Photography Workshops

[bybrett]

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When I got my M8 I attended the London M8 Academia session with Brett and it was an excellent overview of the camera (my first digital camera). I then contacted Brett and had a 1-1 day with him to further explore the camera and also post production (again I was moving on from film), good value for money, good fun and an excellent learning experience. But obviously much different than 5 days of intense shooting and critical analyse – horses for courses etc...

 

Wow that was back in 2007... thanks for your kind words.

 

I'm not currently leading complimentary M Workshops for Leica Akademie Mayfair, although I still do independent 1-1 coaching days in London, and guest photographer workshops worldwide.

 

I'm planning some new collaborations, and bigger options, in assignment based coaching soon, post Photokina...

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[Ted Lemon]

I am curious... does anybody really go to these workshops and pay $3,000 to, for example, break your boundaries as a photographer?

 

It just seems silly to me to go to a workshop to find your personal creative talent. I wonder if any of the great photographic artist ever took a home course and paid someone kilobucks to find themselves or went on a workshop with a web personality.

 

To reprise your original topic went to the fantastic 'Another London' exhibit at the Tate Britain in London yesterday. There were all the masters (talking 30's/40's/50's here) on show and in the biopics most had learnt the trade from each other, working in each others darkrooms in Paris for example. Can't speak for modern artists.

[Paul J]

you are so right. The great artists were amongst each other. It was when art became commercialised and valuable that there became a shift.

[bybrett]

Photographers learn from photographers.

[Jeff S]

Wow that was back in 2007... thanks for your kind words.

 

I'm not currently leading complimentary M Workshops

 

So you're not leading any workshops likely to be subject to more kind (complimentary) words?

 

Sorry.

 

Jeff

[Rick]

Thanks everyone for all of your experiences. All of these are positive. I really had no idea that there were that many workshops given by the great photographers. Adan, the class you took sounds like an incredible opportunity. It sounds like it was a really intense course taught by masters. Probably, will be hard to put a group like that back together.

 

Thinking about Adan's and others experiences maybe Leica can put together a really intense and high quality class with their connection with the Magnum photographers. As much as I dislike the idea of getting together for a walk around a large city and stopping for coffee and dinner with web blogger and groupies, I would be interested in something from Leica and the Magnum photographers or something similar like Adan and some others here have described.

 

Are some of the workshops that Leica is putting on right now anything like the kind of experience that Adan described?

[edmond_terakopian]

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Naturally not all workshops are equal, but I for one am a big believer in them. It's never a bad idea to invest in one's education. I've been a photojournalist and commercial photographer for well over 20 years, yet I do go on workshops that I find interesting or inspiring. To learn new gear, software, techniques and most importantly opening one's mind.

I also teach one on one bespoke workshops to enthusiast photographers, picture editors, professional colleagues and some very well known photographers, including a Magnum photographer. I've also held workshops at the Leica Akademie in Mayfair, done workshops for Apple, Canon and Nik Software. I can hand on heart say that every time I've held a workshop, I've delighted in seeing how much photographers gain, especially in a bespoke session, regardless of how much experience they have.

One of the most important things though is interaction and feedback; so important to get one's work seen and commented on.

I'd suggest attending the correct picked workshop is money much better spent than getting into the spiral of buying gear.

 

Edmond

[Jeff S]

One can never predict the benefits of a week long 'adventure' outside day-to-day surroundings and activities. I still have a close friend from a view camera workshop I took in Vermont 20 years ago. A computer guru, which I'm not, he helped enormously in my transition to digital a few years back. I also developed a contact at the workshop in the photo collector business who helped tremendously in that arena.

 

Oh, and the photo learnings were invaluable. The late Fred Picker, a curmudgeonly character disliked by some, was nevertheless a terrific teacher. My darkroom work especially improved greatly as a result of the experience.

 

I perhaps could have gone to many other workshops without great impact. This one, though, has had lasting effects both personally and photographically. Regarding the latter, the subject may have been large format, but the benefits carried over to every other format I've used.

 

Just because one uses Leica, the workshop needn't be Leica specific; in fact, it may be better to consider something very different, depending on ones's objectives. For example, my photography improved over the years by studying drawing and painting through workshops and various other experiences. The teacher, of course, is the key (and great artists don't always make great teachers); I suggest thorough research in advance.

 

Jeff

[algrove]

Rick

Be careful if you ever attend any workshop as all the hype and excitement being with bloggers (?) might get you doing something you later wished you had not done. I remember your Hyperprime comments some months ago.

 

Thus I was very curious (or maybe suspicious) about you starting this thread.

 

I must say I have met some very serious Leica owners at a few workshops who still to this day offer me good advice when asked.

[Per P.]

I attended a Tuscany Photo Workshop (| TPW - Toscana Photography Workshop) back in 2005 entitled ‘street life of Rome’ with David Alan Harvey the Magnum photographer. The cost including fares and hotel was around €2k. It was a life changer as far as my photography went. I started the workshop as somebody who takes nice photographs that were mostly meaningful to me and ended up as somebody who could capture images that other people appreciated.

 

Out of that workshop I had 2 awarded winning images which led to (I was in a non-photography profession at the time) a number of small commercial ‘on the side’ photography assignments which nearly met the cost of the workshop. In my opinion a successful workshop is measured by the person taking it (David was incredible) and obviously the amount of effort you expend in it.

 

Since then I have dropped out of my previously successful career and now photograph fulltime – which at my stage of life (I am 60) creates enough income to buy the beer and keep the misses happy.

 

Some time ago I came onto this forum and asked anyone about workshops in NY (I am there anyway this September) and I got some great responses. Based on those I am attending the Jay Maisal workshop in a few weeks which is as expensive as it gets for me. I also investigated a Santa Fe workshop but that did not work out time wise. Also after research I found it very difficult to find renowned photographers running workshops these days unless you go for a 1-1 scenario (now that’s really expensive!). As with the David Alan Harvey workshop I am hoping Jay Maisal does the trick for me and meets my objectives for this workshop. Jay is 82 so how long he can carry these workshops on is also a factor for attending now.

 

So with most things in life you get out of it what you put in - and it’s a major investment you are going to work hard to get some return!

 

I will report back on my Jay Maisal workshop experience.

 

Please do. I would be curious what you think to the Jay Maisel experience. If you bring an M then brace yourself for some pointed remarks about your choice of camera... You should absolutely not take it personally but he has a quick wit and he is not a huge rangefinder fan. Instead he has his big Nikon D3 and 28-300 zoom always either on his shoulder or in front of his eye

[Ted Lemon]

Please do. I would be curious what you think to the Jay Maisel experience. If you bring an M then brace yourself for some pointed remarks about your choice of camera... You should absolutely not take it personally but he has a quick wit and he is not a huge rangefinder fan. Instead he has his big Nikon D3 and 28-300 zoom always either on his shoulder or in front of his eye

 

yeah - I understand he is not a big rangefinder fan - but if I get my MM before I go then I might take that (and M8) and really freak out the man known as the great 'colour' photographer !

[Per P.]

yeah - I understand he is not a big rangefinder fan - but if I get my MM before I go then I might take that (and M8) and really freak out the man known as the great 'colour' photographer !

 

Good luck He is not really a B&W kinda guy either. There is a reason why his credo is Light, Color and Gesture... In any case, I thoroughly enjoyed his workshop, learned a lot, ate too much, and would love to go back.

[gjames9142]

I tried teaching photography in a university art department years ago, and didn't like it at all. It seemed to be a cruel hoax, leading people with no particular talent to believe they could make a living doing the kind of stuff you do at art school. On the other side, I taught myself photography, studied the history of the medium and because at the time photography had little status, found I could have access to some of the greats. I used to visit Andre Kertesz in New York, and he always said the same thing to me in his wonderful Hungarian accent -- make better print. Nowadays, I enjoy doing a show and tell with smart, motivated students, but I don't want to spent too much time letting them put the jumper cables to my ears and sucking out all the energy. In October I am going to do a Leica Akademie in Toronto, which will consist of bringing a bunch of prints. But no guru stuff. Essentially we are on our own.

[IWC Doppel]

I would really like to go on another Photography workshop, the more I get to appreciate other peoples styles and approaches the more I experiment and learn.

I enjoyed a free Leica M8 day and a Lightroom workshop with Brett.

I just watched the Allen Weitz video and wish it wasn't dark, I want to go outside and experiment a little with my 21mm lens

[IWC Doppel]

Wow that was back in 2007... thanks for your kind words.

 

I'm not currently leading complimentary M Workshops for Leica Akademie Mayfair, although I still do independent 1-1 coaching days in London, and guest photographer workshops worldwide.

 

I'm planning some new collaborations, and bigger options, in assignment based coaching soon, post Photokina...

 

Do keep us posted

[Messsucherkamera]

Better a great teacher than a great photographer imo.

 

My father in law bought a Wisner 4x5 view camera many years ago before the "issues" with both the workmanship of the cameras - as well as the business practices of the owner of the company. - reared their ugly heads. Later on, he took a workshop with Ron Wisner. He said it was a dreadful experience.

 

I recall reading a review of a workshop led by Steve McCurry somewhere on the www (so take this commentary for what it's worth). I really like McCurry 's work so I was disappointed to read that his workshop was not all that the participants had hoped and paid for.

 

Moral of the story: An outstanding photographer does not necessarily make an outstanding workshop leader or teacher.

 

Before you invest your money and hopes in any workshop, do your due diligence. Research the workshop and the instructor/leader.

[250swb]

For anybody in the Derby or Midlands region of England an interesting variation on the 'workshop' are a new series of photo forums led by no less than Paul Hill.

FORMAT photoforum

 

Last Tuesday of every month.

Starting 23rd October 6.30pm - 8.30pm in QUAD, Derby

Tickets £3. Booking essential through QUAD box office

A monthly meeting for discussions about photography

Led by photographer, journalist, author and teacher, Paul Hill.

Each month will present a different aspect within the field of photographic

practice, including publishing, technique, individual artists, reading

images, and encourage discussion and debate that is relevant to the image

makers of the region. The first introductory session will focus on

photographers' work in relation to 'using our own lives as subject matter'.

 

QUAD & FORMAT International Photography Festival

QUAD | Market Place | Cathedral Quarter | Derby | DE1 3AS | UK

Contact: louisec@derbyquad.co.uk

www.derbyquad.co.uk

 

[philipus]

I think it is important to approach photography with an open mind. It is fairly easy to get a bit set in one's way of looking at the world.

 

I have found that for me, being a rather solitary photographer, galleries (also online), books, magazines and (some) blogs are good inspiration. I think I wouldn't much like a workshop. I used to be a member of a photo club here in town but found the discussions quite bland. And there was much too much gear talk. Still they did invite interesting speakers on occasion, which for me is another good way to learn.

 

Some of the blogging Leica street photograpers really don't impress me at all, seeming more to be about attracting attention to themselves and running workshops for those with the latest and greatest kit. Silly.

 

That said, I am sure there are good workshops out there. It's just not how I improve my photography. I would, however, consider workshops or seminars to improve my post-processing skills.

 

Philip

[algrove]

philipus- Did you ever try a Leica Akademie? I found it fun and enjoyed the pros comments and input as regards to different images displayed by students.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[philipus]

I haven't yet but of the options out there it's one I might consider, provided they allow film photographers. I see they mostly occur in the US/Canada and Germany.