PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND

Welcome to the home page for Going Digital in the East of England.

Workshop Dates, Venues & Prices in the East of England >>

Tutor

Rod Corston

Rod Corston tends to favour Landscape Photography and his work reveals time spent in Yorkshire, Cumbria, Scotland, Newcastle on Tyne and the North Northumberland Coast. He has taught photography since the early 1980's and sells images via his web site and in galleries in North Northumberland and on The Isle of Skye.

Whilst he still regularly uses film cameras (Hasselblad, Nikon and Leicas) Rod also uses a Nikon D700 and a Leica M8 digital camera.

In addition to his Going Digital Workshops, Rod also teaches Digital Photo Editing at local colleges and is an experienced user of Apple Aperture, Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements.

More information at: Northern Light Photography

Ann Dickson

Rod is ably assisted on the East of England workshops by fellow photographer Ann Dickson. Ann's interests are varied and include equine photography, macro and close-up work, wildlife / nature and portraiture.

For more information on Ann and her work see: Ann Dickson Photography

East of England Venues

Anglesey Abbey

Burghley House

Fotheringhay Village Hall

Hamerton Zoo

Peckover House

Stanwick Lakes

Rockingham Castle

Wicken Fen

Wimpole Hall

LOAN CAMERAS

In the event that you don't yet have a camera, then don't let that stop you from booking your Going Digital workshops. We can loan you a camera for the day (Nikon D200, Nikon D50, or a Panasonic Lumix G1 CSC Micro Four Thirds camera).

After the workshop, we can forward the camera images to you on a CD.

One-to-One Training

A NEW DEAL ON ONE-TO-ONE DAYS

We are currently offering a specially reduced fee of £180.00 + travel for those who have booked on our workshops this year. The fee covers the cost of up to two people.

Please note!!

The £180.00 One-to-One days are available only from the tutor who ran the original workshop and for those who have attended a Going Digital workshop in 2012.

ONE-TO-ONE DAYS IN STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Street Photography does require some nerve to get in close, but there?s a real buzz in capturing what Cartier Bresson called the Decisive Moment.ˇ He also said - Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.

Why not join Rod Corston on a One-to- One day in the city, get some great images and learn the skills and techniques involved in good street craft.

To see some of Rod's Street images: Paris Street People

ONE-TO-ONE DAYS USING YOUR LEICA RANGEFINDER CAMERA

In recent times, Going Digital have fielded enquiries from photographers who own and use Leica rangefinder cameras. Rod (himself a long-time Leica user) now offers One to One days tailored specifically to Leica Rangefinders. Book a One-to-One session to get the most out of your Leica

For more information see: One-to-One days with your Leica rangefinder camera

Terms and Conditions:

We ask for a £50 deposit (non-refundable) payable on booking your One-to-One training with the balance being paid in full, at least 7 days before the training date.

Editing your images using Photoshop Elements

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS

During this introductory workshop, we will cover a range of techniques and processes in Photoshop Elements - all aimed at getting the best from your digital photography. We will work with a series of stock images, all saved on the laptops provided for this one day session. Learn how to adjust, edit and enhance images in your own digital darkroom - all in a day!!

CREATIVE ELEMENTS

Take your editing skills up to the next level. Learn to be creative - make use of: layers; adjustment layers; blend modes, and masks. Add new skies to images with insipid white 'digital skies', learn sophisticated toning and blending techniques. Create your own montage / collaged images.

Note!

If you are an Apple user and have Photoshop Elements installed on your MacBook, then bring it along, use it on the day and we can upload the workshop images for you.

An Introduction to Wildlife Photography

A DAY WITH TIGERS AT HAMERTON ZOO

This workshop includes an introduction in the classroom, two photography sessions and the opportunity to review and discuss your images as a group - and it's a great day out - and you'll be face to face with tigers!!

What You Will Learn:

How to compose a good shot
How to set a correct aperture to give a blurred background to your shots
Use of ISO to change shutter speed
Use of your camera's autofocus points
Appropriate focus mode
How to correctly expose your shots
Use of fill-in flash.

For more information see: Tigers at Hamerton Zoo

INTRODUCTION TO BIRDS OF PREY PHOTOGRAPHY

This workshop includes an introduction in the classroom, two photography sessions with ample time for plenty of flying and portrait shots of the birds, and a review and opportunity to discuss your images as a group - and it's a great day out!

What You Will Learn:

For more information see: Birds of Prey at Burghley House

Your Reviews and feedback

Remember that we welcome your views and reviews on our workshops and so, to this end – we invite you to contact us to let us know how your day went. What you learned and even better . . . whether you enjoyed the sessions.
Your feedback will be added to the Going Digital website to give anyone considering attending one of the workshops a better idea of what they can expect to do on the day. You can mail your comments to me at: rod.corston@goingdigital.co.uk
Or r.corston@btinternet.com

STUDENT GALLERIES

We’re always interested to see your work and if you submit images to use, then we’ll put them onto the Student Galleries. The images can be of anything you like, portraits, images you shot at the workshop, Landscapes – the choice is yours. The images should be re-sized to a resolution of 100 pixels per inch, 600 pixels on their longest side and mailed to Ann Dickson at: annmichelledickson@btinternet.com

STUDENT FEEDBACK

Rod
Thanks for a great day yesterday. At last I can do something in Photoshop I've had this for 3 years and hadn't got a clue. Both me and Andy have booked on the course on 23rd March.

Regards

Janet& Andy (Hardwick Hall)

Rod

Thanks again for the course, it was very helpful. I would be grateful if you could send me the notes relating to Elements 9 so that I can continue my “education”.

Thanks

Phil (Hardwick Hall)

Hi Rod,

Thanks for a really excellant course today, I learnt alot and have just booked for the second part in March.

I have Elements 9, could you please let me have a copy of the handout you have so I can set it up properly - thanks.

I look forward to seeing you in March,

Kind Regards,

Louise (Hardwick Hall)

Dear Rod

Many thanks for a great workshop today! It was very informative and
for a beginner like me the relaxed and non intimidating atmosphere
really helped my confidence. Everything was explained clearly and the
handouts will prove useful when I'm practising on my own. I'd happily
recommend these workshops to others.

Best wishes,

Nikol (Landscapes & Travel - Wimpole Hall)

Dear Rod and Anne,
I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for yesterday! I am feeling quite enthused about exploring photography now and all fired up to go off and practice the techniques we covered yesterday. I am going to spend some good time in Cornwall at Christmas trying to capture to mood and feeling of the trip. So thank you for giving me confidence to go off and play with cameras all on my own!
I would send some photos but I thought I would wait until I got the snaps from the Luminix camera and try and send a couple of my favs.
Best wishes and hope to see on another course soon!

Bev (Anglesey Abbey SLR1)

Hi Rod

Just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for a really enjoyable and informative course on Friday at Anglesey Abbey. I loved your relaxed and friendly teaching style - great sense of humour too! This is my second going digital course and I will definitely be attending more.

Best wishes

Janet S (Photographing Friends & Family Course - Anglesey Abbey)

Hello Rod,
I just wanted to drop you a mail to say I really enjoyed the workshop on Sunday at Anglesey Abbey. Yourself and Ann very helpful and patient! The course notes and the practical part of the day were very useful. I would definitely recommend your workshops. I’m happy to say I will now have the patience to use my camera as I now know the basics. Once again many thanks

Kind regards

Clare (Anglesey Abbey DSLR prt1)

Hi Rod Having attended a digital photography and photoshop course with you in September I wanted to thank you so much. As always, your courses were well organised and I learned such a great deal. Nothing is too much trouble for you and your considerable patience makes learning so much easier. You always make learning fun and your sense of humour ensures that we have a laugh as well. Thanks also to Anne. I look forward to the next course. Cheerio for now from:
Lynda (Landscape Photography at Burleigh House and Photoshop at Anglesey Abbey)

'Thanks for another interesting and thoroughly enjoyable day's course! Good venue, great tips and excellent handouts delivered in a well structured and accessible way.'

Tracy M (Creative Editing - Anglesey Abbey)

Hi guys,

It was great to meet you both on Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and got a lot out of it. As I said afterwards I did suspect it would be like opening a can of worms and it has proven to be the case .... a little information is a dangerous thing as someone once said!

Anne (Creative Editing - Anglesey Abbey)

Hello Rod & Ann

Firstly I'd like to say how much I enjoyed the course at Burghley House last Saturday. I got a lot out of it. It was well organised, easy to understand and very well presented (enough of the patronising now!). I had a business trip to Prague earlier this week and managed to get some free time to begin to put it into practice. I've attached one of the (many) images I took, if only to demonstrate to Ann that I now know the correct way to hold my camera to take portrait shots!

Andrew W (Landscape)

Hello Rod

I would just like to thank you for your patience and consideration to myself on the really interesting course at Rockingham Castle. You have certainly made my understanding of my camera a lot clearer and I know that I now have the information to get the best out of the camera. I look forward to getting out and being able to put all that I learnt on Sunday into use. It was a great course.
Thank you once again.
Regards, Sue Mason (SLR1 - Rockingham)

Hi Rod,

Just wanted to say Thank You for today's Photo Workshop at Stanwick Lakes.

The course was everything I had hoped for and more! I have learnt so much in one day that I can't wait to get out there with my camera and start practising. Can't rate this course highly enough and if anyone is considering it, definitely book a place ; you will learn so much in the classroom session but also have fun trying different settings in the practical exercises and come away with a sound knowledge on which to build.

Will keep checking your website to see if there is anything else that I would like to book onto either later this year or early next year at, or close to, Stanwick Lakes.

Many thanks again.

Sonia K (Stanwick Lakes - SLR1)

Hi Rod,

I don't suppose you remember me, I attended the Going Digital Photography Workshops at Wicken (the rainy day version) and Anglesey Abbey last year.

I just wanted to let you know that I was shortlisted in the Notcutt's (Garden Centres) Photographic Competition this year. I didn't win, but it was only the second competition I've entered - so I wanted to say thank you! The courses gave me the encouragement and confidence in my own abilities to 'get out there and do something' - and I did!

Thanks again

Lesley G. (SLR1 and SLR2)

Rod,

Just to say 'thank you' again for the very informative and enjoyable course on Exploring the Digital Camera at Anglesey Abbey. You have given me the confidence to move from 'auto' and to experiment with the other settings on my compact camera. I know I still have a lot to learn to master even the basics, but you have fired my enthusiasm for taking more photographs and practising the skills you taught us. I am looking forward to the next course!

Rod, I am very interested in the Introduction to Photoshop Elements course and wondered if you can you tell me when the dates will be released for next year, please?

Many thanks,
Julie (Anglesey Abbey - SLR1)

Dear Rod and Ann,

I thought I'd let you know what a fantastic day I had at Burghley House. I am extremely glad I attended the course and will be booking myself onto the DSLR2 course in the future; plus a few others probably! I now feel much more confident when using my camera.
The course presentation was excellent; it was easy to understand, and not rushed, which really helped me enjoy the day, plus it was evident everyone else was enjoying themselves with all the laughing and chatting going on! Once again, thank you both for what was a fun and enjoyable day.

Ian Potter (SLR1)

P.S. Rod, please could you send me the details on how to set up my PhotoShop Elements 9? Thank you very much.

Hi!
Thanks for a great day yesterday. My old brain was reeling by the end of the day, but going through it all since, I've really picked up quite a lot, and I'm keen to get practicing. I've signed up for part 2, on the only date I was a available at a reasonably nearby venue and am disappointed to find that its not you 2 again. Thanks for all your help.

Sue Freck (SLR1 at Burghley)

Having completed the Explore your DSLR part 1 course today, I'm writing to thank you both for sharing your expertise!

Admittedly, I am not one for reading manuals and preferring the "hands on" approach to learning this course has provided me with more knowledge in a day than I could have obtained in months...

From now on any blur in my photos will be where I want it!

Many thanks,

Zoe (Burghley SLR1 July 2011)

Hi Rod, Hope this finds you well?

I am sorry that this email is a bit overdue, but life has been pretty
hectic! Just wanted to say how much John and I enjoyed the digital
photography day and the other Sat in Herts. Really good. Lots of tips
and chance to share ideas, talk about cameras, picture composition etc
etc. Nice group of people - very friendly. Appreciated the really good
handouts! Great venue too! I am looking forward to the second digital
editing course in Sept!

Best wishes and many thanks, Tracy & John. (Wimpole Hall - SLR1)

Hi Rod

Just a note to say I enjoyed the workshop on Saturday and found it extremely useful. All I need now is time to put some of what I learned into practice!
If you can email the notes you mentioned on Saturday re Photoshop Elements 9 I would be grateful,

Thanks, Jennifer

Hi Rod

Thank you for a superb course on Saturday. Both Gill and I thoroughly enjoyed it and came away with so much information that are brains were buzzing. We are now booked for the 2nd elements course in September.

I was relieved to hear that the problem with Elements 9 was not down to me but to the software itself. I would really appreciated it if you could send me the information relating to loading it correctly that you mentioned.

Looking forward to the next course.

Kind Regards

Sheila Godfrey (Hardwick Hall - Intro. to Elements)

Dear Rod,

I got home safely after today's course in about an hour and a half - after passing through an almighty rain storm!

Thanks for today, as I said, it really opened the door on Elements. Now I've just got to practice.

Please can you reply with the instructions for changing the preferences on version 9?

I hope to see you at future courses - maybe a bit of actual photography next time!

All the best

Irene (Anglesey Abbey - Intro. to Editing)

Hi Rod

Thank you for an amazing day - for me, a real mixture of genuine discovery and then realising the blindingly obvious....to all but me.

Thanks once again for a wonderful day.

Kindest regards

Sally (T) - Hardwick Hall, Intro. to Photoshop Elements

Dear Rod

Thank you for a most enjoyable day,i learnt more in those few hours than i ever could have by reading the manual! it was well presented and great fun, i have since taken a few more shots and have now posted them on Flickr!! if you would like to see them just search jimbob195! You and Ann have a lot to answer for as i am now on the lookout for a DSLR!!

Jim (SLR1 - Rockingham Castle)

Hello Rod

Thank you for a great day, especially to Ann, an understanding model. I went away with much to ponder and reflect upon. I was so impressed with the equipment that was being used I have ordered the Elemental 250 Kit.

David (Home Studio - Anglesey Abbey)