Speedliters workshop

Has anyone taken Syl Arena's speedliting workshop? It's passing near me this fall and I'm tempted to do both days to get a better understanding of the flash systems I've been using for a while now - I could probably get away without the fundamentals - but I figure I'd do both.

http://speedliting.com …sive-canon-flash-seminar/

Anyone got any experience of the course?

No personal experince but it says no hands on shooting and no lunch. So that means no as far as I am concerned. I would assume it will be jam packed.

Syl Arena is offering a two day presentation with no time for you to shoot, and work 1-1 with the instructor to consistently get the results you want. Personally I think the format is cr@p and the likelihood you will retain much of the material and be able to leave the seminar actually being able to get the results you want is slim at best.

Considering you are only in MA you should take a good look at Neil van Niekerk's workshop in NYC on September 13th. First off Neil limits the class size to only 10 people so there is plenty of time to get personal 1-1 attention. The course covers on camera bounce flash, off camera manual flash using pocket wizards, and TTL flash for both Canon and Nikon systems. Students do a lot of shooting using all three approaches as well as shooting using video lighting.

Neil spends a lot of time with each student reviewing their images and coaching them from lighting to composition to working with models. Each day of the workshop Neil hires two models so you'll walk away with not just the useable knowledge to go out and shoot flash with confidence but also a portfolio of 4 attractive models with a NYC skyline backdrop and some cool gritty shots in New York's meat packing district. Consider the second day as a photo safari in NYC with Neil working along side of you ensuring that you can put what he's taught into practice.

Everything about Neil's seminar is first rate from the hotel on the Hudson River overlooking NYC's downtown financial district to the projection system, catering, choice of models, pocket wizards for every student, and personalized attention from Neil and his assistants.

For a few hundred dollars more you'll get a first rate experience from the person who has the number one selling book on flash photography.

http://neilvn.com …t/workshops-and-seminars/

Syl's workshop is $200 for a two day class. It says you are welcome to bring your camera and follow along. I know Syl is a guest instructor for the Canon shooters at many of Joe McNally's workshops, so the guy knows what he is doing. I think the difference in this class structure is you are not paying for a high end location and models for everyone to gather around and shoot. I think the class format he is doing will go over well and in today's economy it's priced well.

RichNY - I follow Neils blog, and the format and style of his class looks very enticing - but I don't do photography full time and make very little money at it, the price for both days, plus travel and accommodation is just too high for me right now (15 month toddler at home, wife also taking classes for a career change). It's a shame, that looks like an amazing experience.

Syl's class looks to be the right combination of affordable, local, and focused enough - I suspect I'll give it a go and be sure to report back.