Q: Why are you now offering your workshops via a new company, aspect2i?

I have been successfully developing and leading workshops in Belgium and the UK for several years and wanted to expand the range of topics on offer as well as extend the geographic coverage further. I've been lucky enough to team up with some new partners who also strongly believe in helping photographers to improve their skills rapidly, and between us we offer an excellent variety of different approaches.

Q: How much experience do I need to attend?

Workshops descriptions specifically note if they are designed for beginners or for more advanced levels. For a full description of experience levels see choosing the right workshop for you.

Q: How much will I really learn?

A lot! Our workshops are very interactive. At the start of each session we’ll discuss if there are any specific areas that you want to cover so this can be planned in. Each workshop is supported by detailed notes for you to take away and refer to after the event. Given that we emphasise the practical as well as the theoretical, you’ll have a great opportunity to really understand what’s being taught about the subject you choose. We really want you to come away feeling that you’ve achieved something very worthwhile on the workshop and have added significantly to your skills.

Q: Do you provide material to take away?

Each course is supported by detailed information material for you to take away and refer to after the event.

Q: What about camera equipment?

It depends on the topic. For many workshops any kind of equipment can be used: from compact cameras to DSLRs and beyond, and whether digital or film. Generally we believe that great photography is more about the image than about the equipment, although of course being familiar and confident with your equipment gives more scope and satisfaction. So we do have workshops specifically designed to assist beginners to use their cameras fully. There are also some more advanced specialist workshops, and for these the equipment requirements are mentioned in the workshop description page. Contact us if you have any questions at all about this.

Q: And what about filters?

For some kinds of photography - landscape in particular and to some extent travel photography – filters can be extremely valuable for improving an image. If you don’t have filters then we usually have some spares that you can try on the workshop. Then you can see for yourself what they do, and you can decide if you’d like to get your own filters later on. For the few workshops where filters are specifically recommended, you’ll find additional information in the joining instructions, including buying tips. Always contact us beforehand if you’d like more information.

Q: What is the general format of a workshop?

Most of my workshops have a significant classroom content, probably 50/50 or even more for certain 1-day sessions. I want my workshops to have a strong educational and learning content, and at the same time to balance that with some hands-on practical time appropriate to the workshop topic. So after a short introduction, both to the topic and to each other, we’ll clearly explain key principles using example images on the screen along with group discussion. We’ll then spend time – usually outside - trying out what’s been covered so far. After this we’ll constructively review some of the results using a digital projector. That way, by applying and reviewing what we’ve just learnt, we can turn principles into practice, and practice into understanding. This is a really valuable part of learning, and we come to know what we didn’t completely pick up in the classroom session.

Q: How many people are there in a workshop?

The group size is typically 8-10, and we’ve found that this works very well. More is OK for certain workshop topics, but most require a significant degree of interaction and practical attention. Interestingly we’ve found that having very low group numbers can be less effective as participants always bring their own varied experiences and interests to sessions like this. It's valuable to get that group input and involvement which can otherwise be missing with lower numbers.

Q: You say that we’ll go outside to do some practical shooting; do I need to be fit?

Typically there won’t be a lot of walking, so no special level of fitness is required, just normal mobility. We’ve carefully chosen the locations so that we have a good variety of material in the immediate vicinity of the venue. In some cases we may use a mini-van to get to nearby shooting locations, in which case this is limited to a few minutes drive so that we don’t waste time bussing around.

Q: What’s the programme for a field workshop?

We’ll be offering a limited number of longer workshops in the field and on location, and these will be clearly indicated as such. On these we’ll be moving between locations and viewpoints that have been specifically selected beforehand. We’ll then spend a couple of hours or more at each location exploring and taking pictures. As we do I’ll be working with everyone one-to-one or in small groups to assist and give guidance. Both at the hotel venue and in the field, we’ll cover specific aspects of photography in depth and in a structured way. These “tuition” sessions may vary from say 15 or 30 minutes at a field location, to an hour or so in a venue meeting room. Again the aim is to provide a valuable basis of learning with getting out and shooting some great images in the field.

Q: What about accommodation?

For 1- and 2-day classroom-based workshops, accommodation is not included in the price since participants may live locally or prefer to stay with friends or at B&B’s. Of course it’s possible to stay at the workshop venue, in which case this should be booked directly with the venue - links can be found on the Hotels and Locations page

Accommodation is included in the price of field workshops.

Q: Are all meals included?

For classroom-based workshops, a light lunch and refreshments are included. Any other meals should be arranged as part of your accommodation.

For field workshops, all meals are included.

Q: What time do the workshops start and end?

Classroom-based workshops usually start at 9.30 and finish at 17.30. We start with introductions and an explanation of the programme. Times of field workshops vary depending on locations and likely travel arrangements. Please check the relevant workshop description page, or contact us for specific details.