The question often comes up: Does a photo workshop bring any value?

Dec 02, 2019,17:06 PM
 


after all...
Nothing new was presented
Too much time was spent doing XXXX
and the instructor was a dork...

At the core, photography is a simple process and
everyone who engages comes away with something...

Most workshops follow a pattern... meet everyone, 
listen to some stuff from the instructor(s), take some photos, 
post process the photos, hold feedback sessions...

... usually the best is reserved for the group feedback sessions and it's surprising
 how valuable both "receiving -and- giving" face-to-face feedback can be.

In my experience the instructor makes a difference and sometimes
a well known "master class instructor" is a very weak facilitator
plus one can and often does learn from the other attendees.
In my observation online workshops often come up short...as being too detached.

Of the 15 or so attendees & instructors at a photo workshop I took eight years ago 
I remain in contact with six, a couple on a weekly basis... so, +1 for workshops.

Casey

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Leica Akademie

 
 By: descartes1 : December 2nd, 2019-14:54
I was lucky to spend a day at Leica Akademie several weeks ago. A very worthwhile experience if you get the chance. Here are some photos I took. ...  

Thanks. These are taken with the Q2.

 
 By: descartes1 : December 2nd, 2019-15:01
The lens is extraordinary, which is what you’d expect from a Summilux. Somehow it has a quality that makes the images look better than in real life.

Thanks, my friend. [nt]

 
 By: amanico : December 2nd, 2019-17:15

Wonderful pictures.

 
 By: Wristenthusiast : December 9th, 2019-17:27
I especially like the boy fishing. I too have a Q2. Love it. I just need practice getting the kids I photograph to stay still ( mine is 9 and her friends and her run around).

The question often comes up: Does a photo workshop bring any value?

 
 By: cshimokita : December 2nd, 2019-17:06
after all... Nothing new was presented Too much time was spent doing XXXX and the instructor was a dork... At the core, photography is a simple process and everyone who engages comes away with something... Most workshops follow a pattern... meet everyone,... 

All valid points

 
 By: descartes1 : December 2nd, 2019-17:22
In this case, it was a Q2 specific course and I wanted to learn about the functionality (especially the more technical functions) of my new Q (having come from a Nikon system which has a very different user interface). I’m sure I would eventually learn ma... 

Nice portrait of your instructor...

 
 By: cshimokita : December 2nd, 2019-18:23
One online course I can recommend is "Strobist: Lighting 101"... it's a free online course with exercises. While the focus is on flash lighting, there are some good tips on lighting in general... plus it demystifies the use of flash / non-natural light ph... 

Nikon

 
 By: Jurry : December 3rd, 2019-00:09
May I ask what the big difference is between Nikon and your Q series?

The controls, menu and function keys are just set up differently, particularly when it comes to metering

 
 By: descartes1 : December 3rd, 2019-04:04
I have shot a Leica M film camera for many years but that is of course totally different. For digital, I have been exclusively Nikon, which I find to be very user friendly and intuitive. I simply had to learn my way around the Leica controls, which were i... 

Interesting view

 
 By: Jurry : December 3rd, 2019-00:07
Your view on the matter is interesting yet probably spot on. In a few weeks from now I will attend one of the Nikon Academy workshops and am curious at how it will be, what I will learn and if it’s worthwhile or not

Good insight Casey 👍 [nt]

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : December 3rd, 2019-01:28

Hehe :-) (nt)

 
 By: Echi : December 3rd, 2019-18:45
..

Great insight, Casey. It's always a challenge to break this workshop cycle/pattern..

 
 By: Echi : December 3rd, 2019-19:36
I'm quite picky conducting workshops simply because it's not easy to give a Leica audience (critical bastards especially when it's about the M.. kinda like us over here :p) something really positive to walk away with after a day's session. To give you an ...  

Echi... given the chance, I would enjoy one of your Leica workshops...

 
 By: cshimokita : December 4th, 2019-07:11
... knowing the time and effort you put into the planning and preparation, to say nothing of the time behind the lens to back up the words. The workshop I participated in eight years ago was sponsored by Leica... specifically the Tokyo Ginza Boutique wher... 

Very good

 
 By: Quan : December 5th, 2019-20:46
WS topic you share in the class, not that many good "instructor" especially on M (in this region) and furthermore compare BW from each of them. Salute

Thanks! (Nt)

 
 By: Echi : December 6th, 2019-23:59
..

A couple years

 
 By: Quan : December 5th, 2019-20:41
when I decided to take up photography again with a big switch to RF, I did considering taking up a workshop by a famous blogger, end of the day I did not take part due to extreme costly and timing not right. From participants of that WS, I heard that not ... 

Thank you Echi [nt]

 
 By: Quan : December 9th, 2019-00:43

Really lovely photos...

 
 By: cshimokita : December 2nd, 2019-17:07
Time well spent and looks like it was fun as well.... Casey

thanks for sharing your Leica Akademie experience through the beautiful photos!

 
 By: terbaboom : December 2nd, 2019-17:42
i've been thinking about attending their workshop and your photos are motivating me to do so.

Why not do It? [nt]

 
 By: descartes1 : December 3rd, 2019-04:07

Thanks for the encouragement about the Leica workshop experience.

 
 By: orahu : December 2nd, 2019-17:53
I plan to stop by the local Leica Boutique tomorrow and I will inquire about workshops. Good idea!

Good luck and enjoy [nt]

 
 By: descartes1 : December 3rd, 2019-04:07

Closing the loop...

 
 By: orahu : December 3rd, 2019-18:23
I signed up for a workshop in February. Thanks again for the idea!

Beautifully captured

 
 By: W72 : December 2nd, 2019-23:32
I guess there’s some truth to the ‘Leica look’ from your selection. The Q is a lovely camera and with your good eyes yields beautiful pictures seen here.

Thanks so much [nt]

 
 By: descartes1 : December 3rd, 2019-04:06

Thanks for sharing your workshop experience and the superb photos.

 
 By: fernando : December 5th, 2019-19:04
I'm sure you will find the Q2 to be very addictive!

Very nice WS series

 
 By: Quan : December 5th, 2019-20:43
thanks for bring up an interesting topic Cheers

Nice Shots, thanks for sharing

 
 By: horology8 : December 9th, 2019-09:53
The Shadow instructor is a nice one. Regards Raman