Special Offer to Workshop Participants

Each person participating in one of my workshops, whether it is in iceland, the UK, Portugal, or Morocco will recive a signed, numbered limited edition black and white print at their completion of the course.

The fab eco hostel where we will stay in September in Portugal can be seen here: http://www.ecohostalalgarve.com/

PORTUGAL THROUGH MY EYES
My coffee table edition book of black and white images of Portugal is already held at the Portuguese Museum of Photography, but now it is also held at the Bodleian Library Oxford University, The Cambridge University Library, the National Library of Scotland, the National Library of Wales and Trinity College Dublin. A copy is also now in the Art Library of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon.

The book is now also available as an ebook (ipad and ibook format) at 
http://store.blurb.co.uk/ebooks/p079e10d56ac5e0e0e8d2

ANNOUNCING PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS IN NATURE

Benefit from my experience in 35 countries.

I will help you learn about the zone system and how 
thinking in b&w can help you think in colour too. Study camera functions (must have M function on camera), composition, exposure, depth of field, visualisation, filtration, basic Photoshop and patience.

Groups are limited to 6, so personal and friendly service is guaranteed with 5 day work-shops. For beginners and intermediate. Requirements: Digital camera only, tripod, good walking shoes, pack-away water-proofs, rucksack, daily snacks and refreshments. We will put in long days, 
start times tba - please be punctual. 

We will have daily talks and share experiences, shoot options of sunrise, midday and sunset (in the landscape). 
Please make your own way to your accommodation (which I will give guidance on).I will provide all transport during the course. Contact me and let’s see if we can agree dates to everyone’s convenience. And will update regularly as to meet dates and times, pickup and drop off at airports/ termini and accommodation, on blogsite.

All workshops conducted in nature are done with the greatest respect to the environment - no trash, minimal human footprint, low carbon emissions.

ENGLAND
Itenarery: Based in Brighton we will cover the South Downs looking at rivers, cityscapes, landscapes and beaches.* Brighton is a great place to meet every morning. There are numerous good, inexpensive hotels, plenty of fun shops and a plethora of nightlife. Connections by road and rail are generous.
Workshops in August

PORTUGAL
Itinerary: Based at the fab Quinta Stu eco-hostel in the Algarve we will explore amazing beaches at Praia de Bordeira, the wetlands of the Parque Natural de Ria Formosa, the awe inspiring seascapes around Sagres, fascinating Moorish town of Alcoutim, the historic house and gardens of Estoi, mesmerising riverside scenes in Tavira and the nearby salt pans. (Course in September to take advantage of the beautiful soft light).

MOROCCO
Itenerary: Casablanca, El Jadida, Agadir, Marrakesh, Atlas Mountains* Step back 2,000 years in this fascinating country where sights and smells are unlike anything you have ever experienced. Visit the world’s biggest mosque, ancient Portuguese city/forts, the hustle and bustle of open markets and the powerful presence of mountains.
Workshops commence January 2014

ICELAND
Itenerary: Blue Lagoon, Kleifarvatn, Floi, Skogarfoss, Solhemajokull, Dyrholaey, Vik, Jokulsarlon* If you want the most spectacular landscapes on the planet and you have never been to Iceland, then this is the one you shouldn't miss. Starting at the Blue Lagoon I guarantee everywhere will leave you with an unforgettable experience. Workshops in May.

ABOUT ME
Ex advertising Creative Director (Art) turned landscape photographer twenty years ago and self-employed since. I have exhibited extensively, received editorial in Sunday magazines, travel magazines and specialist press. I have received several international awards and my work is
collected by over 120 people woldwide. I am listed in more than 20 pages on Google and have a number of websites, blog and Tweet following. In 2009 I launched my coffee table book ‘Portugal Through My Eyes’, a copy of which is held in the Portuguese Museum of Photography. The book is 
marketed on Blurb.com and has received an average of 40 full book hits per week since the launch.

My fee varies depending on the location: Per person, per 5 day course; England £150, Portugal £250, Iceland £350, Morocco £350

*All subject to change 
depending on weather.


There will be an advertisement in the February issues of Outdoor Photography and Black and White Photography magazines, supplement (titled Photography Holidays & Courses Guide Book for 2013.) This will announce the workshops I am putting on to a wider audience.



Please email me if you would like a leaflet.

Thanks
Mel


E: mel_sewell@yahoo.co.uk
M: 0044 (0) 7908844652
W: www.takescantalk.co.uk and www.somethingaboutmel.blogspot.com

Mel's Eco Credentials

The first 18 years of my life living in Africa, mostly in the ‘bush’ miles from any signs of civilisation.

Studies made at school of African tribal tracks in Zimbabwe.

Working with and on an African media consortium promoting rights of ‘Africans in their environment’ in South Africa.

In my own advertising agency in London worked on the advertising of and promotion of Coto Donana - nature reserve in Spain.

Won the business account of Earthwatch based on a proposal to tell the story of Dolphins, which completely turned around the profile of Earthwatch (client’s words, not mine).

Spent 20 years as a landscape photographer, with 5 awards from an international magazine and another from the Sierra Club in the USA, as well as articles in 4 publications, including one of 4 pages about my landscape photography.

Produced a book of landscape photography which appeared in 35 international media, including prime time Portuguese TV. A copy of this book is in the library of the Museum of Photography in Portugal. At the same time promoted by Quercus the prime Portuguese environment agency. This book is promoted on the Blurb website and has to date received 4,400 hits - that is not page hits, it is entire book hits. So multiply 4,400 x 120 pages, that means 528,000 total, global opportunities to see.

Helped rural communities in Portugal realise their ambitions in beekeeping through Trickle-Up (USA).

Worked for 5 years with Artists International to promote the scenery of Portugal to British, German, French and Italian companies.

Leading member of Lisbon Hash House Harriers - family walking in countryside every 2 weeks.

My photographic work has over 110 worldwide collectors.

Worked as a wwoofer on eco-hostel.

Involved with Web of Life production in Frome.

Approx 120 notices on 12 pages of Google promoting my landscape photography.

Editorial in Black and White Photography magazine lauding my book of photography of Portugal.

Launched Hug The Planet to involve children photographing nature and thus deepening and encouraging their experience, with website on face book and agreement approved by Flickr to partner their facilities.

Upcoming exhibition of environmental photographic work with up and coming eco- poet Fletcher Brown.

Ongoing mail shot to world’s top 230 photographic collectors of my landscape photography.

Work my own garden patch including herbs, raspberry, potatoes and kale. Use own composter.

New strategy change to develop photography workshops in the UK environment. Ad to run in Feb issue of Black and White Photography magazine.

Initiate proposal to share the podium talking on ecopsychology and peripheral subjects, with various speakers in Frome.

Avid cyclist since childhood.

And that’s to say nothing of the dozens of exhibitions I have held - all promoting a better understanding and love for the environment.

Currently subscribe to Positive News and Resurgence magazine. Recent reading includes: Companion Planting by Gertrud Franck, The Art of Happiness by HH Dalai Lama, Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv, 2012 The Year of the Mayan Prophecy by Daniel Pinchbeck and Prehistoric Avebury by Aubrey Burl, The Work That Reconnects by Joanna Macy.

Support: Woodland Trust and Greenpeace.

Invitation to a private view

Dear Friends, please find attached an invitation to my private view at the fab Diva's in Frome on 6th July 2012. If you can't make it I shall be very sad, but the exhibition will be open until 1st September 2012.

I make apolagies in advance if you don't get very good reproduction of the image on the attachement - its pot luck with computers isn't it? What one screen finds good another doesn't. But I can promise you fantastic, well printed images at the exhibition

Also some of you may receive several emails, that's because I have several email addresses for you. Please let me know which one is the one to keep and I'll delete the others.

Hope to see you on the night.

love and peace.

Mel

Welcome to my new blogsite. Here you will find new images, never before displayed of the environment, whether that is sea/land/river/skyscapes, or insects/animals/birds/fish.
In association with my other creation at Hug The Planet (to be found at facebook as Hug The Planet and at Flickr - same title), which have been produced so that children can upload their images of nature, this blog will be my showcase. And so that the world will not be further poluted with chemicals from the development of film (my favourite medium) this site will be entirely digital using a very basic camera, or mobile phone.