Workshops

I skipped week 6 and 7 and jumped straight into 8 (although I will go back to the other two later) since I am going to jump out my comfort zone this course and .... (gasp!) try leading a workshop!

Fig. 1: Michelangeloop. 

I can imagine there will be some planning (there has already been some things in the works) and LOTS of details to work out... so I'm plunging in.

Fig. 2: Rawpixel

I am also thinking about adding an element of respondent generated images into my Final Major Project and thought this workshop, though it's focus will be different, might be a good chance for a little dabble in that as well.

My Big Question(s):

How do I create a learning experience for both me, the photographers, and the participating children? 
What will be their expectations, and my expectations?

Here is what I am learning about WORKSHOPS combined with my current workshop ideas...

Workshops are a group of people coming together, in a flexible and instructional environment, to better themselves in a particular area, usually completing a 'challenge' they arrive on together (Morgan et al 1963: 61 cited Sork 1984).

I am imagining my workshop will not be too large- maybe 4-8 photographers, and around 10-15 children (ok that's a lot of kids - but I am a total master of chaos control and 10-15 kids does not overwhelm me at all).

Benefits of a workshop: Low time commitment, simple and pointed, hands on and immediate practical application, the novice and professional learn from each other and problem solve together.

My workshop is just a trial.  It will be one day, maybe 1-4 hours total (must take into account the involvement of young children and their time capabilities- note: I was a public elementary school teacher, I know what happens with young children when their focus is held too long.... be prepared to run, or have popsicles to offer.)

Things to avoid:

Information Overload- less that will 'stick' is better than lots that fall by the wayside.
Exhaustion (see note above about popsicles)
Lack of Individual Feedback (one on one post-sessions may be useful here- another benefit to keeping numbers smaller)

Things to keep in mind:
The process is more important then the outcome.

Who could I help vs. who could help me?

I have several photographers interested in what I have to offer.  I hope to contain within the workshop, a novice, an amateur, a portrait and lifestyle professional, and a hobbyist.  I think their variety of perspectives and experiences will increase the learning within the group.  I also would like to expand my own experience with lifestyle and portraits and look forward to their knowledge sharing, while they glean from my experience in imagination emotion capturing in children and storytelling.  

What will the workshop be based on that will hold the interest of everyone involved:

The focus could be the emotion of the imagination and storytelling.  These two subjects are often overlooked and cross every level of age and expertise.

What will be the means and the mode?

The adults will use their own device, the children will uses phones or ipads, or cameras if they have them. The children will play the role of both photographer and model, alternatively.  

In a collaborative workshop for the blind, visually impaired, and sighted, where ipads were used for the photography instruction and practice found that specialized camera's were still preferred (Hayhoe 2017).  However the test subjects were adults and the majority of which preferred the cameras actually owned the equipment themselves.  Children, particularly of this current generation, are more likely to have experience with ipad or phones than actual cameras, especially DSLR, and their comfort level should be higher.

What will my role be?

I hope to be the facilitator, and a little bit teacher, a little bit learner.  The administrator and director but also a part of things.  



"Powerful photography can be an art form, but it can also be a language to persuade, amuse or inform (Record, 2018)."









Figure 1. Michelangeloop. Participants in Photography Course. Envato [online] available at: https://elements.envato.com/participants-in-photography-course-NXTCE6V [accessed with rights July 2019]

Figure 2. Rawpixel. Teenage Girls Wearing 3D Movie Glasses Surprised Scared and Watching TW. Envato [online] available at:https://elements.envato.com/teenage-girls-wearing-3d-movie-eyeglasses-PK8B3N7 [accessed with rights July 2019]

Hayhoe, S., Pena-Sanchez, N. and Bentley, K. (2017) Evaluation of a collaborative photography workshop using the iPad 2 as an accessible technology for participants who are blind, visually impaired and sighted working collaboratively. Consumer Communications & Networking Conference. pp. 1077-1082. ISSN 2331- 9860.

RECORD, St. Augustine. 2018. Teen Photography Workshops Teach How and Why. The (FL), Entertainmentlife, 2pp

Sork, T. J. (1984) 'The Workshop as a Unique Instructional Format', in: T. J. Sork (1984) Designing and Implementing Effective Workshops. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc. pp.3–10.