that I have attended. We enjoyed photographing bluebells, orchids and Curbar Edge. Chris knows the Peak District so well it was a pleasure seeing new parts of Derbyshire, my home county. Kay and her two friends Beryl and Marion arranged a private tuition day. The bluebells were wonderful
Peter Brocklehurst
I have been attending occasional photography days and short courses for the last four years since I retired and I think yesterday was without doubt the best one I have attended.....(Wow, thanks Peter!)
Valerie Dalling
I booked a 1:1 workshop with Chris on recommendation from a member of my photography group. I have always had a visual interest in the landscape but felt my camera skills were lacking. By sharing his own vast knowledge, experience and passion for the outdoors Chris has really helped me to understand the capabilities of my camera and how to use it creatively. He listened to my needs and taught at an appropriate level of understanding with patience and a sense of humour, while introducing me to some beautiful areas of the Peak District I have never visited before.
Chris continues to support me as an artist through coaching and mentoring, as well as providing group workshops and individual tuition for my club members.I wouldn't hesitate in recommending him, not only for his superb photography tuition but also for providing a most enjoyable and memorable day out with the camera.
Valerie runs the Ockbrook Image Club on whose behalf I have run both individual and group workshops.
Laura Picot
I just wanted to say an enormous thank you to you for your tutorial day on Friday. It really was invaluable. I learnt an incredible amount and now feel that I am able to get the camera to do what I want in order to take some great photos. I had a lovely day with you and would absolutely recommend you to anyone who is keen to learn more about any aspects of photography.
David Boulton
Just home after a brilliant weekend. I would just like to say thank you for a great course and you really made it a
magical day out and very rewarding. Alison absolutely loved it and is impressed with her photos, which is priceless.
Phil Sloan
A memorable and inspiring day, and I can't wait to get out and about now with my camera again
Paul Haynes
Thank you for a great day of tutoring and although we were lucky with the light and weather, your boundless enthusiasm has certainly rubbed off and given me a completely new outlook on landscape photography, which was exactly what I was hoping would happen!
Neil Auchterlonie
Thanks for a great day and making a step improvement to my overall photographic skills. Learnt so much in just one day. The balance between theory and practice was exactly right. What I particularly liked was the simple step by step method you taught me which should yield good quality shots every time; especially if I follow your guidelines for correct composition. I can’t blame the camera any longer! Looking forward to reading your book when it comes out next year. Best wishes and I’ll be back next year for more.
Jackie Melville
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and learned so much. I feel much more confident in using my camera now, I previously felt restricted by it's technical
ability. The handout you gave is proving most useful too, I admit that I did not read it properly until I got home but it is the clearest set of guidelines I
have seen.
Zoe Wetherington
Absolutly amazing and I haven't stoped talking about it!
Daran Millward
What a fantastic experience to get out and about in the Peak District with someone so knowledgeable, patient and humorous. The time spent with you will
surely remain in my memory for some time. Hopefully the hints, tips and coaching will enable me to carry on and make something of this great hobby called
photography
Ian Daniel
We all came way much more capable with both our cameras and our artistic eyes. The day hit just the right balance of instruction and participation, of theory
and practise and was great fun from beginning to end ( Ian, his brother Kieth and thier Dad Colin and myself spent a day together in August coping with some tricky weather !)
Jenny
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, passion and creativity in this incredible environment.
Steve Clifford
I thoroughly enjoyed my Day course with Chris and came away enthused and with a better understanding of both my camera and my own capabilities. I
was probably a little nervous in exposing my lack of knowledge to a professional but I need not have worried as Chris made me feel very comfortable and
the first session was delivered in a very relaxed and friendly manner with everything being clearly explained before heading out to do the practical
photography, and came away inspired to continue developing my skill base. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and learned so much that it has changed the way
I approach my photography in that I’m now looking for photo possibilities all the time and the Camera is usually in the car boot when I’m working around the Country.
Steve Walker
I really enjoyed the day and am looking forward to the weekend when I should have a little more time to review the images. I would also like
to express a second thank you and appreciation of superb teaching style; it is informative, intuitive and stripped down to a platform which I could
really relate too.
Paul Gant
I found my 2 day course very helpful. I started off with a DSLR that I could just about point and press, and learned some of the theory of depth and
aperture, with some practical examples - this was really good for my style of learning. We didn't spend too much time on theory indoors, and very quickly
moved outside into the hills for real, hands on, 1:1 training. The trial and error, using both the theory and Chris' experience and coaching style meant
learned a huge amount in my first day. On day 2, getting the opportunity to tweak and then print one of my pictures was also great - it hangs on the wall
in my living room now, having replaced a photo I bought from a gallery! Until the course, photoshop was a mystery to me - to be honest, a whole course
on the software would be needed to get the best from it, but at least I have seen what I can achieve, and must get round to buying a version....
I would certainly recommend Chris' course to anyone interested in taking better outdoor, landscape photos, and his style of coaching is very informal, relaxed
and supportive - give it a try; you will learn a great deal!
Payat Rittler
My wife her friend Rhona got me and Mark the Photo Safari in the Peaks for Christmas. We set it up for a weekend in August and it was a thoroughly
enjoyable experience. Both days started out with a weather briefing and an explanation of what we were going to be doing for the day and where we were
going to be going. The locations we went to were absolutely incredible. The first day we went to Black Clough. It was pouring rain but that did nothing to
make it anything less than amazing. The second day we went to The Roaches which was my favorite location. The entire time with Chris, I learned about
how to get the most out of my camera by using the manual settings, how to compose the picture and understanding the relationship between shutter speed,
f-stop and ISO. It was very much a course in becoming confident with your camera. I would highly recommend going on the Photo Safari with Chris and
Raven's Eye Gallery if you're new to photography or want to get the most out of your camera as possible. It was an experience I would happily go on again.
