Northumberland Photography Workshops & Tours: Stunning Coast

Spectacular coastal landscape

The Northumberland Coast is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with over 40 miles of coastline. Thus, there is no shortage of photography locations. This beautiful stretch of British coast encompasses everything the seascape lover could wish for: jagged rocky ledges, pebbly shores and pristine sandy beaches as far as the eye can see.

As the coast here faces east, the sunrises are sublime, with gorgeous colours reflected in the wet sand and rock pools at low tide. High tide brings the chance to capture dreamy long exposures of the waves crashing over the rocks and ledges.

Historic Castles

Northumberland is renowned for its medieval castles. The region has an incredible 70 castles, the highest of all the English counties. The most photogenic are Bamburgh Castle, Dunstanburgh Castle and Lindisfarne Castle.

Dunstanburgh, situated on a grassy cliff, bordered by the slick, polished black boulders of Embleton Beach below, and the imposing location of Bamburgh, on top of a high basalt crag overlooking a vast sandy beach edged with tall Marram grass, has made these the most photographed castles in the region.

Dreamy reflections

The beauty of this coastline lies in its tides. The difference can be up to 3 metres, meaning the landscape takes on a whole different set of features at low tide.

A causeway connects Holy Island to the mainland at low tide, and you can walk across to get photos of the lovely Lindisfarne Castle there, or shots with the water lapping over the causeway during the incoming or outgoing tide.

Additionally, as the tide ebbs or flows the low level of water across the wide sandy beaches creates some of the most dreamy mirrorlike reflections. Be sure to have your wellington boots for this, though.

Beautiful lighthouses

With over 40 miles of jagged rocks and rocky seabed, it’s no surprise to find plenty of lighthouses along the Northumberland Coast warning mariners of the dangers that lurk beneath the shallow waters.

As such, this offers some great photography opportunities. We will aim to visit a few of the best on our workshop, including the iconic lighthouse on Saint Mary’s Island at Whitley Bay.

Join me on my Northumberland photography workshop to experience an incredible few days of coastal and seascape photography.

Giovanna Fleming

I recently had the pleasure of attending a photography workshop in Venice with Rodney O'Callagan, and I couldn't be more impressed with the experience. Rodney's expertise and dedication to his craft were evident from the start. What sets Rodney apart is his keen understanding of lighting. He effortlessly knew the best time of day to visit each spot, ensuring we captured the beauty of Venice bathed in the perfect light. His attention to detail and commitment to getting the best shots truly stood out. Rodney's friendly and approachable demeanor made the entire experience enjoyable. He was patient and willing to share his knowledge, providing valuable tips. If you're looking for a skilled and personable photographer, I wholeheartedly recommend Rodney O'Callagan. His professionalism, expertise, and passion for his work make him a standout choice.

John

I've recently been on a tour with Rodney to the North West of England - Banburgh Castle, which is now my third under his tenure. The tour was extremely well organised and Rodney was adaptive to the weather conditions that arose. As always, his tuition and guidance was excellent and he is adept at getting the appropriate balance between giving recommendations and scope for personal experimentation and development. He is a skilled teacher and workshop leader and I highly recommend his tours. You will return a more knowledgeable photographer.