WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
THE PRACTICE & ART OF PHOTOGRAPHY 2 DAY WORKSHOP with Cath & Rich at Vivid Photography

DAY ONE

9-10 Session One - Introduction - understanding the equipment and it’s operatation.

• Quick studio tour & slideshow
• Establish skill level
• What’s in our camera bag
• Initial camera settings/ menu settings.
• Lens selection
• Lighting options
• Misc items in the camera bag

10.30-11.30 Session Two - Gallery visit - seeing the world with a creative eye.

• Subject Matter
• Composition
• Lighting
• Historical relevance
• Inspiration

11.30-12.30 Session Three - Urban landscape - exploring form, shape, line in composition.

• Use the GOMA building to create some figurative or abstract compositions.
• Look for depth, light, shape, line and form to create dynamic compositions.
• Think about lens, aperture and shutter speed selection when trying to achieve these goals.
• Think about colour treatments or B&W.
• Pre-visualise final outcomes.

12.30-1.00 Lunch

1.00-2.00 Session Four - Singles portraiture - placing the subject in the urban landscape.

• Decide on the best compositions from the previous session, and place subject.
• Lens, aperture and shutter speed selections.
• Posing and lighting options.

2.30-4.00 Session Five - Children & family portraiture - location, lighting & posing.

• Preparing for a portrait shoot - research, personal themes, current styles, props, treats, outcomes.
• Preparing subjects - clothing, make up, expectations, locations.
• Finding the right location, lighting position and lens selection.
• Additional lighting.
• Posing options ie forming pyramids.
• Tips on guiding children (and adults).

4.00-5.00 Session Six - Couples and wedding portraiture - location, lighting & posing.

• As per previous session as well as...
• Gaining the subjects trust and communication skills ie posing directions and keeping moving.
• Creating a connection between the couple.
• Including the bridal party.
• Essential captures ie full length facing camera, bridal party traditional etc. as well as contemporary styles.
• Creating more dynamic images using aperture, shutter speed ie movement, depth of field.

5.00-6.00 Session Six - Low light shooting.

• Artificial lighting techniques.
• Pre-visualising the outcomes.
• Video lighting and colour balance.
• Speedlight lighting and multiple flash setups.
• Dynamic techniques such as slow shutter zoom combos and slow sync.

7.30 Dinner - Print critique night - Feedback on images taken during the days shoots.

DAY TWO

9.00-10.00 Session One - Principles of safe and efficient workflow & colour management.

• Get it right from the start - workflow chart and checkbox sheet.
• The principles of good colour management and workflow ie profiles and working colour spaces.
• Camera - monitor - print.
• Image Ingester.
• Drive setups and folder structure.
• Importing and backing up.
• Lightroom or ACR?
• Exporting image files for suitable uses or outcomes - multiple saves.
• Backing up again - Preserving your negatives ie DNGs.

10.00-12.30 Session Two - File finishing to digital proof level.

• Raw conversion principles and practice.
• Presets.
• Automated print tweaking and proofing. Portrait vs Wedding workflows.
• Automation - batching.
• Film Look. etc.

1.30-3.00 Session Three - File finishing to award standard in Photoshop CS5 and printing.

• Working from the negative ie RAW/DNGs. 8 vs 16 bit.
• High Dynamic Range.
• Skin retouching techniques.
• Dodge & burn.
• Preparing image files for print.
• Paper profiling & sharpening. 
• Ink & paper selection.
• Archival principles.

3.00-5.00 Session Four - File finishing to above award standard - creative advanced techniques.

• Creative vision for the image.
• Advanced image manipulation.
• ‘Painting’ the image/ finessing.
• Textures and toning.
• Presentation.