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From Times Online

February 12, 2008

Picture perfect in Cumbria

The Times picture editor found tuition helped on a weekend course - until disaster struck

Derwent Water on an early November morning by John Tisbury

Paul Sanders

Since becoming picture editor of The Times nearly four years ago, I have really missed taking photographs.

I have always loved being outside breathing great lungfuls of fresh air (something in short supply in an office in Wapping). This combined with the patience, timing and artistic judgment just to capture that annoyingly elusive decisive moment. So I have started to explore the world of photographic holidays.

Driving into the Lake District during autumn, you don't need anyone to explain how inspiring the landscape has been over the years to the many artists and writers who have found themselves captivated by its beauty. Hopefully I would be able to do it justice.

I joined John and Gail Gravett, who run Lakeland Photographic Holidays (LPH). Both are very keen photographers and are qualified members of the Royal Photographic Society.

John and Gail work from their family home in Braithwaite near Keswick in the North Lakes, where they run workshops for most of the year. They cater for all abilities, from the absolute beginner to the more experienced photographer. Their home has nine en-suite rooms. Most of the rooms are doubles and are decorated well with very comfortable beds and modern bathrooms; all are spotlessly clean.

Arriving in the late afternoon, I was introduced to the other photographers who were editing their pictures from the day's shoot. This particular group have been coming here together for a number of years and always book the same two weeks each year, one in spring, one in autumn.

Husband and wife Doreen and Martin Addison from Worcester are in keen debate as Martin had deleted most of his wife's images from the day's shoot. "He's only jealous of my more subtle eye," jokes Doreen.

"It's all about the people for me, no one makes you feel out of place if you don't understand something and John is very constructive about any mistakes you make," adds Martin, as he sheepishly concedes defeat in the 'who deleted the images' debate.

"I was mostly just a happy snapper," adds Stuart Innes from Manchester, "until my first visit to LPH in March 1997. That's when I caught the serious photography bug. I have learnt a great deal from John since he and Gail took over LPH in 1999, and have made many friends since my first visit in 1997."

"All the photographers here are a constant source of inspiration to me," says Mike Caithness, "and we all love the informal atmosphere at LPH - and the food of course!"

John Tisbury from Northampton says it is a great place to exchange ideas and be with people who are enthusiastic about photography.

Colin Douglas from St Helens first came to LPH when it was under the previous owners, who started the company about twenty years ago, and has been every year since.

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Hmmm. Sounds good, but what about the multitudes of us who prefer old-fashioned film cameras? No evening review, no photoshop class, no true "joining in"...?

Spinny, Taipei, Taiwan