'I'm 26, single and looking for a fun holiday learning how to take fab landscape photos. The companies I have found appear to be tailored to silver spenders but I want to be amongst a mixture of ages. I also don't like the idea of a 'singles' holiday. I fancy Italy or Scotland - bit different I know but two places I fancy going to in 2007. Can anyone suggest companies that don't cost a fortune for a laid-back holiday combining good photographic tuition?' Lucy, Cheltenham

Doug McKinlay writes: During the last two or three years there has been a major surge in the popularity of photography, mostly due to the digital revolution. Now that camera makers have delivered consumer priced digital single lens reflex cameras (DSLR) more people are not only getting behind the lens, but also want to make photography a major part of their holidays. As a result, many holiday companies have created vacations that offer great picture opportunities in some of the most exciting and beautiful places on the planet with the added bonus of having professional photographers as tutors along for the ride. Here we look at four companies who cater to amateur photographers, from novice to advanced, and examine some of the locations they work in.

Photograph Scotland, set up by veteran landscape photographer John McKinlay, takes advantage of the changing landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. John has been leading small groups of snappers of all levels of experience for 17-years, focusing on the seasonal differences the Highlands offer, whether it’s spring in the green woodlands of the Trossachs or autumn gold on the Isle of Skye. The aim is to help people maximise their camera skills and techniques to produce high quality landscape and travel images. Most of the tutoring takes place outdoors with composition, exposure and filtration being discussed at length in each specific location. Nowadays, many clients use digital cameras, which means that the images taken during the day can be viewed and discussed back in the comfort of the hotel, perhaps over a warming dram.

John works hard to fulfill and exceed his clients' expectations and on the premise that clients should forget about everything else except their photography, therefore all the details are taken care of - airport transfers, location transport, all meals, and accommodation with no single supplements imposed.

Photograph Scotland offer 2-day introductory courses from £225 per person and 4 to 10 night photographic holidays ranging from £695 to £1495 per person, depending on dates and location. Prices do not include flights. www.photographscotland.com

Point 101 Photography Holidays uses the mountainous beauty of Italy’s Abruzzo region as its canvas. Classes concentrate on getting the most out of your digital SLR camera. Students are encouraged to bring their own equipment, but Point 101 can provide rental DSLR’s at an additional cost. The courses are within the reach of every level of experience, catering to the needs of both beginners and more advanced photographers. All the important aspects of photography, such as composition, exposure, perspective, subject matter and lighting, are covered. The goal is for students to come away being a more experienced and confident photographer.

Point101 Photography Holidays are full board, including food, alcohol and excursions. Flights are not included, but Point 101 can arrange them separately. The next courses are May 24-28 at £550 per person and July 12-16 at £645 per person. www.point101.com/artholidays

Arctic Color is run by renowned British landscape and Northern Lights photographer Patricia Cowern. Operating from the small Swedish town of Porjus, 40 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Patricia hosts small groups of photographers - beginners as well as advanced - who want to experience some of nature’s most contradictory moods. September brings autumn, when Patricia guides and tutors photographers in the fine art of autumn colour images, often concentrating on something as simple as the intricacies of a single dying leaf. As winter approaches and the nights get longer, clearer and colder her attention turns to the Aurora Borealis, nature’s magnificent light show. With the end of winter it’s time to look at what the Midnight Sun can offer. Porjus is the gateway to the World Heritage site of Laponia – often referred to as Europe’s last wilderness. This area contains four of Sweden’s National Parks encompassing a diverse terrain of mountains, lakes, marshes and old growth forest. And with more than ten years experience living here, Patricia knows every possible vantage point. She is dedicated to helping her guests get the most out of their Arctic travels.

Arctic Colour photographic holidays are full board, excluding airfares. All transport to and from photo locations is provided and depending on time of year a helicopter flight or dogsled trip is also included. Three day and two nights from £350 per person based on a minimum of three people. Photographers are expected to bring their own equipment. www.arctic-color.com .

For those who want to pit themselves and their photography against the wilds of Africa, Exodus Travels offer an eight-day photographic safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara and Samburu. Led by expert guide Paul Goldstein who has been sheparding photographic expeditions into the heart of Africa for 11-years, what he doesn’t know about photography and Africa isn’t worth mentioning. Groups are small, 12 maximum. They cater to all levels of photographic skills, absolute beginner to advanced. Paul prides himself and his Masai team on knowing the land intimately and knowing how to be in the right spot at the right time. And even though wildlife photography is often frantic, there is lots of time to give any struggling photographers a little one-on-one help.

Exodus photographic safaris are full board, including airfare and all local transportation. Prices start from £1763. Guests are advised to bring about US$90.00 for tips. www.exodus.co.uk.

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