THE FOUNDATION WORKSHOP 10
What is FW10?
Unlike other wedding photography workshops, the tenth annual Foundation Workshop (FW10) offers wedding photographers the unique opportunity to work closely with top wedding photojournalists and established documentary wedding photographers.
Under the guidance of experienced instructors, FW10 students will explore and develop their photojournalistic skills through the process of shooting and editing a complete photo story of real subjects. There will be no staged weddings or model shoots. Participants will be challenged to approach their real assignments creatively and encouraged to shoot passionately while establishing a foundation for learning the skills and perspective of a photojournalist.
Dates and location?
January 29-February 2, 2012 (bonus session from 10 am – 1 pm on Feb. 3, 2012) in Glen Rose, Texas
Our workshop hotel is the Holiday Inn Express at 113 Paluxy Summit Blvd., Glen Rose, TX 76043 (254) 898-9900
Please call the hotel directly to make your reservation.
What’s the cost?
$3,900 USD for tuition only. Students are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and meals expenses.
How do I register and pay?
All 36 spots at the FW10 in 2012 have seen taken. We are sold out! Please check back here in March 2012 for information about FW11 which will be in 2013.
What’s the schedule for FW10?
This is the preliminary schedule (subject to change):
Sunday Jan. 29 : Lunch (provided) at noon, followed by classroom and team training at 2pm.
Monday Jan. 30 : Assignment shooting and editing, group discussion
Tuesday Jan. 31 : Assignment shooting and editing, group discussion
Wednesday Feb. 1: Final editing, group discussion, assignment shooting if needed
Thursday Feb. 2: Slideshow preparation, final presentations (dinner provided by FW10)
Friday Feb. 3: Travel day – everyone departs for home or stay for the Bonus Session
Will we be responsible for our own transportation?
Yes. You will need a car to get to and from your assignment.
You had about 30 staff members at the last workshop (FW9). Isn’t that a lot?
We want to provide you with the most valuable instruction with a low student-to-faculty ratio to maximize your personalized attention. Many of the instructors have had experienced with previous Foundation Workshops. All are dedicated to the ideals of the workshop. We can allot up to six participants per team.
How does the team system work?
Each team has one team leader and three additional faculty members for six participants, who provide instruction in the field and in the editing suite at night. Because the teams function as independent units, each team is free to customize its schedule and procedures to suit the needs of its participants. Each night, all teams gather for a group discussion. The team leader is the editor and main instructor and is responsible for guiding the educational process of each team. The assistant is in charge of organizing and maintaining the team schedule. Mentors are available to assist participants with their shooting and answer any photography questions.
Can I choose my team leader?
You will be able to sign up with the team leader of your choice if there are spots available on that team.
Who are the staff at FW10?
Tyler Wirken w/ mentors Erwin Darmali & Kirsten Lewis and volunteer Janine McClintock
David Murray w/ mentors Ben & Erin Chrisman and volunteer Dexter Lo
Brooks Whittington w/ mentors Bill Holland & Joe Ellis and volunteer Andrew Mejia
Anna Kuperberg w/ mentors Huy & Candice Cusic and volunteer Jenny Jimenez
Sergio w/ mentors Daniel Aguilar & Katrina Wallace and volunteer Gulnara
JVS w/ mentors Ray Soemarsono & Ryan Jones and volunteer Jan Garcia
FW10 Director: Huy
FW10 Coordinator: Kelly Rashka
Assignment Editors: Kate Mefford + Kathryn Krueger
Photographer: Olivia Brown
Counselors: Verna Pitts + David Pullum
Volunteers: Sherry Pickerell + Cameron Clark
Will a mentor accompany me to my assignment?
Yes. Mentors will go in the field (for a short time) with participants for one-on-one instruction. We like to drop in on everyone to see how they’re doing and to offer any needed assistance or advice.
I don’t want to look bad in front of my peers. Can we edit my work in private?
We learn not only from examining our own work but from that of others. The editing sessions are conducted with the whole team present. It’s an invaluable process to begin to understand how other photographers think and see.
What skill level should I be at to make the most of FW10?
Those attending the workshop get the most out of it when they’re already very familiar with using camera gear in a variety of situations,not needing to spend a lot of time and energy thinking about the mechanics. They should be able to quickly make adjustments of settings to accommodate their vision of how to photograph a scene.
Do I need digital equipment? What should I bring?
You’ll only need the basic digital equipment : two digital bodies, a wide lens, a medium lens, a long lens, flash with off-camera cord, and a host of CF cards. You’ll be shooting JPGs. You can bring a laptop for personal use and your own image backup, but you will not be needing it for the workshop.
Will I have to come up with my own photo story assignment?
We encourage those returning participants to find their own assignments, and assistance is available. Those coming to the workshop for first time and those returning participants who want, will be given an assignment that best meets your needs. In this case, the subjects will have been contacted and their participation confirmed.
Will we be discussing post-production techniques at FW10?
No. Photoshop is only a tool to process the images from your story. We will focus our time at the workshop exclusively on the processes of seeing and capturing those images, not on post-production methods.
Will we be discussing the business of wedding photography at FW10?
Yes. However, the main focus of Foundation Workshop is on seeing and thinking and shooting differently. There is no specific time planned for discussions of business matters, but they will occur sporadically throughout the workshop.
Can you guarantee that I will double my bookings after attending FW10?
While we’d like to think that you will find financial success (and bookings) by improving your photographic skills, it’s up to you to make it all come together and make the big bucks.
I heard that participants did not get a lot of sleep during past workshops. Is that true?
Yes. The workshop is very intense, full of challenges and interesting people. Fueled by their passion for photography, many participants find it difficult to rest when immersed in such an environment. That said, we are working to offer more opportunities for sleep at FW10 than in past years.
Will there be any other organized social activities for fun?
Not really. Photography is fun!
The following students have been confirmed spots on the FW10 in Texas. (If your name is not on this list, then you do have a spot reserved for you. If you think you should be on this list, please email me)
INFO UPDATED 11/15/2011 @ 10 am: WE ARE SOLD OUT!
Registered FW10 students:
Fer Juaristi
Kate McElwee
Rafa Ibanez
Jenny DeMarco
Loic Nicolas
Caroline Robert
Inku
Ben Godkin
Allen Ayres
Mark Janzen
Dianna Montoya
Daniela Garza,
Nadine Latief
Jamelle Kelly
Jeremy Minnerick
Mike Garrard
Elizabeth Fladung
Craig Kohlruss
David Morgan
Derrick Rice
Gonzalo Nunez
Debra Doliner
John Miles
Scott McQuarrie
Carolina Rivera
Buffy Goodman
Jason Huang
Erick Rodriguez
Claudia Rodriguez
Lynn-Kai Chao
Anna-Karin Lukash
Robin Dupuy
Misti Layne
no comments