Last Update 20th November 2008
You can download a high resolution video with course and location information here (175mb) or a low res file here (25mb)
In 2009 we will be running a series of Spanish Photography Workshops in the Murcia region of Spain.
As a photographer, the location offers breathtaking scenery from both the Mar Menor Seascapes to the stunning inland mountains and fincas. You will have an opportunity to shoot stunning sunrise and sunset images during your visit and there is no better place for you to capture this.
Your visit will last for 7-days (6 nights) with the workshops running on the five days from Monday to Friday. (You will arrive on the Sunday and depart on the Saturday). The dates are listed below, however as the maximum number of course delegates will be restricted to 4 people, you should book as early as possible.
What is included in the price?
Having examined similar types of workshops available elsewhere, it is clear that there is a huge variance in prices, but equally in the quality of the instruction given. Have a look at our feedback on the Courses page of our website and also from Harjit Sohotey from Olympus UK and you will soon realise that you are attending one of the best workshops available anywhere.
Included in the pricing is all accommodation (including breakfast at the hotel) and also any lunches during the tuition periods. Transfers to and from San Javier airport (Only 5 minutes drive from the hotel) is also included. You only need to organise your flights (see links below) and of course your travel insurance.
The hotel is a bit special and deserves a mention - have a look at it using the following link www.525.es We think you will be very surprised!
Unlike many other international workshops we will give you the opportunity to process your captured images using Lightroom 2 (and CS4) on your own dedicated workstation (1 high spec laptop per delegate, so no sharing required!). Not only will you get to see what you have captured, you will receive guidance and instruction about how to get the very best from your RAW files.(Please ask for further details).
Locations
You will be visiting stunning locations during you course (e.g. The Bay of Cartagena - image right). Each has been specifically chosen to provide you the opportunity to photograph some of Spains most dramatic coastline and also some inland locations that are completely unique. For more information, download our video here (High res 175mb) or here (low res 25mb), which provides more information on each location - including example images.
Transport
You will be chaufered in air conditioned luxury transport during your visit and will have ample opportunity to enjoy plenty of one to one tuition with Mark Cargill. Unlike other such trips where you may be squeezed into a 4x4 vehicle, everyone will have theri own propper seat.
Tutor
Mark Cargill is a highly publicised professional photographer who has for the second year in succession been short listed (from over 25000 entrants) for the Landscape Photographer of the year competition. In additon, Mark writes for Digital Photographer Magazine every month, writing both technical reviews (currently writing the main head to head reviews) and providing articles on photographic techniques. Mark has also worked on projects involving household names like Baxters Soups, The Royal Bank Of Scotland and Skibo Castle. In addition he has also had numerous articles written about his work and has had his images featured on Magazine covers, the most recent of which was on the back cover of Black and White Magazine (August 2008). Mark is also on the judging panel for this years 2008 Digital Photographer of the year competition. You could not be in better hands.
Dates.
January 2009
Arrive Sunday 11th January 2009
Depart Saturday 17th January 2009
Workshop runs Monday to Friday
Places available: 4
Arrive Sunday 18th January 2009
Depart Saturday 24th January 2009
Workshop runs Monday to Friday
Places available: Only 3 places left.
February 2009
Arrive Sunday 15th February 2009
Depart Saturday 21st February 2009
Workshop runs Monday to Friday
Places available: only 3 places left.
Arrive Sunday 22nd February 2009
Depart Saturday 28th February 2009
Workshop runs Monday to Friday
Places available: Fully booked.
April 2009
Arrive Sunday 5th April 2009
Depart Saturday 11th April 2009
Workshop runs Monday to Friday
Places available: Fully booked
Arrive Sunday 12th April 2009
Depart Saturday 18th April 2009
Workshop runs Monday to Friday
Places available: Only 2 places left.
Prices
Price per delegate is £995. All accomodation, tuition and transfers to and from San Javier Airport is included. Also included is drop off and collection from your hotel each day of the workshop. A booking fee of £295 is payable on confirmation of your attendence. You can download the booking form here.
Prices do not include flights.
Accommodation
The hotel we use is a 4 Star www.525.es and has fully air conditioned rooms. There is also a luxury Spa that you will be able to use free of charge during your stay. From your hotel in Los Alcazares, you are within walking distance of a range of restaurants, bistros and bars for those who want an active night life. The Mar Menor is also only a few minutes away if you are planning to come over as a couple. It is possible to arrange the accomodation for couples (with only one attending the course) at a substantially reduced rate for the second person (please ask for details).
About the Area
Los Alcazares (pronounced 'los-alcatha-res') is situated in the Murcia region of south-eastern Spain, also known as the Costa Calida. The town sits on the western shore of the Mar Menor, a saltwater lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a 22 kilometre long strip of land called La Manga. The area enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine each year. Bars, cafes and restaurants provide drinks, tapas, meals and entertainment, and the warm water of the Mar Menor helps make the town a paradise for bathers and watersports enthusiasts. The mineral-rich water of the Mar Menor is revered for its health-giving properties and the town still has thermal baths which have existed since Roman times.
The fertile countryside (la huerta) inland supplies the local markets with fresh produce which is also exported to northern Europe, especially during the winter when local farmers take advantage of the comparatively warm weather. Throughout the year, the area offers boundless opportunities for sports and other activities. Golfers will be delighted that no less than seven golf courses can be found within a short drive from the town.
The town was afforded municipal autonomy on 13 October 1983. In celebration of this, each October the town puts on a week-long outdoor party featuring live music, shows and spectacular firework displays. Since 2000 the last three days in March has seen Los Alcazares take on a medieval flavour with a large medieval market and numerous events in recollection of the times of peace following the creation of effective defences against invasions of Barbary pirates during the 15th century. Throughout the last two weeks in August, the town hosts the international celebration of La Huerta when groups representing market garden areas throughout Spain and other European countries gather to display their folklore, handicrafts and prepare gastronomic feasts from their local produce.
The town is well connected to the recently upgraded Spanish motorway network and there are regular flights from and to many European cities to Murcia/San Javier International Airport which is only five minutes drive away. Alicante airport offers even more flights, and is just an hour away. 30 km to the northwest can be found the historic city of Murcia, the region's administrative centre. 15 km to the southwest lies Cartagena, a delightful Roman port city which has recently been revitalized.
Map of the area.
Climate
Airlines flying from the UK to San Javier.
Jet2
EasyJet
At time of writing return flights were available in January for only £71 return from London. (EasyJet)
Direct flights are available from most main UK airports.