Courses

Black and White Landscape Photography Courses with Dave Butcher - from £150 per day

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I run courses, with my wife Jan, on Black and White Landscape Photography, in the Peak District and Lake District, for film or digital camera users of any standard.

We go to some of the best areas for photography in the Lake District and Peak District National Parks. Often to locations not in the guide books, so a lot quieter to let us get on with the photography. We spend as much time taking pictures as possible and with a pupil to tutor ratio of just 2.5 to 1 or better (5 places per course) you are sure of lots of attention.

The basics of composition and exposure, as they apply to black and white, are always covered. The use of filters on the camera for film users and filters on the PC for digital users are also included. I have a few lens filters to lend or sell you if you have none of your own. You will also learn some of the important basics for using digital cameras.

If you have been on a Photography course with me before I will try and make sure that we visit some new locations.

If you would prefer more personal tuition, either just for yourself or in a small group then this is also available from £500 per day. I can also take out large groups but the amount of attention each individual will receive will be reduced. This is a good way to find some of the best locations for photography with guidance on image composition for black and white landscape photographs.

Some comments received after courses:

Comment after a 1-to-1 course for 3 days: "These photographs were taken during a very cold weekend in December 2009 in the High Peaks, Derbyshire, during a black and white photography workshop with local landscape photographer Dave Butcher. All the photos are black and white, most taken on my Mamiya 7 medium format 6x7 rangefinder camera (which performed magnificently), some taken with my Leica M6 and Bessa R2C rangefinder 35mm film cameras. I can highly recommend Dave's work and courses. He is a first class photographer with an infectious passion for film and black and white. His tuition in dark room printing was as enjoyable and useful as taking the photos with him." NdM, London, 23 December 2009

I found last Saturday's field photography day most enjoyable and instructive. Thanks for a great day. RW, Oct 2008

Just a note to say that I really enjoyed the day yesterday. I would like to come again either in autumn or winter, depending on dates. Can you let me have latter sometime please? FO, Aug 2008

I really enjoyed the course on Saturday despite my dunking (duh!) but at least once wet I just went and set up the tripod in the river. Have just started with manipulating the images, very pleased with them although a couple lost to water droplets on the lens - it was that sort of day I guess. Can't believe the second person there was my old colleague Geoff with whom I had lost touch for a few years! I'm very interested in attending a summer course, please add me to your newsletter list. SB, April 2008

Thanks once again for a brilliant day out yesterday - it's really fired my enthusiasm for getting out and about more with my camera. Thanks Dave and please thank Jan again - it was really great to be ferried around and you were both very encouraging and motivating. PW, March 2008

Very many thanks to you both for making yesterday such an excellent introduction to the Peak District for me. I now see what a wealth of opportunities there are in all seasons and will be back for more. I also enjoying looking at your gallery - a real inspiration in the art of print making. MW, July 2008

Black and White Darkroom Printing Workshops with Dave Butcher - from £150 per day

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If you would like to learn the basics or improve your black and white printing techniques with an Ilford Master Printer I run 1 day Black and White Darkroom Workshops. The courses, all with 2 places, are £150 per person.

I learnt my techniques whilst working for Ilford Photo and still do ad hoc work for them in their Ilford Darkroom Masterclass scheme (see below) and exhibitions, etc.

I can tailor courses to the needs of each individual. For example, the easy way to make great prints is using split grade printing and will usually be covered in some detail because it is such a powerful technique. The use of masks and other dodging and burning tools will be covered as your negatives require.

If you have never been in a darkroom before I will concentrate on giving you a good grounding in the basics.

So far the youngest particpant was 16 years old and the oldest 81, so they are pretty much for any age individual!

I also run Briarwood Darkroom Days if you would like 1-to-1 tuition. You set the date and we will agree what topics and techniques can be covered. You will progress much quicker than on a group course. The cost is £300 per day.

Some comments received after courses:

"Dear Dave, Thank you for a great day last week in the darkroom. I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot. I loved seeing your photographs on the walls and now have 'Sandwood Bay' on mine! An inspiration. Thanks also to Jan for looking after us. You both make a great team and I can't recommend you highly enough. If you are ever in Sutherland please give a call. P.S. I love reading your blog about the Munro's and photos." CM, Bonar Bridge, 22 September 2009

Dear Dave, just a short note to thank you and congratulate you on an excellent course yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed it and truly learnt a lot. It has been a long time since I worked in a dark room. The last time would be in the 1970's when I was working in Canada. Wonderful. I have spent all morning searching for the below lens filter kit. Nobody seemed to have it. Eventually I found a firm called Second Hand Darkroom and they have it. I would be very keen to hire your services to do a 2 day course, part of the time learning more about printing and the other part on finishing photos, i.e.mounting, retouching blemishes, getting photos ready to frame, etc. If this is of interest to you I would try to find 2 companions. Also is your lake district course suitable for old men with vertigo and younger men who only take digital photos? My son and I could be interested. Once again thank you for yesterday. I will now go on your website and print off the printing notes. Best wishes. CB, Bradford, 8 November 2009

Thank you for a brilliant day and your hospitality - I can see you two work as a team and the whole day was very enjoyable. I've dusted my darkroom down and I'm raring to go! BS, Feb 2009

Many thanks to you for an excellent day on Thursday. Old paper now consigned to recycling - I found a date stamp: 1990 - so it was well past it's use by date! Restocked, and spent this afternoon practicing my newly acquired skills - result: four very satisfying prints. Thanks again. RG, Feb 2009

Many thanks for a super day yesterday. It was fantastic (as was lunch), LM Nov 2008

Ilford Darkroom Masterclasses with Dave Butcher - Free

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I do Ilford Darkroom Masterclasses, on behalf of Ilford Photo (Harman Technology Ltd):

I am one of seven Ilford Master professional darkroom printers who do such courses across the UK.

These are 1 day courses for Colleges and Universities, arranged and fully supported by Ilford Photo. Paper and chemicals are provided free of charge and Ilford Photo pay my fees and expenses, so there is no cost to the College.

Here is the Ilford Photo poster for the Darkroom Masterclasses.

Darkroom Masterclasses to Colleges and Universities with Dave - from £500 per day

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I also do similar Darkroom Masterclasses as private bookings, for example when the Ilford scheme is fully subscribed to.

These are usually 1 or 2 day courses for colleges and universities across the UK.

The cost is £500 for 1 day but if you book 2 or more days the cost per day is significantly reduced. Expenses are charged extra. Ask for details.

Ilford Photo kindly provide paper and chemicals free of charge, usually worth between £150 and £200.

The Masterclasses usually comprise a short lecture to show prints made using various techniques, then a demonstration of split grade printing (or another technique that is appropriate for the students) followed by students printing their own negatives with guidance from me.

If your photography courses include black and white darkroom printing modules and you would like me to come in for a day or two to help the students with their darkroom printing then contact me directly.

Dave Butcher Competitions

I run competitions on an ad hoc basis. The prizes can be a course, book, photograph or Dave Butcher voucher.

Currently, I am running a £1000 competition in association with Harman Technology (Ilford Photo) and Black and White Photography magazine. The prize is a one day black and white landscape photography course with me in the Lake District for 3 lucky winners. This is worth £500. The first prize winner will also receive £250 Harman / Ilford / Kentmere products. Second prize is £150 of Harman / Ilford / Kentmere products. Third prize is £100 of Harman / Ilford / Kentmere products. Photographs taken on the special course by the winners will also be printed in Black and White Photography magazine. The closing date is March 25th and entries need to be sent to Black and White Photography magazine (full entry details are in the March issue coming out on 22nd February). Entry requirements are simply to send your name and address to Black and White Photography magazine and they choose the winners at random. You can enter by email or post so it needn't cost you anything! The date of the prize course is Sunday 11th July.

To see photographs and more information from the 2009 competition click here. The 2010 winners will also be published on this web site in due course so watch this space!