Andy Davies is your tutor for this weekend workshop at Glaspant Manor, a beautiful Georgian property nestling in seven acres of mature grounds in the Carmarthenshire countryside with far reaching views to the Preseli hills. Our host is the owner and artist, Philippa Sibert, who will provide delicious meals and homemade cakes. The emphasis for the weekend is relaxation, enjoyment and a great social atmosphere with like-minded friends. Photographic ability is irrelevant - photography is purely subjective!
Mid-May sees the woodland plants at their best giving us plenty of opportunities for learning macro, close-up wide angle and panoramic imaging techniques. The large pond holds a great variety of insect life and dragonflies and damselflies abound here. An interesting collection of birds visit the grounds and we will explore the use of a hide to capture intimate images of these.
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Weather permitting, we will explore the nearby countryside which has excellent river locations and the atmospheric Gwal y Filiast, the Wolf’s Lair, an impressive cromlech set within a circle of beech trees above the Afon Taf. There is also the option of visiting the upland parts of the Preseli Mountains to photograph the wonderful panoramic vistas made special by the jagged Bluestone rocks, the source of the monoliths at Stonehenge.
This workshop caters for all skill levels, from complete beginners to aspiring professionals. Hands-on expert tuition is provided to small groups who are initially taken back to the fundamentals of photography, rapidly progressing to having full creative control of either digital compact cameras with manual capability or digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) with interchangeable lenses. They will be plenty of opportunities for learning how to process your images on the computer. |
Accommodation & food
The weekend workshop includes 2 night’s accommodation and full board (self-serve breakfast).
All our meals are homemade and we source locally produced vegetables and meat. We use eggs produced from our ten family hens and vegetables from our walled garden when available. During the day refreshments are available with biscuit and delicious homemade cakes!
The farmhouse is full of character and has two lounges. One has a large wood-burning stove set in a large beamed hearth. The second lounge houses a lifetime collection of art and craft books and is very quiet. There is a fully equipped large kitchen, utility, walk in shower room and downstairs cloakroom.
On the first floor (low head room!) there are 5 bedrooms. Two double, two singles and one twin room. There are 2 full bathrooms on this floor. All bathrooms are supplied with soaps and shower gels for your use. Additional accommodation is available nearby and can be booked through Philippa.
Cost
|
Total P/P |
Non-participating partners |
Double/Twin Single occupancy |
£380 |
£190 |
Double/Twin Double Occupancy |
£346 |
£156 |
Single |
£360 |
£170 |
Non Residential |
£220 |
N/A |
Location
The venue is Glaspant Manor, Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, SA38 9LS. Tel: 01559 371860. Use the AA's route planner for directions. The location of Glaspant can also be found on Google Maps or the Ordnance Survey's Get-a-map. Pick-up from Carmarthen train and bus stations can be arranged.
Directions
1. M4 West to its end at Junction 49.
There is a service station here if you need it (Pont Abraham).
2. Then A48 to Carmarthen
3. Right at first roundabout in Carmarthen Sign: A40 Llandeilo
4. Next roundabout straight across
5. Next roundabout take first exit Sign: A484 Cardigan & Newcastle Emlyn
6. Next roundabout take first exit
Hospital on your left Sign: A484 Cardigan & Newcastle Emlyn
7. Mini roundabout turn right Sign: A484 Cardigan & Newcastle Emlyn
9. At Cynwyl Elfed turn left Sign: B4333 Hermon
Stay on B4333 until you see
wind Generators on the hills
ahead of you. Then turn left. Sign: Capel Iwan
10. Follow signs to Capel Iwan
11. Carry on to post box and telephone box on triangle in Capel Iwan
12. Turn right just after Chapel and then proceed down bridleway straight ahead between Chapel and Cemetery.
13. When the bridleway splits into two take the right fork.
14. Glaspant is straight ahead. |
Itinerary
Arrival is on Friday from 5pm onwards. Meet and greet with tea and cake. Andy will introduce the programme for the weekend in the farmhouse lounge. We will meet up again at a pre-arranged time for a pre-dinner drink followed by dinner which will be served in the Manor House kitchen. Andy will give a presentation after our meal.
Saturday: self serve breakfast. Meet up for morning workshop with Andy. Break for lunch served in the Manor house. Afternoon session followed by free time. Meet up again for pre-dinner drink and dinner. Andy will discuss the day’s work.
Sunday: self serve breakfast. Meet up for morning session and weather dependent we will travel further afield. We will have a picnic lunch if we use this option.
The weekend will finish on Sunday afternoon.
How to book
Contact Philippa on 01559 371200 or email retreats@glaspant.co.uk
Further information
Contact Andy to discuss the photographic aspects of the weekend on
07977 562321 or email andy@andydavies.info
Equipment required
Digital compact cameras or digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) with interchangeable lenses. Please ensure that batteries are fully charged. Camera manual. Bring whatever lenses uou have. Andy will be able to loan Nikkor lenses. Bring a tripod if you have one and either a laptop or desktop computer with an image editing program loaded that you wish to use. Trial versions of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Photoshop CS6 can be downloaded beforehand. from Adobe. |
