Madeira Photography Workshop and tour
Photograph captivating Madeira
Volcanic Peaks, Ancient Forests and wild Coastlines
Situated 300 miles off the coast of North Africa and rising dramatically from the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is a breathtaking volcanic island.
Despite being just 35 miles long and 13 miles wide, it offers offers extraordinary diverse scenery.
From the towering peaks that soar above the clouds to the lush, emerald-green landscape of ancient laurel forests, cascading waterfalls and terraced hillsides, Madeira is also home to some spectacular sea stacks and rugged coastal scenery.
It’s this incredible variety, combined with the ever-changing light and weather that make Madeira such a rewarding destination for landscape photography.
You will learn…
- Appropriate camera settings
- Lens choice
- Working with the available light
- Composition techniques
- Depth of field & focusing
- Exposure & the histogram
- Use of filters
- Shooting in low light
- Shooting panoramas
- Long exposures with water
Ability level
- Suitable for all except the complete beginner
Fitness/Mobility Level
- Moderate – good. Some locations are easy access but there is some uphill walking involved at times. The longest walk is around 45 minutes, and involves some steep sections. Ribeira da Janela involves clambering over rocks on the beach.
Tutor/s
- Sarah Howard & Paulo Silva
Workshop Details
Group Size
Max 7
Dates
November 23rd - 28th 2026
Duration
4.5 days /5 nights
Price
Workshop fee - £2085
Meeting Place
Funchal airport
Photographic Locations
Fanal Forest, Ribeira da Janela, Ilhéu de Santa Cruz, Ponta do Rosto, Guindaste, Ponta do Sol, Seixal, Véu da Noiva viewpoint, Pico do Areeiro
Included
4 1/2 days of photographic tuition and demonstrations, 5 nights 4* ensuite single occupancy accommodation, breakfast, minibus transportation, return airport transfers, city tax
Excluded
Flights, all meals other than breakfast, personal insurance, equipment insurance
Accommodation
5 nights single occupancy ensuite with breakfast at Turim Santa Maria Hotel in Funchal
Waiting List
To be informed of new dates or cancellations please click the icon to fill out the waiting list form.
Insurance
We recommend you take out both personal and equipment insurance.
Madeira – November 2026
Improve your Photography skills in this stunning part of Portugal
A Spectacular coastline
Along Madeira’s rugged coastline, towering sea cliffs, crashing waves and sculpted volcanic rock provide endless opportunities for dramatic seascapes.
The island’s north coast, in particular, is a paradise for landscape photographers. Here, steep volcanic cliffs plunge into the Atlantic and waterfalls tumble directly into the sea. The huge rock stacks found at Ribeiro da Janella combined with a boulder covered shoreline allow for endless opportunities to photograph powerful waves and create long-exposure seascapes.
Ponta de São Lourenço; Madeira’s wild eastern peninsula is completely different from the rest of the island. Here its unique geology and dramatic volcanic headland with colourful rock formations create some of Madeira’s most striking landscapes.
Fanal Forest - Madeira's enchanted Woodland
Perhaps Madeira’s most iconic photographic location, Fanal Forest, is one of the few remaining ancient Laurel forests that once covered the whole island. It is home to centuries-old twisted Laurel trees which have been shaped by the wind into extraordinary natural sculptures.
November often brings some of the island’s most atmospheric conditions so we’ll be hoping for some misty or foggy mornings, to add atmosphere and mystery, and transform the forest into an almost mythical landscape.
Waterfalls and Lush Levadas
Madeira’s famous levadas weave through ancient UNESCO-listed Laurissilva forest. Many emerge onto spectacular lookouts across deep volcanic valleys, others lead to beautiful waterfalls, moss-covered rocks and vibrant green woodland.
The Véu da Noiva (Bride’s Veil) viewpoint overlooks a graceful waterfall that plunges from lush, vertical cliffs directly into the sea. A unique combination of waterfall, cliffs and ocean in a single composition, it provides the opportunity to capture the dramatic north coast with its towering, vegetation-covered sea cliffs.
Panoramic Mountain vistas
Madeiras central mountains rise dramatically above the clouds, from sea level to over 1,860 metres at Pico Ruivo, creating an extraordinary landscape of jagged peaks, deep valleys and soaring ridge lines.
When conditions are right, you’ll see the peaks emerging above a sea of cloud, illuminated by the warm colours of sunrise or sunset before revealing breathtaking panoramic views across the island.
We’ll photograph some of Madeira’s most iconic mountain locations, including the stunning viewpoints at Pico do Arieiro and Pico Ruivo, where a network of spectacular trails links the island’s highest peaks.
We’ll also explore viewpoints such as Miradouro do Guindaste, Eira do Serrado, and Boca da Corrida, each offering sweeping vistas across Madeira’s rugged interior, dramatic volcanic valleys and isolated mountain villages.
Dramatic skies and soft Light
November is one of the very best times to photograph here. The island’s lush landscapes are refreshed after the first autumn rains, waterfalls are in flow, dramatic weather systems create ever-changing conditions and the soft, low light provides beautiful conditions from dawn until dusk.
You’ll be photographing a wide variety of scenes. From fog-shrouded forests and wild coastlines to high mountain peaks and cascading waterfalls, allowing you to experience the remarkable diversity that makes the island so special.
This Madeira photography workshop benefits from the guidance of pro-photographer Paulo Silva, who has in depth local knowledge of the island.
Upcoming Madeira Photography workshops
Madeira – November 2026
Madeira Photography Workshop - General Information
The workshop is aimed at anyone who wants to improve their photography so photographers of all levels of experience are welcome. It is not suitable for the complete beginner.
We will give you both practical and technical advice, as well as individual guidance and hands on demonstrations in the field.
Aside of helping you choose the best camera settings, we will also look at composition, developing your vision and the use of various filters.
We will be on hand to provide as much support, advice or guidance as you require.
5 nights single occupancy ensuite bed and breakfast accommodation at the 4* Turim Santa Maria hotel in Funchal
The nearest airport is Funchal international airport to which flights are available with BA or Easy Jet from Gatwick, or Easy Jet from Bristol.
Please contact me BEFORE booking your flights.
Exact pick up/drop off times will be confirmed but based on the current schedule, pick up will be at approximately 12 midday on the 23rd November (unless we have anyone flying from Manchester in which case it will be 3:30pm) and drop off at 2:30pm on the 28th November.
You will be met at Funchal airport on November 23rd (time TBC) and together we will transfer to our hotel. The journey should take around 20 minutes. Depending on our arrival time, we will meet later in the afternoon again for introductions and a programme brief before our first shoot followed by dinner. Our photography recommences the next morning with a sunrise shoot and runs through until sunset on the final day. On the final afternoon we will transfer back to the airport (time TBA).
We will visit a number of locations over the course of the workshop which will offer you numerous challenges and allow you to fully explore your creative potential.
There will also be time to review and critique your images and the opportunity to discuss them together as we look back on our photography.
The workshop has a relaxed format and is designed to be enjoyable as well as well as educational, so aside of improving your photography you can also enjoy the beautiful surroundings and most importantly have fun!
A minimum of 5 photographers is required for this workshop to proceed. PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS until I give the go ahead.
Transport will be a 9 seater minibus
Moderate – good.
Some locations are relatively easy access but there is some uphill walking involved at times. The longest walk is around 45 minutes and involves some some steep sections.
Ribeira da Janela involves clambering over potential slippery rocks on the beach.
- DSLR or mirrorless camera ideally with both wide angle and telephoto lenses
- Tripod
- Cable/remote release
- Whilst not essential, you will benefit from bringing neutral density graduated filters; a polariser and a neutral density filter.
- A rain cover for your camera.
- A laptop and card reader is very useful to select and review your images for the purpose of our image critiques but not essential.
Before buying any equipment or if you are unsure of what to bring, please email sarah@imageseen.co.uk for more information.
Please ensure that you insure your photographic equipment. It is also recommended that take out personal insurance in case you need to cancel.
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