Things To Do For Photographers Over The August Bank Holiday Weekend

The August Bank Holiday weekend is just around the corner and there are plenty of events going off that are well worth visiting with your camera. As well as a few of the events that are happening, we've also listed some other weekend jaunts you could go on with your camera. 

Whatever you're up to, enjoy your long weekend and do share your photos with us in the gallery where some of the top shots used below can be found (do take the time to visit the member's portfolios, too). Also, please do add any events you think the ePz community will like to know about in the comments below. 

Blenheim Palace Festival Of Transport 

Classic car fans will enjoy a walk around the grounds of Blenheim Palace this weekend as the Festival of Transport is taking place. Perfect for car photography, Sunday is all about Classic cars while Monday sees motorcycles, Minis, VW's, Customs, Hot Rods, Americans, Kit and Sports Cars join the line-up.

Photo by Kim Walton

Cardiff Harbour Festival & The P1 Welsh Grand Prix Of The Sea 

This festival is all about boats, particularly fast ones and there's plenty for the family to do / watch on and off the water. It's a great opportunity to capture some sea-faring shots as well as action shots of jet skis. A bit like the cracking capture below which wasn't taken in Cardiff but it's a top example of watersports photography. 

Photo by Scippy

Manchester Pride

 This Manchester Pride weekend is guaranteed to be full of colourful characters, and if you live up north is a great alternative to Notting Hill. If you like vibrancy and big crowds then this is the place for you this weekend. 

Photo by SlowSong (Pride London)

Shrewsbury Steam Rally

If you're into steam engines and machinery, then this could be the festival for you. It takes place at Onslow park, and has everything from steam engines to vintage buses and bikes, along with a funfair and birds of prey displays. 

Photo by matrix45 (Traction engine at Upper-Denby, Yorkshire)

Notting Hill Carnival 

One of the biggest, brightest, busiest festivals in the UK, this Caribbean festival takes place in the Notting Hill area of London. Get there early and plan your journey, because it gets extremely busy. Some great shots can be taken here – Take a look at our article on carnival photography.

Photo by JeremyTrickett

Travel Photographer Of The Year Exhibition

This free exhibition is home to the stunning winning entries from the 2015 Travel Photographer of the Year competition. They're on display at the University of Greenwich's new building, next to Greenwich Park. 

Overall Winner  - Travel Photographer of the Year 2015, Marsel van Oosten (Netherlands) / www.tpoty.com

Goodwood Festival 

The racecourse becomes home to 1950s themed entertainment over the long weekend. From live music and traditional fairground rides (like the shot shown below captured in Hull) to an awesome firework display, there's plenty to photograph and keep the kids entertained, too. 

Photo by oddlegs (Hull Fair 2015)

Spinnaker Tower

If you're visiting the south coast, there's the Spinnaker Tower which soars 170m above Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent. From the viewing deck, you can capture stunning panoramic views and take in seascapes that stretch over 23 miles. 

Photo by marktc

ArcelorMittal Orbit

The sculpture, which took centre stage at the 2012 Olympic Games, has now been transformed into a giant slide and there are also two observation platforms you can capture views of London from. Perfect for the cityscape fan, you can capture interesting architecture around the Orbit while kids can enjoy the slide. There are also 455 stairs you can descend on if slides aren't your thing. 

Photo by clive burrow

Dragon Boat Race 

18 dragon boats will be racing each other across the Edgbaston Reservoir on Saturday from 11am -6pm. As well as the race, there will also be Bangladeshi street food, stalls, live music, a funfair and rowing and sailing taster sessions. Plenty to photograph on and off the water. 

Photo by TimothyDMorton

Leeds & Reading Festivals

The Leeds and Reading Festivals take place over the bank holiday weekend which is perfect for music photography fans. If you don't fancy a full weekend, you can purchase day tickets so you can enjoy your favourite bands as well as take a few photos of them. Don't forget your wellies and check out our festival guide for photographers. 

World Bogsnorkelling Championships

If you want to capture some quirky images of people trying to set the best time for snorkelling through a bog then you need to head to Waen Rhydd bog on 28 August. There are food and drink stalls, crafts, a bouncy castle, live music and a real ale and cider bar on the site, so it's a great day out even if you don't fancy the swim.

Photo by hibbz

Visit The Seaside

If the weather plays ball, head to the coast with your camera kit for a spot of coastal photography where you can experiment with long exposures, capture close-ups of beachcombed goodies and capture shots of your family building sandcastles. We have an article all about capturing coastal close-ups with a compact camera that is well worth checking out before you go, plus tips on improving your coastal landscapes and captures at the beach. 

Walk Around A Castle

Castles are something we have quite a lot of in the UK and as well as keeping children and other family members entertained, they're a great place for you to take your camera. As well as the structures themselves, there will be items inside the castles well worth photographing and usually, there are events happening in the grounds which will give you the opportunity to capture shots of people in period costumes. 

Visit A Stately Home 

Stately Homes give photographers the chance to capture photos of walls with magnificent paintings and rooms with exquisite furniture and other items. Plus, the grounds are perfect for landscape photography fans who can feature these magnificent buildings within gardens. Take a look at our travel guide all about Chatsworth House if you're planning a visit there this weekend. 

Go To The Park

The green spaces found in towns and cities are a great place to take your camera and better still, parks are often free to visit. From photos of ducks on ponds and woodland shots to portraits of family members enjoying picnics, there's plenty of photographic potential. 

Venture Out On A Photo Walk

What better way to capture some photos than on a picturesque photo walk through the countryside? This, of course, could be on a paid for workshop but you can also design your own. Staying as close or venturing as far as you like from your home. Don't forget your walking boots and do pack a waterproof just in case. You might want to check out our list of 36 essential items for landscape photography just to make sure you're well prepared. 

Photo by joshwa

Head Out On A City Shoot

The urban jungle offers just as many photo opportunities as the countryside and chances are, you'll find it easier and quicker to reach a town. For those who want to have a go at street photography while exploring a city, here are 23 tips to get you started while those who'd prefer a little more structure can take on a 'shop signs and window displays' challenge. You may also want to capture the 'buzz' of a city or how about shooting some urban abstracts? 

Photo by davidburleson

Take In A Museum

A museum is a great day out for the family and photographer alike. They are fun, educational and most of all there's plenty to keep a photographer busy. As well as exhibits, you may find people in period dress to capture portraits of or how about looking closer at macro detail? 

Photo by philhomer

Watch An Airshow

Air shows are a great place for photographers to shoot action shots of planes in flight, plus they are a great day out which means your family will be entertained while you're busy taking photographs. They take place all year around but there are plenty taking place this Bank Holiday weekend, too. Check out the UK Airshow calendar to see when and where. 

Photo by ChrisBanks

Enjoy the long weekend everyone!