Europe Workshop experiences

[argentic]

Have you attended workshops in Europe?
What did or didn't you like and why?
What and where would your ideal workshop be?

[Ole]

Twice.

First there was the first F32 workshop in Wales - great fun all along.

Then there was my own "gathering" in Loen this fall, which was not announced as a workshop. It worked on the principle that if you get enough people with LF cameras gathered in one small area, most of them are bound to learn something. Since I had no idea what people wanted to learn, I just dumped everyone in the middle of some of Earth's most dramatic nature and watched what happened...

[markbb]

Having attended both 'events' Ole mentioned, let me try and list the Pros and Cons of both formats:

'Formal' workshop with time table:
Pros:
* You know what you are going to get.
* Pre-planning by organisers ensure classroom sessions are prepared. in the case of the F32 workshop, demonstration of hinge rule etc by projecting image of ground glass on to surfaces was an eye-opener.
* On site development gave immediate feedback.
* A well-run course ensures everyone gets attention at their own level.
Cons:
* If you aren't interested in a particular session you are left on your own.
* Have to follow the timetable, no chance to explore futher.
* Can be regimented.

Gathering:
Pros:
* Freedom to do want you want.
* 'teaching' opportunities are organic and spontaneous. Eg. A session on counting lens elements by reflections whilst consuming large amounts of whiskey and whisky.
* Location visits can extend/contract, move, evolve as required.

Cons:
* With no structure, one could get lost (Literally!)
* If you don't know anyone before hand and are not the 'soul of the party', it could be a bit lonely or overwhelming.
* You are taking a risk in going, you never know what to expect.

As Ole mentioned, his event couldn't really fail as a photographic experience, given the scenery.

[Ole]

Mark, that's an exellent summary. I wish I'd written it myself

Part of the reasoning behind my unstructured approach was the unpredictability of the weather in late September. There would have been a lot more "classroom teaching" if we'd been rained in (I was prepared - nature is no good if you can't see it).