Comments from PhotoTrek

Comments from PhotoTrek 16th April 09

Did you enjoy the PhotoTrek?
Yes very much.
In a word, yes.
100%

What did you find most interesting?
Difficult to say but probably the waterfall showing movement by changing F stop.
How, with a little more care and by using the camera's functions more effectively I can take better photographs and, with even more care and application I can make better pictures.
Looking more closely at composition, reminding me of some of the areas that I have let slip over the years.
Understanding more about what can be done with a DSLR and reinforcing what I had gleaned about composition and what makes a good photograph.

And the most boring!
I would not say boring, it was the section on the histograms/filters. But with the range of cameras there it was certainly a "required element", sounds a bit like dancing on ice!
Nothing really
Actually, none of it, there was always something new to learn.
I didn't find any of it boring

Did you find the group size okay, too big or too small?
Good size, not too many so not a "coach party" but enough not to be to intense.
The size of the group was okay for the purpose of the day. The mix of experience and type of camera was interesting.
The group size was ideal.

Was the time too long, too short or about right?
It was about right sufficient time to be given enough information for one day and the help to use it.
The day flew by but I was tierd by the end so probably about right
Timescale was perfect, I would say my brain/eyes and batteries had just about had enough.

What did you enjoy most and why?
Being with like minded people so I could just concentrate on taking photos and learning (and being reminded) of how to do things, improve things and use my camera properly not just on programme and be lazy. Also having constructive feedback and confirmation that I can take some good photos.
The group of people attending the day and the good humour and encouragement of you both
We enjoyed the rapport both of you seem to have developed in running these courses. Barry's humour was enjoyed by my mother.

What did you least enjoy
I cant say there was anything I didn't enjoy
It would have been better if the sun had shone all day, but that was not your fault. The forecast was rain but we avoided that.
There was nothing I did not enjoy about the day at all.

So that we can hone aspects for the future:


Did you enjoy the format?
Yes I learn better by being shown and doing so great approach for me
Yes, the variety was excellent.
Yes

Was it instructive enough?
Yes enough to keep me thinking at the stage I am at
Yes, and the comments of my photographs were very helpful.
Yes, to be able to cover such a range of topics but in a way to encourage a group of varied experience was excellent.

Was there too much information or too little? Fine for me currently and if it was too little it would give more time to wander and take photos
There was a lot of information to put into practise and remember but not too much.
Just about right.

What did you think of the location?
Had plently of variation to photo with amenities if needed.
I visit Mottisfont Abbey regularly. It is a place where I take a lot of photographs because there is a great variety of subjects throughout the year. I intend to go back and try to put into practise the things that I learnt and having looked closely at the images that I made on the day.
An excellent location, plenty of subject matter, full of variety although the Walled Garden was more of a challenge.


Please comment on the venue facilities and food.
Light lunch certainly exceded my expectations was thinking sandwiches!! Facilities clean and easily accessable
The facilities were excellent, the cooked meal superb and the pudding memorable.

What other aspects of photography would you like to cover?
Photographing water sea in particular

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

I had no idea what to expect but really enjoyed the whole day. It was great just not have to worry others were fed up with me taking photos. I learnt lots of things but also realised what I already knew. Doing things as you learnt helped and having to take different shots in different ways to reflect on later was also really helpful. Having 2 photographers with different styles was good and the humour used was great as it made the day more relaxed and fun. It was nice chatting to other people but not feeling you had to was good, there were some really interesting people and no one seemed to want to score points which would have put me off and spoilt the day. I was amazed at the "light lunch" which was lovely and wondered what a main lunch would be like!! I think I have also gained confidence in my ability. I know I have bombarded my friends and family with what I did!!!!

I have been using cameras for a whole lot of years but have only recently moved from a film SLR camera to a digital SLR camera. My objective for the day was to learn how to use my camera better and improve the quality of my photographs.



The whole day was good because it did make me think more about what I was doing. The teaching style of Barry and Ian was pitched at the right level for the very pleasant and mixed bunch of people in terms of cameras and experience of using them. The comments on the photographs that I had taken were very helpful and made me want to do better next time. The variety of subjects made the day very interesting.



When I looked at the 150 or so photographs that I had taken on the day I was a little disappointed with some of them but they did clearly show the things that you were teaching us about and that was why I attended the workshop. I look forward to going back to Mottisfont Abbey to put into practise the things that I learnt from the day.

have really enjoyed the day, from beginning to end a day full of interest and an excuse to spend time getting the best out of my camera. From basic concepts to more advanced activities and features of digital photography it covered all we could wish for.

It was my first time on an expedition such as this and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I have been taking photographs all my life although mainly of family, holidays and vintage motor racing (the Goodwood Revival is my heaven) but only in recent years, and since I bought a DSLR to replace my Canon film SLR, have I tried to be a bit more creative. I take a couple of magazines and try to put what they say into practice but until this opportunity with Ian and Barry, it has not necessarily clicked, if you'll forgive the cliche. The day with you reinforced so much of what I'd tried to absorb from reading about composition and taking good technical quality pictures and about the facilities on the camera and the day was both instructive and enjoyable. Thank you both very much indeed.