London Outdoor Photography! (walks & workshops)

Dear Lords, Ladies, and photographic squires!

Loxwood Joust, the U.K.'s most spectacular mediaeval festival, is back on again this year and we're going to practice some dramatic action photography!

This amazing extravaganza is held in the picturesque woodlands of West Sussex and features full-contact jousting, along with other daring displays of weaponry, including archery, muskets, and cannon fire as armoured knights and their retainers prepare to meet in great numbers for the melee on the thunderous battlefield, granting us many photographic opportunities.

You will also be able to "wander the Living History Village, situated in the Mediaeval Meadow, where inhabitants live and work exactly as they would have in the middle ages. Peruse their traditional wares in the Mediaeval Marketplace, where traders and hawkers vie for your attention and wandering minstrels, dance troupes, and a court jester entertain the crowds throughout the day." So a number of interesting and unusual portrait possibilities are available.

Almost 50 re-enactment groups take part in Loxwood Joust each year so it is on a scale unlike other mediaeval events.

Our previous photographic scouts scoured Loxwood for the best photographic opportunities and have devised battle tactics to enable you to capture some amazing shots!

Please note: There will be a maximum of 7 participants (plus photo guide) so get in early! Loxwood Joust around[masked]pm, so we expect to leave the event soon after and arrive back in central London around 7pm.

𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
Telephoto lenses eg[masked]mm etc (recommended if you have but we'll have multiple telephoto setups for you to borrow – just bring a blank SD card).
Walk around zoom (or kit) lens eg 18-55mm, 24-70mm (for environmental portraits and wide battlefield shots)
Tripods/monopods are permitted but not required unless bringing a heavy telephoto lens

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
Travel to and from central London (from Starbucks, Unit 1A Euston Tower, NW1 3DP), in our comfortable 8 seater vehicle, including hand selected photographic magazines to learn from and inspire en route
Entry ticket for Loxwood Joust
Photographic Tuition at event
Camera and telephoto lens setups to borrow
Battery charging facilities if required (just bring your USB or wall plug charger)

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
Food and drink

Note: Please dress for the weather. Hat, sunscreen (forecast at time of writing is partly cloudy and 20C). It is England after all, so bring a light waterproof jacket/umbrella just in case and wear appropriate footwear for walking.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞❜𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭:
We'll meet at Starbucks Coffee, Unit 1A Euston Tower Podium, Regents Place, London NW1 3DP, at 8.15am and we'll talk about what to expect on the day and to go through previous photos of the event and discuss settings, composition, etc.
We'll be leaving Starbucks at 8.30am.

Please make sure you check TFL to arrive at the meeting point on time as we will have to leave exactly at 8.30am sharp. Unfortunately, due to having to purchase the tickets, refunds will unable to be given if you are late, hence our meeting time is a full 20 minutes before our departure. Please be sure you can attend before RSVPing yes, as refunds can only be given if your place is taken by another participant or you're required to isolate due to Covid-19 test requirements. Thank you.

𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝-𝟏𝟗 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨:
We've completed Visit Britain & Visit England's Covid-19 assessments & have been approved as "Good To Go".

Our risk reduction measures are listed in previous event details, but include requiring masks & windows open for airflow in the vehicle, we have hand sanitizer available and antiviral wipes for equipment, and vehicle cleaned/sanitized prior to event.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: This event is combined with 2 other photography Meetup groups that I run so RSVP numbers such as myself +3 means 3 members from the other groups attending.

Dear Lords, Ladies, and photographic squires!

Loxwood Joust, the U.K.'s most spectacular mediaeval festival, is back on again this year and we're going to practice some dramatic action photography!

This amazing extravaganza is held in the picturesque woodlands of West Sussex and features full-contact jousting, along with other daring displays of weaponry, including archery, muskets, and cannon fire as armoured knights and their retainers prepare to meet in great numbers for the melee on the thunderous battlefield, granting us many photographic opportunities.

You will also be able to "wander the Living History Village, situated in the Mediaeval Meadow, where inhabitants live and work exactly as they would have in the middle ages. Peruse their traditional wares in the Mediaeval Marketplace, where traders and hawkers vie for your attention and wandering minstrels, dance troupes, and a court jester entertain the crowds throughout the day." So a number of interesting and unusual portrait possibilities are available.

Almost 50 re-enactment groups take part in Loxwood Joust each year so it is on a scale unlike other mediaeval events.

Our previous photographic scouts scoured Loxwood for the best photographic opportunities and have devised battle tactics to enable you to capture some amazing shots!

Please note: There will be a maximum of 7 participants (plus photo guide) so get in early! Loxwood Joust around[masked]pm, so we expect to leave the event soon after and arrive back in central London around 7pm.

𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
Telephoto lenses eg[masked]mm etc (recommended if you have but we'll have multiple telephoto setups for you to borrow – just bring a blank SD card).
Walk around zoom (or kit) lens eg 18-55mm, 24-70mm (for environmental portraits and wide battlefield shots)
Tripods/monopods are permitted but not required unless bringing a heavy telephoto lens

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
Travel to and from central London (from Starbucks, Unit 1A Euston Tower, NW1 3DP), in our comfortable 8 seater vehicle, including hand selected photographic magazines to learn from and inspire en route
Entry ticket for Loxwood Joust
Photographic Tuition at event
Camera and telephoto lens setups to borrow
Battery charging facilities if required (just bring your USB or wall plug charger)

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐝:
Food and drink

Note: Please dress for the weather. Hat, sunscreen (forecast at time of writing is partly cloudy and 20C). It is England after all, so bring a light waterproof jacket/umbrella just in case and wear appropriate footwear for walking.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞❜𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭:
We'll meet at Starbucks Coffee, Unit 1A Euston Tower Podium, Regents Place, London NW1 3DP, at 8.15am and we'll talk about what to expect on the day and to go through previous photos of the event and discuss settings, composition, etc.
We'll be leaving Starbucks at 8.30am.

Please make sure you check TFL to arrive at the meeting point on time as we will have to leave exactly at 8.30am sharp. Unfortunately, due to having to purchase the tickets, refunds will unable to be given if you are late, hence our meeting time is a full 20 minutes before our departure. Please be sure you can attend before RSVPing yes, as refunds can only be given if your place is taken by another participant or you're required to isolate due to Covid-19 test requirements. Thank you.

𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝-𝟏𝟗 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨:
We've completed Visit Britain & Visit England's Covid-19 assessments & have been approved as "Good To Go".

Our risk reduction measures are listed in previous event details, but include requiring masks & windows open for airflow in the vehicle, we have hand sanitizer available and antiviral wipes for equipment, and vehicle cleaned/sanitized prior to event.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: This event is combined with 2 other photography Meetup groups that I run so RSVP numbers such as myself +3 means 3 members from the other groups attending.

RSVPs to this event are open at our main Meetup group page at this link:
https://www.meetup.com/Fun-Friendly-Photography/events/279029703/

The 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 is one of the most anticipated astrophotography events of the year and in 2021 the we'll see 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟖𝟓 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤!

We'll be heading to a location up to two hours from London to set up our cameras for the peak of the meteor shower! So pack your tripod plus some snacks and once set up, we'll spend a relaxing evening gazing up at the shooting stars.

I'll have multiple highly regarded astrophotography lenses available to share between the group if required.
1 x Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Canon fit
1 x Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Nikon fit
1 x Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Sony E mount fit

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞:
𝟏) It is an all night event. We expect to return to London around 5-6am but could be earlier depending on conditions.
𝟐) Location will be decided on the day.
𝟑) There will be no facilities available at the location (we're going to a remote location at night!)

An update will be given the day prior to the event & confirmation on the day.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝟐 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠:

𝟏) 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬: Meet at our West Acton studio, W3 0EJ, (Ealing Broadway branch of Central line) at[masked]pm. We'll then in our vehicle to the chosen location. Return drop offs - first stop near Warren Street station in Central London & second stop West Acton station. ETA will be between 5-6am depending on conditions (astrophotography requires more flexibility than other events). Please check your transport options from drop off points thoroughly (Public Transport from Central London or West Acton, or Uber)

𝟐) 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 to our designated meeting point (please contact me for a reduced price)

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
- Tripod
- Cable release trigger (a must to be able to take continuous photos - or a timelapse mode on your camera)
- Spare batteries
- Spare SD cards
- Head torch (with red light option preferable) or standard torch.
- Lens choice: for both the Perseid meteor shower and the Milky Way a wider angle is preferred, such as 16-35mm, 18-35mm, 14mm, 24mm, 35mm... Message me with your options for advice.
- Something to sit/lay down on.

𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝-𝟏𝟗 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨:
We'll observe current Covid-19 guidance. Possibly in addition to guidance, as ours is a private vehicle masks will be required due to sitting in close proximity to each other and the windows open to circulate fresh air.

- Participants confirm that they have followed current government guidance, including self isolating if they (or their contacts) have tested positive or suffer any symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/ A full refund will be given if a participant has to cancel due to them or a contact testing positive or requiring to isolate.

Please note, individuals will need to take their own personal health circumstances into account before considering attending any event given the current scenario as the virus is endemic in the community. Risk can be minimised but not eliminated. Please err on the side of safety if in any doubt.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲:
In addition to Covid-related refunds mentioned above, we will fully refund if the event is unable to go ahead due to weather (at instructor's discretion). A refund can also be offered if your place is taken by another participant. Those self-driving are not required to pay in advance.

If this event is cancelled due to weather participants will be offered their choice of a refund or any free places available for the event on the following evening.

RSVPs to this event are open on our main Meetup group page at this link:
https://www.meetup.com/Fun-Friendly-Photography/events/278988509/

The 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 is one of the most anticipated astrophotography events of the year and in 2021 we'll see 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟖𝟓 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤!

We'll be heading to a location up to two hours from London to set up our cameras for the peak of the meteor shower! So pack your tripod plus some snacks and once set up, we'll spend a relaxing evening gazing up at the shooting stars.

I'll have multiple highly regarded astrophotography lenses available to share between the group if required.
1 x Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Canon fit
1 x Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Nikon fit
1 x Samyang 14mm f/2.8 Sony E mount fit

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞:
𝟏) This event is the evening following the official peak of the meteor shower but still high numbers (~55 meteors per hour peak expected this evening)
𝟐) It is an all night event. We expect to return to London around 5-6am but could be earlier depending on conditions.
𝟑) Location will be decided on the day.
𝟒) There will be no facilities available at the location (we're going to a remote location at night!)

An update will be given the day prior to the event & confirmation on the day.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝟐 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠:

𝟏) 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬: Meet at our West Acton studio, W3 0EJ, (Ealing Broadway branch of Central line) at[masked]pm. We'll then in our vehicle to the chosen location. Return drop offs - first stop near Warren Street station in Central London & second stop West Acton station. ETA will be between 5-6am depending on conditions (astrophotography requires more flexibility than other events). Please check your transport options from drop off points thoroughly (Public Transport from Central London or West Acton, or Uber)

𝟐) 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 to our designated meeting point (please contact me for a reduced price)

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
- Tripod
- Cable release trigger (a must to be able to take continuous photos - or a timelapse mode on your camera)
- Spare batteries
- Spare SD cards
- Head torch (with red light option preferable) or standard torch.
- Lens choice: for both the Perseid meteor shower and the Milky Way a wider angle is preferred, such as 16-35mm, 18-35mm, 14mm, 24mm, 35mm... Message me with your options for advice.
- Something to sit/lay down on.

𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝-𝟏𝟗 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨:
We'll observe current Covid-19 guidance. Possibly in addition to guidance, as ours is a private vehicle masks will be required due to sitting in close proximity to each other and the windows open to circulate fresh air.

- Participants confirm that they have followed current government guidance, including self isolating if they (or their contacts) have tested positive or suffer any symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/ A full refund will be given if a participant has to cancel due to them or a contact testing positive or requiring to isolate.

Please note, individuals will need to take their own personal health circumstances into account before considering attending any event given the current scenario as the virus is endemic in the community. Risk can be minimised but not eliminated. Please err on the side of safety if in any doubt.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲:
In addition to Covid-related refunds mentioned above, we will fully refund if the event is unable to go ahead due to weather (at instructor's discretion). A refund can also be offered if your place is taken by another participant. Those self-driving are not required to pay in advance.