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Photography with Deeper Vision course

Moving from snapshots to images that nourish your spirit

How do photography and spirituality inspire each other? Can photography be an aid to contemplation? Photography can offer unique perspectives on ourselves, our world and our faith.

Some 5 billion photos are taken every day across the world, mostly using smartphones. Some are just snapshots. Others are more carefully crafted and can deepen our vision and sharpen our sense of what life is all about.

In this course we will be delving into how our photography and our spirituality can inspire each other and how photography can be an aid to contemplation.

The course will explore how photography can offer us unique perspectives on ourselves, our world and our faith – focusing on some particular aspects of photography and giving plenty of hands-on experience with your camera in the wonderful surroundings of Salisbury, including the Cathedral.

There will be an introduction to visually-based theological reflection, including visio divina. You won’t need any prior experience or expertise – just some enthusiasm to explore how photography might deepen your spirituality (and vice versa!).

Please bring a camera with you – anything from a camera phone to a high-end camera.

About the tutor
Philip Richter is a visual theologian, author and recently-retired Methodist Minister with a passion for combining photography and spirituality. He has led workshops and study tours on photography and spirituality in the UK and Italy.

Book Event

In person residential ticket # £340

Residential retreat. Begins with evening meal Friday and ends after lunch Sunday. Price includes ensuite B&B as well as all meals and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 15

The In person residential ticket # ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

In person ticket # £220

Non-residential option for this retreat, which begins with evening meal Friday and ends after lunch Sunday. Price includes two evening meals, two lunches and refreshments.

Available Tickets: 10

The In person ticket # ticket is sold out. You can try another ticket or another date.

Details

Dates & Times

14 - 16 Nov 2025

Begins 6pm Friday, ends 2pm Sunday

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Book yourself on this course today!

What our students say

Stimulating and Challenging

What is Successful Ageing? led by James Woodward

I enjoyed the course immensely from beginning to end – the seamless interweaving of knowledge, ideas and research and the linking with belief and faith.

The content was stimulating, challenging, thought provoking and I was greatly appreciative of the contributions and questions from other participants, your considered and sensitive responses and integration with your presentations.

Thank you!

Netflix, Theology and Pastoral Practice

Peter Butchers on his MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture student experience

How do cultural tropes, like those found in Black Mirror, help bridge the gap between what academic theology espouses and what the everyday Christian believes? In his research as a student on the MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture, Peter Butchers explored platonic philosophy, digital theology and eschatology, and pastoral practice around death and dying.

Rewarding Sabbatical Stay

The Revd Greg Syler, is Rector of Ascension & St. George’s, Resurrection Parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC USA, spent part of his ministry sabbatical at Sarum College in spring 2022.

His account of the experience begins: ‘I loved spending nearly three weeks of my ministry sabbatical at Sarum College earlier this year.

Not only did I rest, and rest well in the comfortable care of the Sarum College staff, I experienced very significant renewal and fresh insights.’

The Road Not Taken

Sarum Graduate Mike Truman

January 2022

Five years ago, I told my Warden of Readers that I would not be renewing my licence when it expired in 2019, as I thought my faith was becoming too unorthodox for a Church of England licensed lay minister. As someone who knew me well, she challenged me to actively explore what I did still believe. Thus started the journey that ended last August with the dissertation completing my MA in Theology Imagination and Culture (MATIC) at Sarum College.

Clergy Study Breaks

The opportunity for clergy to get away occasionally from their own context, to have an overnight stay in the beautiful setting of Sarum College and all that the Salisbury Cathedral Close offers is hugely valuable. All the clergy I have suggested who have spent 24hrs at Sarum College have benefit greatly from the experienced mentoring where they can talk, reflect, think, plan and pray.

The support and encouragement they receive is excellent and has a positive on their on going ministry. This is something the Diocese of Rochester encourages and supports financially in preparation for their clergy preparing for Extended Ministerial Development Leave (Sabbatical).

— Canon Christopher Dench, Diocese of Rochester Director of Formation and Ministry

Retreats and Private Stays

When I arrived, exhausted and sensitive, I was grateful not to be asked by Reception were I came from, whether I had had a good journey etc. That was the kind of hospitality I needed: a non-intrusive welcome that was found in ancient cultures and still survives in some societies today, where the host asks questions about a stranger and his journey only when the visitor has rested and been given food and drink.

— guest on a private stay

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Photography with Deeper Vision