Very simply – Tim produces stunning landscape photography.

Pixelda put it well in his Flickr testimonial: “If you are a budding landscape photographer, you must check out Tim’s pictures. He understands the use of form and light in the landscape, and also the right moment to press the shutter.”

To get a greater advance insight into his amazing work, view his Flickr stream or website.

Simon Young is coming to West Yorkshire to run a weekend workshop in portrait photography on March 6th and 7th – saving you a trip to Gloucestershire and the accommodation! And, if you mention Exposure Leeds when booking, you get a 10% discount. Making the course £225 (inclusive) for the 2-day intensive course.

Finally, before you read on – not sure if this is a positive for you, or not – but I’m going on the course myself. I was already planning a trip to the South-West when Steve from Camera Society told me about this!

Here’s an edited version of the information from Camera Society…

Why? Training is a great way to develop. Sure, its great to go out there and experiment and develop your own style, but even the best can gain from hearing the experiences and sharing in the knowledge of others – moving you along the path of photographic excellence.

Who? Simon worked for British Hypnosis Research for a number of years (about 7 years) before becoming a photographer.
Part of the role was observation of facial expressions and how others “perceive” individuals through things like expression, head angle, body language, language, tone of voice… Simon also ran projects using eye-tracking technology that showed how people actually look at things such as pictures and how expressions change with level of excitement and in communing with others.

Photographs of faces, taken by Simon (he was a keen photographer) were used to illustrate lectures on the “use of language in rapport and influence”. A student loved the photos and asked why he hadn’t become a professional portrait photographer. As he couldn’t think of a good answer Simon turned pro shortly after.
Simon has been commissioned by major companies to “capture” the essence of expression – these include: NHS, HP, American Idol, Walmart, Makro Group, John Lewis, Bang & Olufsen, Selfridges, Nationwide Building Society and many others

What? The course content is flexible and is tailored to some extent to the attendees.

Areas covered may include:

• Fundamental principles and considerations of authoring a photograph
• Output requirements, Wall or book, print or screen
• How viewers read a photograph
• How to compose a photograph for easy reading
• Effects of spatial positioning
• Effects of contrast
• Effects of lines
• Perspective -v- Framing
• How to use a zoom lens effectively.
• What is beauty
• Understanding symmetry and angles
• The optical illusions we can use
• Expression (above all else, expression)
• How to get the expression you want
• Shaping the expression
• The importance of rapport
• Rapport and expression “Tricks”
• Timing the shot
• Flow and rapport before and during a shoot, directing a model
• Understanding the effects of light and shadow for dimensionality (kind of key to photographers).
• Optical Illusions.
• The brain sees, not the eyes. The camera has one eye.
• Understanding the effects of colour.
• Positioning of the main light.
• Positioning of the fill light.
• Positioning of accent lights.
• Controlling shadow boundaries.
• Doing it in the studio. (If you understand light, the location doesn’t
• matter).
• Doing it outside.
• Exposure considerations, monochrome -v- colour and White balance.
• Measuring light and understanding shadow depth and its effects .

… and anything else that comes up, sometimes we might cover some post-processing.

All courses cover the principles of composition, lighting and expression as in Simon’s experience, even the most
experienced photographers don’t truly “Know” this.

Beyond this the rest is flexible depending on the group

Past students…

Attended Si’s course at The Camera Society this weekend – and can say without hesitation that I learned more in the two days than I have in the last two years. To anybody else who is as sceptical as I was as to the value of investing in training, it has opened more doors in my mind than any  number of new lenses or lights ever could. Absolutely recommended.
Jay Mawson

Simon has been a positive influence in my photography career. Since the beginning, he has given me options and tools, without affecting my own personal style. In fact, he has encouraged that to grow naturally over time. The difference with Simons tutoring style is, for example, that he will tell you “why to light something this way”, instead of just providing you with a lighting diagram that works in some situations but won’t in others. This deepens your understanding of the right way to work in all circumstances and provides you with the ability to adapt in tricky situations – which is of significant commercial value. He has taught me some very advanced topics effectively too, including deeper compositional techniques, colour theory and digital processing.
Phil Drinkwater

Further testimonials available upon request.

More? If you have any questions or would like to make a booking please  email Steve – info@camerasociety.co.uk

In the second of our ‘events’ series following the Street event in February – this is an all day conversation around the subject of portrait photography.

With a wide range of discussions, debates, practical sessions and appreciations planned – you’ll find a whole set of great reasons to share your thoughts, ideas and experiences in an open and friendly environment.

This is not a rigid workshop or formal training session – just a fun day with a little bit of direction to ensure everyone gets something from the day!

Bring along your gear – show everyone else how you’d get your great portraits – or bring along your concerns and issues.

If you need to know more, pop over to the Exposure Leeds group on Flickr and ask, or email jon[at]exposureleeds.org.

• When? 20th March 10:00 – 16:30
• Where? Old Broadcasting House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9EN | Directions
• How much? £7.50 admission only | £13.50 inc lunch – online booking.

Danny has agreed to come to Exposure Leeds Monthly and talk us through his folio, experiences and approach to photography.

For those who need an introduction; visit his website and flickrstream.

For the rest…

• When: Weds March 3rd, 6pm-9pm (presentation starts at 6.30pm)
• Location: Old Broadcasting House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9EN. Directions.
• Entry will be £2* (on the door) – all seats now reserved. See flickr group discussion for up to date information

*Includes hot drink (subject to availability).

In a special focused on what we do with our images after we take them, John Dolan will be leading a beginners guide to Photoshop session and Mark Skeet will be reviewing his work-flow process once he has completed a shoot.

After the main presentations will be a Q&A session where the group will discuss the many aspects of image selection and processing.

• Date: 3rd February 2010 – 6pm to 9pm (talks start at 6.30pm)
• Location: Old Broadcasting House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9EN. Directions.

A charge of £2 will be made on the door – no pre-booking is required. Register interest on Facebook

Come hear him talk about his photographs and how they came about.

As usual there will be time for socialising before and after the main presentation.

• 6th January – 6pm to 9pm at Old Broadcasting House [directions] Talks start at 6.30pm.
• Entry: £2 – includes hot drink (subject to availability)
• Register on Facebook (not required)

A proper festive message will be going out soon but, in the mean time…

Here’s hoping that everyone has a great time during the festivities and that there’s lots of photo-themed gifts received so we can all have success and great times in the New Year!

Have a good ‘un!

Credit: Image copyright MarkB 2009. All Rights Reserved.

With a good number of people interested in street and other forms of social and candid public photography we thought it a good time to hold a training/workshop event in which we could all safely and informally try methods, discuss theories and consider morality and legal positions in the current security and media environments.

Workshop ideas floated to date:

• Introducing… (a number of speakers get a few minutes and a few slides to introduce their favourite street photographer)
• Critique – anyone who wants to take part submits a photo and a rationale / back story and gets feedback from others in the group
• Role plays – practice street indoors, with friends – trying out techniques and methods.
• Morals and laws – a discussion on what’s right and what’s not.

Details:

• When: Sat 20th February – 10am – 4.30pm
• Location: Old Broadcasting House, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9EN. Directions
• Order tickets via Eventbrite

• More details to come soon

In association with NTI Leeds and Leeds Street Photography Group

However, to find out the type of things you are wanting to know about (and to do a little prep) can we ask for you to tell us what is vexing you?

It’s dead simple – just go to this anonymous form and tell us what is troubling you!

Image reproduced with permission – © Martin Gommel. All Rights Reserved.