I started digital photography in June, taking pictures of cycling events because I could no longer compete myself. In my spare time I started taking the odd landscape shot, but was pretty unhappy with them.
I booked myself onto a three day landscape course (two days in the field, one day in the classroom learning digital PP techniques) at The Peak District Photography Centre (link below) a couple of months ago to see if this would both encourage me and improve the technical aspect of my landscape photography. It was a real eye opener and changed the way I approached my subjects completely. We had a very small group of 8 and two tutors (Simon and Fran) so lot's of one-to-one tuition and help, but you were still left to find your own way of looking at a shot - something I particuarly liked because although the eight of us would have the same subject matter to photograph, we had our own takes on how best to do this.
By the end of the course I came away with a desire to push this side of my photography much more and honestly believe my landscapes have improved dramatically. I have not only realised the importance of arriving and catching the best light, but how important it can be to return to the same spot in different conditions - something you will see in my gallery if we ever get any snow!!
I intend returning to take the advanced landscape course, as I am truly inspired by both Fran Hansall's and Karen Frenkel's work and this is the standard I would like to aspire to.
Details:
http://www.peakphotocentre.com
http://www.peakphotocentre.com/tutors2.asp