THE EMERALD ISLE: IRELAND
Enjoy breathtaking cliffside vistas and charming coastal villages during this unique photography workshop traveling through Western Ireland
AUGUST 17 - 28, 2025 *** SOLD OUT ***
Ireland is a heavenly kingdom for landscape photography that has yet to be discovered by the masses. There is so much more to this beautiful country than forty shades of green and Guinness pints at the pub as you will see on this one of a kind photography adventure. Scenic coastlines, towering cliffs, sea stacks, arches, lighthouses, ancient castles, and dramatic weather are all part of the plan as we journey along the world famous Wild Atlantic Way. We will navigate the winding roads and quaint villages down the western coastline in search of some of the most beautiful seascape locations in the world.
Unlike other European countries, Ireland has yet to go through a photography boom and is seldom visited by landscape photographers which makes it an ideal place for us to explore and create unique images. It is unlikely that you’ll see anyone else toting cameras and tripods besides our group which makes this workshop even more special. The locations are most certainly there, but it can be a tricky place to get around. Thankfully we have the local knowledge covered with my longtime friend and Irish landscape photographer Bernard Geraghty who I’ve known for many years now.
On this 12 day Photography Workshop we will be covering some major ground! All lodging and transportation within Ireland will be included. During this tour we will travel counter clockwise around the island starting and immerse ourselves in the landscape, history and culture. Castles and Game of Thrones, need I say any more? All throughout you will be provided with expert instruction on how best to capture the light and interesting compositions. The goal of the workshop is to give you the ability to explore, learn, and fine tune those photography skills both in the field as well in post processing development to bring your images to life. Helping clients create a portfolio of images they are excited and proud of is priority number one on all of our workshops (along with having a good time).
INSTRUCTOR: CHRIS BYRNE & BERNARD GERAGHTY
GROUP SIZE: 10 PARTICIPANTS
COST: $7450
INCLUDED: All Transportation and Lodging for 11 Nights (Single Occupancy)
NOT INCLUDED: Meals, International Flights, Camera Equipment
DEPOSIT: A 33% deposit is required to secure a spot. A second 33% payment is due 180 days in advance with the final balance due 90 days prior to workshop.
ITINERARY
After arriving in Dublin on August 17th we will drive to the Northern Ireland Coast for two nights. From there we will travel towards the west to Donegal, Connemara, Dingle and Kilarney, staying in each town for a couple nights. Our final evening will be spent in Cashel near a pair of ancient and photogenic castles: Rock of Cashel and Hore of Abbey. We will then return to the east for drop-off in Dublin on August 27th where participants should make plans to fly out of.
Along our journey we will visit and photograph the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, the Dark Hedges, Kinbane Castle, Mount Errigal, Doe Castle, Crohy Arch, Malin Head, Fanad Lighthouse, Derryclare Lough, Coumeenoole Beach, Dunmore Head, Clogher Beach, Minard Castle and many more amazing locations! All transportation and lodging is included for the nights of August 17 - 27, with a transfer to the Dublin Airport (DUB) on August 28th. Lodging arrangements are Single Occupancy rooms.
USEFUL INFO / PHYSICAL DIFFICULTY
Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Ireland and must have a valid passport to do so. Temperatures this time of year can range from 50 - 60 degrees, with a variable climate including high winds and rain (11 days rain average in September). It is important for participants to be in good physical health. There will not be any strenuous hikes on this trip but participants should be able to hike a couple miles with some elevation gains.
AIRPORT / ACCOMODATIONS / FOOD
Participants should fly into the Dublin International Airport (DUB), where you will be picked up. Please arrange to arrive by 1 pm on Sunday August 17th. If you arrive earlier than that date, please let us know and we will arrange a meeting location. Our last night will be spent in Cashel on Wednesday August 27th. Participants will be dropped off in Dublin (airport DUB) by 1 pm on Thursday August 28th and should plan to fly home after that factoring in time needed at the airport.
Meals and drinks are not included in this trip. Whenever possible we will have a good sit down meal at a restaurant. We will also be driving daily between locations for a few hours, and stopping for gas and to grab snacks on the road.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
The weather in August can be quite pleasant but they don’t call it the Wild Atlantic Way for nothing! Once dressed according to the weather, Ireland is a place where no matter what Mother Nature throws at you, the rewards are there when the work is put in. From rolling hills and glacial lakes to the aforementioned rugged coastlines and castles, photography opportunities are plentiful.
The field sessions are structured to not wear anyone out and get the most enjoyment of the surroundings and scenery. In the field techniques and tips will be provided to help capture images correctly "in camera" with the goal being that part becomes second nature and students can then focus on the creative aspects of landscape and nature photography. Post processing instruction will run the gamut of importing and organizing files into Lightroom to processing images in Lightroom and Photoshop and finally prepping images for the internet or for print. I am an open book and willing to share any tips or tricks I’ve learned to help you turn your photographs into art!
Ireland is guaranteed to give you the adventure of a lifetime and have you wanting to return. Good or bad, no matter what hand the weather has dealt us, at the end of the day you can unwind with a pint of the black stuff and relive the adventures of the day’s shooting with your comrades!
FIELD & CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION WILL INCLUDE:
Creating compelling compositions and storytelling through images
Controlling your camera in manual mode
Understanding and using the Histogram
Finding foregrounds
Filters - when & how to use them and avoiding their pitfalls
How lens selection affects the scene
Technical Tricks: Bracketing, Focus Stacking, Perspective Blending
Understanding and using light
Capturing Difficult Scenes (getting all the pieces in the field to put together in post processing)
Lightroom - importing and organizing
Lightroom development tools
Cleaning up images - cloning tools, warping and stretching, eliminating distractions
Blending images in Photoshop
Dodging and burning
Using layers and masks
Mindful sharpening (depending on the output)
Image Critiques
RECOMMENDED CAMERA GEAR, ETC
DSLR & Lenses ranging from wide angle (12mm) to telephoto (300mm)
Drone
Camera manual
Memory cards
A very sturdy tripod (Do NOT bring a Peak Design tripod)
Camera backpack while in the field (must go on your back, not a roller bag)
Cable Release Trigger
Circular Polarizing Filters for every lens and Solid ND filters (for long exposures). Do NOT bring a Variable ND filter, they are worthless.
Lens cloths, rocket blower, etc.
Computer with Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop
Notebook
RECOMMENDED GEAR - CLOTHING, ETC.
Layers of warm clothing
Shoes that can get wet or muck boots
Hats and gloves
Handwarmers
Sunglasses
Rain coat
Umbrella
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Camera Equipment
Airfare
Hotels before or after the workshop (Sept 23 and prior, October 5 and later)
Meals and snacks