At the end of April 2024, I had the opportunity to join Adam Gibbs and Alister Benn on a workshop on Vancouver Island. It was a wonderful experience, and has had a lasting effect on my photography.
Why did I choose this workshop?
So if I’m being honest, a major reason I chose this particular workshop was cost. When Adam Gibbs mentioned he had new workshops available, I decided to look at them to see just how out of my price range they were. I was surprised to find out that this one – that included accommodations and 3.5 days of workshop activities – felt like really good value. I have also been following both Adam Gibbs and Alister Benn for some time, and figured that working with them in-person would allow me to soak up more of their insights.
The other obvious reason that I picked this workshop (if you know me) is that it was on Vancouver Island. I love the Pacific Northwest, and do miss living near its mountains and forests. I have also learned that I enjoy photographing water. The itinerary of this workshop gave me the best of both those worlds: Based in Port Renfrew, BC, we would shoot along the coast as well as in forests. Not to mention one old growth forest. It was a perfect opportunity!
What was the workshop like?
We arrived late on the Monday afternoon, meeting at the lodge that Adam and Alister had booked for the workshop. As people showed up, we claimed a room and then hung out in the common area. Once dinner time rolled around, we went out to eat and to get to know each other more. During dinner, we also learned about the general structure of the workshop, how Adam and Alister approach their leadership, and specifically what we would be shooting the next morning.
We started out at the famous Fairy Lake, with the well-known Fairy Tree. It was interesting to see what the location was actually like. We were left to our own devices, going around finding our own compositions. Adam and Alister were also shooting, but made a point of checking in with folks from time to time. Alister even came over and pointed out a composition to me, one that I could reach with my crop sensor that others couldn’t. While I didn’t end up loving that particular composition, what it did was really open my eyes to everything else around. I took a personal favourite as a result:
That evening we were out on the coast, photographing the waves and sunset. It was a wonderful time! Once again, Adam and Alister gave us some tips and tricks before heading out. While we were exploring and photographing, they continued to come around to check in on us. For a second time that day, Alister pointed out some options for me to explore, this time because I was one of the few in higher rainboots and could wade through the water. Between the two shoots on that first day, I became comfortable with both Adam and Alister as workshop leaders, moving beyond the YouTube visions I had of them. I found asking them for help or pointers much easier, allowing me to get more out of the experience.
The next two days were much in the same vein. On Wednesday, rather than doing a morning and evening shoot, we spent over four hours photographing the old growth trees of Eden Grove. Thursday morning we were in another couple of forests, mostly taking photos from along the roadsides. Thursday evening was back on the coast, at a beach that included an incredible waterfall that you found by walking up a creek for a few minutes. Without Adam knowing where it was, I never would have found it! It was another spot that gave me a few personal favourites.
Friday morning marked the end of the workshop. Instead of going out photographing, we gathered around the dining table of the lodge for an image critique. Adam and Alister, as well as our fellow participants, gave feedback on the five images each of us had submitted. It was an excellent opportunity to think through compositional elements that worked or didn’t work, as well as how to approach editing the various scenes.
Coming out of the workshop
So having had the experience, was the workshop worth it? Definitely! I had the opportunity to ask Alister some questions I had about the concepts from his many excellent ebooks, and work with him on my approach in the field. Adam imparted insights about woodland photography, which is a genre that was a personal challenge. I enjoyed the discussions and going out with fellow photographers. And even many months later, I still think about the lessons I learned and see the growth in my photography.
Deeper Dive
I collected my thoughts and learnings about preparing for photography workshops, making the most of the experience itself, and how to sustain growth afterwards in three articles on Fstoppers. If you’re interested, you can read them here:
Preparing for a workshop
In this post, I cover how to get ready for a workshop.
Making the most of a workshop
Here, I discuss what you can do during a workshop to maximize the experience.
Sustaining growth afterwards
In this article, I consider how to fold the lessons you learned into in your photography.