Bird Photography Workshops at Misty Heights Hide
Our bird photography workshops are primarily aimed at those photographers who are looking to improve their bird photography skills by moving away from automatic/program camera modes and use their cameras in manual mode. Using manual aperture, shutter and ISO settings can greatly improve the success rate of capturing images of birds.
Attracting Birds
My workshops not only teach you how to better use your camera but also how to position feeders and perches in relation to your camera and backgrounds. I give you plenty of pointers and tips that are tried and tested to ensure that the birds in your shooting space will pose perfectly for you.
Next Bird Photography Workshop Dates: January 18th 2026
Places available: 3 (max)
Price: £130 p/p or
£300 for 1-to-1
What’s Covered
Aiming For Success
Achieving great images of birds is not only about setting up your camera for best success but also creating an environment that will attract the birds and enable you to create beautiful and varied images time after time. Some of what is covered on my workshops:-
- Manual/Semi manual exposure options
- Shutter/Aperture Priority Options
- Exposure Compensation
- Depth of Field
- Optimising perch and feeder setups
Overview
The workshop is split into three parts. The first hour will be spent in the “classroom” – which is actually my photography studio located fifty meters from the hide. There we will go through the various camera setups and settings and set your camera ready for the morning session.
Next, we move into the hide for the first session putting into practice what you have learned. We will then break for lunch where we will review and critique some of your images from the morning session before returning to the hide for the afternoon session.
The day will end with a coffee and round up back at the studio to answer any follow up questions you may have.
Itinerary
9.00 – 9.15 Arrivals and Introductions
9.15 – 10.15 Classroom session
10.15 – 12.30 Morning session in the hide
12.30 Break for lunch
13.15 – 15.30 Second session in the hide
15.30 – 16.00 Roundup and close
Solo or Shared
I run the Bird Photography Workshops with a maximum of three attendees but if you prefer to learn on a 1-to-1 basis then you can also book a workshop solely for yourself. That way we can tailor the itinerary to suit your personal requirements.
Group workshops – £130 per person
Solo 1-to-1 workshops – £300 per person
Requirements
I recommend the following equipment for my workshops, If you’re in any doubt as to your camera or lens suitability then please do get in touch and I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
- DSLR or Mirrorless Equivalent camera.
- Zoom or prime lenses – 400/600mm for the perches – 150/300mm for the reflection/bathing pool. A 150-600 zoom on a full frame DSLR is perfect for everything.
- Batteries and memory cards.
- Suitable outdoor boots (it can get a little muddy on the approaches to the hide).
- Indoor footwear (the hide has underfloor heating and we try to restrict muddy footwear inside).
- Dark or camouflage clothing.
- Hide plate or bean bags. We have hide plates, gimbal mounts and bean bags available, however you’re welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
- Lunch as required – We provide as much tea and coffee as you need and snacks are available.
- We don’t use tripods in the hide as we shoot off mounts on the shelves. But if you prefer to use a tripod, you can bring your own as the shooting shelves are hinged to allow closer access to the windows.