United Cavers Exploration Team

Cambrian Caving Council are running a two day Cave Photography workshop with Mark Burkey
on 5th and 6th February 2022 at South Wales Caving Club.

The course will run between 9am to 4pm each day and will consist of classroom sessions and practical sessions underground. Cost is £40/person not including accommodation based at SWCC. Accommodation is available at SWCC at additional cost please contact SWCC bookings officer at  swcc.bookings@gmail.com

The workshop will be aimed at both novice and experienced photographers looking to take up or improve their underground photography.  This will be primarily strobe or flash based, but will touch on other types of light sources that can be used, and ideally aimed toward camera's which facilitate the use of manual settings and have a hot shoe connection to attach a trigger.

Mark says, "As a loose agenda for what has worked in the past:
The first day will start as a classroom based morning session where we will look at types of photography, various light sources that can be used, camera's and other useful peripherals as well as options for protecting all that shiny gear.
We will also discuss the relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed with relation to underground photography and how to use these to achieve the desired effect. We will then look at a methodical way of approaching how to take a photograph underground and tips and tricks I've learnt the hard way over the years. In the afternoon we will head underground to put some of what we have discussed into practice (If participants wish to run late we can also do a review of the shots taken)

The following day we will head straight back underground for more practical one to one guidance with a view to heading back to the classroom to review and discuss what has been shot and introduce a look at post processing options.

I would encourage participants to bring their own cameras and equipment to use over the weekend. I will also have a couple of cameras, strobe systems and triggers for people to use too.

People will need suitable attire for heading underground, along with any food and snacks they may require over the weekend. It is worth pointing out that as a significant amount of the time spent underground people will be standing around taking photographs, that they may wish to take layers and dress more warmly than they might for an actual caving trip.

There are 8 places available.

To book please contact CCC Training Officer,  Richard Hill  trainingofficer@cambriancavingcouncil.org.uk

For anyone considering booking but not quite sure  - I would recommend it without hesitation.

Mark's style and technique are very different to mine but I enjoy seeing how other people approach photography and so i booked onto the first of these training sessions organised by CNCC. There are examples of some of our photos at:
https://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=28409.0

Note, my photo is taken using Mark's 'process' featuring a model and shows how well he got that across in a short time.

*** COURSE FULLY BOOKED ***
Please note that the advertised cave photography workshop with Mark Burkey is already full, with a reserve list.
CCC are planning to run another cave photography workshop with Martyn Farr later in the year.  When a date is confirmed we will advertise this.
Best Regards

Richard Hill
Training Officer
Cambrian Caving Council