Photography Workshops

My first photography workshop was in Queenstown, NZ earlier this year. It was hosted by Trey Ratcliff who has an awesome blog called ‘Stuck in Customs’. I have been to a few none photography related workshops over the years but I was not sure what to expect with this one. It turned out to be a… high end culinary, social and photographic extravaganza. It was so much more than just a workshop. Staying at the Rees Hotel on the shores of lake Wakatipu in Queenstown the location could not be any more idle for the expansion of visual art. Rising before the sun throughout the week, I was amazed by a quality of light I have never seen before anywhere else in the world. The fall colors were on full display adding to the majesty of the place.

All the locations were within a 45 minute drive from the hotel and we jumped on the bus twice a day to photograph during the ‘golden’ hours. Trey took us to his favorite spots and a few other secret ones. Between shoots back at the hotel he would process a few images he had taken that day and show us his workflow along with his latest tips and tricks. He then offered help and feedback as we processed our own images.

I think this kind of workshop is more about sharing and a celebration of all the work done prior to embarking apon it. Hours and hours of YouTube video tutorials, taking thousands of pictures, processing the worthy and participating in regular photo critiques.

I was particularly impressed with his genuine and open personality together with his passion for life, photography and family. I will be attending another workshop in Florance, Italy in February during the Carnival. It’s true that if you want better pictures, stand in front of more beautiful things.