still undecided? here are a few comments from some of our clients over the years:

“Dear David and Jan, thank you for a wonderful day of photography. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you both and with the rest of the group. I arrived home tired, but pleased and content. Best Wishes”, MM, Walsall, 9-April-2017

“Dear Dave and Jan, just a quick note to say thank you for a very useful and enjoyable day. Best wishes”, GH, Cheadle, 28-sep-2015

“My father and I enjoyed our day out in Derbyshire immensely. We learned so much and loved the landscape. We found the tuition relaxed, but sooo informative. You are very good teachers! We will recommend this course to all our friends and family. Lovely to meet you both, thank you for your hospitality and look forward to seeing you in Buxton. (One of the many thousands ? Bestest wishes, LS (and JS). PS I’m now into waterfalls in a ‘Big Way’ :)”, Banbury, 28-April-2014

“Hi Dave, Three years ago I participated in a one day course led by yourself and your wife, given to me as a retirement present from my employer. It was a murky October day but undeterred you took us to Pilsbury, Chelmorton and Monsal Weir for a full day of black and white photography. I hadn’t visited any of those places before. That day opened my eyes to the potential for photographing local scenes and I’ve loved getting out with the camera ever since, always with the tripod of course! I thought I’d share a few shots taken yesterday in the Goyt Valley. As a fellow local I’m sure you’ll recognise the first two. The third was taken at Pym Chair with a shaded dry stone wall in the background and the grasses catching the light in the foreground. Thanks for your mailings and kind regards”, PM, Whaley Bridge, 20-November-2013

“Dave and Jan, A brief line to say how much I enjoyed the above. Your enthusiasm was infectious and the patience you displayed with my ineptitude appreciated. Despite developing trench foot in both feet I am inspired to pursue this photography thing and will therefore be purchasing a tripod and Wellington boots in the near future. All the Best”, PL, 29-October-2013

“Dave, Thank you so much for a really helpful and instructive day yesterday, notwithstanding the weather – what you showed and told me was a real confidence booster, and I filled the slog back down the M1 with reflections on what I had learned, and what I would now be able and enthused to try. Thanks again – hope to see you again some time, and will bang the drum for Wisley with our social circle down here! Regards”, MR, Surrey, 4-October-2013

“Dave and Jan, Thank you for being such great hosts and teachers over the weekend. It was nice to be out on the hills and you gave us great pointers on how to capture them in photos; we’ll have to make sure that we put it all into practice. Dave, I hope the back improves I know from experience how debilitating it can be. Keep going though, giving in is the worst thing that you could do. Best wishes”, AB & JB, 16-June-2013

“Just a quick note to thank you for your help in organising the course for my partner. If everything were as easy as that life would be so much simpler! Thanks again, Best wishes, GM, 11-March-2013

Dear Dave and Jan, Many thanks for your tutelage and patience on the Glencoe course last week. I learnt much about my camera and using it to take landscape photographs. Not only was the course educational but the company was good as was the food and beer! Many thanks. Hope to see you again in March at the NEC. Best wishes and thanks again”, WJ, 30-September-2012

“Hi Dave, firstly many thanks! I truly enjoyed the Landscape Photography course you and your wife ran on Saturday 28th, it was great to get such valuable insight into what you do, how you work and to have all that camera side advice was just what I needed. It reinforced that I was doing alright but also pushed me on with your valuable tips on composition and camera settings. Thank you also to Jan for the kind hospitality and driving the group to some very photogenic spots, that I didn’t even know existed. It all made the day very relaxed! I have attached a few of my favourite shots from the day and would value any comments you have on them. If you find them acceptable I would like you to include them on your flickr page as you detailed in one of your leaflets. Best regards”, SK, Sheffield, 3-May-2012

“Hi Dave, Thanks to you and Jan for the photo course last week – really enjoyed it and found it very instructive. I’ll sort some of my photos out to add to your Flickr, and mine. I’ve booked for the Lake District one in October. Boot and Eskdale are very close to my girlfriend’s house in Broughton Beck so I’ll stay there. Meant to return you the 3 rolls of FP4 as I never used them but might as well just keep hold of them until the October course when I should get a chance to use them, if OK with you (I’ve put them in the fridge and they have 2014 expiry dates)? Regards”, CR, Tideswell, 2-May-2012

“Dave and Jan, Just wanted to say a “HUGE” thank you for such a fabulous day on Friday! As you most probably realised I thoroughly enjoyed it and have some fabulous photos which I have put on my Facebook page. Lots of people have commented on how great they are so I am really pleased and will try and rally some people together for a further course. Please put me on your mailing list, I would really appreciate it! I had a look through your books over the weekend and your photographs are outstanding! – course they are otherwise you would have never of made it to where you are today! Thank you and Jan again both for a fabulous day! Best wishes”, SH, Buxton, 30-April-2012

“Dear Dave & Jan, Just a note to thank you both again for a brilliant trip in Berwick! I certainly did find the three days interesting and a lot of fun. Thanks for finding the crab sandwich! I have now discovered Bob Rigby and have replaced my tripod head and have ordered a new lens; I did mention your name to explain how I found them and hope we can meet again later. Best Wishes”. DH, Cheshire, 23-April-2012

“Dear Dave and Jan, Just a short note to say how much I enjoyed the course and our day in the Peaks last Saturday. I came away with a wealth of information and an enthusiasm to get out in the countryside and put it into practice. Many thanks for your hospitality.” MR, Stone, 23 March 2012

“Thanks for a great day. I found last Saturday’s field photography day most enjoyable and instructive. I hope to have my snaps processed before too long and would look maybe to forward a couple of the best if you were interested. Thanks again for a really great day. Best wishes.” RW, 21 October 2011

“Hello David, Just to thank you and Jan, it was an excellent weekend, I learned a lot. How nice Black Sheep beer was. I have posted some of my photos on Flickr. Could you run your expert eye over them.” DW, Surrey, 10 May 2011

“Dave – Many thanks to you and Jan for a great day out on Saturday, thoroughly enjoyed and a great treat to have one to one input. Attached an initial selection of the images from the weekend for your comments and criticism/critiquing if you would please; I would be happy for any of them to be used on your website. Kindest regards to you both.” KG, Nottingham, 18 April 2011

“Hi Dave and Jan, Many, many thanks for a wonderful day out on Saturday. I really enjoyed the whole day and appreciate all your help and suggestions. I had a quick look at the photos I took and am pleased with some of them and will use the others as examples of “could do better”… When I get the chance, I’ll upload them and look at ‘tweaking’ some in Aperture/Photoshop to B+W and will send a couple for you to look at. I think you mentioned that you use Fotki (No, we use Flickr, Ed), but I cannot see a link to it from your homepage, but memory can play cruel tricks !! We spent Sunday strolling down the Limestone path through Lathkill Dale and Monyash, but it was a lot, lot drier than your pictures of it… Once again, many thanks for a great day and hopefully see you at Wisley next week. cheers.” BC, London, 18 April 2011

“Hi Dave, just wanted to thank both you and Jan for a great day on Friday, it was lovely to meet you both, I really enjoyed the help and support that you offered. The book is super, and I wondered if you would be interested in meeting up next time I am in Derbyshire (or before the beginning of July) to discuss whether you would be interested in exhibiting in the gallery in Melbourne. I appreciated the help and advice that you both offered me in setting up and thought that maybe we could help each other in the future. Best regards.” DBL, Melbourne, 16 April 2011

“Thanks again for a great course I really enjoyed myself. The negs have come out spot on. All shots taken were good to print so thanks for the advice on metering techniques. I shall ignore the camera meter now and pay more attention to my handheld meter. Particularly spot metering. Hoping to print next week so will see some final outcomes. Thanks again and be assured I will book again. Say Hi to Jan as well. Thanks.” PW, Sheffield, 31 March 2011

“Hi Dave and Jan, I just wanted to say thank you for a very enjoyable day out on Saturday and for all the great tips. I’ve attached a few of my images for you to post if any make the grade! Best wishes.” HCW, London, 28 March 2011

“Dear Dave rather belatedly a few photos. Yann and I have been arguing about our pictures for the last week. I like one or two but feel disappointed with others. That’s what the course is all about – learning from mistakes. I thought your course was excellent. Well organised, well researched and a lot of fun. Not impressed with the way you organised the weather!! I will come on your Peak District one day course followed by a second day”, CB, 14 October 2010

“Dave, it took me quite a while to finally write to you but ever since our Photo Class I was busy and mostly away. I have to thank you and Jan once again for the fantastic day and the wonderful class! I certainly had a great time, even with the bad weather and the invasion of the midges. It truly was a unique experience and I enjoyed it very much! You, and Jan!, are brilliant teachers and the relaxed atmosphere of the small group certainly helped a lot to let everybody feel encouraged to learn, explore and discover new angles. Thanks again for a wonderful experience! I read on your website that you are going away on a trip to New Zealand next week and I’m wishing you all the best and lots of great photos! Have a great time and come back safe and sound! With the best wishes from Germany, take care.” CZ, Germany, 13 October 2010

“Dave, Many thanks to yourself and Jan for a very enjoyable course last weekend. Despite the initial (very) poor weather on the Friday, where to be honest teddy was about to go out the pram by Wast Water, it proved to be a very enjoyable time where I feel I learnt a lot. You asked for pics – I think you link from your flickr account to the picks in mine (if not I can always send you them) – I’ve resurrected my account, take you pick of what I have posted so far. I appreciate you won’t be doing a Northumbria course next year, but I would be interested if you did change your mind. Once again, many thanks to you both.” AR, Sheffield, 9 October 2010

“Dave and Jan. A big thank you for making me so welcome and offering such excellent advice on the landscape photography walking course held on 11th September. I had a brilliant day. I have uploaded images onto my Flickr site following your helpful card slavishly. Please leave me any critiques i would welcome feedback. If you would like me to email them please say so or download them and use as you please. Hope you are both well and I look forward to joining you in the Lake District in the future. Very best wishes.” PW, Doncaster, 21 September 2010

“Just wanted to say that your course has helped me tremendously. I have really progressed with my work since your course and it helped me to review and improve my practice. Thank you so much for your support and advice, and for helping me to find inspiration again! A big thank you to Harman as their support has been invaluable!” AA, Cambridge, 16 September 2010

“Hello Dave, please find attached images from the course at Eskdale on 11th July. Not sure how well they survive my scanner and re-sizing but hope they look ok. Thank you very much, to you and Jan, both for sponsoring the competition, and for making it a really great day. From start to finish we had the benefit of great local knowledge and lots of help and advice in a very relaxed atmosphere. I look forward to meeting you again, regards”. MT, Cheshire, 2 August 2010

“Thank you – I wasn’t sure if the files were the right sort of spec, as I still struggle a bit with parts of the digital stuff. Here are a couple more, and I’ll send the rest through in separate emails: the system doesn’t seem to like having too much to chew on at a time! As you may well have noticed at the time, I couldn’t resist taking a few shots of others at work (I KNOW that Jan was doing that, but it is what I do most of, usually). I would like to do a write-up of the course for the Camera Club magazine – they’re very keen on landscape articles, and this would be a chance to give a very different view of things (as a learning experience, instead of an enthusiast holding forth). Of course, I’d include a link to your website. There’s actually quite a lot to say about the day – it made me appreciate things that I knew in theory, but didn’t feel in my bones, so to speak… If I ever aim to do a lot of landscape work, I will definitely get a leaf-shutter medium format camera! (As well as a carbon fibre tripod…) Doing some pictures the following day in Wasdale, it came home to me what inappropriate technology a really modern camera is for landscapes, because you switch off just about all of the aids it provides (AF, AE, and lock the mirror up if you can!) It’s interesting that I’d not have clocked this without going on a course. I was VERY mindful of your split-grade course while I was labouring the other weekend in the darkroom… As I think I may have said in the pub, I may yet have to do that course, just to find out, to understand the process, and be able to take a fully-informed view of split grade work! It’s certainly something I’ve never yet tried… Best wishes” JD, Walsall, 1 August 2010

“Dave – A belated email to say thank you to both you and Janice for a wonderful day last Sunday – it’s been a busy week, and I’ve been rushing about doing things instead of following up things already done (a big pile of film waiting in the darkroom, for one thing!) Where to start is the problem. I’ve known a lot of the things you showed us for a while: the difference is that I now understand them experientially, and have seen an expert putting them into practice… That means that I am far more likely, in any given situation, to put my camera on a tripod and stop down to f/22 in future. I’m sure I’ll still do a good number of shots using the fast film, handheld approach, but you’ve effectively extended my range significantly! There’s an enormous difference between reading, and seeing / doing. I’d therefore recommend your course to others who (like me) have been around cameras long enough to have read everything! Also, it was nice to be with a group of diverse but photographic people for a day: I’m usually a pretty antisocial person when I have a camera in use, and avoid others: I haven’t been a member of a club for many years, and don’t intend changing – I like to go my own way too much for print battles. But you and Janice, together with Anna and Mark, made it an entirely enjoyable day, finding out how others approach things, and just chatting about picture and camera-related stuff. And, despite having decided she probably wasn’t going to enjoy the group time much, Janet really enjoyed chatting – the combination of your quiet technical competence and Janice’s ability to make everyone feel comfortable entirely won her over. Thank you both. I may yet have to sign up for the darkroom day to crack the split grade thing. I shall be looking at my prints very hard indeed, and also looking at your books! I’ll also be trying your developing technique: Ag Photographic will be selling me a new bottle of developer next week, and I’ll be giving SFX another bash, developing it in with the FP4. My son will be poring over your books this weekend, to see if there are places he wants to walk, and hasn’t yet! Finally… If Mark would be interested in playing with a 5”x4” camera for a day, please pass him my contact details, and we can arrange a day with my Cambo, so that he can find out for himself what using one is like… Best wishes for a fun and profitable year. See you again, I hope.” JD, Walsall, 17 July 2010

“I thought that you might welcome this feedback as I have just had the second film back from Ilford and think that one of the photos of Ritson’s Force, with some tweaking, will make an excellent photo for the wall! I now need to tweak and then, following your advice save as a Tiff and then hopefully persuade Ilford to print for me-ideally 16×20. Thanks for the advice on the course; despite appearances it did sink in and I learnt a good deal that I will not readily forget. Especially perhaps the importance of composition and actually taking the photograph and seizing the moment rather than just admiring the view! I am sure that your thoughts and Jan’s will readily recollect the good time we all had whilst mindful of the awful tragedy the same area has now experienced.” RD, Lutterworth, 7 June 2010

“I had a lovely day last week *thank you* it’s so nice to talk photography all day!!! And not the usual crap of my management life! I’ve made a decision that all shots from this course HAVE to become monochrome and as you know I’m a great lover of the channel mixer (although I’m sure desaturate in CS5 is better) and attach my first effort that I’ve scaled down for ease of posting. I should get to some of the others later in the week. Look forward to seeing you again soon.” SB, Winsford, 1 June 2010

“I’m getting my friends excited about Dave’s courses and hope at least one of them will be able to sign up, I know he would get a lot out of it. I’m posting a CD of a few of the pictures I took on the course as well as one or two ‘homework’ shots I’ve done since. I realise now the importance of texture in monochrome shots and I’m afraid some of the ones I took were a bit flat. I have 2 that I think are acceptable!! You both have given me so much more confidence both with the camera and Photoshop etc. I am really grateful. Thanks again for such a great experience on the three day course, it has changed the way I take photos big time.” EB, Leek, 10 May 2010

“Hi, Thanks for a fantastic day yesterday. I am in the Apple store at the moment, I have had an attempt at converting a few of the shots to black and white in Aperture. I will have a go at some of my other shots when I get home. Thanks again for yesterday.” AK, Manchester, 10 April 2010

“Three great days in the Peak District – we hoped for good photos which we got – did not expect to experience all of the seasons in a single day. But then as the saying goes we got more than we bargained for. Now back in London extolling the virtues of the course to all those at the office – I am sure I bored them silly. Lots of time now with Aperture to fine tune the shots and then some haggling with my wife to let us attend another course. CK & AK, London, 5 April 2010

“Another great day out in the magnificent countryside. The weather was kind. We have honed our skills and added loads of shots to our portfolio. How will we ever pick just one each to go on the wall. Dave thanks again for your insight and patience. Jan thanks for the warm drinks when we return to base. Bring on day three.” CK & AK, London, 3 April 2010

“We had a great day – and have learnt loads – thanks Dave. We are drying out and looking forward to day 2.” CK & AK, London, 2 April 2010

“This 3 day course has taken me from locating the camera ‘on/off button’ through to taking some very acceptable shots! Thank you. I would recommend this course to anyone at any level of competence from…. no idea how to take a photo (me) through to an advanced level of photography skill. Extremely well organised with expert 1-2-1 tuition and an amazing and varied insight into the lakes…not to mention excellent pub / food and great company thrown in for good measure. We were extremely well catered for. Brilliant! Dave and Jan were the perfect hosts. We would challenge anyone not to enjoy this course and feel as though we have had a really good holiday and learned a new skill in the process. We will definitely return for more. Dave and Jan managed to provide the perfect balance between sharing their in-depth photography skills with an extensive knowledge of the area and all that the Lakes have to offer – waterfalls; high peaks; lakes of course and much more – all tuned to our individual requirements.

A big thank you for making this course so much more – and for sharing your extensive knowledge and tips not only of the course subject but for taking us to locations we wouldn’t have found on our own. Thank you for showing me how to get the best out of my camera. It’s opened up a whole new world!

How are you both? A very big thank you for organising a really really great time in the Lakes. We can’t stop talking about it and spent yesterday downloading some good pics ( and recovering from a late night in the pub) – yes we made it back in good time, which was a mixed blessing!! Will send some chosen photo’s just a soon as I locate the ‘black and white’ button in the Picasa photo suite! Wishing you both well for future courses – don’t change the format – it works really well!!” AR & SR, Henley on Thames, 19 March 2010

“Dear Dave and Jan, thank you for the weekend, well Saturday, I had a great time and enjoyed the day. Photographs on way to Ilford and still on CF card waiting for a spare day hopefully this weekend!” AR, Birmingham, 19 October 2009

“Hi Dave and Jan, just wanted to say thanks again for a superb day. The company was superb, locations inspiring and the level of support exactly what I was looking for. Have I said superb day? I think Dave was right, I do need some new kit; a carbon fibre tripod and a medium format film camera. I will be down at my local camera shop next week for a few rolls of FP4 and dusting off my Canon EOS 300 for my next outing. Might need to ask your recommendation though for somewhere that can process the film and provide me with high-res scans as I have no such facilities at the moment. Just about to check the memory card (and back the RAW files up – after losing 2 years worth of images last week I’m being ultra cautious!) and will hopefully find a couple fit for your blog! Thanks again, I shall definitely be recommending you to the “Flickr 21”! DW, Leeds, 9 October 2009

“Thanks very much for the day in Derbyshire on the 11th Sept. I really enjoyed it and felt I learned a lot about composition and exposure. You and Jan looked after us very well. I’ve only had one film back so far, attached is a scan of the group shot I took at Three Shire Heads at the end of the day, and the one you said was an Ansel Adams tree shot in the Goyt valley by Goyt’s Bridge, the sunlit tree seems less obvious now on the print, I should have zoomed a bit more maybe, but I like the arrangement of the undergrowth! Thanks again, it has spurred me on, better tripod on the Christmas list too.” HT, 22 September 2009

“Dear Jan and Dave, Huge thanks for yesterday, thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed it all. About the only time I’ve ever been reluctant to go to the pub! Initially hugely disappointed by the fact that your hesitant participant eventually arrived last night, and I couldn’t get the darkroom experience today. In retrospect, however,it was a blessing in disguise,as I was very, very tired last night, very late up this morning and still feeling the effects of carrying the Bronie & tripod! Upside of this I’ve developed one of the films and am almost childishly excited about developing the others! I will contact you soon to arrange a darkroom experience. My time at the moment is still very flexible and could fill any likely darkroom spaces created by cancellations at short notice. I’ll be in touch to arrange a darkroom date when I’m more aware of our plans. Again many thanks and looking forward to seeing you fairly soon. All the best.” RR, Nottingham, 12 September 2009

“I spent all day snapping shots of picturesque bits of the Peak District on a landscape photography course run by Dave Butcher. It was splendid fun, very interesting and illuminating. We had brilliant weather all day, and visited some lovely spots, and I’m now completely knackered. I’m going to have to leave processing the shots for another day.” TR (Extract from Flickr page), 11 September 2009

“Thank you both for an excellent day for Claire. She learnt a lot and has a couple of pics I’ll enlarge for the house. Congratulations and admiration on your photography. I hope my daughter will come soon. She married in late April, has a new home and is changing careers, so its difficult for her to structure her time. Her husband was editor of a birding magazine; but happily they twitch less often nowadays. I hope I’ll come with my daughter Nathalie and meet you again. CG, London, 14 July 2009

“Dear Dave and Jan, A quick email just to say a huge ‘Thank you’ once again for the course on Saturday. It was a great day. Not only enjoyable in its own right, but I feel I learned a huge amount – and look forwards to applying the information. I think I’m going to be spending some time getting to grips with photoshop though! Kind regards.” MH, 15 June 2009

“Dear Jan and Dave, Thanks again for a fantastic day yesterday. I learned so much, not least to overcome my fear of film! Thanks again for a great day out, and if you happen to be in the Sheffield/Rotherham area and want a cup of tea or a pint in the pub please get in touch.” SF, Sheffield, 13 June 2009

“I had a smashing time and would just like to say thanks once again for making the day so enjoyable. I’ve definitely been able to take some useful tips and ideas on board, and am feeling quite positive about my photography again. Cheers.” TS, Derbyshire, 13 March 2009

“Thanks again for an enjoyable day on Saturday – hopefully processing the negs will show it to have been a fruitful day too. It probably did no harm to have to think and look a bit harder in the conditions, instead of picking off the easy sunny hits!” RF, Stockport, 13-October-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, 24-August-2008

“We saw your beautiful pictures featured in Cheshire Life a few months ago and I am interested in booking a black and white landscape photography course for my husband. I notice on your website you have a course running in April. I wanted to check with you whether the course would be appropriate for him. He has dabbled in photography for many years, originally as an art teacher he taught some photography as part of the O’Level course. Now it is very much a hobby and he hasn’t had any formal training since his foundation art course many years ago. He reads lots of photography magazines for tips and upgraded to a Nikon D80 camera last year. I notice you only have 6 people on each course so would guess this does allow you to differentiate according to the experience of people you have on the course? Do you have spare places for the course on the 12th April?” HB, Cheshire, 3-January-2008

“Thank you Dave for a lovely day on Saturday – I enjoyed it all and will consider buying another camera – maybe even a digital one!!!! Which was the Canon model that Jennifer used perhaps I will locate one of those too? It was also lovely to meet your wife – albeit briefly.” NW, Bedford, 16 October 2007

“I just wanted to say thanks again for an enjoyable and informative day on Saturday. I think I learnt a valuable lesson in the first 5 minutes of being out, as I would probably have completely ignored the dew covered grasses and have been much more focused on what I might have considered the main subject of the image of Windgather Rocks, the craggy rocks themselves! Finally, I persuaded my wife Sian that a photographic trip to the Dolomites would be a great experience, so if you decide to organise something like that, please let me know! The book is an inspiring resource too, I shall be out looking for your tripod holes soon.” MG, 15 October 2007

“Firstly many thanks for a great day, enjoyed by all and a lot learnt. We have all developed our films and produced initial proofs. I developed the first film and although managed to get some prints, I appear to have thin negatives. I used Ifosol at 1+9 for 6:30, so not sure where I have made an error. Discussing with John he believes I have under developed the negs. I followed instructions, should I make any allowances for conditions etc on the day, the film is from our first two locations in the Goyt Valley.” RW, Alsager, 1-August-2007

“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 enjoyed looking at your gallery – a real inspiration in the art of print-making.” MW, Newport, 2 July 2007

“Dave, Many thanks for the thoroughly enjoyable and motivating course that you and Jan did for us.” NG, Wigan, 30 April 2007