This is a Member-Led Event, with a maximum of 8 participants, led by Jeff Underwood.

Shoot the shingle and the stars - on the only desert in the UK?  Dungeness is one of the largest expanses of shingle beach in Europe, but there’s much more to see - fishing boats, associated equipment, two nuclear power stations and iconic properties such as the late Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage.  There’s a massive amount to shoot and explore, particularly as the sun begins to set. Light paint the boats, catch the lighthouse and the stars in one of our least light polluted skies.  It’s a great natural location, with huge photographic potential.

Meet: at Lydd Beach Car Park, Romney Marsh, TN29 9ND for a prompt start at 15:00.   What3Words: downhill.watch.dummy

Parking: at the car park is free.

Whilst it is possible to get to Dungeness by bus, and the map shows a train line, neither are advisable. The bus schedule is one per hour and unreliable; the train is a tourist service. Car is the only viable option.

Toilets: are available at pubs and cafes, but it can be a long walk to reach them.

Terrain: this is a large shingle beach, mostly flat but with troughs; all is loose and uneven.  The long distances here may be tiring, so you must be comfortable walking on challenging difficult surfaces.

Attendees will have the option to stay beyond sunset, but it is essential to have a torch and fully charged phone. It is advisable to have comfortable seating, such as a camping chair, if you want to stay late; and wrap up warm.

What to wear: Good walking boots are essential as shingle is uneven and very tiring.  Dress for the weather forecast on the day (also for any unexpected showers) and the temperature drop at night.

Food & drink: there are two pubs and a cafe in the area, but it can be a long walk to reach them.

What to bring: all camera equipment can be used plus a tripod and ND filters for long / night exposures. For low angles knee pads are useful. A torch / batteries is essential along with fully charged phone for personal safety. Light painting may be an option so take that into account in selecting a light source.

Bad weather plan: in the event of light rain we’ll still go ahead. Unless exceptionally strong winds / heavy rain on the day, in which case the event will be postponed or cancelled.

Environment: in addition to the £2 carbon-offset in the price, the RPS Landscape group is promoting the “You+2” initiative for us all to do something about the plastic pollution we see. Details on our Website.

Advice: This is a member-lead event, simply to introduce you to a location, with no professional guidance. If you have a technical query, the leader or fellow participants might be able to help.

Terms for RPS Landscape Group Events:

Carbon offsets

Tickets for events that involve travelling include a £2 carbon offset charge that will be paid to a carefully researched and selected offsetting partner.

Cancellation by You:

If you wish to cancel your booking PLEASE tell us with as much notice as possible: a) directly to the event leader / organiser once they have issued the joining email (typically 10-14 days pre-event); or b) if before that email, use the Contact Organiser button. If early enough, we may be able to open up sales on a sold-out event or help the leader decide if numbers are low; if nothing else, it can avoid delaying the start of the event while they wait for you.

If you have paid for an event, please note that this fee/ticket price is non-refundable unless we are able to sell your place to somebody else. You are welcome to sell your place yourself but, again, PLEASE notify us in advance of any change.

Cancellation by us:

Event leaders are asked to make plans for alternative activities or locations in the case of poor weather and, in most cases, events will proceed despite poor weather unless, in the view of the event leader, the weather will lead to unacceptable safety risks or very little chance of successful photography. It is inevitable, however, that occasionally an event will be cancelled for this or another reason beyond the RPS’s control.

Occasionally an event may also be cancelled owing to lack of bookings. So if you wish to attend an event, don’t leave it till the last minute to book as it may be too late.

If an event is cancelled we will give you as much notice as we are able and any payment by you to the RPS in respect of the event offered as a full refund. In the case of events cancelled because of lack of interest we will aim to give at least three weeks’ notice wherever possible.

Please note we are NOT able to refund any associated or consequential costs including but not limited to travel, accommodation, insurance premium or other costs incurred by you in order to attend the event.

Responsibility:

You are responsible for your own health and safety and must appraise your own strength, fitness and mobility; and be prepared for the terrain, changing weather conditions etc. The event leader is NOT responsible for your safety, welfare or attendant medical conditions. Strictly the event leader is there to introduce you to a location.

You are responsible for your equipment etc at all times; use suitable bags for carrying it.  Keep camera bags close/secured in public. Please also take care if using a tripod in public areas to avoid any trips.

Car-sharing lifts with fellow participants, or the event leader, is at your own risk. Those offering car-sharing lifts may only do so provided that they have suitable insurance cover. 

Liability for any accident, injury, medical condition, loss or damage to property, inappropriate behaviour, dress, equipment and third party liability is accepted by you when signing up for the event. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Royal Photographic Society from all claims of whatsoever nature.

Insurance:

You are advised to consider having insurance to cover: event cancellation by you or by us, accident, medical, personal equipment and public liability.

In particular you should also consider, in the case of high cost events, the likelihood and consequences of you having to cancel or not attend at the last minute because of accident, medical or other unforeseeable circumstances.

Using your data:

Your personal details (name, telephone number and email address) will be provided to the leader of the event or workshop you have booked in order to enable them to:

• send you joining instructions for the event
• contact you at short notice in case of any emergency or last-minute change to the event.

If you do not want your details to be shared with the event leader please cancel your booking immediately. You will not be eligible for a refund as this information was provided on the web page where you made your booking.

Thank you

RPS Landscape Group Committee

© RPS Landscape Group / Images are used with the owner’s permission