FORMATT HITECH AMBASSADOR FOCUS
Choosing a Photography Workshop Formatt Hitech Ambassador and professional street photographer, Brian Lloyd Duckett explains how to get the most out of a photographic workshop.
If you’re in the market for a photography workshop, there’s no lack of choice. Photography workshops have never been more popular – from street photography to landscapes, fashion to astrophotography, weddings to boudoir – the possibilities are endless. However, in the minefield that is the world of workshops, things are not always quite what they seem. Take my own field, street photography, for example; almost every day I encounter yet another person setting themselves up as a workshop organiser. It’s slightly concerning that some of these people don’t have much of a solid track record, either as a photographer on an educator. Setting yourself up as a workshop provider would appear to be simple enough: you need to know your subject (not always the case), be a fair communicator (not always a ‘given’) and know how to market your services (many are pretty good with this). Though this might sound incredulous – some people actually come on my workshops to learn how to do workshops, only to go off and do it themselves. One chap recently, an ambassador for a major camera brand (not Fujifilm, I hasten to add!), booked on to one of my workshops, then started advertising his own workshops in exactly the same location.
A quick Google search will uncover numerous workshop
Why someone would want to learn from a workshop leader who
providers. Some have been around for years and really know
is not a genuine expert is beyond me. Maybe cheap prices do
their stuff; others have invested their redundancy payout
actually play a bigger part in the decision-making process than
in setting up as a trainer, with little to back up their claims
I had imagined.
and promises. And there’s lots in between. Some offer their services very cheaply which, in itself, may raise suspicion.
So how do you find the right workshop for you? Will you be wasting your money or investing it wisely in learning new skills
Does any of this affect me personally? No, not really, but I do
and being inspired by a true professional? Here’s a checklist
feel for the poor souls who part with their hard-earned cash
of some of the factors you should consider and questions you
for a superficial learning experience which is never going to
should ask to help you make an informed decision...
upgrade their skills in any meaningful way.
How much ‘me time’ will you get?
This is a key question. Workshops are so much more effective and you will learn more if you are part of a small group (a small group in this context means single figures (and I would suggest no more than six) – anything more than that and you could be taking part in more of a photo walk than a workshop). A good workshop leader will ensure he/she spends a proportionate amount of time with each participant, with plenty of individual coaching when and where it’s needed.
Can the teacher teach?
Well, you would think so, but not always! No matter how good (or famous) they are, if the workshop leader can’t get the messages across in an articulate and inspirational way, things are unlikely to go well. A good workshop leader will be enthusiastic, inspiring, professional in approach, singularly committed to the genre and, of course, be a good teacher.
Do they specialise?
Whatever you intend to learn, you really should be learning it with a specialist. A business which offers safari shooting in Kenya may not have the expertise to teach street shooting in the back streets of Manchester. So try to find someone who specialises in one field only. Sure, there are some large training companies out there who use specialist tutors across a range of genres, but take care to ensure that you’re getting the focused expertise you believe you are paying for.
Do you like their work?
Look at the workshop leader’s images. Do you like and aspire to their work? Do you appreciate their style or skillset? Have they written any books? Are they published in magazines and journals? Do they operate as a brand ambassador for any of the major manufacturers? Do they exhibit their work? Are they truly a full-time ‘professional’ photographer?
How will it meet your objectives?
Before you start looking at what’s available, work out what you want to achieve.
Does the itinerary work for you?
You should have a clear idea of the itinerary before you book. A vague approach to
A workshop is an educational exercise and should be well organised, with clearly communicated learning outcomes.
planning the event will probably mean a vague workshop. And, of course, you need to know precisely what you’re getting before you part with any cash.
Are you dealing with an established business?
A ‘pukka’ business will have a business-like approach with an informative website, a business email address (rather than something like Gmail or Hotmail), a fair cancellation policy, public liability insurance and a professional manner in dealing with customers. Also, do you like they way the business communicates with you? Is it’s approach articulate, helpful and friendly? The way businesses handle these initial customer interactions is usually an indication of how workshops are run.
Can you read reviews or testimonials from satisfied customers?
Testimonials on review site sites such as TripAdviser tend to be well regulated and
Do they offer a range of workshops?
In the likely event of you being hooked, can you do a follow-up workshop with them,
Will there be any meaningful follow-up?
A good workshop provider will follow-up after the workshop with additional
therefore fair and accurate. Don’t be afraid to ask for contact details of satisfied customers and beware of a long list of glowing testimonials which are signed-off by the likes of “Dave from London”.
maybe at an intermediate or advanced level? Can you do workshops in different locations and at different times of the year? Will this company take you on a longer learning journey?
information, advice and, ideally, critique. The latter is a crucial part of the learning process and should be a basic component of any workshop. Beware of the business which walks away, never to be heard from again.
So please, please, think carefully before you book any photography workshop – not least a street photography workshop. Whilst this is a huge industry and there’s plenty of work to go around, I do get frustrated when I see people giving money to people who really shouldn’t be taking it.
Brian Lloyd Duckett is a professional street photographer and is an ambassador for Formatt-Hitech and for Fujifilm. He runs street photography workshops around the UK and Europe and is founder of StreetSnappers. www.streetsnappers.com www.youtube.com/streetsnappers www.instagram.com/streetsnappers
info@formatt-hitech.com | formatt-hitech.com (global) | formatt-hitechusa.com (USA)