Any one ever attend a "Photography Workshop"?

[mtbbrian]

It has been a long standing goal of mine to attend a "Photography Workshop", be it one from the The Maine Photographic Work Shops, or the Eddie Adams one, or even the Nikon Schools one.

How many of you have ever attened such a workshop?
What were some of your experiences? Was it worth it?
From what I understand, they(The Maine Work Shops) encourage you to meet with any alumni. Have you done that?

Anything about this would be helpful.
Thanks!
Brian

[Speed]

It has been a long standing goal of mine to attend a "Photography Workshop", be it one from the The Maine Photographic Work Shops, or the Eddie Adams one, or even the Nikon Schools one.

How many of you have ever attened such a workshop?
What were some of your experiences? Was it worth it?
From what I understand, they(The Maine Work Shops) encourage you to meet with any alumni. Have you done that?

Anything about this would be helpful.
Thanks!
Brian

I want to attend one of the Nikon School workshops for some time now. John Shaw is also on my list of workshops I want to attend! He was in Raleigh a few months back and I had another committment and couldn't make it!!!

:-(

Let us know when you go and what it was like!

[mtbbrian]

I am more or less in the same boat as you Robert.
It is at the "want to" stage at this point.
I'll get there one day.
Brian

[opus]

I went to what I thought was a "conference", but the "faculty" called it a "workshop". Sorry for all the quotation marks.

I got a lot of value out of it from seeing the work of the faculty and hearing what they had to say. We didn't go out and have a "shoot", although one of the speakers wished we had had the time to do that. But I got a lot out of it BECAUSE of the caliber of the faculty.

I've been to other things that would be considered "workshops", and I've had varying success with them. Some of the business workshops I've been to were not much more than veiled advertising. An Adobe GoLive seminar was jam packed with information, but I forgot most of it when I got home.

What constitutes a workshop, anyway? Does it imply hands-on for the students?

[another view]

In 2001, I went on a photo workshop with www.laynekennedy.com kayaking in the Apostle Islands. We spent five days paddling, camping and shooting. That was the first real workshop I went on, and it was interesting watching other photographers work - Layne and one participant are pro's and I learned a lot from both. Layne also does a winter workshop which I'd like to go on someday. He said that one morning was 40 below (F) and everyone wanted to take pictures of the thermometer. He had someone throw a ladle full of water up into the air, and shot it as it froze in mid air - a really interesting shot that also showed how cold it was without being so literal.

Layne's work reminds me a little of Sam Garcia's work, who was one of the Nikon School teachers when I went to it about six years ago. When I walked in the door that day, I was only interested in nature photography but that day really made an impression on me. I'd go back just to see what Sam has been up to lately! I also went to Nikon Digital 201 last year and learned enough to be happy but wasn't exactly blown away.

This past April, I was at the Texas School of Professional Photography. It's put on the PPA and has a lot of great classes if you have an interest in weddings and portraits - but also lighting, business and Photoshop classes. That was very good and I'm sure I'll go again.

Thought about applying to Eddie Adams' workshop (which is still going on) but not sure of my "status". I don't know if I'm a pro or when I became a pro - but I know I'm not a student!

[mtbbrian]

That sounds like some work shop Steve! I would love to attend one like that, but with mountain biking!
I applied for the Eddie Adams work shop back in the day, when I was in college. I didn't get accepted.
I'd say go for it!
Speaking of college. I forgot that I attended a work shop back in 1990, "Photojournalism 90". It was held at USU up in Logan. It was good, I learned a lot and met some great people.
I am more inquiring about one where you travel somewhere you have never been to. Something like the Maine Photographic Work Shops, or something like that.
Brian

[Speed]

I am more or less in the same boat as you Robert.
It is at the "want to" stage at this point.
I'll get there one day.
Brian

OK, I feel much better now!

;-)

[MJS]

I went to one of the digital workshops put on by Shutterbug magazine last year. I was pretty impressed. They even let a film guy like me show up, I just had to find a local lab to do a C-41 run quickly so I could scan in my work at the classroom. There was a lot of shooting and learning going on. I went to the Miami one since I live down here and could afford it (well, Santa wife and kids could) This year they are having another at a hotel on the beach with Monte Zucker and another guy whose name excapes me right now. I think they are going to specialize in portrait and wedding work in case any of you feel like coming down. With a new addition going on the front of the house, I won't be able to afford it, but I'd be glad to help with another Miami gathering. Maybe even do something with Digital Video if there is an interest since I teach it for a living.