In light of the "workshop" thread - has anybody done one with David Alan Harvey?

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In light of the "workshop" thread - has anybody done one with David Alan Harvey?

Was looking at the workshops he offers and the Oaxaca & Tuscany ones look interesting. If anybody has taken one with DAH, how was it?
 
I've done one with him at Easter in Sicily. What are you looking to learn?

If you're looking for specific compositional tips, that's not what he usually does. He'll tell you which pictures of yours he likes, but usually there's no time to get into specific pictures to discuss what exactly he likes or dislikes.

Here's one person's experience with David:
http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0610/rosenfield.html
 
Nick: Thanks for the link! There isn't anything I want to learn in particular...

I discovered DAH was having workshops a couple of years ago. At that time I wasn't really interested as I just didn't see the point on paying $$$ for 1 week to satisfy a hobby. Since then however, 1-2x/year I'd go on a photowalk with a friend & realized how much of a learning experience it is just to shoot & talk shop with somebody (no gear talk, but rather philosophies, aesthetics, etc...). To see how other people go about things was really helpful in developing how I did things.
...so these workshops are sounding better & better...

Plus - I've always wanted to go on a photography-related getaway. Now I'm thinking what better way to do it - at least for the first time - than with a photographer whose work you admire.

What was your experience like in Tuscany?
 
If you're interested in philosophies, aesthetics, etc, then you'll get a lot of that with Harvey.

The workshop was event-driven, shooting the various Easter parades in several small towns in Sicily. The assistants will have information on what's happening where. We'd each go off shooting on our own, sometimes you might be shooting the same subjects as Harvey but you won't be getting specific tips on how to frame or what to look for.

After shooting we'd have reviews. Some workshops you're asked to show only your best 10 pictures, but Harvey prefers to see more, up to 40 from a day's shoot. Time permitting you should also try to get a one on one session for advice, tips, etc.

Usually before the first day's shooting there would be a review session where each participant brings pictures for Harvey to look at. There will be some comments, but again not really in detail. The group usually eats together and this is a great part of the experience, talking photography.

For myself, the event/location was more important than Harvey's presence as it was an event I'd wanted to photograph for some time. What I learned from him was not how to compose or how to get the best light but more on thinking about what I'm photographing and why. Similar in many ways to the thinking expressed in David Hurn's "On Being a Photographer" book.

Hope that helps.

Here are some behind the scenes pics of the group.
 
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