I like your photographic homage to HCB with the leaping girl...

"While Steve [McCurry] preferred a lot of mid tones and just hated strong contrast, Nick [Rains] preferred soft lighting because it made for a more malleable image in Lightroom. And when I say soft light, I don’t mean light that’s flat. Sure all your information is within a certain bell curve in the histogram but what Nick prefers, if I’m not mistaken, is light that provides a lot of gentle kick in the mid tones."

Interesting comment that... I noticed something today when I was re-processing some scans. I was using "auto color adjust", which is better than my eye for getting the color balance to a neutral starting point (with the software that I am using)... more often that not "auto" gives me a slight lift to the mid tones of my scanned color negatives. I have to see how different light (and different film) impact that workflow.

In general I agree that workshops can be beneficial... and as you mentioned, if you know what you want out of the event and keep your eye on the ball, it can be even more so... definitely the networking aspects... again, depending on what you are looking for.

It seems from your presentation that you had a couple of solid take-aways.

Very enjoyable read... looking forward to your follow-up feature articles.

Casey

The Leica Akademie Masterclass, just another workshop?

By: Echi : December 28th, 2014-06:15

Leica Akademie – Nick Rains Travel Photography Masterclass Manila, 2014 I have always been curious about Leica Akademie masterclasses and how they might differ from other photography “workshops” that I’ve attended over the years. The website states that ...

Echi, thanks for such a fantastic article. I took me 15 minutes to fully read it, and they

By: amanico : December 28th, 2014-07:02

Were 15 minutes of pleasure! I loved your distinction between good photographers and GREAT photographers, in the willingness to share... Could we generalize and say that the distinction works between good people and great people? ;) It is also true that w...

Thanks, Nico! I think Leica has a lot of improvement...

By: Echi : January 2nd, 2015-04:21

with regard masterclasses. i think they need to attend a JLC masterclass to appreciate how it's done at a certain level. with regard sharing, absolutely true. which is what makes PPro so different from other sites! a happy new year to you and yours! best,...

Same back to you, and I wish we will meet, one day! [nt]

By: amanico : January 2nd, 2015-04:31

Masterclass indeed ...

By: flamenco : December 28th, 2014-09:40

From observation, this is what differentiates Leica form the rest , engagement ... Thanks for the excellent read ... makes me wanna pick up a Leica (again) .. despite my brief, but unfortunately, failed attempt :( Amateurs worry about equipment, professio...

Hi Flamenco. Engagement is right...

By: Echi : January 2nd, 2015-04:30

something that companies in general need to understand and in the case of Leica, they need to capitalize on it in a more creative and effective manner. as i shared with several leica execs, leica is not all about optics or aesthetics; that what they forge...

I like your photographic homage to HCB with the leaping girl...

By: cshimokita : December 29th, 2014-00:52

" While Steve [McCurry] preferred a lot of mid tones and just hated strong contrast, Nick [Rains] preferred soft lighting because it made for a more malleable image in Lightroom. And when I say soft light, I don’t mean light that’s flat. Sure all your inf...

Thanks, Casey...

By: Echi : January 2nd, 2015-04:38

Ah the HCB homage was a reflex shot… note the chopped head. Hahaha! But I figure it made for good graphics so… if I had the 21 at that time, I would've nailed it. But 50 was on and the action was too close. But then street isn't that strict on aesthetics ...

"and [I] do notice a change in preferences..."

By: cshimokita : January 2nd, 2015-14:43

I was watching some tutorials over the holidays and the guy was talking about the difference between post processing color vs. B&W where (IHO) B&W needed a bit more contrast and/or gray tone separation while the individual colors provided that sep...

Boy, you certainly can...

By: cen@jkt : December 29th, 2014-04:36

write very well. And took much better pictures than me... I never attended any photo workshop after completing my "photo 101 for dummy" course. Maybe I should join one if it comes to my attention. cen@jkt

Would be a good idea, Cen...

By: Echi : January 2nd, 2015-04:41

even if just once for experience sake… and, yeah, show them how it's done with a Ricoh or a Fuji ;-) Thanks for the comments! echi

Wonderful Read

By: RJW : January 1st, 2015-04:10

Echi, This was a very interesting read, and I have been tempted by some of their courses but never committed. Thank you for your insights.

From you pov...

By: Echi : January 2nd, 2015-04:47

it could be a nice GTG at the very least! amazing how some guys who love their cam gear don't wear watches :-p on a more serious note, i think you're going in there already with a right set of questions and attitude in mind and that will make a big differ...

Echi, finally I was able to read your full report ...

By: small-luxury-world : January 14th, 2015-08:55

about the Leica Akademie Masterclass and I appreciated it a lot. I think I would be disappointed to be in a masterclass with people on very different levels and with very different expectations, at least if I have to pay for. Yesterday I met a gentleman w...

Glad to read you, Oliver...

By: Echi : January 16th, 2015-04:04

I agree with you. Expectations need to be set prior to anything. If done properly, certain instructors should attract a particular kind of audience. This first masterclass was a photo/travel 101 type of class. Not to mention the fact that it was also prob...