Swaledale Workshop 6th November 2011
Be in no doubt that a photographic workshop with John will be just what you are looking for. John has the ability to quickly put you at your ease, work out quickly what you need and implement his findings with you in a very direct, friendly, easy to understand and exciting way.
His tuition, enthusiasm, expertise and knowledge of the areas and locations he takes you too are second to none. I personally gained a great deal from the day - in particular from excellent work flow demonstrations in the field from John and advise when and when not to use filters and polarizers I had which I just didn't even think about! Did I end up getting better photographs? You bet! I'm planning to do more with John ASAP!
North York Moors Steam Rail workshop July 2011
Hi John,
Hope you're dried out by now! Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday as I'm sure everyone else did.
Here is the photo you wanted a copy of (unaltered).
Dave.
One to one workshop.
Hi John
I hope you’re well. I just want to express my sincere thanks for a wonderful day that I spent with you last Sunday. The various hints and tips you provide will prove invaluable for my development in photography. I shall be investing in both a polarizer and a panorama head for a tripod – it’s amazing what can be achieved with the addition of the right technology coupled with expert guidance. I have played with a few images since last weekend and I wanted to send you some of the results I’ve achieved. I have to say, I’m pretty pleased with some of the results. Staithes looks good but blimey, I’m still getting flash backs whilst standing on top of Cowbar Nab!!
Your advice regarding using the square format is a revelation – it really does bring a different aspect to the images. I have used it on a couple of images that I attach. It is and approach I’ll be using in the future – very interesting. If you’re ever passing through Sheriff Hutton or want to take a little bit of time out hunting around the village with your camera I’d be happy to show you the sights (including the pub!).
Aside from the photography from last weekend, I have a collection of my photos on my website – this can be viewed at www.shaunconway.com – thanks again for all your help and I look forward to meeting you in the future.
Best regards
Shaun
Beginners workshop, autumn 2010
Michael Jackson
Hi John
I hope you're well. You might remember when I first came on your beginners course in Autumn last year my aim was to know what I was doing when I went on holiday to America. Well, I went, I saw, I photographed and I think I took some pretty good shots. Certainly I'm happy a lot of them.
I just wanted to say thanks for pointing me on the right path as it seems to have paid off.
There are some recent pictures here for you including my America shots. www.flick
One to one workshop May 2011
John is not only a brilliant photographer, and excellent teacher - but a thoroughly nice chap, too! Although I've been taking photos for a while now I've been winging it a bit, and certain settings and techniques were a complete mystery to me . In one day with John I learned more about my camera and the technicalities of photography than I've learned from 4 years of reading books and magazines. He also helped me with composure - and helped me see things in a completely different way. If you're considering boosting your existing skills, learning a bit more about photography, or want to learn how to compose a better photo, I recommend John wholeheartedly - even if you've been taking photos for a while.
Shell Smith.
Feedback from clients following the first three workshops in 2011
“Absolutely first rate. The leader, John Potter, was very lucid, knowledgeable and communicated the content in a first rate manner.” (DP/29July11/01)
“Lovely day, very informative and nice sandwiches!” (DP/29July11/03)
“Really enjoyed the day! Thank you! It was a good balance of learning various things (software) and actually taking pictures.” (DP/29July11/06)
“A very recommendable course. Content just enough. Group size good. Help for everyone. Congratulations. Room and space excellent.” (DP/20Aug11/01)
“I learnt so much, not only how to take a landscape photograph, but also how to use the Photoshop software I purchase sometime ago and used only to store photographs in. Amazingly you can do wonders with it.” (DP/20Aug11/email01)
John Cooper from Hull following group workshop in Swaledale on June 4th 2011
Hi John
Thanks for a great day, I didn't expect to see so much. The day was organised to a tee.
I might book the Whitby one next.
Best Wishes
John
Liz Smith, Swaledale, Yorkshire Dales Group Workshop, 12th March 2011
John
Thank you so much for the excellent day in Swaledale. I really valued your guidance and input and have come home to find some really nice shots. This is definitely a place I will be returning to again. I thought the level of tuition was just right – informative, informal, and pitched at the right level. A big five stars to you!
Alison Benson, Yorkshire Coast Workshop, 7th May 2011
Hi John
I'd just like to say a really big 'thank you' for a great day on Saturdays class, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was really good to gain confidence that I was on the right track with the camera functions that I'd picked up on the first tuition I had with you, but also to add to what I have been practicing & learning new things. I really appreciated the focus & help with composition, I'm looking forward to getting out there & seeing if I can put it into practice & move the quality of my photographs on a bit.
On the day the weather was disappointing to not have good light, but at least it didn't rain & spoil the day so that could have been a lot worse. I actually think that it was a good thing as then I was free to focus on the technical learning from the day that I can take away to use, rather than focusing on trying to get the 'perfect picture', & I'm really pleased with the things I did pick up. On another positive, I've also got photographs that I can practice with in photo-shop to see what I can do with them, so I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Thank you also for the lovely book & cards you kindly gave me, Caroline & I did very well as when I read the book I noticed you had kindly inscribed it for me - & we'd managed to get them the right way round!!
Alison
John Boyd, Oulton, Leeds - Group Workshop, Yorkshire Coast 27th Feb. 2011 johnboydtakespictures.co.uk/
Hi John
Thanks for a marvelous day out Sunday,I thoroughly enjoyed myself in good company. Well satisfied with my images and delighted that you were able to show me a different way to take landscapes. I look forward to the next time...........John Boyd LRPS
Elizabeth Johnson, Bolton Lancs. One to One Workshop Moors/Coast - Saturday 29th Jan 2011
Hi John
Thank you for an enjoyable day which was full of encouragement and tips on how to improve, I learned a lot which I am grateful for - I just wished that I had done one of the workshops a lot sooner. regards Liz Johnson Bolton.
thanks
Liz
Denis Sturman - Group Workshop in Swaledale 7th Nov. 2010
Hello John,
Thanks for a great day out yesterday at Swaledale with the Saint-Gobain Photography Society Group.
We are all talking about it this morning and what plans we have for each picture to transform them into something greater.
Hopefully when we get all the images together we can produce a little slideshow for you to see what we achieved. I really enjoyed East Gill Force at the end of the day and I think the image where you had me use your step and include the sky made a really colourful scene which looks great now it’s tweaked a little with a Nik software plug in Polariser to add a little to the sky and colours.
The whole group came back with something worthwhile and we all appreciated your feedback and advise. For me it’s always the little things I forget to do, like composition check, critical focus check, picture edges, where I fall foul and the image fails. Sometimes you see what you want to see and miss the obvious, like the tree cluttering the tumble down barn beneath the tree branches which you spotted yesterday.
Many thanks for the inspiration, showing us places we did not know about and would like to revisit, the tutoring, the much appreciated cards and your time spent with us.
Stuart Willis - May - Yorks. Dales Nat. Park Staff Training Day in Malhamdale
Hi John,
Just wanted to thank you for a superb day yesterday – I found it so helpful, making the whole process of taking a photograph much more simple and adding a good deal of enthusiasm into the bargain too! I am dropping my camera in for a sensor clean today (there’s a large splodge of muck on it at the moment!) and then there will be no stopping me! I think I’ll need to get a trolley for my dog to pull my tripod and also train the children to set it up for me!
Shaun Hodgson - June Wharfedale Workshop.
I wanted to let you know what a fantastic day I had in Wharfedale, I learned lots from you and your patience helped me capture some great images.
The day was very relaxed but informative and I thought your approach to the whole thing was spot on! Thank you, I can’t wait for my next workshop.
Mark Jones - June Swaledale Workshop
Hi John
Good to see you again - Thanks for the recent Swaledale Workshop - really enjoyed it and thought the meadows looked great. Haven't had a chance to tweak in photoshop yet, but some of the barn shots look good.
Would like to book for the Frid 29th Oct Burnsall workshop day if possible.
Many thanks.
Kind Regards
Mark Jones
Alan Wood - June Swaledale Workshop.
Hello John,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the two days spent in Swaledale, I feel I learnt a great deal, and am looking forward to putting all this knowledge into practice as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and attention which I much appreciated.
Rich Maywhort - Yorkshire Dales - 23rd June 2010
Hi John, just a quick note to say thanks again for the course on Friday, informative and fun with lots of opportunity to practice in a wide range of situations
I have attached a few of my favorite photos that you might like. I managed to reduce 300 photos down to 40!
Probably see you again soon
Rich Maywhort
Nicole Alkemade from Manchester - Beginners Workshop in York - June 27th 2010.
Dear John,
Just an email to thank you very much for the well organised and very enjoyable course.
I feel much more confident about the camera and apertures now!
Thanks Nicole
Tim Mallet from Leeds - Beginners Workshop in York - June 27th 2010.
Hi John,
I hope you are well and not too disappointed in England's awful performance on Sunday.
I very much enjoyed the workshop on Sunday and learned so much more about how to use my camera more effectively. I feel a lot more confident now. You have a very good instructional technique and never left any one of us alone for too long. I'm already looking at your web site to see which other workshops I could attend.
Regards Tim