The Quiet Lens
6 Nights, 8 People, Fitness Level Moderate
Prices: From €2000
Step into spring in the Alpujarras – unhurried, unspoilt, unforgettable.
May 9 – 15th 2026
The Alpujarras
Join us next spring for an immersive photography workshop in the heart of the Alpujarras, based at the stunning Casa Ana in the Taha Valley – a beautiful and stylish house that specialises in residential creative retreats, which we’ll have exclusive use of throughout the week.
Led by Eight Peaks photographer Andrew Scriven and supported by expert local mountain guides, this carefully curated week unfolds in a region steeped in artistic and literary heritage. The Alpujarras has long captivated creatives – most famously Gerald Brenan, whose South from Granada continues to inspire generations of artists and writers drawn to the mountains’ raw beauty and unhurried way of life.
Timed for when the valleys are at their greenest and bursting with wildflowers, each day begins and ends in golden light – ideal for walking straight from the hotel into a landscape of deep canyons, tumbling waterfalls, and layered ridges glowing with colour. Think sunsets that rival Rothko paintings and the chance to capture them in stillness and solitude.
Designed for photographers with moderate fitness, this retreat invites you to walk for a few hours each day, embrace the shifting mountain light, and reconnect with your creative eye. As we explore these remote villages, dramatic gorges, and ancient trails, we’ll capture the essence of a place where history, tradition, and breathtaking scenery intertwine.
Granada & the Alhambra Gardens
After a couple of days exploring the Alpujarras, we’ll take a day trip to Granada to photograph the majestic Alhambra and its exquisite gardens – an architectural masterpiece set against the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. In spring, the gardens are at their most vibrant, bursting with colour and fragrance, making this the perfect time to capture their full beauty.
Returning to the Alpujarras, the experience deepens as you spend time in villages where life continues much as it has for centuries. You’ll have the opportunity to photograph locals tending their land, craftspeople preserving ancient skills, and quiet moments of everyday life approached with care, respect, and a mindful, unhurried rhythm.
From whitewashed houses and winding mule tracks to stone streets, rustic doorways, and the shadows of almond trees, the Alpujarras offer a rich variety of textures, light, and form. These timeless settings are ideal for striking black-and-white photography and richly atmospheric colour work, helping you build a thoughtful, personal portfolio rooted in place.
Your week..
- Guided photography walks each morning and evening when the light is at its most beautiful
- Explore and photograph waterfalls, canyons, and flower-filled mountain trails just steps from Casa Ana
- Visit timeless white villages – perfect for powerful black-and-white and architectural photography
- Capture village life of locals and artisans.
- A day trip to Granada to photograph the Alhambra’s intricate architecture and its gardens bursting with spring flowers
- Masterclasses in landscape and architectural photography led by Andrew Scriven
- Post-processing tuition tailored to your skill level, helping you refine your visual style
- Delicious food and peaceful accommodation at Casa Ana – exclusively for holiday participants
Workshop Leader
Andrew Scriven is an award-winning British photographer based in Andalusia, Spain, with a lifelong love of nature, creativity, and exploration.
His photography has received international recognition including winning the Digital Photographer Wildlife Photograph of the Year, being a shortlisted finalist in the Sony World Photography Awards, and achieving recognition in the National Geographic International Photo Contest.
Andrew has designed and led photography courses for the Royal Photographic Society, combining technical skill with mindfulness whilst photographing the natural world. He was also a Sony Global Imaging Ambassador, sharing his work and knowledge with photographers across the globe.
Andrew has travelled widely with his camera, including an unforgettable expedition sailing to Antarctica, as well as time spent photographing remote mountain and wilderness landscapes around the world.
Over the course of this immersive week, you’ll receive one-on-one tuition to sharpen your skills in composition, exposure, and post-processing. You’ll capture the essence of Andalucía – from Granada’s vibrant city streets to the remote beauty of the Alpujarras – while gaining insight into the culture, history, and rhythms of life here. By the end of the journey, you’ll leave with an enriched portfolio and a lasting connection to one of Spain’s most captivating regions.
Booking
Booking for this trip is direct with Casa Ana.
FULLY BOOKED
Please contact us if you’d like to be added to the reserve list.
