Melbourne Photography Workshops with Jo Ferguson

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Posted 2013-09-24 by Lorraine A ⇒ follow

Everybody can take a photo whether it's on an iPhone, a compact point and shoot camera or an expensive SLR. But how many people out there have bought an expensive SLR digital camera because they want great quality photos that look like they're from an advertising brochure only to be disillusioned and disappointed by the quality of photo produced?

Unfortunately I have learned that it doesn't make a difference if you have your hands on the newest most advanced camera on the market because the camera is not going to make you a better photographer - it offers you the possibility of taking great photographs but you need to know how to use it to get the results. It's not all doom and gloom though, with the right help you will succeed.

Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to join in a Melbourne Photography Workshop run by professional photographer Jo Ferguson.

With a group of only four, including Jo, it's small enough for everyone to get plenty of one on one time to discuss things in detail and ask plenty of questions.

We covered several topics and camera settings that included:

# Aperture ( the amount of light let into the camera )
# Shutter speed ( the speed of which the photograph is taken )
# Manual mode ( to be able to change all settings )
# F stops ( is the number relating to aperture size. eg f/5.6 )
# Creative shutter speed ( example: waterfalls )
# Rule of thirds ( is having the main interest on one of third lines )
# How to make a two dimensional look 3 dimensional
# Direction of light ( back light and front light )
# Leading lines ( leading your eye to the subject )
And for me never have gotten around to reading my camera manual, ever, it was a lot to take in over the 3 and a half hours but Jo has written a fantastic manual to take home that covers everything covered in the workshop. I must admit, that it wasn't until I was home and processed the information as well as browsing over the manual that the information sunk in.

What's great about attending this workshop is that it's not only a fun and relaxed environment to learn new photography skills but the follow up is fantastic. Jo has created a website where you can download 3 of your best photos for a professional critique and you can also enter into her competitions and join the forum to keep in contact with other budding photographers.

Value for money is excellent at $99 for a 3 hour workshop with a manual to take home and follow up critique on photos.

As for my overall experience of the workshop, I would say I'm amazed with what I have learnt in a short period of time. At times I was utterly confused at what I was doing and Jo was extremely patient at going over things several times until it sunk in.
Below is one of my photos that I have taken after the workshop and I am happy to say it's a huge improvement on what I had been taking.

You may not go from beginner to professional photographer in one workshop but you will be more confident to use manual modes and capture things from different perspectives which will therefore improve your photography skills. Once you have the understanding of what each setting does on the camera it comes down to two things, practice along with trial and error which in turn leads to amazing photos.

The workshops are for people of all photographic levels from beginner to advanced but unlike me, I would recommend reading your camera instruction manual first, so you can use your time effectively.

The workshops are hands on so you need a camera that has manual modes to adjust the settings. A pair of walking shoes is a must as you will cover a couple of kilometres taking in different photography sites ( at no more than a strolling pace), a suitable bag big enough to hold an A4 document from Jo, water, sunscreen and anything else you may need.

As for our workshop educator Jo Ferguson, she is very friendly and helpful and truly wants to share her knowledge of photography, it's a passion that exudes out of her and it's contagious.

Along with running the Melbourne workshops and photofig (a free online photography tutorial with 25 projects to complete) she also sells her amazing images on RedBubble .

So for anyone wanting to improve on their current photography skills, no matter what level you're at, you will find Melbourne Photography Workshops are well worth attending.

For details on upcoming workshops and to book your place click here (remembering workshops are limited to 4 participants each) .