Ready for round two….

It’s always nice when a student really goes ‘all-in’ to take on board the topics we’re working on and follows up on my advice really pro-actively. From a teaching point of view that’s the best reward..

Phil’s just completed my ‘Masterclass’ programme, and has become an outstanding photographer over the past 12 months. He’s just achieved a distinction from the RPS and just told me he’s ‘ready for round two’.. i.e. he wants to be the first person to re-enrol for another year of mentoring and I’ve had an invitation to ‘pull no punches’ this time round…

Crikey, there’s a challenge then!

Feedback from Cirencester Talk

Cirencester Camera Club Talk

Last night I visited Cirencester Camera club for the first time to present a talk to their members.  What a lovely group!

They made me feel very welcome and I had some very appreciative comments from several of the attendees. They’ve already asked if I’d go back and do another talk for them in the future, which I’d be very happy to do so I think we can call that a success :-)

Yesterday’s talk was based on my somewhat ‘maverick’ approach to photography, bucking the trend and deliberately not succumbing to the ‘typical camera club’ mentality. I spoke about the common excuses I hear all the time from students and how to get past them, how I go about shooting on location and dispelling the rumour that no, I really don’t just shoot naked ladies.

They have a raffle on their club nights and I offered a prize in the form of a half-day training session with me which was won by Katrina Ellor. Well done Katrina, I’m looking forward to it!

Here’s a little snap from their Facebook group.  Please excuse the goon at the front, I didn’t realise they were going to post the pic, I just thought the chap was taking a snap!

Another happy customer:

Portrait Editing in Photoshop – #2 Skin

Portrait Editing in Lightroom – #1 Eyes

RPS Workshops / Committee matters

A quick update about my role in the local region of the Royal Photographic Society..

Following a very successful series of workshops I helped to run at the RPS HQ last autumn, I will be presenting three more at the RPS in the spring on the topics of digital workflow and editing with Lightroom and Photoshop.

I’ve also accepted a position on the committee of the RPS Western Region, which is the societies largest chapter with some 800-odd active members.  My role will primarily be concerned with education and training, but I’ll also be dealing with the region’s membership database, mailing list and newsletters etc.

Talking of newsletters, I’ll be sending out a new year update myself very soon with preliminary details of some travel and training events for this year so keep an eye on your inbox!