Learn to photograph seabirds from anywhere - 90-minute live workshop with Ali Marley
Live too far from Bempton? Learn from home! This 90-minute live online workshop brings the classroom portion of my in-person Bempton Cliffs workshops directly to you - wherever you are in the world. You’ll learn everything you need to know about camera settings, light, composition, and reading behaviour to successfully photograph seabirds at any UK colony. Perfect for photographers who want the knowledge without the travel, or anyone preparing to visit seabird colonies like Bempton, the Farnes, Bass Rock, or beyond!
What You’ll Learn This workshop covers everything taught in the classroom portion of my in-person workshops: Camera Settings for Seabirds • Shutter speed for freezing fast-moving wings • Aperture sweet spots for sharp subjects and blurred backgrounds • ISO • Focus modes, focus areas, and drive modes • Exposure compensation for white birds • Starting settings you can copy immediately Understanding & Using Light • Direction of light and how it affects your images • Why golden hour is magical (and how to use it) • Why overcast days are actually perfect for seabirds • How to turn “bad” weather into opportunities • Positioning yourself for the best light Composition That Works • Rule of thirds for wildlife • Why eye sharpness is non-negotiable • Background awareness and how to control it • Leading room and direction of movement • Common compositional mistakes to avoid Reading Behaviour - The Secret Weapon • Pre-flight signals - know when a bird will take off BEFORE it happens • Landing cues and patterns • Display behaviour's (gannets sky-pointing, bill fencing, etc.) • Feeding patterns and how to use them • How to anticipate action instead of just reacting Practical Application • Where to position yourself at seabird colonies • What to watch for in bird behaviour • Common mistakes and how to avoid them • Troubleshooting when things go wrong
What’s Included 90-Minute Live Session Interactive teaching via Microsoft Teams - ask questions in real time! Visual Examples Real images from Bempton and other colonies demonstrating every technique PDF Handouts • Camera settings quick reference guide • Behaviour signals checklist • Composition guide • Light direction reference Take these into the field with you! Session Recording Rewatch the entire workshop whenever you need a refresher Live Q&A Bring all your questions - we’ll answer them during the session. Email Support & Follow-up questions after the session welcome!
Is This Workshop Right for You? This online workshop is perfect if you: ✓ Live too far from Yorkshire to attend in-person workshops ✓ Want to learn seabird photography before visiting colonies ✓ Can’t commit to a full day but want the knowledge ✓ Are preparing for a future trip to Bempton, Farnes, Bass Rock, or other colonies ✓ Prefer learning from the comfort of home ✓ Have mobility issues that make cliff paths challenging ✓ Want to improve your seabird photography at local colonies ✓ Need a refresher before peak seabird season All levels welcome! Whether you’re a complete beginner to wildlife photography or have experience and want to level up your seabird shots - this workshop will help!
£50 per person This represents exceptional value for: • 90 minutes of focused, expert teaching • Knowledge accumulated from thousands of hours at seabird colonies • PDF resources you’ll use repeatedly • Session recording for lifetime access • Ongoing email support Why £50? My in-person Bempton workshops are £85, but those include 4+ hours of hands-on practice at the cliffs with immediate feedback on your actual shots. This online workshop gives you all the classroom knowledge - the settings, techniques, and understanding you need - but without the hands-on cliff time. It’s priced accordingly to reflect that difference while remaining accessible to everyone!
Online vs In-Person Workshops Wondering which is right for you? Online Workshop (£50) Best for: • People who live far from Yorkshire • Those wanting to learn before visiting any seabird colony • Photographers who can’t commit to a full day • Anyone wanting knowledge without travel costs You Get: • 90 minutes focused teaching • All classroom knowledge and techniques • PDF resources and recording • Email support You Don’t Get: • Hands-on practice at the cliffs • Immediate feedback on your actual shots • In-person troubleshooting The full Bempton experience! In-Person Workshop at Bempton (£85) Best for: • Anyone who can travel to Yorkshire • Those wanting hands-on guided practice • Photographers who learn best by doing • Anyone wanting the full Bempton experience! You Get: • Full day at the cliffs (6+ hours) • Classroom session PLUS hands-on practice • Immediate feedback on your shots • Positioning guidance and behaviour spotting • The incredible experience of Bempton at peak season!
Ready to Learn Seabird Photography from the comfort of your own home? Join me for 90 minutes of focused teaching on everything you need to know to successfully photograph seabirds! £50 per person Includes live session, PDF handouts, recording, and email support
