FAQs

At aspect2i, our land­scape pho­tog­ra­phy edu­ca­tion is built around long-term pho­to­graph­ic devel­op­ment rather than for­mu­la-dri­ven instruc­tion. Aspect2i pro­vides land­scape pho­tog­ra­phy edu­ca­tion through immer­sive retreats, online pho­tog­ra­phy cours­es, indi­vid­ual tuition and long-term men­tor­ing. Led by FRPS pho­tog­ra­phers Michael Pilk­ing­ton and Paul Gal­lagher, our pro­grammes focus on pho­to­graph­ic devel­op­ment, edit­ing with intent and help­ing pho­tog­ra­phers build mean­ing­ful per­son­al work.

To learn more, please read our article 'Developing Photographers, Not Just Images' here.

These services are designed to meet different needs.

Photographer Development Assessment
A structured review of your photography, helping you understand your strengths, challenges and opportunities for growth. Ideal if you feel stuck, want objective feedback, or are unsure what to focus on next.

One-to-One Support
Focused support around a specific photographic challenge or objective. Ideal if you know what you would like help with, whether that is image editing, printing, portfolio development, field craft, distinctions or another aspect of photography.

Mentoring
A longer-term relationship designed to support your development over time. Mentoring is ideal for photographers seeking ongoing guidance, accountability and support as they refine their skills, confidence and photographic voice.

How do I know which option is right for me?

A simple way to think about it is:

“I don’t know what I need.”
Choose a Photographer Development Assessment.

“I know what I need help with.”
Choose One-to-One Support.

“I want ongoing support and development.”
Choose Mentoring.

If you are unsure, we would be happy to discuss your situation and help you decide.

What is a photography Retreat?

A Photography Retreat is predominantly different as half of the time is spent out with your camera whilst the other half is spent back in the classroom sharing ideas, listening to demonstrations and lectures and learning how to edit the images. Photography Retreats have a specific focus such as woodland or black and white photography. The aim is to pass on the skills you will need so that you continue to improve long after the Retreat is over.

What is the difference between a retreat, workshop and tour?

They are quite different indeed. The aim of a tour is for you to experience a particular landscape or environment and maximise your time in its surroundings. A workshop, whilst focussing on a particular landscape, also offers image reviews and editing advice to help you get the most from your time there. A retreat is a fully immersive educational experience where the development of skills and knowledge is of paramount importance.

What makes a photography Retreat educational?

In the simplest terms, the very aim of every one of our retreats is to teach you a specific subject or skill. This will involve compositional considerations, how to edit your image to achieve your desired results and finally make prints to complete the full subject journey. Throughout all of this time, you will have a professional photographer on hand to discuss ideas and share their knowledge.

Image critiques, why are these important?

Firstly, a critique is not a means to criticize your work, is an invaluable opportunity for your retreat leader to assess and analyse your work and identify your strengths and weaknesses with experienced judgement and expert advice rather than a simple ‘like’ or negative comment that no one can learn from. It is a valuable way of improving how you work and identifying what you should be taught.

Our terms and conditions require you to arrange travel insurance that covers against the usual risks such as delays, lost baggage, by

airlines, accident, illness, etc. This should also cover any tours or retreats in the UK. The price of the tour does not include insurance.

Workshops and tours generally have to be cancelled no less than eight or 12 weeks (UK and International respectively) before they run. If you wish to do this then please get in contact. Deposits are not refundable unless we cancel the workshop or tour.

We will send out joining instructions and other material you may need (such as guidance on flights, hotels, meeting times, clothing, equipment) before the workshop or tour is scheduled to run. If you have any specific information needs before then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

Yes there is and this varies by tour or retreat. The tour will be confirmed 8 or 12 weeks (UK and International respectively) before it is scheduled to run. If you need to make additional travel arrangements then please ensure that these are flexible or wait for us to confirm the workshop or tour is going ahead. If we are not able to run the workshop or tour then you can have a full refund or transfer to another tour, workshop or class.

Yes it is, for all of our tours and retreats. If you would like to share with another person then please contact us. Often a discount would be applicable and we will advise you of this.

Hotel accommodation and what is included in terms of meals is described in the description of every workshop and tour. If you do not need this then please get in touch and we may be able to offer discount on the price. If you need accommodation before or after the tour or retreat, then please get in contact as we can help with this.

Yes. Let us know your requirements and we will pass them onto the hotel or venue being used.

Generally these are suited to all levels. If you are a real beginner then please call us for some further advice. If you are at all unsure of what level you are or whether a particular workshop is suited to you, please do not hesitate to call or email us. We would be very happy to help you select the right experience.

You have continued access to all course materials you are enrolled to for as long as these courses are available. From time to time we will update videos and add new content and these will also be available to you.

We have a dedicated platform tailor made for our online courses and hosted by LearnWorlds. You can access all our courses at learnonline.aspect2i.co.uk. When signing up for a course for the first time you will set up an account with a user id and password and you will use this to access all your courses from there on.

Simply follow the link https://learnonline.aspects2i.co.uk and click on 'sign in'. Here you can ask for a new password. Your user id is the email you signed up with. If you are having any problems then please get on touch and we will help you resolve the problem.

Online courses can be cancelled within 30 days from when you have subscribed. If you have booked the wrong course or want to move to another course then please get in contact with us.

Please get in touch with us so we can arrange a new link for you.

Our digital books are in PDF format so can be read on most devices without any special apps or software.

Postage varies by book (ie the size and weight) and destination. When buying your book you will be presented with the postage costs at check out. Import taxes are the responsibility of the buyer. We will ship with a customs form stating that it is a book with a value of £10.

Please get in touch with us so we can investigate.