Workshops are worth every penny. You described my first workshop perfectly, I was the least knowledgeable had the least expensive gear embarrassed to ask the instructors questions BUT I learned a lot, could have learned more if I had not been embarrassed. That was approximately 13 years ago and I try to go on a workshop once a year. Mostly landscape workshops in the Western USA. I did one portrait workshop that I dearly loved and would like to do another. Have two landscape workshops scheduled in 23 and another in 24. Would love to do one in Iceland or maybe a portrait in a European City but out of my price range. Always learn something new on the workshops. I so enjoy your channel.
You don't need to go to a workshop in person or to a specific photographer for their thoughts and procedures of their photo's. They won't tell you ! TH-cam has all the information you could ever need to including post production in a variety of software platforms. Alex is 100% correct, ask those questions then try them out. If they don't work for you, ask yourself why.
My experience is the opposite of yours. The workshop I attended several years ago on the Isle of Eigg in Scotland gave my photography a big step-up. I learned how to ‘see’ in ways I hadn’t before, something I don’t think would have worked had I not actually been there with him.
I recently finished a photography course. We were given assignments to explore certain topics but each picked the subject. The instructor would show the photos and discuss each in the class pointing out things he thought we could improve on.
As a bassplayer I can say, my best "workshop" ever was to rehearse for some months regularly with really experienced musicians. The questions that came to my mind then came up when playing - not when taking about playing. Thanks again for your grandiose work! 🙋♂️🙂🙋♂️
Excellent advice. I learnt a long time ago to sit in the front of the class. The teacher is just a signpost pointing out the path. We have to follow it on our own terms. Being really uncomfortable is a great way to learn, as is failure, provided you are willing to try again. I went skydiving once, and it scared the crap out of me to crawl out of the tiny 4 seater plane and just drop. I am not sure i would do it again, but it was an amazing experience and i am glad I had the perseverance to follow through. The more you take risks, the easier it becomes and the more you enjoy life. Thanks for making this episode.
I wish I could go to a workshop with you, since you are my main reference to the art of photography. Sadly I know I'd fall into the trap you talked about if because I'm too shy to talk. And the other issue is that I'm stranded here in south america and traveling isn't much of an option rn. I wish you and the people who are lucky to partake in the workshop a very jolly and insightful time!
'A dozen fat sweaty middle aged blokes all taking the same photo' was my friends conclusion about a Photo Workshop that he attended. I've always avoided them. I never want to take the same photo as everybody else.
I think a lot of workshops are for tourists seeking the trophy image rather than learning. I'm a complete noob, but can't see myself ever inclined to attend a workshop. I have attended enough CME in my life to know that the so-called experts are not necessarily more expert than I, and not necessarily good teachers. Yet I have professional peers who return from courses they attend with a form of professional reinvigoration. Not usually those with the same personality type, though. Some internet photographers post photos or clips of their workshops, and they often look as you describe. A small crowd of followers lined up in the same spot photographing exactly the same thing. TH-cam is probably not the best place to identify excellent photography workshops, though, and I don't expect attendees of Mr. Kilbee's to be from that same dozen blokes. Nor do I think he will be showing his attendees what to photograph and what settings to use. I'd probably attend one of his, if I could drive to it. I believe in how he teaches. It's almost like he teaches you nothing other than how to teach yourself, and it runs parallel to so much of how I think I learned to practice in my current profession.
Very true Alex Kilbee, many times we want to be wallflowers when we actually need to be fully present with our guard/ego down and be ready to make mistakes and turn them into something great!
But I love being the guy hiding and away from everyone else in the class. 😁 I'm also poor so I couldn't go anywhere for a workshop even if I wanted to. Now, the impossible idea of live streaming a trip with a photographer on my phone, taking pictures and auto-sending them for review in 1 hour sessions of time....that would be fun. I could go anywhere I wanted, and just get a personalized review of what I'm looking at. Especially with the flat landscape of North Dakota. It would probably be horrible for the teacher though. 😅
Your illustration reminded me of a time in high-school. The teacher was lecturing and we were gathered around the front of the classroom. After a few minutes my mind wondered off. My attention quickly shifted as my eyes met those of the most beautiful girl in the whole school. She stood there looking angelic with perfect hair and a pink angora sweater. Our eyes were now locked, and in that moment time stopped. I was mesmerized as her lips gently curved into a smile. I didn't know what Bokeh was then but hers was heavenly. My heart began to race and I was aware that I was smiling back. Her smile then broadened and it was the best moment of my young life......until it happened. Though I wanted that moment to never end, I was about to really learn what eternity felt like. Breaking into this divine moment was the voice of my teacher. Twice I heard my name while my eyes watched the angelic smile turn into a burst of laughter. It seems that while I was lost in the moment that the teacher had been calling on me to answer a question. That's when I realized that there were more than they eyes of the young angel on me. In fact the whole class was intently staring at me and amuzed at my bewilderment. The class erupted in laughter. Even the teacher laughed but then offered a look of empathy. In just 10 seconds I had experienced both the positive and negative aspects of drawing attention to myself. How powerful perception can be to create the narrative in the mind. I was very shy then. Even so, I would do it all over again just for that brief moment of bliss.
Choosing workshops is a problem in itself, friends who have been on a workshop have complained that the photographer takes great pictures but couldn't teach to save his life.
Hi Alex, I participated in a group workshop, once, where the photographer leading the workshop set up the set for the model and some "hot" lights, so that anyone could shoot at the same time as anyone else, once they worked out their settings. The mood was like a pack of paparazzi let loose. We had been given some latitude to gain the models attention, but after I gained her attention for a shot another photographer, who had been shooting from a crouch, stood up right in front of me, obstructing my shot. Unbelievable, fortunately it was not expensive so I stood back, worked out what I would like to do and then shot a few frames. So for the three hours I took around 15 shots. And based on those I got to work with the model later. Sometimes it is more worthwhile to hire an experienced model and pay the price. If you paid your way through a photographic school you would pay more. My personal experience shows that everytime I work with a World Class model my photographic skills take a huge leap forward. YMMD
I'm shooting a pro model for the first time in a couple of weeks, and am very excited about it. I haven't been to a workshop, but the experience you describe is pretty much how I imagine them to be. And not being able to play with the light wouldn't be much fun. I think I would hate it.
@@jjkdc62 Hi, Well done to bite the bullet and hire the professional you will have a great time and you will grow a lot. I recommend that you check out Lindsay Adler's "Posing Pitfalls - 5 things which ruin poses and how to fix them" Obtaining her video or even the pdf will put you in a place to get significantly more value from the shoot. It was a big leap forward for me after getting that lesson. Assuming you do get the lesson, thoth feeten the only thing to add would be to get your models to stand on tiptoes, both feet, this will guarantee great posture and you model will look amazing. All the best for the shoot.
I loved the three day workshop I took at Dawson College's Ctr For Imaging Arts and Technologies. It was a real hands on film burner. It was a studio lighting and fashion programme. The prof had gotten us models. Fortunate because we used the studio that the full time commercial students used during the week. Really dynamic, classmates were amazing. I got more out of it than the Nikon School, though it was interesting and showed how he used colour.
There are 'workshops' and workshops. Having run a few myself one of the most noticeable factors is a lot (majority?) are in search of "formulas" and have minimal involvement in actually doing deep learning and understand what's behind the images. The mix can be a problem the assertive few hog the situation and 'take over' the more reticent ones, who are usually the ones who really want to learn can be rather intimidated and the most difficult thing I found was trying to even out the attention.
Your words carry over to do many educational endeavors. It's so important to not just ask questions, but the right questions. The questions others have in their heads but are afraid to voice. That way, everyone benefits. In my old job, I had a number of instruction assignments. I told people that the only stupid question is the you didn't ask when you should have.
Love your insight into photography. If I were in England I would love to take one of your workshops! But for know I will have to content myself with your videos! Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦
Great video! Thanks for creating and sharing this content. I liked your points about removing yourself from the crowd and asking practical benefit from the workshop. Learning to ask the right questions. Cheers, Keith
I've never done a "proper" workshop, but I do have a couple of friends who are more advanced photographers than I am and just going somewhere for an afternoon or a weekend with them with cameras in hand and mutual brain picking can be extremely useful. My first outing with one "pro" was a weekend in Yosemite. He was shooting both film and digital - and I had a compact point-and-shoot. He noticed I was deliberately not trying to compose shots right next to him, but he reminded me that we *could* shoot from the same vantage point and still get different results because we *can* look at the same thing and see different things. When I made the upgrade to a DSLR my other "pro" friend and I went out to a Japanese garden. He helped me with settings he thought would work for me and turned me loose. Then he handed me his camera, only one generation newer than mine, but with a very smart, very fast 35mm lens. I got some great technical help to start me off and some feedback on things to try.
6:50 to 7:15 is so clutch. In "The 35MM Handbook" by Michael Freeman Pg 282 "The shots that experienced professionals find the most interesting may be your first indication of a developing style."
I think if you go into a workshop or photo conference with the right mindset and knowing where you stand as a photographer, you can get some great value out of them. I think where people tend to not see value is they sign up for classes or workshops that do not interest them (just to try out the genre perhaps and it ends up being a waste for them because they find out they don't like the genre) or they sign up for workshops or classes that are perhaps beyond their skill level, and so thus they find them to be too challenging and they get frustrated and thus feel it's a waste of their time and money, and to a point, they are right. But if you go in with the correct expectations you can get some good value out of them. For example, I will be attending (for the 4th year next year) a local photography conference and over the past 2 years I've basically focused on shooting models, and not so much on classes, because I feel that with my photography, I have the technical down, I just need to shoot more, and the only reason I attend this particular conference is because of the quality of models provided, and the fact that conference itself is cheaper to attend than me trying to line-up models for full day shoots for 3 days straight (one full day shoot would probably be equivalent to hiring a good model for 4 or 6 hours). So for me, it's about getting experience and letting someone else take care of the hard work (getting models). Bu I have been to workshops and conferences where I took the "wrong" classes. Maybe I took an LED light painting course which was very basic, but I actaully was looking for something intermediate level, so that was my fault, or i took a class on macro when I really didn't care much to shoot macro anyway. So I think if you go into workshops and conferences with a set of reasonable expectations and know who you are as a photographer (skill level) and know what you want t oget out of the conference or workshop, they can work for you. Plus they can also be good networking opportunities (which is the other reason I do the conference too -- meet up with old friends, meet new photographers and models, and shoot and share a common interest). The other benefit for me is that there are also pro photographers at these events that teach the classes so it's a bit of mentoring that happens too as you get to shoot along side them and they provide live instruction in some of the classes (which I don't really do much anymore) but still they are available at the conference to help you.
Over egging, I haven't heard that expression for over 30 years, it is, however, very relevant. I've found over the years that when I'm working in a photographic group, rather than taking the same photograph as everyone else in the group. I usually end up photographing the group.
I can teach someone the basics of photography and equipment use in a few hours... and people can very easily grab all this information off TH-cam now. But ultimately, photography is just problem solving... there's no secret to it. Yes, some people have a more creative brain than others... and this is something you can improve over time. Good photographers, professional photographers have just taken a whole heap of shots and learnt from it. And then they use this knowledge to keep improving and take better images. Moral.... go out and experiment. But don't keep doing the same thing if you don't like your pictures, and the don't look like the ones you have seen that you'd like to replicate. Problem solve, and figure out how to improve.
I have never been to a workshop, however I have been to several group shuts, mainly for the social/networking side of it. I have seen the behaviours that you’re describing, probably because somehow I am from the old school, I have learned the ropes by assisting. My advice is first of all take pictures till your right index finger bleed, as only when camera settings become second nature you can free your mind to create images. When I started talking pictures workshops didn’t really exist, a computer was a Commodor 64, I have had several mentors and shooting buddies, I have bought and read several books, the internet wasn’t readily available for years to come, those were the days that every photographer had a notepad and pen, meticulously taking notes, recording settings in order to review and analyse the results at a later stage. TH-cam and workshops are for sure the way to go nowadays, everything has changed and evolved, different times and different tools, probably the only thing that hasn’t changed is that taking pictures, creating images is ultimately a personal journey. From what you describe it seems like at workshops the element of personal journey is a bit lost and confused.
Such a profound podcast, as an Aspiring photographer I'm developing my own style. I love to understand the minds of creative Visionary film makers, and how they understand light. I'm getting used to using flash, however the formula I use 90 percent of the time seems to work well but I still want to master flash at weddings. I never had the chance in the past to be second shooter, so I pretty much learnt my skills shooting manual on my own, and literally always taking the camera with me, just about everywhere. I would love to be an assistant to a photographer like you. You're an amazing mentor. 😊
Photography workshops I’ve attended have been dismal. Most that offer these workshops may be very good photographers but a precious few know how to teach!
Been to a couple workshops and mostly what i got from then was relationships with other photographers that continue to this day . Oh and a lot of lighting setups that ive never used .
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Thanks so much for this content. Always great advices. I think your workshop idea is a very good move. Thanks. P.S.: There is 3 times “Switzerland” in the survey. Looks like someone wanna go there ^^
I admit the last Photo workshop I went to. The only thing I came away with was the thought. They're only here to fulfil the criteria to get money for an arts grant for own project.
It occurred to my how insanely high it would have been for an equivalent workshop back when we were students. Everyone would need a rather high end medium format camera equipped with a Polaroid back (plus others) and an abundant supply of film for all.
It freaks me out to see people teaching EXPENSIVE workshops who know less than I do. No way am I paying for that. And the true artists don't have them or not many! I learn more and get more inspiration from TH-cam channels, like yours.
Ive been on a workshop with two photographers one from Poland and the other from Germany. We went to Iceland. My experience is not any good. I felt like we were sponsoring these two. They've been taking pictures and just told us take your own. I felt like we were abandoned to our selfs
With this video you make the life of some workshop teachers very difficult 😅 What if the teacher chooses his point of view intuitively and cannot really describe the reasons? 🤷♂️
I wonder whether it's always bad if everyone at the workshop is slavishly copying. Maybe the internalize how to copy what they're learning from then, but some time some days, months or years later may create something else independently that combines what they learned with some new ideas. There's a very long tradition of copying artworks as a way of learning.
I've often spent 100 to 200 € for a photo workshop that lasted a few hours. First there was this talk about iso, aperture and shutter speed (which I already knew) and the we were allowed to 'experiment', so I learned nothing.
Unfortunately people buy a decent camera and think they will be able to use it easily. Here's a bit of news, it doesn't happen like that in real life. We have to learn and practise how to drive a car, just because we buy one doesn't mean we can just get in and drive it. If camera buyers cant be bothered to learn and practise with a camera I suggest they sell it or give it away. Trying to learn on youtube is a waste of time as nearly every photographer will tell you something different to the others. If you cant be bothered to practise you wont get consistent shots. As for having a creative eye, I think that's something people either have or don't have.
I agree about the practising, familiarity with the process and equipment frees the mind. As far as the creative eye goes, some people definitely have a naturally more developed eye, it can come easy to some. But it is certainly something you can learn. Art School wouldn’t exist otherwise. About 30% of art school is technique and process, the rest is discovering and developing your own vision and style.
I'm trying to find a "master class" but most of the workshops and classes I can find anywhere close by are too "basic" for my needs and aimed toward either the "casual" shooter or "professionals" who work for hire. I'm just trying to make art, and although I'm happy with my portfolio, I want more "expert" feedback than I'm able to get via online comments or gallery owners/patrons. I'm always searching for new ways to express myself and sometimes it takes a kick in the rear from a third party to shake things up. I've thought about trying to form a small collective of like-minded people to give each other feedback and stimulate ideas, but it's been hard to find them (I'm not a huge fan of social media). Any ideas? Does anyone know of a good source for "advanced" workshops (or live in southeast Michigan and want to get together)?
I agree with you. I'm looking at art classes (Zoom), and I mean for painters. The problem is that I need to draw... don't want to. I already know my settings lol
It’s true. Workshops are very expensive and only worth it for a model that would be otherwise difficult to get to shoot as well as saving one from the legwork of booking, contracts, and model releases
There is an upside here, when attending the workshop, if you find the model great to work with but you don't get enough time, just ask for an email address to book the model for your own private shoot. Bear in mind if you come across creepy you may not get the booking. If it is an open air shoot there should be no issue, if booking a female model she may request that her boyfriend, the Incredible Hulk, attends to guarantee her safety. Have fun and shoot lots.
This is so subjective, I scratch my head in disbelief, they haven't a clue whats a good photograph! or is this my opinion, or am I missing the point. I don't really bother much expressing my personal opinions just techicnal if it's glaring obvious. After all Peter Lindberg's ironic fashion image of 6 super models wearing white shirts on Santa Monica beach, was hated by one Vogue editor and loved by another. So I try and follow the recipe, before adding my own ingredients, well I try.
Workshops are worth every penny. You described my first workshop perfectly, I was the least knowledgeable had the least expensive gear embarrassed to ask the instructors questions BUT I learned a lot, could have learned more if I had not been embarrassed. That was approximately 13 years ago and I try to go on a workshop once a year. Mostly landscape workshops in the Western USA. I did one portrait workshop that I dearly loved and would like to do another. Have two landscape workshops scheduled in 23 and another in 24. Would love to do one in Iceland or maybe a portrait in a European City but out of my price range. Always learn something new on the workshops. I so enjoy your channel.
You’re a machine! Videos daily of some quality content. Just wanted to say thanks and that I appreciate all your work!
Glad you like them!
You don't need to go to a workshop in person or to a specific photographer for their thoughts and procedures of their photo's. They won't tell you ! TH-cam has all the information you could ever need to including post production in a variety of software platforms. Alex is 100% correct, ask those questions then try them out. If they don't work for you, ask yourself why.
My experience is the opposite of yours. The workshop I attended several years ago on the Isle of Eigg in Scotland gave my photography a big step-up. I learned how to ‘see’ in ways I hadn’t before, something I don’t think would have worked had I not actually been there with him.
I recently finished a photography course. We were given assignments to explore certain topics but each picked the subject. The instructor would show the photos and discuss each in the class pointing out things he thought we could improve on.
cool
As a bassplayer I can say, my best "workshop" ever was to rehearse for some months regularly with really experienced musicians. The questions that came to my mind then came up when playing - not when taking about playing.
Thanks again for your grandiose work! 🙋♂️🙂🙋♂️
Excellent advice. I learnt a long time ago to sit in the front of the class. The teacher is just a signpost pointing out the path. We have to follow it on our own terms. Being really uncomfortable is a great way to learn, as is failure, provided you are willing to try again. I went skydiving once, and it scared the crap out of me to crawl out of the tiny 4 seater plane and just drop. I am not sure i would do it again, but it was an amazing experience and i am glad I had the perseverance to follow through. The more you take risks, the easier it becomes and the more you enjoy life. Thanks for making this episode.
I wish I could go to a workshop with you, since you are my main reference to the art of photography. Sadly I know I'd fall into the trap you talked about if because I'm too shy to talk. And the other issue is that I'm stranded here in south america and traveling isn't much of an option rn.
I wish you and the people who are lucky to partake in the workshop a very jolly and insightful time!
'A dozen fat sweaty middle aged blokes all taking the same photo' was my friends conclusion about a Photo Workshop that he attended.
I've always avoided them. I never want to take the same photo as everybody else.
That is my experience as well. Never again. It was weird and creepy.
I think a lot of workshops are for tourists seeking the trophy image rather than learning. I'm a complete noob, but can't see myself ever inclined to attend a workshop. I have attended enough CME in my life to know that the so-called experts are not necessarily more expert than I, and not necessarily good teachers. Yet I have professional peers who return from courses they attend with a form of professional reinvigoration. Not usually those with the same personality type, though. Some internet photographers post photos or clips of their workshops, and they often look as you describe. A small crowd of followers lined up in the same spot photographing exactly the same thing. TH-cam is probably not the best place to identify excellent photography workshops, though, and I don't expect attendees of Mr. Kilbee's to be from that same dozen blokes. Nor do I think he will be showing his attendees what to photograph and what settings to use. I'd probably attend one of his, if I could drive to it. I believe in how he teaches. It's almost like he teaches you nothing other than how to teach yourself, and it runs parallel to so much of how I think I learned to practice in my current profession.
Sometimes TH-cam will surprise you with recommendation. I am heading to a workshop this weekend and love that I got to watch this first.
Have fun!
Very true Alex Kilbee, many times we want to be wallflowers when we actually need to be fully present with our guard/ego down and be ready to make mistakes and turn them into something great!
But I love being the guy hiding and away from everyone else in the class. 😁 I'm also poor so I couldn't go anywhere for a workshop even if I wanted to. Now, the impossible idea of live streaming a trip with a photographer on my phone, taking pictures and auto-sending them for review in 1 hour sessions of time....that would be fun. I could go anywhere I wanted, and just get a personalized review of what I'm looking at. Especially with the flat landscape of North Dakota. It would probably be horrible for the teacher though. 😅
Your illustration reminded me of a time in high-school. The teacher was lecturing and we were gathered around the front of the classroom. After a few minutes my mind wondered off. My attention quickly shifted as my eyes met those of the most beautiful girl in the whole school. She stood there looking angelic with perfect hair and a pink angora sweater. Our eyes were now locked, and in that moment time stopped. I was mesmerized as her lips gently curved into a smile. I didn't know what Bokeh was then but hers was heavenly. My heart began to race and I was aware that I was smiling back. Her smile then broadened and it was the best moment of my young life......until it happened. Though I wanted that moment to never end, I was about to really learn what eternity felt like.
Breaking into this divine moment was the voice of my teacher. Twice I heard my name while my eyes watched the angelic smile turn into a burst of laughter. It seems that while I was lost in the moment that the teacher had been calling on me to answer a question.
That's when I realized that there were more than they eyes of the young angel on me. In fact the whole class was intently staring at me and amuzed at my bewilderment. The class erupted in laughter. Even the teacher laughed but then offered a look of empathy.
In just 10 seconds I had experienced both the positive and negative aspects of drawing attention to myself. How powerful perception can be to create the narrative in the mind.
I was very shy then. Even so, I would do it all over again just for that brief moment of bliss.
Choosing workshops is a problem in itself, friends who have been on a workshop have complained that the photographer takes great pictures but couldn't teach to save his life.
Hi Alex,
I participated in a group workshop, once, where the photographer leading the workshop set up the set for the model and some "hot" lights, so that anyone could shoot at the same time as anyone else, once they worked out their settings. The mood was like a pack of paparazzi let loose. We had been given some latitude to gain the models attention, but after I gained her attention for a shot another photographer, who had been shooting from a crouch, stood up right in front of me, obstructing my shot. Unbelievable, fortunately it was not expensive so I stood back, worked out what I would like to do and then shot a few frames. So for the three hours I took around 15 shots. And based on those I got to work with the model later. Sometimes it is more worthwhile to hire an experienced model and pay the price. If you paid your way through a photographic school you would pay more. My personal experience shows that everytime I work with a World Class model my photographic skills take a huge leap forward. YMMD
I'm shooting a pro model for the first time in a couple of weeks, and am very excited about it. I haven't been to a workshop, but the experience you describe is pretty much how I imagine them to be. And not being able to play with the light wouldn't be much fun. I think I would hate it.
@@jjkdc62 Hi, Well done to bite the bullet and hire the professional you will have a great time and you will grow a lot. I recommend that you check out Lindsay Adler's "Posing Pitfalls - 5 things which ruin poses and how to fix them" Obtaining her video or even the pdf will put you in a place to get significantly more value from the shoot. It was a big leap forward for me after getting that lesson. Assuming you do get the lesson, thoth feeten the only thing to add would be to get your models to stand on tiptoes, both feet, this will guarantee great posture and you model will look amazing. All the best for the shoot.
I loved the three day workshop I took at Dawson College's Ctr For Imaging Arts and Technologies. It was a real hands on film burner. It was a studio lighting and fashion programme. The prof had gotten us models. Fortunate because we used the studio that the full time commercial students used during the week. Really dynamic, classmates were amazing. I got more out of it than the Nikon School, though it was interesting and showed how he used colour.
There are 'workshops' and workshops. Having run a few myself one of the most noticeable factors is a lot (majority?) are in search of "formulas" and have minimal involvement in actually doing deep learning and understand what's behind the images. The mix can be a problem the assertive few hog the situation and 'take over' the more reticent ones, who are usually the ones who really want to learn can be rather intimidated and the most difficult thing I found was trying to even out the attention.
Yes, so many photographers only ask our settings, and not just new ones. So weird.
Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎
Very well spoken and you gave me a lot of pointers. Thank you so much...
Your words carry over to do many educational endeavors. It's so important to not just ask questions, but the right questions. The questions others have in their heads but are afraid to voice. That way, everyone benefits.
In my old job, I had a number of instruction assignments. I told people that the only stupid question is the you didn't ask when you should have.
Exactly, thank you.
Love your insight into photography. If I were in England I would love to take one of your workshops! But for know I will have to content myself with your videos! Cheers from Canada! 🇨🇦
Great video! Thanks for creating and sharing this content. I liked your points about removing yourself from the crowd and asking practical benefit from the workshop. Learning to ask the right questions. Cheers, Keith
As always Alex, brilliant tutorial!
Workshop wit you... Streat photography.... A place you haven't been before, so it would bee "fresh eyes"
Love your series and advice! You keep me going in photography. Thank you! ❤
I'm so glad!
I've never done a "proper" workshop, but I do have a couple of friends who are more advanced photographers than I am and just going somewhere for an afternoon or a weekend with them with cameras in hand and mutual brain picking can be extremely useful.
My first outing with one "pro" was a weekend in Yosemite. He was shooting both film and digital - and I had a compact point-and-shoot. He noticed I was deliberately not trying to compose shots right next to him, but he reminded me that we *could* shoot from the same vantage point and still get different results because we *can* look at the same thing and see different things.
When I made the upgrade to a DSLR my other "pro" friend and I went out to a Japanese garden. He helped me with settings he thought would work for me and turned me loose. Then he handed me his camera, only one generation newer than mine, but with a very smart, very fast 35mm lens. I got some great technical help to start me off and some feedback on things to try.
workshops are useful, but expensive. very informative.
you are the best
6:50 to 7:15 is so clutch.
In "The 35MM Handbook" by Michael Freeman Pg 282 "The shots that experienced professionals find the most interesting may be your first indication of a developing style."
Great information yet again. Keep up the good work
Thanks for watching
I think if you go into a workshop or photo conference with the right mindset and knowing where you stand as a photographer, you can get some great value out of them. I think where people tend to not see value is they sign up for classes or workshops that do not interest them (just to try out the genre perhaps and it ends up being a waste for them because they find out they don't like the genre) or they sign up for workshops or classes that are perhaps beyond their skill level, and so thus they find them to be too challenging and they get frustrated and thus feel it's a waste of their time and money, and to a point, they are right. But if you go in with the correct expectations you can get some good value out of them. For example, I will be attending (for the 4th year next year) a local photography conference and over the past 2 years I've basically focused on shooting models, and not so much on classes, because I feel that with my photography, I have the technical down, I just need to shoot more, and the only reason I attend this particular conference is because of the quality of models provided, and the fact that conference itself is cheaper to attend than me trying to line-up models for full day shoots for 3 days straight (one full day shoot would probably be equivalent to hiring a good model for 4 or 6 hours). So for me, it's about getting experience and letting someone else take care of the hard work (getting models). Bu I have been to workshops and conferences where I took the "wrong" classes. Maybe I took an LED light painting course which was very basic, but I actaully was looking for something intermediate level, so that was my fault, or i took a class on macro when I really didn't care much to shoot macro anyway. So I think if you go into workshops and conferences with a set of reasonable expectations and know who you are as a photographer (skill level) and know what you want t oget out of the conference or workshop, they can work for you. Plus they can also be good networking opportunities (which is the other reason I do the conference too -- meet up with old friends, meet new photographers and models, and shoot and share a common interest). The other benefit for me is that there are also pro photographers at these events that teach the classes so it's a bit of mentoring that happens too as you get to shoot along side them and they provide live instruction in some of the classes (which I don't really do much anymore) but still they are available at the conference to help you.
Over egging, I haven't heard that expression for over 30 years, it is, however, very relevant. I've found over the years that when I'm working in a photographic group, rather than taking the same photograph as everyone else in the group. I usually end up photographing the group.
I can teach someone the basics of photography and equipment use in a few hours... and people can very easily grab all this information off TH-cam now. But ultimately, photography is just problem solving... there's no secret to it. Yes, some people have a more creative brain than others... and this is something you can improve over time. Good photographers, professional photographers have just taken a whole heap of shots and learnt from it. And then they use this knowledge to keep improving and take better images. Moral.... go out and experiment. But don't keep doing the same thing if you don't like your pictures, and the don't look like the ones you have seen that you'd like to replicate. Problem solve, and figure out how to improve.
A hobbyist for 45 years, and never experienced a photography workshop. I guess managing my own pace was my comfort-zone.
Books and practice. 2 mantras
Brilliant speech Sir
Thank you
Absolutely great content. Learning how to learn. Love it 👍🏼
Greetings from Madeira
*As an analogy* The advise your given is a potatoes, it's up to you, how to get creamy mash, oozing with butter, with lightly sprinkles of parsley.
I have never been to a workshop, however I have been to several group shuts, mainly for the social/networking side of it. I have seen the behaviours that you’re describing, probably because somehow I am from the old school, I have learned the ropes by assisting.
My advice is first of all take pictures till your right index finger bleed, as only when camera settings become second nature you can free your mind to create images.
When I started talking pictures workshops didn’t really exist, a computer was a Commodor 64, I have had several mentors and shooting buddies, I have bought and read several books, the internet wasn’t readily available for years to come, those were the days that every photographer had a notepad and pen, meticulously taking notes, recording settings in order to review and analyse the results at a later stage. TH-cam and workshops are for sure the way to go nowadays, everything has changed and evolved, different times and different tools, probably the only thing that hasn’t changed is that taking pictures, creating images is ultimately a personal journey. From what you describe it seems like at workshops the element of personal journey is a bit lost and confused.
Sign me up..I attended a Cliff Mautner boot camp years back and loved it..✌🏼🤓
Im in Arizona
Such a profound podcast, as an Aspiring photographer I'm developing my own style. I love to understand the minds of creative Visionary film makers, and how they understand light. I'm getting used to using flash, however the formula I use 90 percent of the time seems to work well but I still want to master flash at weddings. I never had the chance in the past to be second shooter, so I pretty much learnt my skills shooting manual on my own, and literally always taking the camera with me, just about everywhere.
I would love to be an assistant to a photographer like you. You're an amazing mentor. 😊
Liking the cold open!
Photography workshops I’ve attended have been dismal. Most that offer these workshops may be very good photographers but a precious few know how to teach!
dear Alex kill bee, will you ever do a workshop in Europe some tim in the upcoming year
Been to a couple workshops and mostly what i got from then was relationships with other photographers that continue to this day . Oh and a lot of lighting setups that ive never used .
Thanks so much for this content. Always great advices.
I think your workshop idea is a very good move. Thanks.
P.S.: There is 3 times “Switzerland” in the survey. Looks like someone wanna go there ^^
I admit the last Photo workshop I went to. The only thing I came away with was the thought. They're only here to fulfil the criteria to get money for an arts grant for own project.
Photographers......always a smart move to invest in education from photographers whose work you admire.
Maybe once you will cover the top8c of photography versus paintings. I e your opinion on the difference between both
It occurred to my how insanely high it would have been for an equivalent workshop back when we were students. Everyone would need a rather high end medium format camera equipped with a Polaroid back (plus others) and an abundant supply of film for all.
It freaks me out to see people teaching EXPENSIVE workshops who know less than I do. No way am I paying for that. And the true artists don't have them or not many! I learn more and get more inspiration from TH-cam channels, like yours.
Ive been on a workshop with two photographers one from Poland and the other from Germany. We went to Iceland. My experience is not any good. I felt like we were sponsoring these two. They've been taking pictures and just told us take your own. I felt like we were abandoned to our selfs
The quality of your life experience is directly proportional to the quality of the questions you ask.... Anthony Robbins
With this video you make the life of some workshop teachers very difficult 😅
What if the teacher chooses his point of view intuitively and cannot really describe the reasons? 🤷♂️
He should'nt run a workshop then? You also need to be a good teacher not only a good photographer.
I wonder whether it's always bad if everyone at the workshop is slavishly copying. Maybe the internalize how to copy what they're learning from then, but some time some days, months or years later may create something else independently that combines what they learned with some new ideas.
There's a very long tradition of copying artworks as a way of learning.
Hmmm, I would love to meander Edinburgh and surroundings😊
I've often spent 100 to 200 € for a photo workshop that lasted a few hours. First there was this talk about iso, aperture and shutter speed (which I already knew) and the we were allowed to 'experiment', so I learned nothing.
A gaggle of photographers! That's hilarious 😂
Maybe it should be a "fumble" of Photographers as they always seem to be fumbling around at workshops I have attended.
Unfortunately people buy a decent camera and think they will be able to use it easily.
Here's a bit of news, it doesn't happen like that in real life.
We have to learn and practise how to drive a car, just because we buy one doesn't mean we can just get in and drive it.
If camera buyers cant be bothered to learn and practise with a camera I suggest they sell it or give it away.
Trying to learn on youtube is a waste of time as nearly every photographer will tell you something different to the others.
If you cant be bothered to practise you wont get consistent shots.
As for having a creative eye, I think that's something people either have or don't have.
I agree about the practising, familiarity with the process and equipment frees the mind. As far as the creative eye goes, some people definitely have a naturally more developed eye, it can come easy to some. But it is certainly something you can learn. Art School wouldn’t exist otherwise. About 30% of art school is technique and process, the rest is discovering and developing your own vision and style.
I'm trying to find a "master class" but most of the workshops and classes I can find anywhere close by are too "basic" for my needs and aimed toward either the "casual" shooter or "professionals" who work for hire. I'm just trying to make art, and although I'm happy with my portfolio, I want more "expert" feedback than I'm able to get via online comments or gallery owners/patrons. I'm always searching for new ways to express myself and sometimes it takes a kick in the rear from a third party to shake things up. I've thought about trying to form a small collective of like-minded people to give each other feedback and stimulate ideas, but it's been hard to find them (I'm not a huge fan of social media). Any ideas? Does anyone know of a good source for "advanced" workshops (or live in southeast Michigan and want to get together)?
I agree with you. I'm looking at art classes (Zoom), and I mean for painters. The problem is that I need to draw... don't want to. I already know my settings lol
What is the right number of participant’s? Is is at the level you require. Will you enjoy it.
It’s true. Workshops are very expensive and only worth it for a model that would be otherwise difficult to get to shoot as well as saving one from the legwork of booking, contracts, and model releases
There is an upside here, when attending the workshop, if you find the model great to work with but you don't get enough time, just ask for an email address to book the model for your own private shoot. Bear in mind if you come across creepy you may not get the booking. If it is an open air shoot there should be no issue, if booking a female model she may request that her boyfriend, the Incredible Hulk, attends to guarantee her safety. Have fun and shoot lots.
i am mixie !
The woman in pink is good.
This is so subjective, I scratch my head in disbelief, they haven't a clue whats a good photograph! or is this my opinion, or am I missing the point. I don't really bother much expressing my personal opinions just techicnal if it's glaring obvious. After all Peter Lindberg's ironic fashion image of 6 super models wearing white shirts on Santa Monica beach, was hated by one Vogue editor and loved by another. So I try and follow the recipe, before adding my own ingredients, well I try.
Wow, beautiful. But what is this guy talking about all the time. ;)