On Saturday, 13th July 2024, I attended a Wildlife Photographer Workshop at St John’s Waterloo Church. The workshop was hosted by British fine art photographer Racheal Wegh, known for her photos and films that focus on subjects often unseen and marginalized, portraying them as both vulnerable and resilient. I arrived at the church via bus and entered the garden, the primary location for our photography session. Inside the church, I met two fellow participants: a tall, lanky man with dark brown hair and a petite woman with dark red hair. After briefly introducing myself, I waited for the rest of the attendees. The turnout was modest, with only six participants, which was expected given that the event was free. Once everyone arrived, we introduced ourselves and received a brief overview of the day's activities. We were to explore the garden and take photographs. I was particularly excited to talk to Racheal Wegh, as it was my first time meeting a professional photographer in person. I asked her whether one should study photography at university or learn from online resources and opportunities like free workshops. She suggested doing both to maximize one’s potential as a photographer. We then went outside as a group and began by standing still, closing our eyes, and taking in our surroundings for three minutes. This exercise brought a wave of calm over me, making me feel relaxed and attuned to the environment. We then explored the garden, observing the various elements before returning to our meeting point. To me, the garden was an adventure. I noticed the sculptures contrasted beautifully with the foliage, and a particularly vibrant dark magenta flower stood out among the plants. I was also drawn to an entranceway leading out of the garden, where the light directed my eyes to a gate with the Shard visible in the background. The best photo opportunity I found was of bottles hanging from a tree, which inspired me to create a depth of field effect by focusing on the closest bottles and blurring the rest. After thoroughly exploring the garden, we reconvened to further the workshop. Racheal assigned us themes for our photographs: Beauty, Juxtaposition, Abundance, Three of a Kind, and Standout. For Beauty, I photographed a stunning purple flower and another shot of a bee collecting pollen. For Standout, I captured the hanging bottles by the tree. For Three of a Kind, I used the entranceway scene, including the bin, bench, and gate. Juxtaposition was illustrated by a sculpture intertwined with plant leaves, and Abundance was depicted by a cluster of similar plants. After completing our tasks, we gathered indoors for tea, coffee, and biscuits while discussing and showcasing our photographs. I proudly displayed my photo of the hanging bottles, taken in manual mode, which was a significant achievement for me.
The workshop concluded with a visit to an exhibition downstairs in the church, featuring works by various photographers and artists, including Racheal Wegh. The black-and-white photography was captivating, with my favourite piece being a digitally collaged image of a dolphin balloon. Overall, the workshop was an enriching experience, allowing me to learn from a professional, practice my photography skills, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. It reinforced the importance of both formal education and hands-on experience in pursuing a career in photography.
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