Since the thread on tfp/tfpcd has gotten so long and since it has mainly been sidetracked into a discussion of workshops, I thought I'd make my comments here on a new thread. Several remarks have been made about various workshops and I'll address here the RG workshops since I believe I can be considered somewhat of an authority on them (see remarks below).
Notes about workshops ...
So let's peer through the blinds and see what we can see.
First, I'm sort an un-official workshop junkie (I've attended around 50 work shops in the last 30 years (Collins, Gowland, Pierce, Gomez, etc) I think I can say a bit about which workshops work and which don't. I've also conducted workshops, so I can talk about the issues from both sides.
I'm going to mostly talk about RG's workshops since I probably hold the record for number of RG workshops attended (7 or 8) at this point. In all of those workshops there were at least 3 models and as many as 6 with an average of 10-15 photographers. As a general rule, at any given time there are 2 or 3 sets going and some photographers (the more aggressive ones) will do custom work (and light setups) at some other area of the workshop location. Each set is provided with professional lighting equipment and each photographer is free to adjust the lighting as they wish (although few usually availd themselves of this privilege).
Many are content to stand in line at the pre-built sets. Those lines form based on where the photographer chooses to line up. I for one liked to be in a line waiting my turn. It gave me a chance to evaluate the model, the set, the lighting, the model's posing range, and so forth, which allowed me to pre-plan what I wanted to shoot when it was my turn, and how I might want to change the lights or add a reflector or flag, etc.
In every RG workshop I've always gone away with 300-600 photos. I get a great number of keepers out of those shots. I enjoy getting the opportunity to work with top of the line studio equipment and that is what RG provides. Keep in mind that since most of the workshops are indoor, that you mostly use strobe lighting and that means you can't just do a gang shoot. That's why there are lines.
By the way, there is another important nice thing about the lines. You get to talk to the other photographers, compare notes, network, etc. In the typical shoot fest of some of the group shoots I've been to that was not usually the case.
Another way to look at the workshop experience is what it would cost to get several hundred good shots if you hired your own model and mua for a shoot. Suppose you hire a model for 4 hours and also a mua. That will probably cost from $600 to $1000. Will you get 4 hours of shooting in. Of course not. There will be time for lighting changes, wardrobe changes, make up work, etc. You might get 3 hours of shooting time. At a typical RG workshop you get in at least 3-4 hours of shooting time over the 2 days and your average cost is $500 (and that incudes buying a release from each model) and you have 3 to 6 models with all the different looks, styles, clothes, etc., that that entails. So, at a workshop you get a number good shots, it costs less money, you learn something about lighting, etc. Not a bad deal.
Now don't get me wrong. No workshop is perfect. Some will have problems. Some with have photographers that will just keep shooting even when there is a line and will take more than their fair share of time. Sometimes you even have a gasoline truck run off the freeway and knock out the electricity for the studio the workshop is being held in and RG will have to direct traffic to get all of the attendees into the workshop area and then you just have to make do for several hours with no power. Yes, there will be problems.
And occasionally at a RG workshop, the lecture part of the workshop will go a little longer than some would like when RG gets into the story telling mode. Usually however the MUA or models keep him in line.
All in all, however, the RG workshops have been among the best of all those I've attended over the years. I suppose one would guess that from the fact that I've attended so many of them.
And so, to all, good night.
Notes about workshops ...
Notes about workshops ...
Until the next installment!
Cheers,
rfs