The Royal Photographic Society has unveiled its workshop programme for 2009. New for this year are the ‘Fashion Photography’, ‘Product Photography’ and two business focused workshops. All workshops are open to members and non-members of The Society, and are held at the RPS headquarters in Bath.

Royal Photographic Society Press Release

The Royal Photographic Society ANNOUNCES 2009 WORkSHOPS

The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) has released dates for the first half of its 2009 workshop programme.  Running from January to April, a number of exciting additions have been introduced to the already packed schedule.

New for this year is the exciting ‘Fashion Photography’ workshop. Participants will have the amazing opportunity to work in a professional studio with a fashion photographer and models, during the one day course. 

Working in partnership with Cheltenham Photo Studios, attendees will be presented with four very different environments to work in and shown how each requires specialised knowledge and experience.  The variety of shots taken throughout the day will then be critiqued by the tutor.  The workshop costs £98 and will take place on Saturday 17th January and Saturday 14th March from 10am-5pm.

Another new addition to the 2009 programme is the ‘Product Photography’ workshop; ideal for anyone interested in product photography, whether it is for their own or commercial use. Also held at Cheltenham Photo Studios, participants will experience three different types of product photography, learning techniques and styles that are appropriate to each.  The one day workshop will run on Saturday 21st February and Saturday 25th April from 10am-5pm and costs £98.

The RPS has also introduced two business focused workshops, providing comprehensive tutorials on the commercial role photography can play and key techniques to help drive businesses forward.

‘Creating an Image for Business’ will be held in partnership with Business Link on Thursday 19th March from 5.30-7.45pm.  Aimed at any those who are running or working for a creative company, this workshop will give the opportunity to re-energise a business.  From finding out how Business Link can help market and finance a business, to tips on how to make the most of a website through visual impact, layout and content, this workshop covers it all.

‘Going Freelance’ is the second workshop in this field, and is ideal for both freelance and assistant photographers.  Aimed at participants at all stages of their career, from those just starting out to experienced professionals who would just like a refresher, this one day course includes a series of lectures on topics from copyright and PR, to CV writing, marketing and sales for professional photographers.  The workshop will take place on Thursday 30th April from 10.15 am-4.00pm.  The cost is £25 and includes lunch.

For further information on all workshops, visit www.rps.org/workshops or contact The Society on 01225 325733, [email protected].  All workshops are open to members and non-members of The Society, and are held at the RPS headquarters in Bath unless otherwise stated.

RPS Workshops for 2009

Studio Portraiture
Chris Burfoot ARPS
Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
Saturday 10 January (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 11 January (10.00am-4.30pm)
Saturday 7 March (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 8 March (10.00am-4.30pm)
Saturday 4 April (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 5 April (10.00am-4.30pm)
Day 1 Starting from Scratch
Aimed at photographers with little or no studio experience. The principals of using studio flash in the portrait environment will be discussed, showing how impressive results can be achieved with minimum equipment. Everyone who attends will have the chance to shoot their own pictures with a live model.
Day 2 Intermediate
For those with more than basic understanding of the equipment and techniques or those who have completed day one.  Participants will be shown how more advanced lighting techniques can produce better results.
Cost: 1 day £75 - both days £135

Alternative Digital Printing Techniques
Ray Spence FRPS
Saturday 18 April (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 29 April (10.00am-4.00pm)
This is hands on workshop which will show participants how to emulate alternative techniques from Cyanotype and Liquid Emulsion to Polaroid effects.  Images taken on the workshop will then be printed using a variety of papers from archival cotton rag to glossy fibre based papers, using both dye and pigment inks.  Finally the work will be archivally matted and mounted ready for the gallery wall/
Cost: £160

Wedding Photography
Terry Hewlett
Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire
Saturday 31 January (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 1 February (10.00am-4.30pm)
Saturday 28 February (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 1 March (10.00am-4.30pm
Saturday 28 March (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 29 March (10.00am-4.30pm)
Saturday 25 April (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 26 April (10.00am-4.30pm)
This two-day workshop will provide a short introduction to marketing for success, getting bookings and developing a viable business strategy for wedding photography.  You will be taught about seeing the picture using perspective, viewpoint, lines, colour, shape and form, as well as how lighting works on the day, the pitfalls and problems encountered and how to overcome them.  You will also be shown control of lighting, including subtractive and additive techniques; using light modifiers; the use and control of flash and fill lighting; and how to deal with poor and artificial lighting on the day.  There will be practical sessions with a bride and groom, showing some set poses for the day, putting into practice the knowledge gained over the previous two days. 
Cost: £135

Portfolio Printing Workshop
Tim Daly
Saturday 17 January (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 18 January (10.00am-4.30pm)
This is an ideal opportunity to learn about exhibition quality digital printing.  With plenty of hands-on practical projects, participants will learn how to prepare files for printout and how to use profiles for making sensitive hand-printing results.
Cost: £160

Digital Monochrome Workshop
Ray Spence FRPS
Saturday 24 January (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 25 January (10.00am-4.30pm)
This workshop is designed to show participants how to get the best out of a digital camera by shooting in Raw and the subsequently squeeze the maximum quality out of your digital negatives in Photoshop.  Methods of converting images to monochrome and emulating traditional darkroom manipulation using Photoshop will be demonstrated and discussed.  Images taken on the workshop will then be printed using a variety of papers from archival cotton rag to glossy fibre based papers, using both dye and pigment inks.  Finally the work will be archivally matted and mounted ready for the gallery wall/
Cost: £160

Beginners SLR Digital Photography and PhotoShop CS
John Roe ARPS
Saturday 31 January (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 1 February (10.00am-4.30pm)
Saturday 14 March (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 15 March (10.00am-4.30pm)
For those with basic or no understanding of their SLR digital camera, but who want to learn more about its functions, such as F-stops, shutter speeds and ISO settings, composition and creative picture taking. The workshop will also provide hands-on tuition with PhotoShop CS. This course will suit those who use PhotoShop on a professional basis, as well as creative home users.
Cost: £155        

Seeing the Light
Rob Griffiths
Wednesday 4 February (10.00am-4.00pm)
Wednesday 8 April (10.00am-4.00pm)
This course is aimed at any digital photographer who is either already competent at processing digital images but is frustrated by their inability to get great results every time and who want an easier and more successful workflow, or for those who film photographers wanting to convert to digital.  It will simply explain how to get from flash card to print with the least amount of hassle.  Participants will leave with a full understanding of colour management as it pertains to photographers, but also have been introduced to techniques such as non-destructive editing, sharpening, key-wording and back up.
Cost: £55

One Day PhotoShop Elements
Sunday 1 March (10.00am-4.30pm)
A one-day introductory Workshop to PhotoShop Elements, for those who need basic skills in image manipulation at home and in the office.  Learn how to download your images onto a computer, opening, storing and basic image manipulation.
Cost: £85

Introduction to Photoshop CS
Ross Curzon-Butler BA
Saturday 11 April (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 12 April (10.00am-4.30pm)
Two full days of learning the different aspects of Photoshop CS.  The course is ideal for those with little or no experience with this industry recognised software package.
Cost: £155

Digital Printing Workshop
Tim Daly
Saturday 11 April (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 12 April (10.00am-4.30pm)
If you are disappointed by the quality of your printing, this is an ideal opportunity to learn how to set-up, prepare and configure your workflow for best quality output.  Expect lots of expert tips and plenty of hands-on practical projects for controlling colour, using printer profiles and working with different paper types. 
Cost: £160

Documentary Photography for Beginners
John Roe ARPS
The Bath and West Show Ground, Shepton Mallet
Saturday 11 April (10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 12 April (10.00am-4.30pm)
This exciting course will provide a structured exploration of documentary photography, enabling you to grasp a method of photography that seeks to record, investigate and comment on people and situations.  Although this workshop is designed specifically for SLR cameras, if participants would like to use a compact camera please contact the tutor at [email protected]
Cost: £155

Compact Camera Course for Beginners
John Roe
Saturday 25 April ((10.00am-5.00pm) and Sunday 26 April (10.00am-4.30pm)
A workshop for all those who wish to learn how to use their compact digital camera and the basics of Photoshop elements.  The first day will be spent learning about the functions and settings of your digital camera.  The second day will concentrate on downloading images onto a computer, opening, storing and basic manipulation of images.  Although this workshop is designed specifically for compact cameras, if participants would like to use an SLR camera, please contact the tutor at [email protected]
Cost: £145

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