Creative Composition
One Day Workshop
Sunday 5 May 2024
Sometimes we can feel like robots.
Taking photos isn't always the wonderfully creative process we had hoped for when we first purchased our camera. Sometimes we go through the motions, we find something beautiful to photograph... but never seem to get the shot we wanted.
- Why do we struggle to capture great photos?
- Why are our images so uninspiring?
- How can we release our creative spirit?
This one-day workshop addresses all these issues.
Creative Frustration?
Are you frustrated that your expensive camera isn't taking wow-factor photos?
You're not alone. Many people invest in an expensive camera thinking it will make them a better photographer, but the truth is, it's all about technique.
With the right skills, you can take amazing photos with any camera, even a smartphone. But if you're not happy with your results, don't give up. Instead, learn the secrets of composition.
Composition is the art of arranging the elements in your photo in a way that is visually appealing and tells a story. It's about choosing the right angle, perspective, and framing. It's about understanding how to use light, colour, and texture to create a dynamic image.
Once you master the principles of composition, you'll be able to take photos that will turn heads. You'll be able to capture the beauty of the world around you in a way that is truly unique.
Why Composition?
Composition in photography is the magic ingredient that transforms a snapshot into a captivating story.
Just like a skilled writer arranges words to evoke emotions and guide the reader's journey, a photographer uses composition to direct the viewer's gaze, highlight the subject's significance, and infuse the image with a sense of balance and harmony.
So much emphasis these days seems to be disproportionately focused on the technical side of photography. And whilst having a good technical grasp of the craft is important, it's our compositional skills that arguably have the greatest impact on our images.
This workshop is not technical. Instead, it is all about the photographer's eyes; how we see, how we communicate to our audience, and how we put the image together. Composition can be learnt and we will be spending the day looking at a whole range of techniques to transform the look of your photographs. Students will be required to bring their cameras, there will be practical exercises.
We will be going beyond the simple 'rule of thirds' and 'leading lines' formulas that are well known to most photographers. This workshop will instead address advanced levels of image composition.
This is composition on steroids.
What Type of Photographer are You?
This one-day workshop is for photographers who would like to improve their compositional skills and take better photographs.
Photographers usually fall into two camps. They are either very creative, or they have very strong technical skills. In reality, we are all a bit of both (to various degrees).
Creative photographers
Creative photographers usually find it very easy to look at almost any scene and take great shots. Composing images can be intuitive for them, a kind of second nature. Initially, photographers who fall into this camp, often struggle with the technical side of photography. Some even battle with operating their cameras, preferring to shoot in auto.
Technical photographers
Technical Photographers, on the other hand, tend to have a good understanding of how their camera works. They are likely to have mastered the exposure triangle, preferring to shoot in manual... and they often understand how to take control of the camera in almost any situation to produce a perfectly exposed, crisp, sharp, image.
However, it is not uncommon for them to take shots which, for all their technical excellence, lack creative interest.
About This Workshop
Creativity will always be subjective.
In other words, we each have our own ideas about what works and what doesn't. The success or failure of a piece of art (whether it is photos, a watercolour or even a piece of dance) depends on the eyes that see it.
Equally, it depends on the eyes that first saw it, first conceived it, first produced it. If we know how the human brain sees and appreciates a creative piece, we should be able to produce work that makes it easy for the brain to like. Making photos that are 'brain-friendly' is what this workshop is all about.
You will learn a range of techniques. From the simple, common and frequently used - to the esoteric, abstract and powerful. By the end of this workshop you will be equipped with a whole arsenal of creative weaponry.
Minimum requirements
You should know how to work your camera with a basic understanding of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. You will have a zoom lens or a range of lenses of different focal lengths, from wide angle through to telephoto.
About the Day
The venue for this workshop is the award-winning Holiday Inn Express hotel in Fleet.
We will be using their superbly equipped training room (see photo) with mains power sockets for laptops, USB charging points and free wifi. The large screen TV handles presentations and the windows have full length blinds, should bright sunlight prove a problem.
Teas and coffees will be available throughout the day.
As we will be breaking for lunch around midday, you may wish to bring a packed-lunch, or if you prefer, eat out at any one of the many local restaurants/cafes/pubs just outside the hotel. There is also a range of snacks available in the hotel, just ask at reception for a copy of the menu.
What to Bring
Please bring your camera and a selection of lenses. No flash or tripods will be necessary. Note paper and pens will be provided by us.
Book your place
Places are limited to just 6 people, so don't delay.
The cost for the whole day (which runs from 10am-4pm-ish) is £245.
Payments can be spread over three installments for approx £81.66/month, completely interest-free via PayPal. You can select the select this option at checkout.
Click on the button below to register and book your place today.
Who is this workshop for?
This one-day photography workshop is for absolutely anyone who is looking to improve their photos through good compositional techniques.
Whether you are a beginner, an advanced amateur, or even working as a professional, taking time out to work on your compositional skills is one of the best investments, you as a photographer can make.
Which best describes you?
New to Photography?
You're new to photography and you're keen to learn good habits straight away
Frustrated?
You’re disappointed with your photos and you’re looking for answers
You’re a bit Rusty
You’re returning to photography after a long break and you need fresh stimulus
Looking for a gift?
You want to buy a unique and very special gift for someone you love
Book your place now
What kind of Camera do you need?
Almost any camera is suitable, but it probably favours those with interchangeable lenses like DSLR cameras or the new ‘Mirrorless’ technology cameras.
Suitable for owners of Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Pentax cameras.
If you own a ‘bridge camera’, where the lens is not removable, but you have a long, built-in zoom, you will also find most of the workshop extremely helpful (approx 85%)
Course Instructor
Kevin Ahronson - HSP Founder
You will be learning from industry professional Kevin Ahronson and you can expect instruction at the very highest level.
Kevin, who founded the HSP, is one of the best photography teachers in the UK and has personally taught hundreds of students from beginners through to those who want to go professional.
With over 50 years of experience behind the camera and having been teaching photography since 2009, Kevin’s passion these days is to share that knowledge with the next generation of photographers.
