July, 2007

Personally Focused Photography Workshops

This past winter I decided it was time for me to learn to ski. Where I grew up “skiing” meant “behind a boat”. Now living in Maine, and spending this past winter in Utah, it seemed sensible to pick up the snow version. I thought about snowboarding because it resembled, in theory, slalom water skiing. My 15-year old quickly dissuaded me of this thought to (most likely) save him from embarrassment and, in the end; probably saving me several Emergency room visits…

I signed up for an evening group lesson at Brighton Ski Resort and pulled together the layers I’d need to keep warm and rental equipment. I felt like a knight girdling myself for medieval battle! There I was, the single soul in the beginner line at the bottom of the bunny slope. Lucky for me what began as a 2-hour group lesson turned into a 1-hour private lesson.

I learned more in that one hour with the full focus of the teacher than I ever would have if the teacher had others in the group to teach to. My instructor, Fred, was able to focus on my learning style, my strengths and weaknesses and managed not to laugh at some of my more spectacular falls. By the end of the hour I was convinced that a private lesson was the best way for me to learn to ski and I made a standing appointment with him for a private lesson every Wednesday night through the rest of the season.

It didn’t take long the next week to learn how Fred could best teach me. It didn’t work for him to give me instructions while I was actively engaged in getting down the mountain. It worked better for him to follow behind me, taking note and then giving me corrections at the bottom. On the next run I would attempt to incorporate his suggestions into my “style” of skiing. He could suggest all he wanted but I had to figure out the kinesthetic reasons behind his suggestions. When I made the connection, the “aha” moment of recognition and understanding came together and I would find a new way to land on my “dignity”. What worked was for Fred to find a way of teaching that meshed with my learning style.

This experience reinforced my belief that there are times when learning is best done in a group and other times when one-on-one situations are better. Over the years I have taught both ways, in groups large and small as well as to a variety of age groups. When teaching a group photography class, I set up a general outline of things that need to be covered from A – Z. I have a plan for what I want my students to know and what I feel is important to know in order to be able to gain some mastery with a particular skill set. The larger the group, the more general the game plan. The smaller the group, the more individualized the lesson plan can be. For classes about composition and finding your own creative process, a group experience is often best. The group dynamics and different viewpoints of the participants bring more imagery and a greater “energy” to the table. Each person seems to build exponentially on the differing ideas presented each day in class. For some, being a member of a group is less intimidating and they can learn more because they are more relaxed when the teacher isn’t focused on them all the time.

However, for classes aimed at a particular skill set, (like “platinum/palladium printing” or “learning to use the View Camera”), one-on-one instruction can move the process along much more quickly. In a skill set class, practice is required on the mechanical working of equipment or materials. Sometimes watching the way a person sets up a View Camera or coats a piece of paper or sets about making an image gives insight into the way they learn. This information helps to explain particular problems and make suggestions for change quickly. In a private tutorial, we work at the pace of one individual rather than “averaging” the pace of many. It’s easy to cover as much ground in two days in a private tutorial as in five days of a group class. When teaching one person I teach what the person wants or needs to know, rather than by a pre-conceived class outline. And let’s face it – some of us don’t want to play nice in the sandbox – we want the whole thing to ourselves!

The bottom line is this: In a group class the cost of the instructor is spread out over a larger group, but it generally takes longer to cover the material. In a private tutorial, progress is quicker but the cost of the instruction is greater for the individual.

Whatever your learning style or personal needs, if your passion is photography I hope you will invest in yourself and take a class. There are wonderfully talented photography teachers everywhere today and everyone has something slightly different to offer. The best reason to take a class is because it freshens how you approach your passion and brings in new (or renewed) energy to your work.

I teach both group workshops and individual tutorials. My strengths are View Camera work, platinum/palladium printing, the Zone System, silver printing, composition and design as well as editing a project or book. I can work with you on a variety of locations (Maine, Scotland, Utah high deserts, Monterey CA, Tennessee) or one of your choosing. I can work with you here, in my own darkroom, or in your darkroom. Call (207.230.0199) or e-mail (tillman@tillmancrane.com) today with your ideas for a personally focused workshop. Support your photography passion today!