Attending a lecture with Art Wolfe

Calumet Chicago is sponsoring a 7 hour seminar with Art in May for $200. I love his work. His book on nature and wildlife photography composition with Martha Hill is still one of the best books I've read. That said, I'm wondering how much I will gain from a 7 hour lecture.

I'm also saving for a trip to Palouse, WA next spring and I will hire local photographer Chip Phillips to do some field training and show me the best local spots. Maybe its comparing apples to oranges, but for $200 I could add another day of field training.

I prefer to spend my money on travel, learning technique from books (which can be studied more thoroughly) rather than lectures. Not saying the lecture would be useless. I've always done my own research about locations, but have missed some opportunities, too. The local guide, with instruction or tips, seems more productive than a seminar or lecture.

I personally don't do workshops because I feel I do not benefit from them.

That being said, if you do and feel that you benefit from them, I would say that $200 for a 7-hour workshop with AW is a H of a bargain. I would expect a workshop of that length with a personality of that caliber would be much higher priced. Go for it!

If you are in Illinois, if this guy is still doing work shops, this is money well spent.
http://www.michaeljohn​sonphotography.com/

My wife gifted me for my b-day a full day seminar with Art Wolfe when he came through here in Portland just this last Saturday March 3 2012. We have watched the show over the years and had come familiar with who Art Wolfe is. Having said that, the seminar was a real pleasant surprise. He's funny, sharp witted, charming, and approachable. He has over 80 books to his name and is willing to sit and sign every last book bought by attendees until the last person has had their book signed, that was my experience anyway. I had a complete open mind going in, never had done any seminar prior to this. Even if I have never heard of him before, I can only imagine that I would still come away from the seminar feeling it was worth it. If not for the technical aspect (I actually feel there could have been more) it was the very least entertaining. I would go again. I'm guessing it's not for everybody, but for me, no regrets whatsoever. I hate knowing the best part of the movie before I go see it, but if you want more detail about the seminar I went to, feel free to pm me. Dave