Barry’s Workshop is just that, a workshop - a place where he works making prints. He teaches however at other centres, such as Inversnaid Photography Centre or the Blackthorn Centre, to run very popular group workshops. He also gives half and one day seminars for various creative groups by personal arrangement, plus the Ilford Masterclasses.

However, he has found that there is a real need for personal one-to-one field photography and darkroom skills coaching, and the simple empathetic sharing of photographic feeling and self expression. His workshop is ideal for this. A day or two with Barry devoted to your enjoyment and learning can be inspirational and worth years of hard experience, or several shared group workshops. His workshop is ideal for this personal practical approach, or he does sometimes visit people at their own darkroom if they prefer.

These are not set courses. Each coaching programme is individually tailored for novice, intermediate or expert. The emphasis can be on camera work, or processing and fine printing. It can concentrate on the theory, or be intensely practical. For people who would like to lower the investment a little, they can bring a second photographer. But no more than two can participate, or the personal touch is lost.

Field photography around the Workshop is exciting with easy access to very different terrain - the Forest of Dean, Brecon Beacons, Wye Valley, Gwent Levels, Historic sites, the Welsh Valleys.

Back at the Workshop theory and practice in the darkroom includes all processing solutions and equipment, first £12 of print materials per day, and working lunch and refreshments.

The coaching price does not include film or overnight accommodation (various conveniently located types very close by can be arranged for you at cost though). When coaching is at your locality/premises, travelling expenses may apply.

A word to the novice or photographer lacking confidence. Barry says he often hears photographers say that when they have a little more knowledge and experience, they will undertake coaching at the Workshop. This is silly! That’s a little like a learner driver saying they will go out and teach themselves, and only later have proper lessons, which would then take much time and expense to undo all the bad habits and wrong techniques. Barry says the right time to learn the correct techniques is right from the start! He loves working with newcomers who can make giant leaps in a couple of days.

Naturally, he also loves working with the expert with the sharing of inspiration and the honing of ultimate technical and aesthetic skills and sensitivity.

Being at the workshop does allow you to use Barry’s own special chemicals and formulae, most unpublished and unavailable commercially. He might even let you in on some of the secrets!

There is no fixed itinerary or syllabus. Barry encourages you to call to see if a slot is available for coaching, then to talk over the kind of work you do, and how you would like to grow your skills. He will then put together a suggested itinerary for your approval. He guarantees an improvement in your prints and/or the ease with which you make them.

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