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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Sports Workshop
Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Marcos | CA | United States | Posted: 10:37 PM on 12.08.09 |
| ->> Hey SS'ers. I've been asked to run a sports shooter workshop for Calumet in San Diego CA. I've lectured student photojournalist before but never actually had an opportunity to "Officially" teach others. I couldn't think a better place to get advise from than the talent pool from here. Can any of you offer some advise on what to cover? These will be mostly parents, hobbyist and new camera owners. It's a super low paying gig but I agreed more because of what the staff at Calumet has done for me over the years. Thanks for any help and advise. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 9:42 AM on 12.09.09 |
| ->> Hmmmmmm |
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Andrew Foulk, Photographer
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Temecula | CA | United States | Posted: 1:35 PM on 12.09.09 |
| ->> Wow, you’re a brave soul. Let me know if I can give you a hand. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 2:54 PM on 12.09.09 |
->> First rule... KISS
Nick,
I'd try to cover basics. The stuff in the instruction book that no one reads in the first place. How to hold the camera, the basics of exposure (Shutter speeds etc). I'd go into myths (gee, I'd get better shots with a 12 fps motor drive). I'd talk about using what you have - and to repay Calumet, what the lenses the pros use do compared to what you have and how to compensate. Recommend they draw upon the resources that Calumet offers plus the competitive pricing when they need equipment.
I'd also use it as a opportunity to teach some "do's and don'ts . You don't block another photographer's line of sight, you stay out of the way of working pros and don't try to hold a conversation when they are trying to work. You might also want to talk about tactifully not whoring up the market for those trying to make a living. Understand that by giving stuff away, you make it hard for pros to stay in business. If you're not in business... you can't teach any courses. Let them know there are some pros that won't do this kind of teaching because they get their legs cut off by GWC.
Think about the basics. Teach the basics. That includes some basic harsh realities. If you want more specifics, PM me.
Good luck.
Michael |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 3:02 PM on 12.09.09 |
->> One other thing. Hand out a simple survey at the end. Use simple statements with a 0ne to five scale with agree and disagree.
The instructor presented the information in a easy to understand manner.
Agree Disagree
1 2 3 4 5
This is the type of information I wanted.
1 2 3 4 5
At the bottom, leave three blank lines that they can fill in with any additional comments or suggestions. Tell them that's what it's for.
At the beginning, tell them what you are going to tell them. Then ask them for specific questions they want you to cover during the presentation. Write them down and cover them at the appropriate part of your presentation.
The basic rule of public speaking is to tell them what you're going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you've told them. Make sense?
Good luck.
Michael |
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Sam Santilli, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Philippi | WV | USA | Posted: 3:14 PM on 12.09.09 |
->> Tell them to start charging for photos, downloads, and the cd's they are currently giving away for free. Tell them to stop asking professionals who are covering a game/event for free "photo tips". Tell them to support the pro shooter covering their kid's school or sports league. Tell them that doing this for a living is getting harder and harder. Tell them to get liability insurance for putting a child's image on their blog who is under child protective services. Tell them to pay attention at games so they do not get run over or interfere with the game.
And have fun. |
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Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Marcos | CA | United States | Posted: 4:24 PM on 12.09.09 |
| ->> Sam... That is so damn funny you say that! Believe it or not that is at the TOP of my list of things to teach them!! Thanks everyone for the tips and if anyone has any others I'd appreciate it. |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 5:06 PM on 12.09.09 |
->> Wow!
Congrats! |
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Jody Gomez, Photographer
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Murrieta | CA | USA | Posted: 3:05 AM on 12.11.09 |
->> Nick, why don't you put together a slide show of some of your best/worst images to show the students, explaining why they are the best or worst. Show them the difference a clean versus cluttered background makes in an image, show them exactly what peak action is, etc. You get my drift.
If you want to brainstorm some more (I have a ton of ideas about this) call me or drop me an email, and let me know if you need any help on the big day. I'll be glad to come on down and lend a hand (I could be your Vanna White). ;~)
Jody |
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Wally Nell, Photographer
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CAIRO | EG | EGYPT | Posted: 5:58 AM on 12.11.09 |
->> Be prepared to explain Photography 101 to them, i.e. how to set exposure and white balance manually. Some may need specific help with basic camera use as well. In your first few minutes you should try to get an idea who regard themselves as beginner and who intermediate. Depending on how many true beginners there are, you should leave some time open for practical questions, perhaps scheduled for some time afterwards.
Make your workshop visual. Talk about images; why they work, why they don't work. Show them 20 top football images or soccer images and critique each of the images. Show them how to edit down, how to apply criteria. Show them examples of good and bad shots from different kinds of sports. Find out what kind of sports they are already shooting, or want to shoot, and cover how to shoot those sports in more depth.
Show the trends of using long lenses, and now also of using short lenses. Show them images that are storytelling, not just action. Show them images that show vision, pre-thought, pre-planned, resulting in 'different' images.
If you have time, show them how to do a sportrait, with lights. Or show them a selection of images say from Robert Seale and talk about how it was done.
The idea is more that it would wet their appetite to learn more about this artform of photography, rather than them being able to do this at this time. Show them how much more there is to sport photography.
Get some examples of images that have been altered and talk about ethics.
Finally, and most importantly, talk about business; charging for images etc.
I don't know how long you have for the workshop, but make sure you get a list of email addresses. You might not have enough time to cover topics in depth. These could be possible future attendees of additional Nick Morris workshops. See this as a stepping stone.
Good job squire! Go for it! |
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Nick Morris, Photographer
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San Marcos | CA | United States | Posted: 2:57 AM on 12.12.09 |
| ->> Jody, I would love to but unfortunately I don't have any bad shots. I only take perfect shots and I am shooting a 100% keeper rate. I also stayed at the Holiday Inn last night. Thanks for the input everybody. I have some great ideas for the class. As said before I shall hamstring all of them about freebies and line diving in front of pros. They will leave feeling good and smart but scolded like a catholic school girl. |
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