This infamous and legendary celebration is the UK's largest bonfire night - join us to shoot one of the most visual events of the photographic calendar, plus shoot reportage in the mazy backstreets of Brighton, learn minimalist seascapes on the beach, and finish on the picturesque South Downs for a photographic weekend to remember.
Lewes is home to the largest and most celebrated of the festivities in the Sussex bonfire tradition - seven societies marching the streets in costume - you've never been to any bonfire night like this before.
In this Weekender we'll cover a mixture of landscape, reportage, portraiture and night photography, in stunning locations, with feedback and tutoring as you would expect from a normal Creative Escapes trip, but in a handy travel-pack size.
Days
3
Shoots
5
Level
All levels
Tuition
1-to-1
"Great weekend, great tutoring, great group of people - and lots of laughs. Til next time!"
SHARON KYNASTON, SNOWDONIA JULY 2021
Highlights.
We'll mix a range of locations across Sussex to try out landscapes, reportage, portraiture and night photography (with a few great nights out in between).
We start the weekend with a bang - 5,000 strong procession through ancient Lewes, before 4 bonfires to celebrate Guy Fawkes night. There's no bigger celebration anywhere.
We meet up in Lewes before the town officially closes at 2pm, then get to grips with shooting reportage in low light. Towards dusk, the procession begins; there are seven bonfire societies, each with their own performance, from the fiery procession of the martyrs' crosses, to the race of burning tar barrels. Each a spectacle perfect for your camera - then it's the choice of 4 bonfires bigger than anything you've ever seen, before a world class firework display and party to round off the night.
A lazy morning after our antics, with brunch in the North Laines, before we shoot some candid reportage of quirky Brighton.
Brighton has a fairly relaxed rhythm, so we'll brunch later after our Bonfire party antics, then try out some techniques in candid reportage, meandering through the myriad backstreets of the North Laines, looking for quirky subjects to shoot. After a late lunch, we'll head to the beach, and set up our positions for dusk, and shoot some fine art black and whites to end the days shooting. Later, we'll dine at one of the excellent Gastropubs, then take advantage of Brighton's varied nightlife and head out out for a night to remember with friends old and new.
On our final day, we head inland to take a look at the beauty of the South Downs, and lunch in a 16th century Inn.
We'll have a quick twirl on the fairground at early light, to extend our street photography skills, then head inland to the underrated South Downs, getting some time in nature before heading back to work the next day. We'll have a final late Sunday lunch of ploughmans at a 16th century Inn, then have some final reviews of your work and say our farewells until next time!
Where to Stay.
Brighton has a range of options for a 2-night stay, starting from £80 a night - including The Old Ship, Premier Inn plus an array of AirBnB options.
Jon Cunningham is a professional photographer, tutor and founder of Creative Escapes.
His work has been published in The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Country Living and more, shot 7 books for Penguin and Dorling Kindersley, taught photography internationally across 16 countries, mentored dozens of photographers from beginner to professional, and is the author of ‘Teach Yourself : Your Complete Photography Course’ (Hodder).
Book Now.
Our Creative Escapes Weekender to Lewes Bonfire will be held on the weekend of the 5 - 7 November 2021. Places are limited and first come first served.