Captured History: Photography Walk

Join us for a relaxed guided photography walk, and explore the dramatic spaces and stories of our industrial heritage. Led by our knowledgeable volunteer guide, the walk combines practical photography tips with fascinating insights into the site’s history.

Experiment with composition, light and detail as you photograph winding gear, machinery, buildings and landscapes shaped by coal mining. Along the way we’ll share ideas on how to work with challenging conditions such as low light, scale and atmosphere.

Look out for our themed and seasonal walks which happen throughout the year:

14 March: Composition
Focus on composition using natural frames, leading lines, negative space, rule of thirds, vanishing point, foreground interest & viewpoints.

11 April: Industrial Textures
Rust, rocks and machinery. Get off Programme Mode and learn to love Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and the dreaded Manual Mode!

9 May: Late Spring Walk
See the Museum’s green spaces come to life along the Nature Trail.

14 June: The Dark Side!
In this special Black & White walk, look for subjects that work well as a monochrome image.

11 July: Light & Shadow
Play with harsh shadows, silhouettes and dappled light.

8 August: Young Snappers
Join a special Photography Walk suitable for under 11s and their parents/guardians. Learn some basic photography techniques.

12 September: Summer Walk
Discover how to use Depth of Field techniques in this summertime photography walk.

10 October: Abstract Photography
Focus on shapes, textures (peeling paint and rust) and patterns.

14 November: Hidden Areas of the Museum

Who is the walk for?

This walk is suitable for beginners. Whether you’re using a DSLR camera or smartphone, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and guidance. No prior photography experience is needed.

We also have the option of using our wheelchair accessible shuttle, making this walk suitable and accessible for all.

What to expect

– A friendly, small group photography walk around the Museum site

– Photography tips focused on industrial and heritage settings

– Time to explore, experiment and ask questions

– A chance to see the Museum in a new way