This is an all skill levels photography workshop and walk that discovers the historic Portchester Castle and edge of Portsmouth Harbour.

We’ll be starting off in the castle carpark and walking down to the main gate and then around the exterior of the castle wall perimeter. We’ll look at ways of capturing the different areas of the castle, the textures and the historical elements on the walls, etc. We’ll go down to the harbour-side gate and take photos using the old spiral staircase before going out to the harbour edge. From here we’ll be walking around the outer walls with stunning views out over Portsmouth Harbour. We’ll finish off exploring the woodland to the south of the castle (if there is time).

This workshop involves a leisurely 2 hour walk with fun & creative photo activities allowing you to find out much more about your camera and how to get the best out from it in the future. We’ll be looking at composition, perspectives, textures, leading lines, creating narrative and also how to take control of aperture and shutter speed.

xpect to see loads of fantastic historical elements from towers to stairs to walls & gates and also views south over Portsmouth Harbour, yachts travelling to & from Port Solent and the green woodland between the shoreline and castle grounds.

Who will be there?

Group size is limited to 15 per workshop. All ages very welcome, if under 16 please be accompanied by an adult. Please arrive around 15 minutes early for a prompt start for the walkshop.

What do I need to bring?

All you have to do is bring along your camera to take part. It can be anything from a digital compact through to a DSLR and if you want to shoot 35mm film, cool! If you don’t have your own camera we have a selection of digital compacts you are free to borrow for the workshop (please let us know in advance). We can even offer 35mm SLRs for you to use if you like. Many people just bring along the camera they have in their pocket everyday, their smartphone and you’ll learn loads that’ll make a big difference to your mobile photography.

What is access like?

This walk is about 90% wheelchair accessible, with good paths around the castle and Portsmouth Harbour shoreline. We will be going off of the paths on to grass which might be damp depending on the weather.

What is a walkshop?

Through Strong Island Media, professional photographer Paul Gonella has delivered photography workshops over the last 10 years to over three thousand people of all ages and abilities across the south coast. Working with partners such as Chichester Harbour Conservancy, University of Portsmouth, Making Space, Hampshire Cultural Trust plus many schools, colleges and youth groups. We developed ‘Walkshops’, where rather than sitting down in a classroom you actively learn different photography skills and techniques out and about with your camera, with support from a professional photographer at every step.

We’ve delivered well over 100 walkshops from Worthing through to Bournemouth and as far north as Surrey and from the summer of 2015 we have run a very successful series of walkshops open to the public in and around Southsea & Portsmouth and along the coast.

Walkshops are 2 hours long and cost £15 per person either, paid either in advance online via PayPal or cash in person at the start of the workshop (please book online for both).

Please book through EventBrite online HERE or via the button below, a booking fee will be added.

Payment can be done online via PayPal or in cash on the day.

NO BOOKING FEE IF CASH

If you pay in cash on the day just pay the £15 and we’ll absorb the booking fee – it saves on the inconvenience of having all the loose change in person on the walk.

At castle carpark in Waterside Lane (pay & display).

There is a bus stop 10 minutes away on Castle Street.

Portchester train station is about 20 minutes walk away.