Bassetlaw Photography Courses
For the last 11 weeks, I’ve had the utmost pleasure of running two photography courses with Bassetlaw District Council - one at Idle Valley Nature Reserve and the other at Bassetlaw Museum.
Both groups started the same, covering the exposure triangle (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO) to give everyone more control over their cameras, along with composition techniques like leading lines, rule of thirds, and framing. We also explored macro photography, portraits, and even film photography before moving into alternative processing methods in the final few weeks with Alan Withington.
What made each course unique was the environment we were working in, one group had the nature reserve to explore, while the other focused on the history and character of the town.
Idle Valley
At Idle Valley, we made the most of being outdoors, getting out most weeks to take in the landscape and the wildlife. The group really got stuck in, capturing everything from the views to the tiny details hidden in nature. It was amazing to see how much confidence everyone gained, not just in using their cameras but in developing their own creative styles.
The transition into alternative processing techniques with Alan was seamless with nature providing the perfect subject matter. Teaching us how to create photolumens and cyanotypes. I’ve been in the industry for a while now, but I love learning new things, and Alan definitely delivered!
Bassetlaw Museum
The second course, held at Bassetlaw Museum, took the same lessons but applied them to an urban setting. Instead of landscapes and wildlife, we focused on street scenes, architecture, and the details that give the town its character.
It was great to see how everyone interpreted their surroundings differently, some focused on textures and patterns, while others captured the atmosphere of everyday life. The film photography element worked just as well here, bringing a whole new layer of creativity to the images.
I have to give a massive shoutout to Alan and Georgina, who have been with me throughout both courses. Alan’s knowledge of alternative processes has been brilliant - I’ve loved learning alongside everyone else. And Georgina made everything happen, from organising the venues to pulling together the second course at the last minute!
See the Work for Yourself
The photos from both courses are now on display at Idle Valley and Bassetlaw Museum, and, not to be bias, but they are definitely worth a visit.
I’ve even kept one on my desk because I love it so much!
It’s been an amazing 11 weeks, and I couldn’t be prouder of what everyone has achieved.
