By Jay Dickman

There are a lot of great workshops out there, and whether you are a pro, advanced amateur, or aspiring “wanna-be,” taking time out from the daily grind of producing client-directed images that may not ring your own bell can refresh your love of photography.

I know this renewal of passion occurs, because I routinely see it happen when I teach a FirstLight Workshop for serious amateurs and established pros. (FirstLight has hosted events in: the mid-Pyrenees of France; the western Highlands of Scotland; Barcelona, Spain; the Eastern Shore of Maryland; and Dubois, Wyoming.)

So what criteria should you use when choosing a workshop?

In my opinion, the most critical aspect of a good workshop is the ratio of instructors to students. At FirstLight Workshop, we have four instructors and a maximum of 16 students. This allows our students a lot of face time with the instructors. If you have more students and/or fewer instructors, you can create an environment in which the more reticent students won’t step up for their fair share of critique time and editing. 

Here are a few questions I would consider asking before I signed up a workshop:

What is the maximum class size?
Having too many students with two or fewer instructors can’t provide the ideal environment for learning as much as you might hope to.

How do the instructors handle the type of subject matter we’ll be shooting?
Will we have to find your own subjects to shoot? Or will there be a list of suggested subjects in the area? Some workshops consider finding subject matter part of the learning process. But if that’s the approach, ask if students at previous workshops have encountered any difficulties in photographing the local citizens.

What will be the end point of the workshop?
Will we be creating a slideshow? A DVD? Or prints?

What is included in the fee?
Does it include any flights, hotel, meals, or other amenities? A good workshop provider will have all these details spelled out so there are no surprises.

Does the workshop get many repeat customers?
Repeat customers are a sure sign of a well-run event.You can also ask to see how past attendees have evaluated the workshop.

Can I talk to a previous attendee or two?
When you talk to these references, find out whether they considered the program to be successful. Did they get sufficient edit time? Were the comments from the instructors valid and helpful? Don’t be afraid to ask the most vague and important question: Did they grow and benefit from the workshop? If so, ask how and in what ways. (These questions may seem somewhat personal, but this is your hard-earned money and precious time you will be spending. Buy wisely.)

How will my work be critiqued?
Some events do a group edit, with each student submitting x-number of images. Others require you to edit your own work down to a specific number of images which the workshop leaders will then critique. Some workshops are really just shooting events, without any time set aside for editing/critiquing. If you’re serious about improving your photography, finding a workshop in which your work will be professionally critiqued can be quite valuable.

Can the photographers leading the workshop teach me what I want to know? Do they share my style and interests?
This is important for both sides of this relationship. I essentially “interview” each potential attendee, and I’ve sent a few to other workshops that I felt it would be a better fit them.  I can’t offer the best learning experience to students who aspire to be the next Ansel Adams. Our strengths are not in that particular genre.

Will the well-known photographer who drew my attention to this workshop be there for the duration of the event?
Or will he or she just be an opening speaker or featured one-time speaker?

After you’ve decided to register for a workshop, carefully check the dates on the website or catalog as to: (1) when deposits are due; (2) when you can drop out without sacrificing your deposit; (3) when the total tuition is due; and (4) when the last opportunity is for you to cancel.  These policies vary from workshop to workshop. Some operate like a fancy resort, where the money is due upon registration and you have little or no recourse to cancel.

Finally, if the workshop organizer can’t seem to spare time for you or doesn’t answer all of your questions, you may want to continue your search. 

To get the most from your workshop, you need to bring a positive mindset. You’re spending precious time and money on the workshop, so it’s important to get the answers you need so you can make a wise choice. By doing some research before the event, you can come fully prepared to enjoy the full benefits of the experience.