Courses & Workshops
Breaking News: Mark Cargill has been shortlisted from over 12000 entrants in the Landscape Photographer of the year contest.
Why book with us? 
To my knowledge and from research, our courses are completely unique. Our facilities and the time made available for coaching are indeed unrivalled in this industry. Even the vehicle you will be transported to and from the stunning locations is extremely comfortable and always clean. It would be fair to say that we have examined every aspect of what we do and will always strive to exceed your expectations. We always welcome feedback on any aspect of our workshops. From this feedback process, it became obvious that people were looking for a course with structure and that is just what we provide.
Courses and Workshops
I do not allow any more than 3 photographers per course – why? Simply because I want to make sure that you get the most from your experience and the most out of the locations visited. You will receive as much one to one tuition as you feel appropriate, whilst being in a small group of like minded enthusiasts
You will be given the tuition you require when you need it most - on location, or at your dedicated digital work station. (Each photographer has exclusive use of their own digital workstation, all are high spec with a 24" calibrated monitor)
Courses are run over three days and they are normally run every two weeks, Tues to Thurs.
You can view a typical 3-day schedule by clicking HERE.
- My guide to succesfull composition
- A very useful Hyperfocal distance calculator
- A Photoshop tutorial
- Guide to camera control
- Pre -course questionnaire to establish your ability and experience.
- A guide to what equipment to bring with you.
- A very interesting paper on RAW v's JPEG
Although I take photography very seriously, I never forget you want an enjoyable break too. So the emphasis is also on having a relaxing time, while learning or developing your techniques. I aim to teach you new skills that enable you to go home and create unique photographic images that you'll be proud of.
Fife and the East Neuk have some of the most breathtaking scenery in Scotland and in fact you will be spoilt for choice. We could take a trip to the bird sanctuary of the Isle Of May in the Firth Of Forth (only available at certain times of the year) or perhaps a visit to Dura Den to photograph the waterfalls. With Edinburgh just a 35 minute car or train journey away, you can even participate in some urban landscapes or photograph the world famous Forth Rail Bridge.
I have worked extensively at each location to ensure that you get the very best photographically from your visit. Rather than visiting many locations for a short time we visit just a few fantastic locations each day to ensure that you have time to make the most of each.
Each day begins around 9am and winds up about 5.00pm, with a break for lunch. Please note that on days where a sunrise / sunset shoot is planned we may start later or finish earlier.
Often the best photographs are taken either at dawn or dusk, so there will be an opportunity to have one of these included as part of your package. 
Courses are available on the following topics:-
- Digital photography including workflow and colour management.
- Landscape Photography
- Product and still life
- Large Format Photography, the traditional art of 4x5.
- Commercial / wedding photography.
You can expect to receive tuition on aspects such as basic camera control, white balance, depth of field, dynamic range, lighting, lens choice, metering, composition, digital workflow (including RAW v’s JPEG) and much more. The exact content will depend on your level of ability. Most of this will be taught in a practical setting rather than abstractly in a class room.
Depending on your level of experience, you may be given access to information pages prior to your course date, which means you can spend more time taking photographs than in the classroom. You will however have plenty of opportunities to discuss any specific issues you have.
Recent Customer Feedback - A few comments from people who have been on one of my courses.
"Mark's enthusiasm, knowledge and
excellent communication skills taught me more in a day
about my EOS 5D and associated software than would
have taken weeks to absorb from literature.
I had a fascinating experience where I completely lost track
of time. I would thoroughly recommend this course to
anyone who shares our passion for the wonderful medium
of landscape photography, regardless
of their level of experience."
Andy Hall, photographer of A Sense of Belonging to Scotland.
www.andyhallphotography.com
Hi Mark
Thanks for a brilliant 3 days it's opened my eyes to what I can acheive with my photography. From profiling my camera, to capturing a dawn scene, pulling out the information from a RAW file in Lightroom and producing that exciting final print! Amazing.
Keeping the class size down meant nothing was missed and a bond as a group could develop helping each other to learn.
Everyone who has seen the 30"x20" print of my best shot have said my photography is now on a much higher level and the confidence your course has given me with the extra knowledge I now possess from your natural teaching ability & enthusiasm has left me wanting to push myself further, get out there and take wonderful shots in all weathers, gain more knowledge and just improve my photography.
I'm still buzzing from what I've learnt...and may have to book another course!
Thanks again
Regards & best wishes
Ian Meek - attended an advanced 'Capture to Print Course 23rd to 25th September 2008
Mark, many thanks for a fantastic 3 day course, I feel I learnt so much.
Your instruction on Lightroom is first class, I would waste so much time and effort with a book trying to learn what came so naturally with your enthusiasm.
You really have the knack of getting us, with a little prompting, to see composition for ourselves, this will only get better the more photos that we get out there and take.
Andrew Cooper - attended and advanced 'capture to print' course 23rd to 25th September 2008
Mark, I would once again like to thank you for the course. I enjoyed the content tremendously and the shoots were in fantastic locations. You obviously have a deep understanding of your subject and to your credit, you can articulate that knowledge equally as well. I found it hugely beneficial to spend three days in your company and I really feel that I have learned a lot from it. I certainly feel a lot more passionate and enthusiastic about my photography now!
Best regards
Craige Bevil - attended a 'capture to print' course 9th to 11th Septemeber 2008
I was given a day course with Mark as a birthday present. I quickly upgraded it to three when I saw what was on offer. A week could have been a month so much was packed in! With the mantra 'histogram' emblazoned in our third eyes, we set forth on a rollercoaster of a ride which could only be summed up as 'Zen and The Art of Photography': a church, a castle, a coastal path, sunrise, luminescent sea sporting black boulders like sleeping seals, and a forest of trees were among the challenging subjects arrained before our lenses: remember, no clipping, no keystoning, no slithering out to sea as the tide comes in. And that was just the mornings...wait till you get into Mark's log cabin for the whirlwind wizardry of the post-production process. I now know that a good photograph is nothing less than a work of art by the time it emerges into print - and I took this to extremes of surrealist enchantment. My colleagues were more grounded and produced shots of sublime natural beauty.
Mark is a truly inspirational photographer as well as a superb teacher who can get incredible results from us all in a ridiculously short space of time explaining the most infinitely complicated technical know-how in deceptively easy terminology. I cannot wait until I have gained the expertise to enable me to enrol on his advanced course. Then I will be in freefall.
The whole experience was hugely entertaining as well as instructive because of Mark's infectious personality and great sense of humour. Add to this the sumptious and wholly unexpected.... well, if I told you that would give the game away. Enrol and find out for yourself!
Maggie Saunders - attended a 3-day 'Capture to Print' course 22nd - 24th July 2008
Hi Mark
Thanks again for a great week on your photography course! I had a lot of fun doing it and learned an awful lot. Things I enjoyed the most... 1) Working with you to learn new techniques 2) Seeing some of the beautiful landscapes that exist in Fife 3) Meeting 2 other delegates and seeing how they see the world through the lens 4) Learning a few new jokes 5) Enjoying my first cream cake 6) Seeing the amazing drama and creamy waters flow over the rocks in my print and the subtle splash in the background against the rock that I was able to get as well 7) I have now redefined what I think is a "bad day" for photography and can definitely say it is a rare moment when one cannot find a shot 8) Using the Lee filter system was definitely a joy 9) Reading through the Lee filter book was inspiring! 10) Feeding off of your excitement and enthusiasm for photography 11) the Scots also have something called "duck tape"! 12) showing off my bowling shoes - haha 13) Composition, composition, composition 14) there's a point in photography where a photo becomes subjective and this is a beautiful thing - however, the photo generally still follows some basic photography rules around composition, color, etc to make it even appealing enough to consider and to then either reject it or love it based on something that is subjective 15) practice, practice, practice! 16) last but not least - make decisions about your photos and move on.. If it didn't strike your interest now, it probably won't later.
I would highly recommend your course to anyone, however being in Germany I am not sure how many I will convince to fly to Edinburgh but I will certainly try. :)
John Wadleigh - attended a 3-day 'Capture to print' course 27 - 29 of May 2008
Hi Mark
Well I made it home safely and now energised! I found the course intense and very rewarding and already thinking about my next visit, I just want to thank you again for your patience and for making the three days fun and very informative, I came away with a passion for landscape photography thanks to your huge enthusiasm and simple techniques. I look forward to seeing you again on another course and hope you dont mind if I email you when I need any advice.
Best regards
Brendan Norris (Ireland) attended May 2008 (3-days.)
"I first read about Marks courses on an internet forum and it prompted me to have a look at his website. I really liked the photographs in his gallery and after talking to him on the telephone, Mark reassured me that even at my complete beginner level, I would be able to improve significantly in both technical and compositional ability! How right he was!
I had a brilliant three days - everything was explained in a very easy to understand manner and nothing was too much trouble. I would say that this course is not for people who just want to be taken to a location and left to get on with things (I have been on trips like that, but with no tuition they were not really courses). Mark has a real structure to his three days and each day was working in a different location, using different techniques then reviewing our efforts back at base! Can I also say that no expense has been spared on the equipment provided. I was using one of the new iMAC 24" models (I can see one of these now on my wish list), all the software is up to date and I at last got to try out Aperture, something I have been looking at for some time.
If I were to sum up - I learned a great deal, I took some great photographs, I have a new confidence about my photography that I did not have before I attended and I was greatly inspired by the locations that Mark has obviously spent a great deal of time in choosing. Just brilliant Mark! Thank you."
Alex Henderson
"I have been on a number of photography courses – this one was different!
"A lot of thought has gone into the structure of the course. There is a good balance of time in the field learning compositional and camera skills, and time in the “classroom” critiquing and photo editing, both under Mark’s expert guidance. The locations are carefully selected to provide a range of compositional and technical challenges, whilst being stunningly beautiful! The computers and software available for editing are the latest and should enable most participants to practice on equipment and software they use at home.
"Mark’s professionalism, expertise and infectious enthusiasm are a powerful mix which makes his courses a unique learning experience for photographers with various levels of experience.
"I think that the images I produced from the course are some of my best, and discussion with Mark about my photographic style has shaped the future direction of my photography. The overall experience of the three days has had a significant impact on my photography. And it was great fun!"
Adrian Hollister
You can visit Adrian's Website by clicking HERE
"I came across Mark’s website purely by accident whilst ‘googling’ on the net and was immediately attracted by his obvious enthusiasm for his subject. I was impressed that his courses only catered for a maximum of three delegates and that each would have access to their own dedicated workstation during the course (this is something not offered by many courses).
The
I was very impressed with Mark’s genuine commitment to improving my photography and he went out of his way prior, during and after the course in order to achieve this. I felt his course was tailored around me and my expectations rather than just me having to fit into his schedule.
If you want to learn about photography in a professional (albeit in a relaxed and enjoyable manner) with an obvious expert in his field, then I really can’t recommend this course too highly.
When are you next free for a Winter Landscape course, Mark?"
Jana Bilek
"Mark's course is not only run with the utmost professionalism, but the
greatest of passion! A winning combination.
From the very first contact with Mark you know you're talking to someone
passionate about photography, and some one who is passionate about you
getting the very most out of your 3 days with him.
Mark has spent a lot of time in developing his courses, based not only on
what he - as a photographer - would want from our course, but also tayloring
it to the needs of each individual student. His pre-course questionnaire
really helps you to focus on what you want to get from the course, and gives
you the confidence that Mark want's to deliver on those aims.
Individual attention is almost guaranteed with a maximum of 3 people per
course, such a change from the 10+ students on many other courses. You
really feel like an individual with Mark - rather than just a number!
The course was a brilliant three days; the area of Fife has an abundance of
photographic locations, of which Mark knows the very best places. All of
these locations were only a short distance from the course base, so no long
drawn out drives to locations - our time was spent outside taking
photographs, not sitting in the car!
The locations have something for everyone, and Mark makes sure you get to
visit the sort of location which inspires you most - and the scenes really
are spectacular.
Not only was Mark's knowledge and experience self-evident, his enthusiasm
was infectious. Mark has gives a real sense of wanting you, as his student,
to capture the very best picture possible - and with his gentle guidance
that's certainly what the three day course delivered.
More than anything, I got a re-newed passion for photography, to go out and
take the very best picture I can - my chances of success increased
dramatically with Mark's guidance and the knowledge and enthusiasm he
imparted."
Marcus Iafrate