Comments from PhotoTrek

Commenst from PhotoTreks 7th and 10th March 09

Many thanks for a very enjoyable morning. I feel far more confident already and know I will get much more out of what is an expensive bit of kit but also make more use of the camera.

Thank you for such a wonderful Saturday morning, I benefited immensely. You both went into a lot of detail and took the trouble to go through various bits and pieces very meticulously


Did you enjoy the PhotoTrek?
YES
Absolutely
100%
Yes
My third trek - and I'm still learning

What did you find most interesting?
It is between, being able to have a go at different ways of taking photos in a risk free environment or the opportunity to speak one to one with Ian & Barry to confirm learning points.
Location / challenges
The explanation of how to use Histograms
Hard to say - there's always something to do or listen to
The concept of having a eye for a picture and setting it up.

And the most boring!
Fortunately I cannot recall being bored
Who could find it boring!


Was the time too long, too short or about right?
Even though the time went over by 45 minutes it went quickly therefore just about right and good value for money
I was worn out after 5 hours - for a first course (for me) it gave me an idea of what I could cope with, although I'd certainly tackle a day's course - just hone the equipment!



What did you enjoy most and why?
The fresh air and walk was pretty good. Having a go at the new techniques, that Ian & Barry explained. Not just theory better way of learning.
Being with a like minded group concentrated my efforts. I also enjoyed the challenges - made me think outside the box.
The woodyard -lots of very different things to picture
The pond and the tutorials on reflections and compositions

What did you least enjoy
The tasks when we were given in the log area were too many and varied. It would have been better to spilt them up into stages so that we master 2/3 and then did the next 2/3 feel I did not cover all the tasks.
Absolutely nothing!
exposure comp
Nothing really


Did you enjoy the format?
YES very relaxed no pressure to have to take a good photo.
Yes - well planned and paced for all levels

Was it instructive enough?
YES I think if it had tried to cover even more areas that would have been too much to take in.
Yes - I found the piece on accessories interesting - not often you can see these in action without buying them - ie hard/soft HDs, cable release.
There was detailed support available - as someone with 20+ years of 35mm SLR photography I found the course very useful for the switch to digital.

Was there too much information or too little? The visual explanation (the sticks) about depth of field was very good enable me to grasp that concept quickly
About right for the divertsity of the group I think

What did you think of the location?
Excellent
Great - there was nothing lacking
Fantastic - so very lucky that the ponies came to say hello
The beauty of the forest is its variety - and this location provides that, although as mentioned earlier, I would prefer more time among (on on the edge of) the trees.

In your own words, please describe your overall experience of the workshop, what you liked, what you didn’t, what you learnt etc?

Didn’t know what to expect as a beginner but quickly put at ease and the start was gentle and did rev up. There was not too much to take on board and the questions from others in the group helped confirm understanding. It was good to see Ian check if everyone had understood a point he was making and when it was clear that the 1’s in the group had not he modified his explanation to suit and ensure the point he was making was understood. The banter between Ian & Barry was light hearted and added some humour to the session which was welcome. The pace was not pushy and we had enough time at each stop to put into practice what we were told. That is apart from the stop by the logs before Tea/Coffee to much information all at once for me. Being able to look through Ian’s set up camera to see the actual shot and setting was very good. The less is more and moving to a different aspect was very simple but effective tips. It is amazing what you cannot see!! Aperture priority and how that works combined with depth of field and I even got the over & under exposure information which I didn’t think I would when that first started. I will leave spot metering for another day! The tips on framing the picture and looking at the lead lines and changing angles and not just sticking with the straight form and diagonal was best. All in all a very enjoyable way to spend a Saturday morning good value for money and many thanks to Ian & Barry.

Excellent location - who'd live in a city? - particularly appreciated composition pointers. Also found the piece on exposure compensation excellent as I could see and appreciate the results. The 'lessons' ensured I was pushed to try things I hadn't tried before but would certainly add to my experience for the future.
I was aware (and feeling slightly guilty!) of having a camera to die for! (Canon 5D MkII), particularly when it was obvious I haven't the skills to go with it. There must be others like me who've got equipment beyond their capabilities and I'd love a course aimed more specifically at DSLRs / different lens use / filters etc.

As I mentioned above I have 20+ years experience of 35mm SLR photography and have for the last few years been using a digital compact camera. This course has triggered me to start thinking about use the camera to improve the picture and has been a useful step along the migration path to digital photgraphy

For me personally it put into perspective all that I have been reading about for the past three years. I'm more familiar with camera and the trek has given me a foundation to build upon. I would love to attend a trek dedicated to lanscape photography somewhere on the coast. But I do see why you structure the trek the way you do it, for different people come with different expectations which is fine.