MASTERCLASS WORKSHOPS & PHOTO HOLIDAYS
Cornish Seascape Academy
The fine art of coastal photography
Based in Crantock on the magnificent Atlantic Coast, the Cornish Seascape Academy is a multi-award winning training centre dedicated to excellence in all aspects of this uniquely challenging discipline. Offering all-inclusive residential workshops and self-catering photo holidays, it guarantees inspiration and reward for photographers of all levels in honing their camera and processing skills on some of the finest coastline in the world.
The perfect Seascape destination
The Cornish peninsular boasts an unmatched array of coastal and solar aspects. From towering cliffs to golden beaches, hidden coves to serene estuaries, the locational variety is spectacular. As is the unique ability in the UK mainland, to be able to shoot the directional light of the sun's rise and set on coastlines just a few miles apart. Therefore, providing you know where and when to go, Cornwall is the perfect seascape photography destination.
A
Seascape
voyage
of
discovery
My passion for Seascapes comes from a lifetime of being in and around the sea. Adventures in surfing, diving, fishing and kayaking forged a deep relationship with the coastal environment. Each instilling a wider understanding of its mesmerising complexity and forming my award-winning approach to photographing it.
Now, from a two day all-inclusive workshop, to a two week self-catering photo holiday, I offer the opportunity to join me on a seascape voyage of discovery that will take your photography to a new level.
FINE ART INTEGRITY
Keep it real!
In the face of AI dumbing-down basic imaging workflows, I contend the true skill and reward in Photography remains in capturing an image 'in camera' through skilful, creative composition and light manipulation. Thereafter it's processing should singularly rely on the highest levels of editing, proofing and printing refinement to achieve perfection.
This integrity defines what I consider Fine Art Photography and establishes the core principle of the Cornish Seascape Academy... 'Keep it real'.
YOU, ME, YOUR CAMERA & THE SEA
Cornish Seascape Workshops
The first option is an all inclusive, one-to-one Cornish Seascape Workshop. A residential course where there's no group to dilute the experience and all is tailored to match your aspirations and comfort levels.
You choose from two to four day's stay duration and everything is laid on. From luxurious en-suite accommodation and delicious home-cooked food, to transport around a range of stunning locations. All you have to do is relax and enjoy immersing yourself in your photography.
This unique format has proved very successful, and for a fourth year running, I have won Best Training Provider in the Photography News Awards. This is based on the votes of the UK photographic community, and up against the biggest names in the market.
Excellence & reward
Beyond showing how to read coastal surroundings and approach capturing great Seascape imagery, I endeavour to ensure clients have a really good time. This way they relax into the learning experience, really start to 'see' their surroundings, and let their creativity flow! And this is when imaging excellence and reward comes to the fore.
After the initial tideline shoot, where I introduce reading the littoral's dynamics and predicting the sea's actions (while wearing chest waders if you're up for it), how much guidance you get is up to you. I will be around to keep a watchful eye and point out features and evolving aspects, and maybe suggest a filter change here or there. Yet what and how you shoot is your call. This way you build a body of work that reflects your own take on the Cornish Coast.
Ideal shoot locations
I focus workshops around mid and west Cornwall. For here you find the best locations the peninsular has to offer. Where alongside the spectacular coastal geology west of Bodmin Moor, there's the superb 'Atlantic Light' conjured by clear, shallow waters over reflective, golden sands.
In matching my extensive locational knowledge with the prevailing conditions and your aspirations, I will create the ideal itinerary for your days out with the camera.
OPENING UP
New editing horizons
I designed the new Studio & Gallery to be an uplifting and inspiringly creative environment. And here is where my courses stand apart. In terms of state-of-the-art facilities, exclusive focus, professional experience, training expertise, 360º coverage and multi-day duration, they are unrivalled.
For post processing plays a vital role and only the highest standard of editing techniques can render truly exceptional imagery. Learning these skills seismically improves your final image output. Mastering them opens-up new horizons in creating your own photographic style. Moreover, this training reaches beyond the coastline to resonate across all disciplines.
Printing & framing
We all aspire to seeing our work beautifully printed and framed. And having the ability to achieve this rounds off the fine art photographer's skill set. Yet there's much to master in taking an image file from screen to substrate.
That's why I offer a Proofing & Printing day as an addition to a workshop. I can show you how Photoshop's superb graphic platform dovetails seamlessly with the latest digital print technology and leads to presenting your work in its best light.
And if you want to finish things off perfectly. Using frames taken from my stock (or those you chose and ordered during the booking process), you can frame your prints to take home.
4 season availability
Because the seasons play such an influential role in coastal atmospherics I run workshops all year round. This has proved very attractive and many clients return to shoot through the seasonal transitions. Matching their choice of timing with their growing Seascape skill-set.
Here's my overview of the seasonal range for your consideration...
SPRING
SUMMER
AUTUMN
WINTER
A time of regeneration with vivid colours, brightening skies and lengthening days. As the sunlight strengthens the cliffs and sand dunes are carpeted by wild flowers and the Atlantic takes on bright turquoise hues. Yet there's always the chance of a low pressure front sweeping in to set the big waves free!
Long, bright sultry days and vibrant sunrise and sunsets abound at this time. Summer is usually the easiest season to shoot in terms of coastal conditions. So if you are new to Seascapes photography this is the best time. Yet very early starts and late returns make 2 or 3 days the ideal duration.
The golden season of richly mellowed atmospherics, plus the increasing chance of some big wave action. The temperatures may be dropping but the shortening days make for easier dawn and dusk shoot timing - so a longer stay is viable. Yet be warned, this is my busiest time so book early!
The brooding months of glowering light, raging tempests and stormy atmospherics. The chilled golden hours extend with the low sun and 'wild Cornwall' is at its very best. The ideal time for seasoned seascapers seeking excitingly rewarding challenges alongside plenty of studio time.
Solo, couple, or two friends?
The workshop structure ideally suits a solo individual, yet it can readily adapt for a couple, or two friends, who share the same photographic aspirations. The studio has two fully equipped workstations and the accommodation provides separate bedrooms with en-suite facilities if required.
So while a 'Solo' client gets my undivided attention, those on a 'Twin' course can share the experience while benefitting from the cost saving.
Workshop scheduling
To avoid busier weekends, workshops usually start around mid-day on a Monday or Tuesday and run-through to mid-morning of the day of departure. A two day workshop will include 2 x Dusk shoots, 2 x Daytime shoots and the option of 1 or 2 x Dawn shoots - depending on your travel plans - with multiple studio sessions in between. Four days is the maximum workshop duration but any length of stay can be bookended by additional B&B night/s to help with jet lag or travel arrangements.
Workshop prices
To make a booking or to find out more please email me - chris@c-simmonsphoto.co.uk - or call me on 07850 569409
Please note the accommodation and studio gallery are NO SMOKING/VAPING environments
CORNWALL AT ITS BEST
Cornish Seascape Holidays
The second course option is a Cornish Seascape Holiday - based around a longer, self-catering stay this affords a vocational vacation. For at the heart of the academy is the new guest apartment. Accommodating two people in relaxing comfort, now photography enthusiasts can stay for longer, with a participating or non-participating partner or friend, and combine their photography with enjoying everything else a holiday in Cornwall has to offer.
The guest apartment provides your ideal base. It comprises a stylish Lounge/Diner, Double Bedroom (with Super King or Twin Single Bed options) and Shower Room W/C, alongside a garden Sun Deck and ample parking.
Being fully flexible, how you structure your photo holiday is up to you. You choose from the range of masterclass courses (listed below) and balance them with free time to create your ideal itinerary.
Holiday duration & prices
Stay duration ranges from five to fourteen nights self-catering and dates are available all year round. To take advantage of these prices, a minimum of two 'Credited' masterclass days must be booked.
5 NIGHT - Minimum stay - £750
ADDITIONAL NIGHTS - £145 per night
14 NIGHT - Maximum stay - £2,055
To make a booking or to find out more email - chris@c-simmonsphoto.co.uk or call 07850 569409
PLEASE NOTE - The Studio and Guest Apartment are strictly NO SMOKING/VAPING environments. Also, due to the close proximity of the Studio/Printing areas, other than assistance dogs, pets are not allowed.
Masterclass courses
From a Seascape beginner taking a camera to the beach for the first time, to an aspiring professional looking to set up business, there are masterclass options that provide the ideal start. All are suitable for one or two people (except 11 & 12) and can be mixed and matched to create your ideal course structure.
1. GO SOLO ITINERARIES
If you want to shoot some of Cornwall's best locations under your own steam, I offer 'Go Solo' day itineraries. Matching your aspirations and comfort levels to the prevailing conditions, I will create the ideal self-drive schedule for a great day out with your camera.
£75 per itinerary - Non Credited
2. YOU & THE SEA
For seasoned outdoor photographers who'd like to join me for a half day out on the coast without any formal guidance. I drive us to a great dawn (or dusk) location where you do your own thing. Followed (or preceded) by second shoot at another location.
£255 (+£85 for two) -
Half Day Credited
3. BEGINNER
A one day course that is the ideal first step on a Seascape journey. Includes a 3 hour morning location shoot (with equipment hire if required) and 3 hour afternoon studio session introducing Raw file processing.
£485 (+165 for two) -
1 Day Credited
4. YOU, ME & THE SEA
The most popular choice, this day course can be extended into multiple days to advance your Seascape photography and Photoshop processing skills. Each day includes 2 x location shoots and a 2 hour studio session (additional hour/s +£60). Choose from Dawn & Mid-Morning or Mid-afternoon & Dusk shoot with studio time at your convenience.
£485 (+ £165 for two) per day -
1 Day Credited
5. 'FLASH EFFECT'
A half day, afternoon/evening course for advanced outdoor photographers who seek honest colouration and dynamic action captures. I will show how using a flash gun and manipulating its manual settings adds a new creative dimension to shooting in the littoral.
£255 (+ £75 for two) -
Half Day Credited
6. FINE ART EDITING
If you want to master fine art post processing this intensive 2 day course will transform your Raw and Photoshop skills. Open your mind, follow your notes and creative instincts, and I guarantee you will be editing your images to a gallery standard.
£860 (+ £310 for two) -
2 Days Credited
7. ADVANCED PHOTOSHOP
If you're already proficient with PS, on this day course I will introduce a progressive array of editing techniques created over my +30 year professional career. These can be conjured in a host of ways to add enhancing character to a final image.
£465 (+160 for two) -
1 Day Credited
8. AN EXPERT TOUCH
If you have a favourite shot that hasn't yet realised its full potential, perhaps it needs an expert touch to transform it from contender to competition winner? If so, bring your Raw file along and together we can bring it to life.
£45 per image -
Non Credited
9. PROOFING & PRINTING
If you want to complete your photography skill set, this one day course introduces you to mastering Proofing and Printing. I will show you how to prepare hi-resolution 16 bit files and take them through a streamlined light balancing, strip-proofing and printing process that leads to graphic perfection.
£465 (+ £160 for two) exc materials -
1 Day Credited
10. FRAMING
To round off the fine art experience, I offer a half-day Framing masterclass. Choosing frames from my stock - or using those you ordered during booking - I will show you how to prepare your prints, varnish/seal them if required, then mount and frame them.
£240 (+ £75 for two) exc materials -
Half Day Credited
11. GO ONLINE
If you want an online presence but need a hand in building your website, I can help. Using an award-winning hosting platform, we can build an easily updatable site. Then create your galleries and start populating them with the web ready imagery I've shown you how to prepare.
£465 exc URL and hosting -
1 Day Credited
12. GOING PRO
To take the first steps on establishing a professional career, this multi-day modular offering provides the ideal foundation. From creating your brand to budgeting and planning, you choose which options you need to support your launch -
• Concept SWOT Analysis
• Budgeting & Critical Path Analysis
• Company Set-Up
• Corporate Branding Design
• Marketing Collateral & Website Hosting
£560 per day exc. expenses
-
1 Day Credited
Client reviews
Winning multiple national awards and advertising is great, but nothing's better for building new business than word of mouth. So here are a few client testimonials that I hope will persuade you to get in touch.
Bob Walsh, London
"Chris, I had two aims in coming on your workshop – 1. improve my photography. 2. Improve my post processing skills. I am delighted to say, without doubt I have succeeded in both! The most important one being compositional approach. You have me looking at outlooks in a new and far better way. I shall be back for more!"
Chris Fletcher, Wadebridge
"Hi Chris,
Thank you so much for the seascape workshop and I'm still buzzing from just how much I've learned!
You said to me before I came that you could 'transform my photography' which I took with a pinch of salt to be honest, as I had hit a brick wall in many aspects and was feeling uninspired and frustrated.
But transform it you certainly did!
The time out on the coast was great and I am a thousand times more confident with processing RAW files. I'm delighted to finally be over that brick wall!
I loved every minute of the workshop (and will be returning for another!) From the lovely warm welcome and gorgeous home-cooked food it was really special. And as for those amazing locations... I live in Cornwall and never knew they were there!!!"
Margaret Irwin, Bolton
"Dear Chris, We have just been reviewing some of my images via the HDMI lead to our HD television- they all look fantastic!
I had a great time and very much enjoyed both yourself and Sam’s company and hospitality. I have learnt loads and very much appreciated the one to one tuition both in the studio and while we were out and about in the beautiful Cornish coastal locations. I am now confident in opening my images in RAW, carrying out the adjustments and then finishing off in Photoshop. Thank you once again."
Huw Jones, Glos
"Well what can be said that truly encompasses Chris' Cornish Seascape Workshop?
It's more than a workshop, it's a true experience!
His passion for the sea translates into wonderful photographic shoots in places way off the beaten track. He explains how to get the best from the conditions and you came away with wonderful images.
So if you don't want to photograph amazing coastline, don't want to spend time with a genuinely nice guy who's passionate about what he does, don't want to leave knowing you will be back, and don't want to eat delicious food (this guy can cook!), then don't book this workshop!!"
Graham Jones, Fowey
"I am a published bird and wildlife photographer, but being self-taught I have gaps. I have wanted to improve my photography and bring my post processing to a 'Pro' level for years. As such I have watched innumerable You Tube videos and attended many courses with recognised 'big names'. Then I hit gold and found Chris Simmons!
Chris is a proper Photographer having earned a living handling top commercial accounts, so he can 'walk the photography walk'. But my greatest discovery was that he can teach!
The problem I have found with professional photographers in the past is that they may know everything about their subject, but they show off and bombard you with information.
So, to find someone who actually listened to my needs and structured a series of days to fit my skill level was a surprise and a pleasure.
My sessions have gone really well, and I am full of confidence in all the areas I wanted to improve. I have learned to produce work at a completely different level and to be honest I have discovered not just a teacher but a mentor!
So if you want to improve in all you do with your camera, do yourself a favour and book a course with Chris."
Marlis Rawlins, Wilts
“Just a quick message to say 'Danke' for a most terrifically good time. I learned such lot and will now be able to continue with Raw and Photoshop. You have opened a new door for me and I am thrilled!
Thank you for your generously given help, it was THE best photography course I have ever attended!”
Paul & Beryl Tomlinson, Staffs
"It's hard to put into words Chris just how much we enjoyed our Cornish Seascape Workshop. It was enormously satisfying for both of us. We saw fabulous locations and learned so much. You should write a book! When I go away on a week's course, I am usually happy at taking home three or four good shots. In just three days with you I have fifteen and a number yet to process"
Steve Hammond, Surrey
"I've just returned from another three day Cornish Seascape Workshop with Chris. This is my third and they just get better and better!"
Carole Mclatchie FBIPP ARPS, Berks
“As a professional motorsports photographer, Chris's Seascape workshop was a complete revelation. A huge step beyond what I consider as landscape photography and his passion for his art is totally infectious. I shall be back!”