Improver’s landscape photography workshops in Devon
Weekend landscape photography workshop in Devon for improver photographers who want more confidence and creativity.
This improver’s landscape photography workshop in Devon is designed for photographers who understand the basics of their camera and want to push their skills further. Over a relaxed residential weekend you’ll refine your composition, make confident use of manual and semi‑automatic modes, and experiment with creative techniques on some of Devon’s best coastal and moorland locations.
With a small group and plenty of one‑to‑one support, you’ll get tailored guidance, time to practise on location, and relaxed indoor sessions to review and edit your images. The workshop is based at Mazzard Farm near Ottery St Mary, making it easy to reach by car or train from across the UK, and ideal if you’re travelling from outside Devon.
Why choose this improvers landscape photography workshop?
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A natural next step after beginners. The weekend is structured to move you beyond basic tuition, with more time spent on composition, light and field craft rather than camera fundamentals.
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Carefully planned Devon locations. You’ll visit a mix of tried‑and‑tested coastal and moorland spots chosen for reliable viewpoints, tides and light, so you can focus on making images rather than logistics.
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Small group, workshop‑style format. With a maximum of six participants, sessions feel more like guided practice than a large group tour, with space for image reviews and on‑the‑spot adjustments.
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Residential, all in one place. Staying at Mazzard Farm keeps everything centred in one location, making it easy to travel down, settle in and enjoy a complete photography weekend experience.
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Led by a working landscape photographer. You learn from someone who regularly shoots and sells Devon landscapes, so the tips and techniques are grounded in real‑world practice, not just theory.
Who the weekend is for
This improver weekend is a good fit if:
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You understand the basics of exposure and how to use modes such as A (Av), S (Tv) or M, but don’t yet feel fully confident with them in the landscape.
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You’ve done a beginner course (with me or elsewhere) or taught yourself, and now want structured practice and feedback to push your images further.
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You’d like to improve your composition, use of light and choice of settings, rather than starting from scratch with how the camera works.
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You want a focused photography break in Devon, with everything organised for you so you can concentrate on shooting and learning.
Workshop dates
Next Improver's weekend, 9-10 May 2026
(Friday arrival, Sunday afternoon finish.)
If you’re interested in future dates, please get in touch and I’ll let you know when new weekends are announced.
UK landscape photography workshop for improvers in Devon
Location:
Mazzard Farm, Ottery St Mary, East Devon
Level:
Improver photographers who already understand the basics and want to develop their landscape skills.
Group size:
Maximum 6 photographers.
Length:
Friday evening to Sunday late afternoon (plus Sunday night optional).
What you’ll learn:
How to move beyond the basics and use your camera more deliberately in the landscape, refine your composition and use of light, make confident choices about aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and start developing a more personal style in your images.
Course description:
Refine your landscape photography with a residential weekend workshop at Mazzard Farm in East Devon. Aimed at photographers who already understand the basics of their camera, it’s ideal if you want to strengthen your technique and create more confident, compelling landscape images.
What’s included:
2 (or 3) nights’ self‑catering accommodation, all tuition, guided location shoots, Friday supper and welcome hamper.
Price:
£299 residential or £219 non‑residential, with a £139 deposit to secure your place and the remaining balance due 28 days before the workshop.
Why choose Gary Holpin Photography for your improver training?
Award winning accomodation
Our weekends are based at Mazzard Farm, an award‑winning countryside retreat near Ottery St Mary. You’ll stay in comfortable self‑catering cottages around a peaceful courtyard, with woodland and orchards right on the doorstep.
Specialist improver‑level training
I specialise in helping photographers who are beyond the basics and want to keep developing their skills in a calm, straightforward way, without unnecessary jargon. Group sizes are capped at six, so there’s plenty of time for individual help, questions and feedback – and these improver weekends consistently receive five‑star reviews from past participants.
Experience Devon and beyond
Over the weekend we’ll visit a wider range of coastal and countryside locations in East Devon and, weather permitting, a full day usually devoted to Dartmoor. As a Devon‑based landscape specialist I know a mix of beautiful, characterful locations that are ideal for stretching your landscape photography, giving you plenty of time on location to put new ideas into practice.
Course details
Group Size
Small groups of a maximum of 6 photographers, so you get plenty of individual help with your camera and one‑to‑one support when you need it, whatever make or model you use.
Refreshments
Your fee includes a welcome meal on Friday evening, plus a breakfast hamper and tea and coffee in your cottage. For other meals you’ll pay as you go, and I’m happy to suggest local options. Many guests choose to eat together, which makes for a relaxed, sociable weekend.
Accommodation
You’ll stay in a comfortable self‑contained holiday cottage at Mazzard Farm, with your own bedroom and shared lounge and kitchen. In some cases you may share the cottage with one other guest of the same sex.
Training
Training usually runs from around 9.30 am to 5.00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with breaks built in. On some weekends we may adjust the schedule to include a sunrise or sunset shoot, depending on the weather and time of year. Outside these hours you’re free to relax at Mazzard Farm or explore the local area at your own pace.
Transport
If you’re arriving by train, I can usually arrange collection from Honiton station by prior agreement. During the workshop we normally use car sharing to reach shoot locations, with lifts arranged between the group.
Payment
To secure your place, a £139 deposit is payable when you book. The remaining balance is due 28 days before the workshop. Please check the cancellation terms in the FAQs and consider suitable travel insurance for your trip.
Weekend itinerary – in brief
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Friday evening: Arrive at Mazzard Farm, settle into your cottage and join a relaxed welcome meal with the group in Ottery St Mary.
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Saturday: Morning refresher session at Mazzard Farm to revisit key camera and landscape techniques, followed by an afternoon coastal shoot with on‑the‑spot coaching and a review of your images back at base.
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Sunday: A full day out visiting several classic landscape locations (which might include woodland, waterfalls, reservoirs, moorland or coast, depending on weather and season), then a final image review and informal prize for photo of the weekend.
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Optional extra: If conditions look promising, there may be an optional sunrise or sunset shoot during the weekend for those who’d like to join.
What you'll earn
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How to refine your composition for stronger, more intentional landscape images.
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More confident use of exposure and focus to handle challenging light and conditions.
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Creative use of shutter speed for movement, low light and water scenes.
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How to read the light and choose the best approach for different locations.
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Ways to work more deliberately with viewpoint, timing and choice of focal length.
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A simple, practical approach to reviewing and lightly editing your images to bring out their full potential.
What previous improver guests say...
“Gary is a friendly, professional and knowledgeable photographer who provides a well‑balanced, engaging course. He took time to understand everyone’s experience and set a comfortable pace, with a good mix of clear theory, practical exercises and a coastal field trip to put it all into practice. I found the weekend great value for money and came away feeling like a much better photographer”, Darren, Google review
Frequently Asked Questions
Deposits, payments and cancellations
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