jay_alonzo
05-13-2006, 08:45 PM
With the onset of summer came a slew of photography workshops. If you attended one, question is, were you able to maximize your workshop experience, assured that that new found skill won't leave you together with the end of summer?
Here are seven tips to get the most out of that tuition fee. These are based on the common problems I see in the classes I give. As such, these suggestions are from the instructor's point of view on how to make the most out of any workshop:
1. Listen more instead of just copying notes.
Some participants think that copying notes and diagrams projected on screen or written on the board will help them remember the lecture long after it's over. Problem is that they become preoccupied with the copying aspect that the instructor's voice never seem to make it inside their mind. In short, the lessons are not absorbed. And then, who would usually pore through their own notes after the workshop has been concluded? Your notes and lighting diagrams won't make sense if you haven't absorbed the idea in the first place.
2. Ask questions and participate in discussions.
You can't wait forever for someone to ask a question you've been wanting to ask in class. If no one asked, then probably you're the only one who doesn't know the answer at all. Basically that is what you are paying for, an opportunity to learn in a live and interactive way, so you lose if you don't participate.
3. Do the workshop assignments given to you.
Photography as an art and skill is better acquired if you practice the concepts and principles you've learned in class. No amount of classroom time will give you that same experience and confidence compared to working with the camera. Yet, there is always a bunch of participants who are just free-riders. They let the others set up the lights for the group and then just come in for the shoot. What these people are missing without realizing it is that the essence of the activity is not in the actual snapping, but in setting up the lights as discussed in the briefing, and see if the group set up works. So just by sitting there is tantamount to having someone do the 'thinking' and 'studying' for you; and they learn instead of you.
4. Show your work.
Some students, even if they made their assignment, will not submit nor show them for evaluation. How will the instructor know if you're able to learn a thing or two or see where your handicap lies? Don't be shy to show it to your classmates as well. They may be able to give you helpful advice and opinion aside from your instructor, especially from the more experienced ones. If you get criticisms, consider them a means to improve your training. If you get praises on the other hand, now that will boost your confidence in taking pictures. You've got nothing to lose whatever the outcome.
5. Don't get intimidated by your classmate's gear.
This often happens on the first few hours or at the first meeting, when I ask my students to lay their camera on their table. Having that puny digital compact out in the open for everyone's scrutiny amidst an arsenal of the latest digital SLRs left and right could really make a beginner diffident. Don't equate equipment with skill. For all you know, the owner of that expensive toy next to you doesn't even have a single clue how to put on the strap. It's not what camera you own. What matters more is you are attuned to the capability and weakness of your camera and the drive to master the concepts of the art of lighting.
6. Circulate.
It's hard to assess your level of interest, progress and skill if you are silent and withdrawn in class. Talk with your teacher and classmates and establish connections with them. Opening up to them gives you a broader perspective of the craft. Organize a get-together and studio shooting sessions after your workshop; in this way, you get more motivated to shoot and practice what you learned and compare the results with your "workshopmates".
7. Read the handouts.
Commonly, students still copy the slides being shown when the contents of presentation can be found in their handouts especially in my basic class. Obviously, they're not reading it. After that one day workshop, surely that bundle of paper will just get stuffed at the back seat of the car or somewhere in the office. Reading the handout in advance makes you familiar with the upcoming discussion even if you can't understand it at first. Only then will it make sense when the topic gets tackled in class; and that will give you a more thorough understanding of what's being taught. Even after the workshop, supplement your practice by reading photo books and magazines and browsing relevant websites to keep abreast and learn other techniques.
More importantly, enjoy the workshop. But attending it is one thing and practicing what you know is another. As one author said, "reading and thinking about them (lessons) won't work; you have to put them into effect."
Here are seven tips to get the most out of that tuition fee. These are based on the common problems I see in the classes I give. As such, these suggestions are from the instructor's point of view on how to make the most out of any workshop:
1. Listen more instead of just copying notes.
Some participants think that copying notes and diagrams projected on screen or written on the board will help them remember the lecture long after it's over. Problem is that they become preoccupied with the copying aspect that the instructor's voice never seem to make it inside their mind. In short, the lessons are not absorbed. And then, who would usually pore through their own notes after the workshop has been concluded? Your notes and lighting diagrams won't make sense if you haven't absorbed the idea in the first place.
2. Ask questions and participate in discussions.
You can't wait forever for someone to ask a question you've been wanting to ask in class. If no one asked, then probably you're the only one who doesn't know the answer at all. Basically that is what you are paying for, an opportunity to learn in a live and interactive way, so you lose if you don't participate.
3. Do the workshop assignments given to you.
Photography as an art and skill is better acquired if you practice the concepts and principles you've learned in class. No amount of classroom time will give you that same experience and confidence compared to working with the camera. Yet, there is always a bunch of participants who are just free-riders. They let the others set up the lights for the group and then just come in for the shoot. What these people are missing without realizing it is that the essence of the activity is not in the actual snapping, but in setting up the lights as discussed in the briefing, and see if the group set up works. So just by sitting there is tantamount to having someone do the 'thinking' and 'studying' for you; and they learn instead of you.
4. Show your work.
Some students, even if they made their assignment, will not submit nor show them for evaluation. How will the instructor know if you're able to learn a thing or two or see where your handicap lies? Don't be shy to show it to your classmates as well. They may be able to give you helpful advice and opinion aside from your instructor, especially from the more experienced ones. If you get criticisms, consider them a means to improve your training. If you get praises on the other hand, now that will boost your confidence in taking pictures. You've got nothing to lose whatever the outcome.
5. Don't get intimidated by your classmate's gear.
This often happens on the first few hours or at the first meeting, when I ask my students to lay their camera on their table. Having that puny digital compact out in the open for everyone's scrutiny amidst an arsenal of the latest digital SLRs left and right could really make a beginner diffident. Don't equate equipment with skill. For all you know, the owner of that expensive toy next to you doesn't even have a single clue how to put on the strap. It's not what camera you own. What matters more is you are attuned to the capability and weakness of your camera and the drive to master the concepts of the art of lighting.
6. Circulate.
It's hard to assess your level of interest, progress and skill if you are silent and withdrawn in class. Talk with your teacher and classmates and establish connections with them. Opening up to them gives you a broader perspective of the craft. Organize a get-together and studio shooting sessions after your workshop; in this way, you get more motivated to shoot and practice what you learned and compare the results with your "workshopmates".
7. Read the handouts.
Commonly, students still copy the slides being shown when the contents of presentation can be found in their handouts especially in my basic class. Obviously, they're not reading it. After that one day workshop, surely that bundle of paper will just get stuffed at the back seat of the car or somewhere in the office. Reading the handout in advance makes you familiar with the upcoming discussion even if you can't understand it at first. Only then will it make sense when the topic gets tackled in class; and that will give you a more thorough understanding of what's being taught. Even after the workshop, supplement your practice by reading photo books and magazines and browsing relevant websites to keep abreast and learn other techniques.
More importantly, enjoy the workshop. But attending it is one thing and practicing what you know is another. As one author said, "reading and thinking about them (lessons) won't work; you have to put them into effect."