20th March 2020 – We shut the Welshot Office doors and we went home! We had been full of hope a week before – despite postponing all our events for the next 6 weeks, it was now looking likely it was to be much longer. Much, much longer. We’d only just paid the final balance for our return trip to Venice – it was to be our third Discover – Experience – Photograph adventure to this wonderful, colourful, vibrant and photogenic City. Then, Italy, along with the rest of the World, shut their doors!
At Welshot
The full day themed photo-shoot event, Mad Hatters was a long time coming. It was well worth the wait however when Models, the Cambria Costume House and Team Welshot all came together at the Chester Crowne Plaza on Sunday 14th August to bring eighteen passionate photographers a great day of photography. From beginning to end the models danced, posed and portrayed the Lewis Carroll characters in six full studio set-ups, complete with bespoke backdrops and props which included a full-size dolls house, pink flamingos, knitted cupcakes, and a large assortment of teapots, cups and saucers.
Ever wondered how to choose a photographic workshop that’s right for you? Just do a quick Google search and you will soon realise that there are a lot of photographic workshops, courses and events to choose from – and it can be a minefield. At Welshot, we’ve a few hints and top tips to help you, which we think are important considerations. We also think, although important, cost should not be at the top of the list – It is about value for money, the help, support and guidance you will be given.
Learning about photographic studio lighting at the Welshot Creative Hub in Llandudno, North Wales is now something we are able to offer – either on a one to one basis or in small groups of two, three or four people. Have you always wanted to learn your butterfly from your Rembrandt, your split lighting from your side lighting or maybe you want to know (and learn) about the different types of modifiers on the market and what they do and how they are used to create the effects you’ve seen others do but not quite mastered yourself. These sessions are completely tailor made to YOU and YOUR needs as a photographer, so whether it’s a one to one you need or you and a group of friends fancy having a different kind of ‘Day Out’ we can help you get to grips with your photographic studio lighting techniques.
A Photographic Adventure, Welshot Does… Photography Workshops, Courses, Events, Themed Photo-shoots, Mini-Modules and WelshotReward Days – These all describe what the Welshot Photographic Academy is all about. Having fun with your camera, learning a thing or three about how to use your camera, taking great photos and, just generally, hanging out with like-minded people who just love photography. From Liverpool to Chester, from Anglesey to Wirral, from Snowdonia to London – We even have our very own Discover-Experience-Photograph Overseas Adventures where we’ve travelled from Hong Kong to Iceland, from Paris to Venice, from Budapest to Luxembourg and Rome to Krakow. Why not join us on an photographic adventure, grab your camera and come have some fun and get a can full of photos at the same time.
How can I learn Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom and Affinity online at home? That is one of the most asked questions we are asked at the Welshot Photographic Academy and that’s why we created our editing and post processing for photographers online zoom workshops and courses. Like our IRL (in real life, in person) post processing and editing workshops – these sessions are run a little bit differently to that of other courses which are available. At Welshot, we believe in interaction, inclusivity and involvement – so we always encourage our Members to take part, ask questions and learn what THEY need to learn. At these sessions, delegates submit images they’d like help, advice, guidance and support with and John works on them in real time, showing and explaining as he goes along. Our Welshot Members have really benefitted from learning like this. Here is what just two Members have had to say…
Night Photography – A Snowdonia and Anglesey Adventure – It can mean only one thing… Yes! It is the Welshot Does… Shortest Night Adventure. An annual photographic event that starts on the Evening of one day and finishes at breakfast on the next. Photographers, cameras, tripods, copious amounts of snacks and numerous thermos flasks full of coffee all at the ready to capture sunrises, sunsets, long exposures, night skies, landscapes and not to mention ‘THAT’ Tree in Llanberis which is our starting point for this photography filled adventure which circumnavigates Snowdonia and Anglesey in North Wales.
Hashtag #WelshotIsBack seems a very apt way to title this very first blog written by Welshot Academy Members to celebrate being able to meet up with our cameras after months of lockdown… As life returns to a more relative sense of normality, Welshot are preparing to open up once again for photographic workshops and events in a slow and cautious manner. Hence the three ‘practice run-throughs’ – AKA… A Welshot Photographic Reunion. Since March 2020, when the pandemic hit, Welshot has continued to help motivate, inspire and support those who love photography during these isolating months, all brought together using hashtags #LearnWithWelshot and #WelshotOnline but nothing quite compares to being able to hold our photographic workshops and events in real life.
If there is something Welshot does well it is variety, and the two days just spent in aforementioned dark room couldn’t have been more different. I am an amateur with no impetus to go professional but if the opportunity arose to make a few coins to cover my GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) then I wouldn’t say no. So the chance to spend a day with one of the few names I know in the photography world was too good to miss.