Introduction
This week has been one of the weirder ones in recent memory. It started out with a text message from one boss saying that we were going to take a week off because of the concerns related to the Corona virus. About 15 minutes later, I received another message from the education department saying schools in general were urged not to have classes this week.
A weird start, without a doubt.
I got to thinking on Monday morning about a lot of things. I guess you can say I had a kind of epiphany. I’ve taught classes all over the world. I’ve done photography workshops in Japan and Korea and North America and elsewhere (not the country in Tamriel – #nerd). The thing that I’d always noticed about the workshops I’d taught or even going further back the ones I’d attended was that they were rarely tailored specifically to the student. The students rarely had time to get the answers they wanted for the questions they had. Or at least, not enough time to explore those answers thoroughly.
I had a conversation with one of my former students several weeks ago where he’d mentioned the biggest benefit he’d gotten from attending our workshop some years ago was the relationship we build after the fact. We’d later done some one on one lessons and eventually became friends. He joked that he’d wished we could continue doing classes via Skype now that he’s relocated.
…Why can’t we?
Of course, I’d considered this in the past and others were doing it. I’d been asked before to consider doing it and never thought much about how I’d actually go about it.
I guess with all this virus stuff, the fact that I’d just built a small studio, and just a lot of “good” timing I realized now is the time to start.
My Class Structure / Style
The thing I want my classes to be about most is the students’ experience. I want the student to feel more like a mentoree than a student. I want the classes to be tailored directly to the students’ needs and wants. I will create classes for each student individually based on what they specifically want to get out of the class. The goal of the classes will be to get you where you want to go with your photography. I don’t want to give cookie cutter lessons with the hope that the students pick up little bits as we go. Every moment should be important.
I think one of the things that I pride myself on in photography is being able to capture imagines I’m proud of in most and situation with most any camera or medium.
Sometimes portraits of my friends or family on medium format film.
Sometimes street photography with a compact camera.
Sometimes landscapes.
Sometimes colour.
Sometimes my cats with my phone.
Or sometimes my wife on film.
So, I guess my point is, if there are things about your photography that you’re struggling with, most likely I can help. Most likely, I’ve been there trying to figure it out myself. Being able to properly photograph my wife was one of the biggest struggles photographically I had, but I am ever grateful that I stuck with it and learned the best ways to go about it. I think there are lots of us that might struggle taking photos of our significant other. It doesn’t have to be that way!
If you want to learn how to take photos of your pets, let’s do it. Learn how to develop your own film? No problem. Learn how to take better photos of your significant other, I got you. Mobile phone photos look terrible, let’s fix ’em 😉
Expensive?
I plan on my classes being affordable and value rich. Being done via Skype, the only thing you really need to start a class is a device and an internet connection.
The classes will be structured in terms of several basic configurations:
Portfolio Review – I will review a portfolio or project and give you constructive feedback on the project or portfolio over the course of 1, 2, or 3 60 minute sessions.
1 Session – $50
2 Sessions – $85
3 Sessions – $125
General Sessions – General sessions will have syllabi varying on a student by student basis but will be take place over the course of 1, 3, 5, or 10 60 minute sessions. Small groups are possible if you want to take part in a class with your friend or significant other. I taught a photo club via Skype in the past and it worked well.
The general session prices can be discussed via email as they will vary depending on the amount of students and type of lesson you are looking for.
In Person One on One – I will also consider giving classes face to face depending on the situation if applicable.
The prices for one on one classes can be discussed via email.
To sign up for a class or simply to request more information follow this link:
Here’s a video of me talking about the classes in general terms:
jtinseoul 
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