Harjit Sohotey from Olympus UK on her love of Keith Floyd and the Kingdom of Fife.

 

I must admit I was a bit nervous when I enrolled on the 3 day photography course with Mark Cargill. Having minimal experience with D-SLR's and being slightly overwhelmed by the functions on my Olympus E 510, I was having visions of fitting the stereotype of a female struggling with technology. I could see it now, I would be pressing all the wrong buttons and everyone else would be taking great pictures and accepting sponsorship deals for exhibitions!  Still... armed with my camera, lenses and all, I boarded a flight from London to Scotland and little did I know, but I was to find out that the whole thing would literally be a revelation!

Revelation is a good word. As soon as I arrived, my London stress levels left me and I was greeted with an everchanging landscape of  beautiful beaches, rolling hills and quaint harbours.  I had come to The Kingdom of Fife. My camera was going to love this and so was i!

The course commenced with introductions, past experiences (in my case quite a monosyllabic sentence came out) our expectations and camera techniques.  There were only two other people on the course which was definately key to how Mark works. This ensured he dedicated enough time to each of us. Over the three days we all benefitted from group aswell as one to one tuition.

The three days for me was a perfect balance of dividing time between being on location and using the composition and camera techniques learned. Coupled with time learning various photo editing software and colour management.  Whether it was taking pictures of bridges, beaches or trees, the subtle changes in light, the variations of weather all forced us to think about what we were doing as opposed to just using the automatic setting. Trust me, even I wasn't tempted! 

The shocking 3.00am wake up call to catch the sunrise didn't put me off either. Although cold, windy and of course wet, this was the best bit for me. I actually understood what Mark was getting at when he said its all about the light and generally waiting for it! Seeing the light change, the cloud break and even the tide come in to soak my feet, resulted in what was to be my best photo.

The course was tailored around all our individual needs and I never felt completely out of my depth.

Marks enthusiasm for photography is infectious as is his sense of humour. We all had fun, though most of it was at my expense with a huge variety of jokes centred around my apparent love of wine.(What proof did they have? Who told them? But here's to Keith Floyd I say)!

The course had come to an end. The location had been ideal and the accommodation had felt like home.( I now have an adopted scottish uncle and aunt). I had left with a printed treasure which was all mine because I had taken the picture!

Marks' secret is that he communicates his passion for photography in so many ways; Through the easy to understand and non-patronising way of explaining camera techniques. (Histograms comes to mind!).Through the fantastic locations we were taken to. I mean I'll never look at the sky and light in the same way again!  Last but not least his dedication in ensuring you come home a wiser person than when you left. I'm not talking about the meaning of life, but taking just a little bit of time out  to look at life through the viewfinder has left me wanting a bit more. Now where's my Olympus....

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