Workshops help calibrate you

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/240

When you participate in a photography workshop as I am doing this week in Portugal you are able to see where you are in relationship to others. This helps you see if you have mastered a skill and subject.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/2.8, 1/110

Here I am on the subway in Lisbon with one of the other instructors James Dockery. We were taking the class to a location to have some time shooting at night on the street.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/240

Here Jeff Raymond the leader of the workshop talks to the students about some of the technical settings on cameras.

A good workshop will give you some instruction time of some new concepts for you and then also give you some time to execute these new concepts and practice using them.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/4, 1/300

James Dockery talks to the students about his experience working as an editor at ESPN. Your instructors need to be people who are at the top of their field who can not just teaching you something you don't know, but also are leaders in the industry.

Find a workshop where you are challenged and will be stretched.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/2.8, 1/30

Find a workshop that will give you access to something you want to photograph. This will help you get excited and stay engaged.

You are also more likely to make photos that you want to share with your friends. You will be excited to show people what you learned to do.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/2.8, 1/40

You should have fun where you get to see your instructors show you how to make the most of a situation as James Dockery did here with a lady just at the train station in Lisbon. How do you talk to people and engage with them to get a good photograph.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/9, 1/30

What I am liking the most out of this missions storytelling workshop is the support we are getting from one another. Pick a workshop where you will not be put down for what you don't know. Find a place where the instructors and others in the class will be encouragers.

We are working on workshops now for the rest of the year to give you an opportunity like the one here in Lisbon. Stay tuned as I give you opportunities to sign up to learn and grow this next year.

12 week photography workshop for those who believe photography to be a calling

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/3.2, 1/280

Dennis Fahringer has been leading a photography program in Kona, Hawaii for more than 25 years. I first heard of the program back in the 1980's from my friend and mentor Don Rutledge.

Don was leaving on a trip to do work in Hawaii and at the time Don worked for the International Mission Board for the Southern Baptist. I joked with Don and asked what Hawaii had to do with international missions since it was a state.

This is when Don told me he was just teaching at the Youth With A Mission's University of the Nations campus in Kona, Hawaii.

Fuji X-E2, 55-200mm, ISO 6400, ƒ4.8, 1/250

Some of the past guest speakers that Dennis brings in for every class have included Gary S Chapman, Louis Deluca, Joanna Pinneo, Don Rutledge, Patrick Murphy-Racey, Gary Russ, Anacleto Rapping, Ron Londen and many, many more.

Most of the students are just starting out. The ages range in the class from 17 to 69 for the class I am presently teaching. Most of the classes I have taught the majority are from 18 to 30.

Fuji X-E2, 18-55mm, ISO 6400, ƒ/6.4, 1/25

Dennis has collected a large selection of books and videos for the students.

Dennis shares with his students many of his notes he has collected through the years on photography using Evernote app.  Dennis has shared some 3,700+ notes with the class that he has in Evernote: just short of 30,000(!) Just this alone is worth the price of admission.

If you are really wanting an intense photography program for twelve weeks then this is it. Before you can take this class you must do a DTS.  This is a 12 weeks lecture phase, plus 10-12 weeks outreach phase, thus 6 months total.  This is a Discipleship Training School where for part of your time will be a cross cultural experience. Many of these DTS groups go all over the world.

In my present class we have nine different nations represented. Those perspectives are great when learning photography.

Dennis has created a webpage for you to learn more about the program here.

Many who take the class go into business as photographers, other may use this in missions and even some just keep it as a hobby.

Portfolio Review

Tiare Nuualiitia (foreground) and Maile Powell listen to some of Stanley's instructions for lighting project for School of Photography 1 in Kona, Hawaii. Photo by Dennis Fahringer

Having your work reviewed can be a real nail biter for sure. While I was teaching in Kona, Hawaii Dennis Fahringer took this photo of the students listening to me. 

Each one of the students would be talking to me later about how difficult the assignments were, but now on the other side of them are grateful for the assignment.

Joanna Pinneo (center) reviews portfolios during the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference

During the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference students, pros and amateurs all wanted some time to have their work reviewed.  Here Joanna Pinneo is reviewing a photographers work.

You can even see in the guys body language how interested he is in her opinion.

Ayssa Fleming has her work reviewed by Bill Bangham during the School of Photography 1 in Kona, Hawaii.

Masha Shulgina has her work reviewed by Bill Bangham during the School of Photography 1 in Kona, Hawaii.

Franziska Escher has her work reviewed by Bill Bangham during the School of Photography 1 in Kona, Hawaii.

Stanley's Tips for a Portfolio Review

• Let your work speak for itself. Please don't tell people all about the photos, if the photo doesn't do a good job of that on it's own then maybe it shouldn't be in the portfolio. If the person looking at the photos wants to know more they will ask.
• Listen for what is not said as much as what is said. Often when reviewing a new photographer's work I am looking desperately for something good in the midst of snapshots. I want to encourage you, but I don't want you to think everything is great either. If I don't say anything about a photo, believe me it is because I am not impressed. If you ask me I might try to find something good to say, however, if you are fishing for compliments your work isn't that good.
• Portfolio review isn't about praise of your work. If your work is the greatest of all time then maybe you will get a WOW and I wish I had your portfolio comment. You should be looking for pointers on what to do next time to make the photo better. 
• Millimeters are critical for great photos. One example of how a millimeter can make or break a photo is just the difference in the camera's point of view and the subject's eyes. Just tad bit high and you look down at the subject. Eye level with the subject is something quite different than just a little lower and looking up. As you get better this is what you are looking for the little things to improve your work.
• There are stages of growth in photography. Early in your career you may need some really basic tips to help improve your photography. At this point someone talking to you about a millimeter of difference will not help you. You have a lot of work to do before they can talk to you about those differences.
• Establish a relationship if possible. You need to pick people to review your work that you can go back to later and show them again. They will be able to then see your growth and frankly if you paid attention.
• Ask always if you can follow up and how. Plan to go out and shoot as soon as you can after your review. Work on the tips they pointed out to you and then somehow get them to see your revisions in that portfolio. You might just need to show them one project you are working on and get their feedback.
• You never arrive at the top. There is always room for growth. Always seek out feedback on your work for the rest of your career. If you are not growing then you are dying. 

Justin and Ashley Veneman (on right) review a students work during the student workshop at the Southwestern Photojournalism Conference in Fort Worth, TX.

Dave Black, center, reviews a students work while other students look on and learn from the critique. In the back is Patrick Murphy-Racey (Tennessee hat) and Bob Carey who are also leaders in the workshop.

Anacleto Rapping (far left) and Joanna Pinneo (far right) review a student's work at the workshop.

This photo was take around 1:00 am. Dave Black stayed up until 2:00 am critiquing work of anyone who wanted his thoughts during the workshop.