Tony Cobley has been passionate about taking pictures since getting his first camera at the age of 12, and works as a professional photographer in the South West of England. Tony, who is an associate of the British Institute of Professional Photography, has been running creative photography workshops and courses as part of his business for the last four years, more than half of his participants being over 50.
Tony’s approach to photography tuition is refreshingly different to that of many traditional photography courses and he has applied this ethos to his new holiday business, Photo Holidays UK. Tony commented, “Our ethos is to welcome people of all ages and all levels of technical and creative knowledge and with any type of camera, no matter how basic. We believe that it’s not about the camera and the gadgets… It’s about the eye!”
Tony believes that there are lots of people of any age, but particularly the older generation, with the potential to be extremely creative who would not normally attend a photography course because of the somewhat heavy, dry, overly technical content. So the photographic holidays he provides enable groups of mixed ages and mixed abilities to concentrate on creative techniques such as understanding light, composition and framing, expression and context. These are the things which make stunning photographs and they are missing in the work of some very technical hobby photographers. 
A liberating freedom to see and capture the world more creatively without having to handle complex equipment, technical calculations and lots of unnecessary gadgets! So the aim is to help you to see and capture the world more creatively without having to wrestle with fancy equipment, boring content, technical calculations and lots of unnecessary gadgets!
As a professional commercial and landscape photographer working in South Devon, Tony Cobley comments on the choice of locations: “I have been living and working in Devon for over 20 years and believe that the scenery here is world class. We have a wonderfully diverse mix of coastal and upland scenery plus beautiful rivers and quaint towns and villages. The South Devon coast has some beautiful beaches, cliffs and harbours, making absolutely perfect photography subjects and a thoroughly pleasant day out. Dartmoor National Park offers a rugged contrast of exposed granite hills, tumbling rivers and delightful wild ponies”.
Photo Holidays UK believe that people learn more effectively when they are relaxed, comfortable, happy and given positive, encouraging, supportive tuition. So the packages include 3 whole days of photography tuition with good quality hotel accommodation in a beautiful part of South Devon, where many would, indeed, want to visit. The experience is very much a holiday rather than a course and practical, creative skills are taught in a relaxed and interactive way, with one to one help available, of course.
Tony’s first photography holiday packages are in the spring and summer of 2013, based in the lovely Devon town of Totnes, close to the River Dart. Totnes has a very creative feel, with many independent and interesting shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes. The small town has been listed by British Airways magazine as one of the world’s Top 10 Funky Towns. So plenty of photo opportunities, places to eat, drink and chat about your photos in the evening! More holidays are planned in the South Devon area for later in the year.
What could be more fun than wandering around an interesting landscape, quintessentially English, with delightful towns and villages to capture on your camera?
For more information, please visit www.photoholidays.uk.com.
