Landscape workshop: What questions are likely to be asked?

[Leonard Metcalf]

Hi,

I am about to run a landscape / wilderness photography workshop. And in the quest for better preparation, I am wondering what questions / problems / issues are likely to be raised by the participants?

Or to ask the question in a different manner: "What would you want to get from such a workshop?"

Participants: anywhere beyond beginner.

Your imput will be appreachiated.

[Bill Laidley]

Leonard,

I'll start by saying that the best group to address this question to are the attendees: what are their expectations or hopes?

For us to provide any suggestions of value you need to describe the workshop in more detail. Is there a focus: the basics, composition, handling exposure calculations, etc?

Over to you....

Bill

[Leonard Metcalf]

Bill,

It has been marketed as a guided photography weekend, where I take the group to nice wilderness places to photograph, give individual tuition / feedback... I do plan to ask the group what they want (I have seven students) and to tailor it to their own specific needs, but in my usual teaching style that will be the starting point of the course.

"A short weekend to inspire, motivate and create. Designed for the photographer with an interest in taking photographs of the Australian Landscape."

The emphais will be on the doing rather than theory etc... the marketing bent has been towards exploring the creative process... "this course is not full of theory or complicated techniques. However, it is full of practice, reflecting, learning and socializing in a stunning a pictureseque environment."

I was really just wondering what are the usual questions that people ask. Rather than finding the content from this group.

Does this describe it better?

Thanks

[Gem Singer]

Hi Leonard,

From my own experience, the most frequently asked questions (keeping it completely generic): Where is the toilet? ; When do we rest? ; When do we eat?

In other words, make certain that the group's basic creature comfort needs are taken care of first. You will discover that the members of the group will pay closer attention to the subject matter, and they won't complain as much as they would if they were uncomfortable.

[Bill_1856]

It might help if you take one from someone else before giving one.

[Edward (Halifax,NS)]

If I were on your workshop I would want to know how you see and compose a picture. I would also want you to look through the ground glass on my camera and make suggestions on how the composition could be improved. I would also want to know the filters that you most frequently use and why. If the students/members are going to bring previous work for critique I would want to know how I could spice up (add interest to) specific pictures and obtain smoother tones.

[Jim Galli]

The biggest single leap for me when I was just getting my feet wet in 35mm years ago was learning color temperature theory and how to use color correction filters as well as polaroid filters. That and the discovery of Velvia gave me a combination that made my stuff stand head and shoulders above the ordinary. Contrast control by pre-flashing the film through a diffusion filter is always something you learn in workshops and hardly ever use.

[Paul Kierstead]

I'd say be prepared for a *lot* of questions about the equipment you use at the workshop, as well as lots of questions about equipment in general. A very large percentage of aspiring photographers firmly believe that their pictures shortcomings will be overcome if they invest in new equipment. Although your students are on the road to doing better (hey, they are taking a workshop!), I would still bet a lot of equipment questions.

If you are in a somewhat hostile environment with city folk, be prepared for the "dangers of wilderness" questions, i.e. snakes, etc. Some will likely be nervous about this. In my experience, many people are far more worried about all the wildlife going insane and attacking them than what is far more likely to kill them (exposure, dehydration, stupid fall, etc.).

When taking pictures, you will get questions concerning exposure, use of filters, etc. You may get some questions on depth of field.

If you are really lucky and get a few great students, you might even get a question on composition or lighting. Don't hold your breath though.

[Ellis Vener]

Require everyone who attends to bring a Polaroid 545 /545i back and both B&W (Type 55) and color film.

Also lots and lots of water. Not sodas, not beer, not "sports drinks"...water.

[Ellis Vener]

Require everyone who attends to bring a Polaroid 545 /545i back and both B&W (Type 55) and color Polaroid film as well as real film.

Also lots and lots of water. Not sodas, not beer, not "sports drinks"...water.

[Bill Laidley]

One of the most useful experiences I had in a workshop was the opportunity to observe the instructor scouting an image, setting it up, and taking the photograph. The whole time he was doing this he was vocalizing his thought process. Once the camera was setup I was able to look closely at the ground-glass with each change/refinement. The key was the instructor explaining his thought process.

I agree with Ellis - a Polaroid back is really useful - particularly when you are trying to work with a group of students. They take a picture, you review the Polaroid print and make suggestions for refinements, repeat, repeat, repeat. It makes it easier for you as an instructor to provide value to a group. It makes it easier for them - they can review the prints in sequence and think about which works best and why. When I went through this exercise I used a Sharpie to put a sequnce number on the back of each Polaroid print. A couple of years later I can still review the prints in sequence.

Bill

[Leonard Metcalf]

Thanks.

I did attend a fantastic workshop run by Gordon Undy and Bob Kersy at Black Mountain Photographic Workshops- it was a black and white landscape workshop (1 week) - and we had the luxuary of developing our films every day... They also run a large format workshop (of particular interest to this group) and a black and white essentials (for the beginner). I can highly recommend their courses. (as a photographer and an educational consultant)... they love large format, contact prints, paladium, pyro, tradition, fine art photography, red wine & good food, etc... (besides Black Mountain is a beautiful place and the people are just wonderful!)

Edward and Bill are on a similar train of thought that I am on, as that was also one of the key elements I learnt from - watching, listening, questioning someone else's creative process, (someone respected in the photographic community) and reafirming that I was on the right track. So with these comments I will now definately demonstrate my technique - thanks...

I have asked the students to bring a tripod so that I can look at their compositions, and give feedback... as Edward was pointing out, so I think I will definatly do that too...

The other major things that I learnt were all the little tid-bits from the loose questions that flowed freely through the week.

I also noticed that I blossemed when emersed in a positive creative environment. Buy that I mean that being with other photographers, discussing photography, discussing pictures, composition, feelings, techniques, methods... getting positive feedback (and some correction - or different ideas to think about while doing)... that I was very inspired to take more photographs... and loved getting out and doing...

I tried a traditional 2 year course in photography... where we slowly went though all the theory... I lasted 4 months out of 2 years... Perhaps I can be rather dificult to teach as I am often very critical of teaching methods and teachers or probaly it was just at the wrong level for me... So I will definately stear away from the straight teaching methods that are used commonly in workshops... I also majored in Photography in my arts degree, though at twenty years ago I don't remember much of the course. When I did my Dip Ed in art education I also taught photography... but that was in a school, again a very different environment... and a long time ago.

Hadn't really thought about gear, filter or colour temprature questions, so I will make sure I have the right information on that thanks....

Safety... yes an important point.. and something else that I definately won't leave out, as it is close to my heart. (I work in the outdoor recreation department at TAFE - that trains guides to take people safely into the wilderness)

I have found that students (outdoor recreation) are also interested in what gear I carry when I go out on overnight bushwalks- something that I will only explain if there is specific interest in the group on this area.

I also thought it would be wise to ask what other courses / workshops / tours they would be interested in doing... as I would like to get a whole program up and running - particularly of courses that aren't readily availible in Australia... something a bit different...

Please any other suggestions or comments on what I am planning...