Carmen
14th September 2010, 10:23 PM
I know this isn't an "equipment" review as such, but I think it might be helpful for people to review the various training courses/workshops they've been on as it may help others decide whether they want to attend these and what they get out of them.
Therefore thought I'd write a couple of reviews and overview of training days that I have attended, starting with Brian Smith's Studio Lighting and PS workshop held at his studio in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.
Brian runs day workshops on Studio lighting and Photoshop skills with a generous discount for forum members when booked with a group . £75 for the full day training, the one-to-one charge is £175 including a hearty lunch and tea/coffee/biscuits.
I have been on both a one-to-one and a forum group day and both were well worth the cash. I have no studio equipment other than a couple of flashguns and a few small flashgun modifiers but I still found the days to be well worth the effort and money.
Brian starts the day with a little chat and introduction, then moves through various lighting modifiers one by one, demystifying the process of taking shots in a studio including setting up the camera, light meters, soft boxes, beauty dish, snoots, grids and many other things. Starting with simple one light set up/grey background all the way through to high key, low key and beauty dish shots, and the use of different backdrops.
You get to take shots using the model, usually Jackie, Brian's wife who is very patient with beginners, following Brian's direction.
After some hearty Lunch (included in the price) there's a chance to try some more stuff out in the studio, maybe even set up your own shots, and then it's into the office for a very helpful tutorial in Brian's special method of post-processing studio images.
Brian answers any questions you may have and very much has a no-nonsense approach.
All in all a great day. Here's some threads from people who have been on the course.
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/42785-Thanks-to-Brian-and-Jackie
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/42859-Another-one-of-Jackie-from-me
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/37318-Brian-s-Studio-Course
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/32838-Jackie-my-first-post-in-the-Studio-thread!
Therefore thought I'd write a couple of reviews and overview of training days that I have attended, starting with Brian Smith's Studio Lighting and PS workshop held at his studio in Sawbridgeworth, Herts.
Brian runs day workshops on Studio lighting and Photoshop skills with a generous discount for forum members when booked with a group . £75 for the full day training, the one-to-one charge is £175 including a hearty lunch and tea/coffee/biscuits.
I have been on both a one-to-one and a forum group day and both were well worth the cash. I have no studio equipment other than a couple of flashguns and a few small flashgun modifiers but I still found the days to be well worth the effort and money.
Brian starts the day with a little chat and introduction, then moves through various lighting modifiers one by one, demystifying the process of taking shots in a studio including setting up the camera, light meters, soft boxes, beauty dish, snoots, grids and many other things. Starting with simple one light set up/grey background all the way through to high key, low key and beauty dish shots, and the use of different backdrops.
You get to take shots using the model, usually Jackie, Brian's wife who is very patient with beginners, following Brian's direction.
After some hearty Lunch (included in the price) there's a chance to try some more stuff out in the studio, maybe even set up your own shots, and then it's into the office for a very helpful tutorial in Brian's special method of post-processing studio images.
Brian answers any questions you may have and very much has a no-nonsense approach.
All in all a great day. Here's some threads from people who have been on the course.
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/42785-Thanks-to-Brian-and-Jackie
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/42859-Another-one-of-Jackie-from-me
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/37318-Brian-s-Studio-Course
http://www.photography-forum.org/showthread.php/32838-Jackie-my-first-post-in-the-Studio-thread!