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Photo Training Overseas Reporting from Fuerteventura - part 2 of 1 2

Published 01/04/2014

David P. MacDonald's multiple Fellowships may make him intimidating for those who have yet to qualify, yet his warm communication and confident direction soon had all the delegates shooting and studying his approach to setting, light and posing. An area often neglected, revealing the secrets behind successfully guiding your models to the desired (and most flattering) positions may not hand you those distinctions on a plate but it gives the confidence to focus on creating the shape and light you want to express your vision. Not afraid to get in front of the camera himself, David's style suits PTO down to the ground and he proved an extremely popular tutor.

PTO regulars Liz and Kenneth Roberts are best known for distinctive baby photography and winning awards in the print competition; this year, Liz stepped in front of the audience to divulge some of the secrets of her stylish subjects whose age is measured in days, not years. A seminar which seemed to pass far faster than the allocated hours, the soothing tones and environment exemplified the considered way that Liz works with the babies to settle them and pose them before swiftly and confidently capturing those bold and much emulated images.

Wedding Fellowships are highly prized and judges are frequently highly skilled in the genre, making the distinction all the more relevant.

Therefore, the recently elected Fellow, Louise Sumner, has faced the toughest critical challenge a professional photographer can, and her eye for the environment, composition and light is to be envied. Fast moving and painting scene after scene with wedding models Kirsty and Kyle indoors and outdoors.

Working so hard behind the scenes. George and Glenys Dawber also hosted 'An Evening with George Dawber' - an interview and presentation covering George's varied and extensive career in the photographic industry. An unusual glimpse into the background of George's influence and involvement in all aspects of photography, not just in Britain, it provided an opportunity for delegates new to photography to connect with their hosts, and also to see the changing face and fortunes of the business and creative aspects of photography as society and technology have evolved.

Shorter seminars - 'Ten minute tantalisers' - form the midweek evening session. This year PTO regulars Garrett Hayes and Helen Spiegl covered photographic gadgets and equestrian photography with entertaining presentations and short Q&A sessions, whilst journalist Richard Kilpatrick covered some of the considerations when preparing and distributing press releases. Finally, Martine Hamilton-Knight's husband Paul Mottram recounted years of working with the premier televisual news agency CBS, including some behind the scenes amusement from various celebrities.

Once again, the powerful networking of PTO comes to the fore as Paul's video business is shown; if nothing else, it underlines just how reasonably priced professional, artistic video work can be!

As the week winds down, and the end of seminars is marked by the glamour of the awards dinner, there's a chance for the delegates and tutors to let their hair down. This year Kirsty Rogers provided the entertainment, as a professional singer and X-Factor finalist demonstrated her multiple talents after modelling during the week.

PTO's success continues, not just in the sense of bookings and return delegates - many of this years' group registering for 2015 before catching the flight home. It's hard to believe that just one week of the year can have such a significant effect on your view of your talents, your business and the environment in which you work, and yet it does. The creative environment is catching; PTO regular Michael Slyfield brought partner Caroline for the first time. It also marked her first experience of photography, with a DSLR given for Christmas. The inspirational environment, architecture and light helped Caroline produce a panel of images for the art competition - and for her own enjoyment - that show just how readily the inner artist can come out when suitably encouraged.

Her striking compositions visually communicate the effect surrounding yourself with those eager to nurture and share can have.

In 2015 Photo Training Overseas will return to the Canary Islands, and the popular resort of Tenerife. Maintaining competitive costs, it makes sense to prioritise this unique experience over fragmented, disparate experiences throughout the year; if you have considered spending a couple of hundred here and there over the course of the year, disrupting your work and blocking out weekends in summer and autumn, PTO's recipe of winter scheduling, sunshine and unmatched access to industry heavyweights provides the ideal kickstart to the year, a lift during the darker seasons and the confidence to grow professionally and personally. Speakers for the next date include Frank Doorhof, covering high-end fashion portraiture, Julie Oswin with weddings, the return of Dave Wall with a look at stock photography, Gerry Coe - recently awarded a Fellowship for photography produced on the iPhone - teaching portraiture and Mark Seymour demonstrating his approach to documentary weddings. Glyn Dewis brings Photoshop skills to the fore, whilst Brian John McLernon joins us to bring talents in seascapes and landscapes. Further tutors and events are yet to be confirmed, and yet the line up already represents a value hard to prioritise this unique experience over fragmented, disparate experiences throughout the year; if you have considered spending a couple of hundred here and there over the course of the year, disrupting your work and blocking out weekends in summer and autumn, PTO's recipe of winter scheduling, sunshine and unmatched access to industry heavyweights provides the ideal kickstart to the year, a lift during the darker seasons and the confidence to grow professionally and personally. Speakers for the next date include Frank Doorhof, covering high-end fashion portraiture, Julie Oswin with weddings, the return of Dave Wall with a look at stock photography, Gerry Coe - recently awarded a Fellowship for photography produced on the iPhone - teaching portraiture and Mark Seymour demonstrating his approach to documentary weddings. Glyn Dewis brings Photoshop skills to the fore, whilst Brian John McLernon joins us to bring talents in seascapes and landscapes. Further tutors and events are yet to be confirmed, and yet the line up already represents a value hard to find in a single year, let alone a single event, location and price.

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1st Published 01/04/2014
last update 09/12/2022 14:54:29

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