Course Diary. 2008
A diary of events that have taken
part during the year.
Jan 5th / 6th Business Course
A two day course for photographers covering how to market yourself.
Jan 8th / 9th Portraiture Course
Looking at styles of portraiture and lighting. We will be covering both subtractive and additive lighting, both indoor and outdoors. Models will be supplied and there will be plenty of hands on experience.
Jan 12th / 13th / 14th Wedding Course
A three day course covering everything you will need to know about how to get started in this field of work. The Art of Lighting a Wedding was covered, showing you the various ways of lighting a wedding on the move without the need of setting up lights.
Jan 16th to 20th SWPP Convention London
A trade show, exhibit
on
and seminars for the photographer. A great weekend, with hundreds of lectures,
seminar and workshops. We had a stand there for the weekend, which was very
busy. Len had a lecture to give for the Sunday morning which was about the
art of lighting a wedding.
The Sunday evening was the Gala awards dinner and dance, which was well attended.
Dancing started at ten thirty and went on well into the night.
Len managed to pick up two awards in the print competition section.
Natalie also had a print in the final selection, as did one of our delegates,
called Andrew Gransden, who was up for an award. Andrew also won an award
in the print competition of a couple walking along a beach
. Well done Andrew!
Jan 22nd / 23rd / 24th / 25th Careers in Photography.
Covering all types of markets with some practical work on wedding and portraiture. This course was well attended and covered a range of topics, from business to advanced lighting.
Jan 26th /
27th Advanced Portraiture Course.
Looking at advanced forms of lighting, using models to get some stunning work. We work not only on location where we have some lovely locations but also show you how we work with studio lights both low and high key.
Jan 29th / 30th Landscape / Pictorial Course.
Here we look at what goes into making a great image. Use of digital explained. Ideal for those starting out in photography, or want to be set on what it takes in becoming a professional photographer.
Feb 5th / 6th Video Course.
A two day course showing you all you need to know about how to video a wedding from start to finish. We also looked at how to blend the video with sequences taken during and before the wedding.
Feb 11th till 20th Careers Course
This course covered how to market yourself
and you work, looking at the use of key words and how to put them together
to be able to sell your product. As this course was also a combination of
business, wedding, 
portraiture and digital people also attending to do a careers
course. We looked at advanced lighting situations as well as looking at the
fashion style of wedding photography. There was plenty of hands on experience
for everyone and some one to one where needed.
We looked at how to light a wedding and for this you work with light that
is already around us, we need to see it and understand it. It can take years
of practice to achieve this high standard of lighting that you see winning
awards, we are showing you this in just a few days.
At the end of the course a DVD was produced of everyone's work to show the
standard that was achieved.
Feb 23rd / 27th Focus on Imaging
A five day exhibition at the NEC center Birmingham. The largest in the UK. We shall be attending on stand number 88. It was great to meet many old faces there, each telling their own stories of how well they are doing and since going into professional photography have never looked back.
March 4th / 5th / 6th / 7th Wedding Course.
A four day comprehensive course on wedding photography, covering "The Art of Lighting a Wedding" This course we covered some business, how to plan a wedding, looking at the required list with advanced lighting including the use of flash.
March 18th / 19th Business Course
A two day course 
on how to market your business
and how to get started. "Taking the right steps" not too be missed.
Len has over 40 years as a professional photographer and will pass on lots
of valuable information.
March 25th / 26th / 27th / 28th Wedding Course.
A four day wedding course covering all the
lighting situations you will need to understand while photographing a wedding. Also covered will be presentation,
including producing a DVD. We will also take you through a whole wedding, covering lighting, posing, how to handle bad
weather and lots more. We worked with lighting from the house start to reception
without using flash only available light. The picture taken here was of our two models using window light only. The exposure was 1/15th sec at f5.6.
April 1st / 2nd Video
A two day course on how to video a wedding. Looking at how to be different and make that £2000.00 wedding. We worked with sequence making, marketing, music blending, and how to create an interesting and exciting video of the wedding day.
April 12th / 13th Pictorial / Digital Course.
Looking at camera basics and how to see into an image. We went out to take images at various locations around Pembrokeshire, then worked on them using Photoshop when we got back. What we showed was what all the things that can be achieved in just a few simple steps.
April 15th / 16th / 17th / 18th Wedding Course.
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography. Packed with information, and covering the Art of Lighting a wedding. Increased to a four day course to include marketing and presentation.
April 20th Photo Fest Ireland 2008
A photographic exhibition held at the 
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. Arriving at ten in the evening and a much needed drink, we were soon ready for a busy day. The show was well attended with much interest shown on the stand. It was very nice to speak to the Irish people and find out about the type of photography that they are interested in. Leaving early the next day to catch the eight o'clock ferry with two very tired people. Thanks to Natalie for all her help on the stand and for the fun we had with the napkin!
April 22nd / 23rd / 24th Careers Course.
Looking at the various types of photography and what markets are available to us. Also some practical experience is available on wedding and portraiture. Models were supplied and both outdoor and indoor lighting was explained, with plenty of hands on experience over the four days.
April 29th / 30th Landscape Course.
Learning how to get the best out of your landscape
photography, with some stunning coastline around Pembrokeshire waiting to be photographed. The first day was to show how an image is made up, using lines and shapes, balance and composition.
May 6th / 7th / 8th / 9th Wedding Course.
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography, covering the Art of Lighting a Wedding. Working with models we showed different w
ays of posing and setting up groups, using studio and church as locations.
May 13th / 14th Portraiture Course.
Looking at styles of portraiture and lighting. We will be covering both subtractive and additive lighting, both indoor and outdoors. Models will be supplied and there will be plenty of hands on experience.
May 17th / 18th Natural History Course.
A two day course taking you across to the Island of Skomer where you will be able to photograph the Puffins at close range.
May 20th / 21st Digital Course.
A two day course showing you how to work with Photoshop and speed up your workflow.
May 27th / 28th Wedding Course
Another compr
ehensive course on wedding photography.
Packed with information, where we will take you through a whole wedding from start to finish. Ideal for those starting off or for those who have already covered many weddings and want to improve their lighting.
June 3rd / 4th Portraiture Course.
Covering all types of lighting situations, including out side lighting. We will be looking at the types of markets that are available and how to get started in some of those markets.
To check availability for forthcoming courses go to:- Availability
June 17th / 18th / 19th / 20th Wedding Course.
Looking at some of the business aspects of wedding photography, including how to market yourself and your work. We also looked at how to light a wedding, with an importance played on the non use of flash. The four day course is very comprehensive covering everything you are going to need to know about becoming successful at wedding photography.
June 24th / 25th Natural History.
A two day course looking at photographing the wildlife around the Pembrokeshire coastline, including a visit to Skomer Island to photograph the Puffins. The visit the the Island was made on the second day of the course, with the winds force 6 made it very interesting capturing the birds in flight! The use of Photoshop was shown and how to enhance the images that were taken.
We were looking at how to capture these wonderful birds in flight, and have enclosed some images.
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July 1st / 2nd Portraiture Course
Looking at styles of portraiture and lighting. We covered all types of lighting set ups from high key to low key, from additive to subtractive. Then working with Photoshop we showed how to adjust the image quickly with a set routine that helps speeds up the work flow. See letters
July 15th / 16th Video Course
A two day course on how to video a wedding. Looking at how to be different and offer more than just a ecord of the day. We will also show you how to make that £2000.00 wedding. A lot of information was covered from using different lighting styles to sequence making.
July 22nd / 23rd Business Course
A two day course on how to market your business and how to get started. "Taking the right steps" not too be missed. Len has over 40 years as a professional photographer and will pass on lots of valuable information.
August 2nd / 3rd Landscape / Pictorial
Here we look at what goes into making a great image. Use of digital explained. Ideal for those starting out in photography, or want to be set on what it takes in becoming a professional photographer. A list of tasks were set to complete within the two days which would guide you into how to see into an image.
August 5th / 6th / 7th Wedding Course
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography. Packed with information, covering all you need to know about getting started. We looked at all aspects of lighting a wedding from the home to the reception. Learn how to control the lighting during a wedding to produce stunning images and still work at speed.
Sept 2nd / 3rd / 4th Wedding Course
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography. Packed with information, not too be missed. Extremely good value for money.
Oct 7th / 8th / 9th Wedding Course
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography. Packed with information, not too be missed. Extremely good value for money.
Oct 14th / 15th Landscape / Pictorial 
Course held at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel North Wales. FULLY INCLUSIVE. Only two hours from Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.
This is a unique chance to get away from it all in this most beautiful part of Wales. The course will be run by Len Bateman, who will be taking you to some stunning locations. This course will in inclusive of accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner and teas and coffees each day.
More details
Oct 21st / 22nd Video Course
A two day course on how to use different lighting situations both outdoors and indoor. We will also take a look at the number of different markets that are out there for Video and how we get established in that area.
Oct 28th / 29th Portraiture Course
FULLY INCLUSIVE
A two day course on how to market your business and how to get started. "Taking the right steps" not too be missed. Len has over 40 years as a professional photographer and will pass on lots of valuable information. This course will be held at Margam Park in South Wales, a beautiful location set in woodlands with Margam Castle.
Nov 4th / 5th Wedding Course at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel.
FULLY INCLUSIVE.
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography. Packed with information, not too be missed. This course will be held at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, which is only two hours from Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. A fabulous place with its own church!
Nov 11th / 12th Digital Course
A two day course showing you how to work with Photoshop and speed up your workflow.
Nov 18th / 19th / 20th Careers Course
Looking at the various types of photography and what markets are available to us. Also some practical experience is available on wedding and portraiture.
Nov 25th / 26th Advanced Wedding Course
Here you will be taken through a complete wedding, with bride, groom, bridesmaids, bestman and some guests. You will be given a list of images to take under various lighting conditions. You will then have a hour to work on them for the final presentation.
Dec 2nd / 3rd Wedding Course
Another comprehensive course on wedding photography. Packed with information, not too be missed. Extremely good value for money.
Dec 9th / 10th Portraiture Course
Looking at styles of portraiture and lighting. We will be covering both subtractive and additive lighting, both indoor and outdoors. Models will be supplied and there will be plenty of hands on experience.
