Photography Workshops based in CameraWork45 Studio in Felton
From digital capture, to screen and then to print.
Project based learning
There’s a lot of marketing and hipster-hype around cameras and photography: most of it is rubbish and if I hear ‘learn how to take stunning photographs’ one more time I think I’ll break down and cry. Just like drawing, painting and sculpture, photography is based on craftsmanship. Creating something with tools you master brings real joy and satisfaction.
This is why every workshop:
- Focuses on training you to take problem solving approach to the challenges of a variety of genres and scenes.
- Is project based to give you the pleasure of achievement.
Click on a red banner to jump straight to details about a workshop :
Learning by doing in a fun and way is what it is all about. I provide the equipment but for workshops that don’t involve working with flash photography you may bring your own camera and lenses if you prefer. We’ll be using Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras. Workshops last a day so bring lunch, I’ll provide the snacks, coffee and tea.
Taking Pictures for Beginners: Learn how to handle your camera!
Your Day Editing with Lightroom and/or Photoshop: Don’t let editing drive you nuts.
Flash Photography for Beginners: Get your flash under control !
Portrait Photography in Available Light: Making the best of what’s there.
Black and White Landscape Photograph: Colourful in its unique way.
Architectural Photography For Beginners: When buildings strike a pose.
Studio Portrait Photograph: Fall in love with Studio Lighting.
Workshop : Taking Pictures for Beginners
Introduction
All cameras work on the same principals and are built along the same design. Grasp those principals and you can use, with practice , any film or digital camera or phone.
The tool we’ll be learning to use:
- A digital single lens reflex camera.
- Different lenses.
- Available light.
Suggested projects:
- A portrait or a still life or a street view.
Required knowledge :
- If you understand that the more water flows from your tap the quicker you’ll fill whatever it is your filling (a glass, a bucket, a bathtub or a tea-spoon), then none of this is beyond you !
- It helps if you can divide and multiply by two.
Best attitude :
- Self-belief and perseverance. It’s not rocket science but it involves science. It can be a bit confusing.
- Unless you’ve teamed up with a friend , be prepared to take photos of a total stranger or to have your photo taken by a total stranger.
What you might find challenging :
- Handling a fairly heavy camera.
- Looking through an optical view finder instead of a screen to frame your picture.
- Numbers like 1/250 th or number expressions like f 1.4 and f 16.
- The number of controls at your finger tips, a bit like when you’re learning to drive.
Technical stuff you will learn :
- The main parts of any camera.
- The key characteristics of light recording material.
- Facts about digital sensors and pixels.
- The three main settings of any camera and how they work together.
- Setting up your camera’s ‘in house Photoshop’.
- Facts about lenses.
- Facts about light.
- Characteristics of any photograph.
Non technical stuff we’ll discuss:
- Seeing like a camera.
Where we’ll work:
- Indoors in CameraWork45 and in the Gallery45 premises, on the streets of Felton.
Length :
- 1 full day
Number of participants:
- maximum of 4.
Total cost and booking:
- £60 for the complete workshop to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584372639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com to suggest a date that works for you.
What you’ll go home with :
- The ability to work with most cameras and in particular a modern digital camera or phone.
- ‘Camera vision’ ( you’ll start seeing like one) .
- A well crafted image and all the digital files of your photos (delivered to you electronically).
- A pdf of what we’ve covered for reference.
Workshop: Portrait Photography in Available Light
Introduction:
Portrait photography is a field of its own, possibly producing the most cherished photos we’ll ever make. It’s possibly also the most challenging ! In this workshop we’ll work only with available light and aim, like the examples below, to produce pleasant portraits.
The tools we’ll be using are :
- A digital single lens reflex camera.
- A selection of different lenses.
- Simple reflectors.
- And available light !
Suggested projects:
- A posed head-shot or a full body shot or an environmental portrait.
Required knowledge :
- The relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter. If you don’t have that understanding then it is best to do the workshop on the fundamentals of cameras first.
Best attitude :
- Unless you’ve teamed up with a friend , be prepared to take photos of a total stranger or to have your photo taken by a total stranger.
What you might find challenging :
- Handling a fairly heavy camera.
- Changing lenses ( makes some people nervous ).
- Looking through an optical view finder instead of a screen to frame your picture.
- The number of controls at your finger tips, a bit like when you’re learning to drive.
- Unless you’ve teamed up with a friend , be prepared to take photos of a total stranger or to have your photo taken by a total stranger.
Technical stuff you will learn :
- Setting up your camera’s internal ‘Photoshop’.
- Using your camera in manual.
- Facts about digital files.
- Facts about lenses.
- Facts about light.
- Characteristics of any photograph.
Non technical stuff we’ll discuss:
- Posing.
- The relationship with the model.
Where we’ll work:
- Indoors in CameraWork45 and in the Gallery45 premises, on the streets of Felton.
Length of session :
- 1 full day.
Number of participants :
- Maximum of 4.
Total cost and booking:
- £60 for the complete workshop to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584372639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com to suggest a date that works for you.
What you’ll go home with :
- Knowledge of the impact of the choice of lens on portraiture.
- Reinforced ‘Camera vision’ : how will the camera represent the light of the scene.
- A well crafted image and all the digital files of your photos (delivered to you electronically).
- A pdf of what we’ve covered for reference.
Workshop: Flash Photography for Beginners
Introduction:
Although cameras, lenses, film and digital sensors have come a long way in their ability to work in low or tricky light sometimes you need to top up what’s available .
The tools we’ll be using are :
- A digital single lens reflex camera.
- A selection of different lenses.
- Built in and independent flash units that can be mounted on the camera or used off it.
- Remote flash triggers.
- Light modifiers.
- And available light too !
Suggested projects:
- A posed head-shot or a full body shot .
Required knowledge :
- The relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter. If you don’t have that understanding then it is best to do the Workshop on the fundamentals of cameras first.
Best attitude :
- Unless you’ve teamed up with a friend , be prepared to take photos of a total stranger or to have your photo taken by a total stranger.
- A willingness to experiment and accept total failure as a starting point !
What you might find challenging :
- Manipulating a fairly heavy camera made even heavier by the presence of a flash unit.
- Changing lenses ( makes some people nervous ).
- Looking through an optical view finder instead of a screen to frame your picture.
- The number of controls at your finger tips, a bit like when you’re learning to drive.
- Having your picture taken or taking a picture of a stranger.
Technical stuff you will learn :
- Setting up your camera’s internal ‘Photoshop’.
- Facts about shutters.
- Facts about flashes.
- Facts about digital files.
- Facts about lenses.
- Facts about light.
Non technical stuff we’ll discuss:
- The aesthetics of flash photography.
Where we’ll work:
- Indoors in CameraWork45 and in the Gallery45 premises, on the streets of Felton.
Length of session :
- 1 full day.
Number of Participants:
- Maximum 3.
Total cost and booking:
- £60 for the complete workshop to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584372639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com to suggest a date that works for you.
What you’ll go home with :
- A hands on experience of what a single flash can and can’t achieve with and without modifiers.
- The capacity to use a flash in manual mode.
- An understanding of blending ambient light and flash.
- A well crafted image and all the digital files of your photos (delivered to you electronically).
- A pdf of what we’ve covered for reference.
Workshop:Studio Portrait Photography
Introduction:
A studio can be every portrait photographer’s idea of heaven. Imagine having total control of your light and background, and the co-operation of your subject ! What’s not to like ?
The tools we’ll be using :
- A digital single lens reflex camera.
- A selection of different lenses.
- Studio flash units remotely triggered
- Light modifiers.
- Studio backdrops.
Suggested project:
- A head shot or a full body shot.
Required knowledge :
- The relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter. If you don’t have that understanding then it is best to do the Workshop on the fundamentals of cameras first.
- If you understand that lighting a candle in a room flooded with sunlight won’t make the room noticeably brighter, then you’re good to go.
Best attitude :
- Unless you’ve teamed up with a friend , be prepared to take photos of a total stranger or to have your photo taken by a total stranger.
- A willingness to team up with a total stranger.
- A willingness to experiment and accept total failure as a starting point !
What you might find challenging :
- Manipulating a fairly heavy camera .
- Manipulating studio lighting equipment including bulky stands and fragile flash heads !
- Changing lenses ( makes some people nervous ).
- Looking through an optical view finder instead of a screen to frame your picture.
- Settings on flashes.
Technical stuff you will learn :
- Setting up your camera’s internal ‘Photoshop’.
- Triggering studio flashes.
- Facts about continuous light versus flash light.
- Facts about camera shutters.
Non technical stuff we’ll discuss:
- 6 lighting set-ups considered to be the building blocks of studio portraiture.
Where we’ll work:
- Indoors in CameraWork45
Length of session :
- 1 full day.
Number of participants:
- Maximum 4.
Total cost and booking:
- £60 for the complete workshop to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584372639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com to suggest a date that works for you.
What you’ll go home with :
- A hands on experience of setting up and using studio lighting,
- An understanding of light modifiers.
- An understanding of concept of colour temperature.
- A well crafted image and all the digital files of your photos (delivered to you electronically).
- A pdf of what we’ve covered for reference.
Workshop: Architectural Photography for Beginners
Introduction:
If anything reveals how much our minds see differently to a camera, it is taking architectural photos. If software allows us to correct perspective in post production, there’s nothing that quite beats using specialist lenses to correct perspective in camera. And that’s just correcting perspectives because buildings, are like people: it’s not easy to take their portraits !
The tools we’ll be using :
- A digital single lens reflex camera.
- A selection of different specialist perspective control lenses.
- A selection of wide angle lenses.
- A cable shutter release.
- A camera stand.
- And other bits and bobs !
Suggested project:
- Capture the spirit of a building, big or small.
Required knowledge :
- The relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter. If you don’t have that understanding then it is best to do the Workshop on the fundamentals of cameras first.
- Familiarity with editing tools like Lightroom or Photoshop.
- If you understand that the true shape of the images created by lenses is a circle, then you’re good to go.
Best attitude :
- Be prepared to lug around some heavy kit and to stand out in the street with your set-up.
- Patience.
- A willingness to team up with a total stranger.
What you might find challenging :
- Manipulating a fairly heavy camera.
- Manipulating fairly minute dials.
- Manually focusing using live view.
- Changing lenses ( makes some people nervous ).
Technical stuff we’ll cover:
- Setting up your camera’s internal ‘Photoshop’.
- About the shift function of a tilt and shift lens.
- Facts about camera shutters.
- levelling your camera
Non technical stuff we’ll discuss:
- The aesthetics of architectural photography.
Where we’ll work:
- Out and about and in CameraWork45.
Length of session :
- 1 full day.
Number of participants:
- Maximum of 2 particpants.
Total cost and booking:
- £75 for the complete workshop to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584372639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com to suggest a date that works for you.
What you’ll go home with :
- The skill to use a tilt and shift lens to correct perspectives in camera.
- The skill to use a tilt and shift lens to generate panoramas.
- Starting to see like an architectural photographer.
- A well crafted image and all the digital files of your photos (delivered to you electronically).
- A pdf of what we’ve covered for reference.
Workshop:Your Day Editing with Lightroom and/or Photoshop
Introduction:
From day one of photography , photographers, no matter what it was recorded on have been editing their work. With digital files, there is not a pixel that can’t be modified. If you want total control of your work, then learning software such as Photoshop or Lightroom is the way to go.
It’s ‘your day’ because you set the agenda !
The tools we’ll be using:
- A computer , keyboard and mouse with calibrated screens.
Suggested Project:
- Editing some of your photos.
- For non -beginners: we can refine the project to explore different aspects of editing.
Required Knowledge:
- Using a computer and mouse.
- Let me know what you know before hand and we’ll take it from there!
Best Attitude:
- Feeling comfortable in one to one tuition.
- Being open to suggestions.
What you might find challenging:
- Long sessions on the computer.
- Feeling comfortable about sharing your work.
Technical stuff we’ll cover:
- That depends on your starting point !
Non technical stuff we’ll cover:
- The ethics of editing.
Where we’ll work:
- In CameraWorks45 in Felton.
Number of participants :
- One participant only.
Total cost and booking :
- £60 for the complete workshop to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584372639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com to suggest a date that works for you.
- Extra cost £9 per A2 print archival print.
What you’ll take home :
- A better understanding of editing software.
- The electronic files of your edits.
Workshop : Black and White Landscape Photography
Introduction:
Landscapes can be grand or tiny, chocolate-box like or more unsettled, moody and challenging. Before the advent of colour photography, monochrome photography was the only option on the table to record them. Nowadays digital cameras, with rare exceptions, record images in colour that need to be converted to monochrome. Thanks to software a photographer can produce a variety of monochrome renderings, subtle or vigorous, of any image which is why at least half of this workshop will be dedicated to working with Lightroom and/or Photoshop.
The tools we’ll be using:
- An array of camera gear but please feel free to bring your own kit as long as we can transfer the files afterwards. Or if you want to focus on editing, just bring your files ( Raw and Jpeg) on a USB key.
- Software such as Lightroom and Photoshop on calibrated screens.
Suggested Project:
- Taking original photos in the morning…or…
- Simply bring files of your existing work and we’ll focus on editing them.
Required knowledge :
- The relationship between ISO, Aperture and Shutter. If you don’t have that understanding then it is best to do the Workshop on the fundamentals of cameras first.
- Basic familiarity with editing tools like Lightroom or Photoshop.
Best attitude :
- Feeling comfortable in one to one tuition.
- Being open to suggestions.
What you might find challenging:
- Long sessions on the computer.
- Feeling comfortable about sharing your work
- Feeling pressured to a capture/produce on the day an interesting photograph.
Technical stuff we’ll cover:
- Setting up your camera’s internal ‘Photoshop’
- Approaches to conversion of a colour file to a black and white file.
- Optional : printing using a high end inkjet printer including preparing the file for printing .
Non technical stuff we’ll cover:
- The aesthetics of black and white prints.
- The risk of over editing for effect.
- The right size for a photograph.
Where we’ll work:
- Out and about in Northumberland
- In CameraWork45 Felton
Number of participants :
- One participant only.
Total cost and booking :
- £75 for the complete workshop day to pay in full when securing your booking. Contact me on 07584 372 639 or via email at camerawork45@gmail.com for details and to suggest a date . Possible any day of the week.
- Extra cost £9 per A2 print archival print.
What you’ll take home :
- An understanding of a digital monochrome workflow.
- A print of your work if you so choose.