John Shaw courses and what to expect

[Bsmooth]

My wife was nice enough to enroll me in a weekend Photography class with John Shaw and I was wondering what to expect.Its through PhotoSafari's details here:
http://www.photosafaris.com/Tours_2005/JohnShawWorkshops.asp.

[Scottes]

I have heard that they are definitely worthwhile, but I've never been to one myself. I sure would love to hear about this too.

[LisaMarie]

Are you attending the one this weekend ? I've never been to this particular workshop of his but have had the pleasure of meeting him and hearing him speak on several occasions through out the years. Let us know how it goes. I am sure you will not be disappointed

[jbradc]

I went to one of his courses a few years ago and it was great, enjoy. Take a small tape recorder to capture his thoughts, that's what I did.

[MarkoPolo]

I too went to one a couple of years ago. A true artist, you will be inspired. He is also very approachable. At that time he was just starting with digital and was not convinced that it would be better than Velvia. That may have changed. He also demonstrated half of photos as projected slides and half digital scans and projector. The audience was asked to vote, and overwhelmingly choose the slides. Again, improvements in two years may have changed all that. His only flaw that I could see is that he shoot N***n! It was a great weekend and I would do it again in a flash if he was coming back to Denver. Mark

[Bsmooth]

Sounds like it should be very interesting,and yes I'm going to the one this weekend in Wakefield,MA.Only thing that surprises me a little is that no actual pics will be taken and no critiques will be done either.

[Scottes]

He also demonstrated half of photos as projected slides and half digital scans and projector. The audience was asked to vote, and overwhelmingly choose the slides.
Completely unfair, IMHO, by an order of magnitude.. We're talking about a display of 1024x768 vs a continuous tone slide displayed through glass. The resolution difference is huge. Compare two 20x30 prints and see what the reaction is.


Back to John Shaw... THIS weekend? In Wakefield? What a bummer... I wish I had known, since that's a 15 minute drive for me... :-(

[LisaMarie]

My wife was nice enough to enroll me in a weekend Photography class with John Shaw and I was wondering what to expect.Its through PhotoSafari's details here:
http://www.photosafaris.com/Tours_2005/JohnShawWorkshops.asp.

How was it ?

[jkderby]

Went to the one here in Dallas a few weeks ago. It was fantastic. Worth the money. He has a CD for sale, $30. Take cash because he is not set up for credit cards and no checks. The CD covers the second day. Buy it early the first day because he sold out quick. Also, he has some of his prints for sale at a good price.

[Bsmooth]

He's definately from the sixties thats for sure! He's a very funny and enlightening person,who's quote most often heard for people who go out of there way to make things difficult is" Hey,get a life will you!"
The first day was good,going over composition,lighting and most important exposure.Oh yes and don't blow out the highlights! Only problem we had during that first day was that in the beginning people were asking too many questions about digital and he asnswered them but it took quite a while,until one women asked If we could concentrate on the session Today!
Second day was all about digital and mostly about Photoshop.I was hoping it would be a little more about digital workflow,but he can only cover so much ground.If you have any other program other than Photoshop,you may not quite get as much out of the second day,but you will still learn a great deal.I have Paint shop pro myself,but like he says"If your serious about digital photography you'll get Photoshop CS". I didn't get his CD at the show,but after considering it,went to his site and ordered it with no problem.I don't have Photoshop yet,however Canon has a great deal thru Nov. If you buy one of there cameras.Since Elements is included with the camera,all you have to do is send in the serial number and $299 and they'll send you Photoshop CS ! Pretty good deal If you ask me.
The other thing is the people there,mingle and ask lots of questions,because all the people there are great to talk to also and I learned quite a bit during the breaks too.Oh and John is more than willing to answer any and all questions.Just before I left he told us he would stay as long as it took to answer anyones questions.
Short answer,was it good,yes it was.But If you want to get the most out of it take notes or get his CD .And above it all like he says have fun!