Endorsements
Here's a selection of abridged comments on my Seascape Workshops. You can read full length reviews in the News & Reviews section...
"I was spending two days with seascape photographer Chris Simmons, whose knowledge of Cornwall's hidden coves and rocky outcrops and deserted dunes must be almost unparalleled. He knows exactly where to capture the setting of the sun, the most spectacular dawn, or a violent storm, taking into account the season, tides and vagaries of Cornish weather. All year round, Chris opens his home to aspiring photographers of all abilities who are keen to learn - or improve - their seascape photography in Cornwall, combining excellent home-cooked food and fine wine with one-to-one photographic tuition and local knowledge...
...When Chris presented me with an A3 print of my favourite image - one of my dawn photographs of Portchurno - I could have cried. Every time I look at it I am transported back to the magical dawn sanctuary of that West Cornwall beach. My sojourn finished with a fittingly delicious home-made lamb curry and several glasses of wine as I bored Chris and Sam with my new-found spirituality and love of post-production. I have discovered a whole new world."
Nicola Smith - Cornwall Today Magazine, September 2014
"l have just spent three days with Chris on a seascape workshop, which I have to say was an amazing experience! Being a keen amateur photographer l had come to a crossroads. I wanted to create better images with more impact, so l knew I really needed to get to grips with Photoshop. And this was all covered completely during my stay. The food and accommodation were second to none, while Chris and Sam proved to be excellent hosts. Chris took me to some fabulous locations [04.30] early starts were essential so we could get set up and ready to capture the sunrise at its best. The emphasis on timing, location and composition proved invaluable for capturing some great images. Likewise for the sunsets. With images captured we returned to the studio where l liked the way Chris taught using Photoshop only to enhance what the camera captures and not to 'over sensationalize' the picture. l also thought the one to one aspect was excellent, as were the local sausages and red wine! Thanks again Chris for a great experience."
Dave Hansen, Kent
"I have just returned from an excellent One-to-One Seascape Workshop with Chris which was an incredible experience. In four days we covered many miles in order to capture many aspects of Cornwall’s fabulous coasts and nothing was left unturned. Early starts and late evenings to catch all the golden hours. Such great experiences and I didn’t even bother about getting my feet wet!! Chris’s hospitality was second to none staying at his beautiful home with delicious 'al fresco' breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, all cooked to perfection. As for post processing he made working RAW files in Photoshop an understandable process that really brought out the best in my images. Although I am an accomplished, semi-professional photographer, I learned a great deal from this experience and I really did “learn something new every day”. I highly recommend this experience to anyone from beginners to experienced photographers. I cannot begin to think which day I enjoyed the most. I don’t use the 'A' word but on this occasion I must say... my workshop was “Awesome!”.
Jen Beresford, Chester
"...I had two aims in coming to Cornwall – improve my photography, particularly seascapes and improve my post processing skills. Well you took me to some of the most beautiful parts of our country. Without doubt I learnt a whole range of new photography and digital processing skills – the most important one for me is composition and you had me looking at scenes in a new and better way."
Bob Walsh, London
"Hi Chris, I really want to thank you and Sam for the wonderful time me and mum spent with you. I feel like I learnt so much and enjoyed every minute of our workshop. I think you are a great teacher, explaining everything clearly and with such patience and enthusiasm, thank you! You have really opened my eyes and I don't think I will ever look at sunsets or clouds in the same way again! Thank you also for your wonderful hospitality. You made us feel so welcome in your beautiful home. I have to say a very special thank you also for taking on board my veganism, you did it with so much enthusiasm. The food was indeed restaurant standard as mum said. You both went above and beyond in making a great birthday treat for my mum!"
Claire Roberts, Leeds
"Dear Chris, We have just been reviewing some of my images via the HDMI lead to our HD television- they all look fantastic! I had a great time and very much enjoyed both yourself and Sam’s company and hospitality. I have learnt loads and very much appreciated the one to one tuition both in the studio and while we were out and about in the beautiful Cornish coastal locations. I am now confident in opening my images in RAW, carrying out the adjustments and then finishing off in Photoshop. Thank-you once again."
Margaret Irwin, Bolton
"Hi Chris, Well, what can I say? I came back and good job I did because I had another fantastic time. So where do I begin? How could it get better this time? Easy, get Sam to collect me from the station! :) One of the first things you said to me last week Chris was, “mi casa, su casa” and the thing is you mean it. I’m instantly at home. We share some good wine and fabulous food and my word, you do know how to cook! Once again your workshop didn’t disappoint. I have captured some of the best shots I have ever taken and your post processing tuition is invaluable.
Bob Walsh, London
"Chris, Thanks again for a great week's workshop, I've come away with some awesome shots, and a lot more to process. I will definitely be getting myself a pair of waders for when I am next by the coast."
Richard Lizzimore, Brentwood
"Chris's Seascape workshop was a complete revelation."
Carole Mclatchie, Aylesbury
"Hi Chris,Thank you so much for the seascape workshop, i'm still buzzing from just how much I've learned!
You said to me before I came over that you would transform my photography, which I took with a pinch of salt to be honest, as I had just hit a brick wall in many aspects of my photography, and was feeling a bit frustrated, but you certainly did transform it, I'm a thousand times more confident with processing RAW files and I'm finally over that brick wall!
I loved every minute of the workshop (and will be returning for another!) from the lovely warm welcome I received upon coming to your lovely home, to the gorgeous home-cooked food. And as for those amazing locations!!!
Thank you Chris"
Chris Fletcher, Falmouth, Cornwall
"I was spending two days with seascape photographer Chris Simmons, whose knowledge of Cornwall's hidden coves and rocky outcrops and deserted dunes must be almost unparalleled. He knows exactly where to capture the setting of the sun, the most spectacular dawn, or a violent storm, taking into account the season, tides and vagaries of Cornish weather. All year round, Chris opens his home to aspiring photographers of all abilities who are keen to learn - or improve - their seascape photography in Cornwall, combining excellent home-cooked food and fine wine with one-to-one photographic tuition and local knowledge...
...When Chris presented me with an A3 print of my favourite image - one of my dawn photographs of Portchurno - I could have cried. Every time I look at it I am transported back to the magical dawn sanctuary of that West Cornwall beach. My sojourn finished with a fittingly delicious home-made lamb curry and several glasses of wine as I bored Chris and Sam with my new-found spirituality and love of post-production. I have discovered a whole new world."
Nicola Smith - Cornwall Today Magazine, September 2014
"l have just spent three days with Chris on a seascape workshop, which I have to say was an amazing experience! Being a keen amateur photographer l had come to a crossroads. I wanted to create better images with more impact, so l knew I really needed to get to grips with Photoshop. And this was all covered completely during my stay. The food and accommodation were second to none, while Chris and Sam proved to be excellent hosts. Chris took me to some fabulous locations [04.30] early starts were essential so we could get set up and ready to capture the sunrise at its best. The emphasis on timing, location and composition proved invaluable for capturing some great images. Likewise for the sunsets. With images captured we returned to the studio where l liked the way Chris taught using Photoshop only to enhance what the camera captures and not to 'over sensationalize' the picture. l also thought the one to one aspect was excellent, as were the local sausages and red wine! Thanks again Chris for a great experience."
Dave Hansen, Kent
"I have just returned from an excellent One-to-One Seascape Workshop with Chris which was an incredible experience. In four days we covered many miles in order to capture many aspects of Cornwall’s fabulous coasts and nothing was left unturned. Early starts and late evenings to catch all the golden hours. Such great experiences and I didn’t even bother about getting my feet wet!! Chris’s hospitality was second to none staying at his beautiful home with delicious 'al fresco' breakfasts, lunches and evening meals, all cooked to perfection. As for post processing he made working RAW files in Photoshop an understandable process that really brought out the best in my images. Although I am an accomplished, semi-professional photographer, I learned a great deal from this experience and I really did “learn something new every day”. I highly recommend this experience to anyone from beginners to experienced photographers. I cannot begin to think which day I enjoyed the most. I don’t use the 'A' word but on this occasion I must say... my workshop was “Awesome!”.
Jen Beresford, Chester
"...I had two aims in coming to Cornwall – improve my photography, particularly seascapes and improve my post processing skills. Well you took me to some of the most beautiful parts of our country. Without doubt I learnt a whole range of new photography and digital processing skills – the most important one for me is composition and you had me looking at scenes in a new and better way."
Bob Walsh, London
"Hi Chris, I really want to thank you and Sam for the wonderful time me and mum spent with you. I feel like I learnt so much and enjoyed every minute of our workshop. I think you are a great teacher, explaining everything clearly and with such patience and enthusiasm, thank you! You have really opened my eyes and I don't think I will ever look at sunsets or clouds in the same way again! Thank you also for your wonderful hospitality. You made us feel so welcome in your beautiful home. I have to say a very special thank you also for taking on board my veganism, you did it with so much enthusiasm. The food was indeed restaurant standard as mum said. You both went above and beyond in making a great birthday treat for my mum!"
Claire Roberts, Leeds
"Dear Chris, We have just been reviewing some of my images via the HDMI lead to our HD television- they all look fantastic! I had a great time and very much enjoyed both yourself and Sam’s company and hospitality. I have learnt loads and very much appreciated the one to one tuition both in the studio and while we were out and about in the beautiful Cornish coastal locations. I am now confident in opening my images in RAW, carrying out the adjustments and then finishing off in Photoshop. Thank-you once again."
Margaret Irwin, Bolton
"Hi Chris, Well, what can I say? I came back and good job I did because I had another fantastic time. So where do I begin? How could it get better this time? Easy, get Sam to collect me from the station! :) One of the first things you said to me last week Chris was, “mi casa, su casa” and the thing is you mean it. I’m instantly at home. We share some good wine and fabulous food and my word, you do know how to cook! Once again your workshop didn’t disappoint. I have captured some of the best shots I have ever taken and your post processing tuition is invaluable.
Bob Walsh, London
"Chris, Thanks again for a great week's workshop, I've come away with some awesome shots, and a lot more to process. I will definitely be getting myself a pair of waders for when I am next by the coast."
Richard Lizzimore, Brentwood
"Chris's Seascape workshop was a complete revelation."
Carole Mclatchie, Aylesbury
"Hi Chris,Thank you so much for the seascape workshop, i'm still buzzing from just how much I've learned!
You said to me before I came over that you would transform my photography, which I took with a pinch of salt to be honest, as I had just hit a brick wall in many aspects of my photography, and was feeling a bit frustrated, but you certainly did transform it, I'm a thousand times more confident with processing RAW files and I'm finally over that brick wall!
I loved every minute of the workshop (and will be returning for another!) from the lovely warm welcome I received upon coming to your lovely home, to the gorgeous home-cooked food. And as for those amazing locations!!!
Thank you Chris"
Chris Fletcher, Falmouth, Cornwall