Photographing Old Buildings Online Workshop

Event details

Photographing Old Buildings Online Workshop: an appreciation of textures, details, space and light  
May - July 2023
£105 per person  * FULLY BOOKED *
Extra workshop date added - click here for more information. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and the task which was a worthwhile exercise; it was insightful and will make me consider my shots more thoroughly, ultimately resulting in me being a better photographer and taking better photos” - online workshop participant (2021).

"The course exceeded my expectations, helping me to better understand some of the general principals of architectural photography, but also how to be more critical of the images I create and use.  It was very good value, and well-paced, giving time to absorb the information and apply it practically." - online workshop participant (2022). 

Overview:
Our popular old building photography online workshop returns in spring 2023. Whether you photograph old buildings for work projects or leisure, this four-step workshop is an opportunity to receive professional guidance on techniques and composition to develop your appreciation of the space and light of old buildings and to boost your confidence in photographing their textures, details and features.   

Spaces on this workshop are limited to allow for small group discussion. The workshop assumes familiarity with a digital SLR or mirrorless camera and photography basics. Certificates of attendance for CPD purposes are available on request. The workshop offers approximately 5 hours of guided learning + an independent task to submit.
 

This workshop is suitable for: 
· Anyone with a general interest in photographing old buildings. 
· Property managers or building conservation professionals who wish to improve the quality and composition of their photography for record keeping and reporting. 

Workshop Schedule: 

Step 1: from 2 May 2023, you will receive access to a pre-recorded presentation by professional photographer and workshop tutor Ralph Hodgson. Watch this recording to prepare for step 2. You will have access to this pre-recorded presentation for the duration of the workshop, so you can view it as many times as you like. Ralph’s presentation provides inspiration, technique advice and guidance on photographing old buildings. Ralph also discusses the independent task required to complete this workshop. Please prepare any questions you may have, at this stage, to submit in advance of or ask at the first online group session (step 2). A workshop information pack will be shared at this stage. 

Step 2: join us for a live, informal online group session on Wednesday, 17 May 2023 at 11:00 - 12:30 (BST).  
Workshop tutor Ralph Hodgson will provide examples for improving your photography and further explanation of the independent task. Gaps in photography technical knowledge will also be addressed with helpful tips from Ralph. This will be an opportunity for you to virtually meet others on the workshop, and for you to ask us any questions before embarking on the independent task. Information on how to access this online group session will be circulated by email closer to the date. The live session will be recorded, and you will receive access to this for the duration of the workshop.

Step 3: for the independent workshop task, participants will be asked to use a digital SLR or mirrorless camera and a tripod (if you have access to one) to photograph an old building that interests them and create a miniseries of photographs (photo essay) during the workshop timeframe. Ideas of how to approach your task are shared by workshop tutor, Ralph Hodgson, in the pre-recorded presentation and during the first group session (steps 1 and 2). The independent task submission deadline is midday (BST) on Wednesday, 5 July 2023. Details of how to submit your task will be shared in the workshop information pack (step 1).

Step 4: your photographic essay will be reviewed by Ralph Hodgson in a relaxed online group feedback discussion session live on Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 10:30 - 13:00 (BST). This session will also be recorded for you to watch again on demand. Details of how to join this group feedback session will be circulated by email closer to the date.   

“The workshop was very beneficial and surpassed my expectations. Interestingly, I now feel more confident in approaching the historical buildings that I intend to photograph for my PhD research” - online workshop participant (2021).  

“The constructive feedback from Ralph was very useful and done so in a relaxed environment with a friendly tone. Such evaluations will ultimately make me a better photographer, of old buildings or otherwise. I used the course as the basis of a workplace objective, so it was useful proof of CPD for my career.” - online workshop participant (2021). 

"I've gained a different perspective on my photography and how to ensure it tells the right story for what I'm doing." - online workshop participant (2022). 

Workshop Prerequisites: 
· Digital SLR or mirrorless camera (+ tripod, if you have access to one). 
· An opportunity to photograph an old building. * 
· The ability to digitally transfer your workshop task (photographic essay) to the SPAB (we use wetransfer.com for files under 2GB).
· Access to the online presentation and Zoom group sessions - a device, connected to the Internet, which can play audio and visual. You do not need to be on camera for the group session (although we do encourage it). To be able to contribute to the discussion you would need a microphone or be able to type your comments during the session.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss any of these prerequisites before registering for the workshop.  

* If you require permission – for example from the owner - to photograph your chosen old building, please obtain it before you start. Access to the inside of an old building is not essential for this activity. The SPAB cannot be held responsible for any actions (by you or others) when you are photographing an old building for this workshop. 

Use of your photographs: 
We have been inspired by and proud of photographs taken by previous workshop participants. By registering for the workshop, you consent to the SPAB displaying your activity task photographs in the live online group discussion session (which will be recorded for participants to watch on demand for a limited time), and to use of your photographs for further promotion of this workshop by the SPAB through our social media, website, online blog and printed magazine. Full credit will be given to the photographer. The SPAB will not use your photographs for any other purpose without your prior written consent. Please contact us if this is something you would like to discuss before registering for the workshop.

Tutor:
Ralph Hodgson is a photographer based in London. His wide-ranging professional experience ranges from portraiture and news, to documentary work for industry, government and corporate affairs and reportage for charities and NGOs. He has a long-standing interest in the heritage sector and in ancient buildings. In 2020, Ralph qualified with a City & Guilds Level Three award in Education and Training, a nationally recognised certification to teach or train post-16 learners.

Accessibility:
Please contact us if there are any adaptations we can make that would make the course more accessible for you. We would be happy to have an informal chat about the course and possible access issues before you book. 

Booking Terms & Conditions

Main image credit: Ralph Hodgson
Top trio images credit: Caroline Yates, online workshop participant
Bottom trio images credit: Natalie Fenner, online workshop participant