Creative Art Retreats - Photography Retreat
Expressive yourself!

Join writer, photographer and lecturer Simon Lawrence for an exciting Creative Photography Retreat at the magnificent Oxon Hoath Country House Estate, and set your creativity free! 

Photography has no secrets… it only has principles we’ve yet to master. All of us in this great photographic adventure eventually become masters, masters of recording light and exploring its many mysteries.

Composition is an interesting subject, a great pose and an appropriate background contribute to making good pictures great, but it is light that is our ultimate tool, for without it… we would record nothing but blackness.

During your time at Oxon Hoath you will take a journey with Simon; what-ever your current level of expertise he will help you learn the many principles that will recreate your photographs into wonderful images to treasure.

It doesn’t matter how you currently perceive or measure your photographic talent, at Oxon Hoath you will leave with a whole new set of skills and a greater understanding of this wonderful art of seeing and recording life as it happens all about us.

Simon says... 'I am a photojournalist and a film maker, but photography is photography, and looking at a model, lighting her, learning how to direct her to the best composition, adjusting your camera settings to get it just right… and learning how to correct it if you are unhappy with the result you got the first time will help immeasurably with any subject you choose to record in the future. I hope you can join me.'

Creative Art Retreats allow you the time and freedom to dig deep into your creativity, in an environment that will help free your mind, to explore and push your artistic boundaries, and to learn and practise techniques to help you achieve some great photographs!

This retreat is limited to a small group in order that all can experience one to one tuition during your sessions.

Here are some of the subjects Simon will talk about and you will practice together.

• Cameras and proper light metering
  
• The principles, language and behaviour of light
  
• Basic Rules
  
• Challenges and joys of photographing people
  
• Natural Light
  
• Artificial Light
  
• The Power of Composition (Framing)
  
• Backgrounds
  
• Candid and environmental Portraits
  
• Combining Natural & Artificial Light
  
• Camera Resolution (Megapixels) and Print Size
  
• File Formats (Tiff, Jpg, Raw)
  
• Lenses (Focal Lengths, Macro, Prime & Zoom Lenses)
  
• Manual and Autofocus (Focusing Points, Autofocus Lock, Single or Continuous Focus)
  
• Manual Exposure (ISO, Shutter Speeds, F/Stops and The Light Meter)
  
• Metering Modes (Evaluative, Matrix, Spot Metering)
  
• Depth of Field (Focus) 
  
• Motion (Freezing, Blurring & Panning)
  
• Picture Styles / Picture Control (Colour and Black & White)
  
• Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority and Program and useful Scene Modes
  
• White Balance (Pre-set and Custom)
  
• The Temperature of Light (Natural & Artificial Colour Casts)
  
• Lenses and Perspective (the right choice of focal length)
  

Simon has written a number of books on the subject of photography and included in your course fee is a printed copy of his Posing Guide and three downloadable eBooks, Photography TOP TIPS, Photoshop TOP TIPS and Many Faces. 


This will be a thoroughly enjoyable and creative few days with your camera, meeting new ‘friends’ and enjoying delicious food amidst the peace and tranquillity of this exceptional setting....... that is Oxon Hoath.


What's Included in your stay at Oxon Hoath:
Creative Art Retreats have exclusive use of Oxon Hoath for the duration of your stay.

• Tuition and mentoring by Simon Lawrence 
• Full board accommodation - breakfast, lunch and evening meal  (wonderful vegetarian home cooked food grown in the walled garden at Oxon Hoath)
• Please note: There is an additional charge for meat dishes - £4.00 per person per meal (except breakfast)
  
• For Special Dietary Requirements there is a surcharge of £4.50 per person
  
• (Drinks from bar not included)
• A professional model and all photographic lighting
  
• On arrival enjoy a delicious Cream Tea 
  
• Help yourself to free tea and coffee - all day
  
• Free Wifi available (ground floor only)
  
• Bath and Hand Towels are supplied 
  
• There is Free Parking
  

Food is freshly prepared daily, using locally sourced seasonal vegetables, often gathered from Oxon Hoath's own walled kitchen garden, and is cooked by the resident chef.

Please note: All meals are vegetarian, however should you require meat there is an additional charge of £4.00 per person per meal. For Special Dietary Requirements there is a surcharge of £4.50 per person. Alcoholic drinks may be purchased from the bar in the evenings.

If you would like more information about the venue, please click this LINK to visit the Oxon Hoath website.

Non participating partners are welcome at a reduced fee, please email us HERE for full details