Photography Courses and Workshops

[jennyb]

Although I am not a complete beginner at photography, there are areas where I really don't have a clue. I am going on safari later in the year and to get the most out of the trip I would really like to brush up my photography skills.

I am mainly interested in photographing wildlife although a bit of landscape expertise would be useful too. I have been looking around at courses and many of them are for complete beginners which may be a bit basic for me. I have also found various photography "workshops" and wondered if they would be better for me, especially the wildlife ones. However, I don't know how much you can expect to learn from a "workshop" as opposed to a "training course".

I can't easily travel far from the Reading area, but I have found this web site, www.wildarena.com, has some very interesting stuff available - some not far from here.

Does anyone have any experience of these workshops? If so, are they likely to be suitable for me or would I be better off going to a basic training course? Any other suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks,

Jenny

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Although I am not a complete beginner at photography, there are areas where I really don't have a clue. I am going on safari later in the year and to get the most out of the trip I would really like to brush up my photography skills.

I am mainly interested in photographing wildlife although a bit of landscape expertise would be useful too. I have been looking around at courses and many of them are for complete beginners which may be a bit basic for me. I have also found various photography "workshops" and wondered if they would be better for me, especially the wildlife ones. However, I don't know how much you can expect to learn from a "workshop" as opposed to a "training course".

I can't easily travel far from the Reading area, but I have found this web site, www.wildarena.com, has some very interesting stuff available - some not far from here.

Does anyone have any experience of these workshops? If so, are they likely to be suitable for me or would I be better off going to a basic training course? Any other suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks,

Jenny

i'd highly reccomend the one you've found - peter smart and david southard who run WA are sound guys who cater for all levels of expertise from beginer to semi pro - I think i've done every uk WA workshop and really cant recommend them too highly.

in the reading area their wolf workshop at beenhams farm just down the road from theale has much to commend it - but if you want real safari preparation i would reccomend trying to get on one of their safari park days either at woburn or at merseyside, or failing that one of their marwell zoo days.

their weekends where they do leopards at santago (welyn) one day then birds of prey at shuttleworth the next are also great experience and leopards two down in kent is also well worth a look , as is the british wildlife centre one.

they arent the cheapest on the market but you do really get what you pay for.

the other courses/workshops i'd really reccomend are the ones with andy rouse - most are abroad but his day at the cotswold falconry centre at moreton is well worth a look , andy more expensive than WA but then you are getting the benefit of his experience as arguably the best wildlife photographer in the field today - his courses book up very fast tho so if you see a vacant one strike while irons hot.

also on the subject of mr rouse i'd also highly reccomend his book -the wildlife photographers year as essential pre safari reading , unlike a lot of other photography authors andy walks it like he talks it and you can be sure that all advice given is the product of his years of experience.

[jennyb]

Thanks, Pete. It is great to get a recommendation like that. You can never tell when just finding something on the Internet. I will also check out the Andy Rouse workshops.

Many thanks for such a detailed reply.

Jenny

[eeyore]

no problem jenny - i'd also add that if you do do a WA course dont be afraid to ask peter or david for safari advice even if its nowt to do with the workshop your on as they are both experienced photographers who know the score and are only too happy to pass on the lessons learned.