3 days with Charlie Waite

I got the opportunity back in January to book a few days in the Lake District, Charlie Waite was leading a small photographic tour of the area that I felt it wasn't to be missed.

Through my study I have a pretty good feel for what is expected in a 'good' photograph but so far its been either through reading and/or practising alone. The chance to walk through those processes with people so well established was something which stood out to me as more than 'primary' research, its like primary plus one. Think about it, one can go view an exhibition, study plates and read about what the photographer 'may' have been thinking, even decide (usually a guess) the true meaning for oneself. Or, we could go with them, (assuming they are still alive and available of course) and actually experience those moments, debate 'live' and create together, perfect?

We spent 3 days in the Lakes, we used a small Hotel to the edge of Derwent Water as our base camp but travelled to 7 different locations and despite appalling weather we managed to squeeze a few shots out too. In the main the learning came from constant discussion in the field as we battled out compositionally what would be most pleasing and talked ourselves silly about 'the light' how to use it and when to use it.

We began to change our ways of seeing.

It was of course primarily about Landscape photography this week, but the learning curve swept in many other directions too. I think the key point that stood out for me was a simple one, to simply ask myself whenever I pause before making that next exposure "what am I trying to say here"? or "what is my story here"? Let me give purpose and real life to this next image, let it communicate, let it emote, let it live.

There was time spent indoors too, critiquing many works, both printed and digital images and this concluded with a talk by Charlie with a show of his black and white work and the photographers and images that inspired Charlie's works. Most of the images discussed can be found in his book 'In my minds eye' (2002, Guild of Master Craftsman Publications). I learned more in those 3 days than I feel I will learn for a while, I won't write here in any depth all those 'lessons' but I will refer to them throughout what is to come, for now though I can summarise some in bullets the keys aspects of this learning experience.

The 'Adams' zone system
Simplicity in composition
Use of line, point and perspective
The perils and sometimes pleasures of 'intersections'
Creative use of multiple exposures
Back to front sharpness or shallow DOF
Tonal balance throughout the frame
Colour relationship throughout the frame

The tour was also supported by 'Amateur Photographer' Magazine by involvement of its Editor Damien Demolder who supported Charlie in handling 'the herd' and also imparting vast experience in the technical aspects of photography and equipment.

Most pleasing of all I met some great people, good people who share my rather odd passion for beauty and perhaps that pursuit of the perfect photograph.