|
Workshops
My philosophy on workshops is pretty simple. I can teach technique. I can show you how to do something. But I can't teach you how to see. I can go out with you and let you watch how I set things up and talk you through how I approach an image. I will tell you everything I know about what I am doing. I have no secrets. I can look at what you have set up on the ground glass and make suggestions. We can talk about exposure or processing or printing. But if you want me to teach you "how to create your own individual style" in three or four days, I can't do it. No one can. "Vision or Style" is a matter of years of work, hard editing, and a really big trash can.
You can be taught to make images like me, or John Sexton or Ansel Adams or Sally Mann. But that is not your style. It is an imitation of someone else's style. We all start by imitating. But "Personal Style" goes beyond imitation. Style involves passion, concern, caring about what you aim the camera at. It is being willing to make a photograph like you have never seen before not because it's original but because it says something about your passion. Technique is easy. Style or Vision takes years. I can't tell you how it happens but I know if you work hard enough and make enough mistakes you will eventually come up with your own style.
The only "traditional" workshop I am scheduled to teach this year is at Inversnaid Photography Center in Scotland. I have written about Inversnaid in earlier Musings and mentioned it above. It will be a weeklong workshop devoted to producing and printing negatives in the palladium/platinum process. Come to Scotland in mid-May and make great images and beautiful prints.
Meanwhile, I am moving more of my teaching into my home studio. Last year I taught two workshops in my darkroom/studio on basic palladium/platinum printing. All of the workshops I am offering this year in my studio are limited to 4 participants. This is the number of people that can work with ease in my space. It is also a small enough group so that individual attention is possible. And yet it is a large enough for group dynamics to be an important part of the process
In February I am offering a basic palladium/platinum workshop (one space remains open), and an Enlarged Negative and Palladium/Platinum Printing workshop in March. Both are two and one-half day workshops. We will begin on Friday evening with introductions and dessert in my studio. We will then move to the darkroom for an overview of the NA2 palladium/platinum process and I will make a demo print that evening. Saturday will be a full day of printing. We will cover negative requirements for the process, papers, developers, and several contrast control options.
|
I have two 11x14 UV boxes and a large 20x24 UV unit. Each person will be able to work with the same light source all weekend.
Later in the summer I am offering a basic View Camera Workshop, a Mammoth Camera Workshop and in the fall a Maine Environment Workshop. These workshops will be five days in length, based out of my studio. For the View Camera Workshop students may bring their own cameras or use one of my two 5x7. The Mammoth Camera Workshop is geared towards those who would like the experience of using a much bigger camera but don't want to own one before trying one out. We will use my 8x10, 5x12 and 12x20. In each workshop we will spend two days out making images, a day in the darkroom processing the film and two days making prints. In the View Camera Class we will explore the palladium/platinum process. With the Mammoth Camera Class we will look at the use of Azo silver chloride paper. However because these classes will be small if the group decides that they would rather work in palladium/platinum rather than Azo we can make the change.
The Maine Environment Workshop will spend more time making images than printing. But again the agenda can be changed based on the needs and desires of the group.
All of these workshops are limited to four (4) students but it will take a minimum of three (3) enrolled 30 days before the workshop in order for them to go. If you are interested in any of these workshops give me a call (207.230.0199) or drop me an email (tillman@tillmancrane.com). I will let people who have signed up for the workshops know the status of it 30 days in advance.
If you are planning a photographic trip to Scotland, I will be glad to consult with you and give my experience and advice. I have worked in most major areas of Scotland and have knowledge and experience with travel arrangements, bed and breakfast locations near sites, know many of the best routes to get to some special places, and even know a few locations that are not on most maps.
If you want a photography coach or mentor for a project or someone simply to review your work on a weekly or monthly basis, I am available for consultation. Or if you would prefer an individual tutorial please feel free to contact me about my day and weekly rates. We can work in my studio or on a location of your choice.
I hope you have a great 2004.
Tillman
<< Previous Page
|
