3 Spots Left! July 7-13, 2024: Passionate Photographer Masterclass LONDON - with Steve Simon & Edmond Terakopian

 Join Steve Simon and Edmond Terakopian for an unforgettable week of living and breathing photography in London. This intimate and comprehensive 7-day (6 nights) premium masterclass will take you to some of the most exciting and visually stimulating locations London has to offer. Our base is in Covent Garden (near the Fuji Store), in the heart of incredible photo opportunities all around it. Edmond is an amazing photographer and photo educator and I learnt so much from him in our inaugural London Workshop last year. To learn more about Edmond check out his webpage HERE.

Our Venue: Orion House, Covent Garden 5 Upper St Martins Lane
London, WC2H 9EA. The perfect sanctuary away from the frenetic pace of Soho, this is where we meet for lectures and critique. For accommodation in this amazing area with a short walk to the meeting room, click HERE. 

After a perfect weather week at our first workshop, London is my new favorite place to photograph. So much going on, everywhere, all the time. We will photograph some of the usual touristic headliners: the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, the walk from London Bridge through Borough Market along the South Bank towards Houses of Parliament (passing Tate Modern and the London Eye), Covent Garden, St. Paul's and the City of London. The busy Piccadilly Circus & Leicester Square at night. 

But we will also explore some of the vibrant, eclectic local places like: Billingsgate Fish Market, Portobello Road, Camden Town, Brixton, East End & Brick Lane, Greenwich, The Meridian Line and Old Royal Navy College. 

Our itinerary is based on the rhythm of the places we will visit for a comprehensive mix of the London Experience. We will visit one or more of the following: The Photographer's Gallery, The V&A (Victoria & Albert Museum) Photography Gallery, the Michael Hoppen Gallery and some surprise venues.

Two dinners are included and master photographer and master foodie Edmond, knows exactly where to go to sample the incredibly diverse and delicious culinary offerings. From the best Curry Houses to his favorite Lebanese restaurant, we sampled the diversity of London food, and though we averaged about 15k steps per day, I doubt any of us lost any weight. This is not your Grandparents London food experience. 

Accommodation and airfare is not included but there are many AirBNB and hotel options in London for you to explore. 

Steve and Edmond have carved out an amazing itinerary designed to give you a great and comprehensive portfolio of images alongside unforgettable authentic London experiences. 

This workshop is limited to 8 students and is expected to fill up quickly so don't delay in reserving your spot.

"The London workshop July 2022 was FABULOUS! I have taken other workshops and this was one of the best. Steve and Ed spend a lot of one to one time with each participant and it really helped. I am a shy street photographer who was also grappling to “ get comfortable” with my camera…. There was no pressure to get the best shot- as sometimes can be the case in some photography workshops. The guys shared their time generously. I got great shots- learned tons and met a really fun group of folks. Ed knows London and found us some great spots and wonderful restaurants. I would highly recommend the London workshop as well as any of Steve’s workshops."             

Michele Russell

"What better way to explore London with all of its quirks and hidden treasures than in the company of these two talented photographers.I loved this workshop. After setting the camera aside during covid, this was just what I needed to get reacquainted with Street Photography and regain my passion for making images. The choice of Covent Garden as a meeting area was a good one, with the National Gallery, Soho and other great locations in easy walking distance. The daily critiques were a great way to get input on your work and to experience how other artists are approaching similar subject matter. Having input from both Steve and Edmond was very helpful. I appreciated their generosity, helpfulness and willingness to coach one on one to enrich the experience".  

Patricia La Prairie 

"Such a fun and productive week of learning with all important daily critique sessions. Steve and Edmond were both attentive to each of us individually and gave us practical tips in the class and on the streets to improve our street photography skills."                         

Stephen Huen

Details

In the Passionate Street Photography Workshop London, you will wander and explore vibrant, visually rich places and neighborhoods chosen for their visual potential. We have scouted locations and are working out the final detailed itinerary and though the schedule seems packed, we will include some down time to relax and edit. Flexibility and independence is encouraged among participants.

If you fall in love with an area and want to continue working there-- you are encouraged to do so.

In the lectures, assignments designed to get you out of your comfort zone and push you forward in your work will be given. You will be doing a lot of walking so keep that in mind!

Night Photography

London comes alive at night and you will have many opportunities to learn how best to capture the atmosphere and energy on the street. You will shoot hand-held at high ISOs but also bring your tripods when the situation warrants one. The opportunities to capture the magic of London nights are plentiful.

This intensive workshop will help you find your own unique vision and street style through assignments created to get you past photographic fears and cliches to capturing lyrical, poetic and decisive moments that communicate the energy of the streets. But mostly you will be shooting the theatre that is the street; sometimes together, often on your own.

All levels of photographic experience can benefit from this workshop. You’ll learn about the “rhythm of place” and you will discuss the laws and ethics of street photography as well as dealing with difficult situations that might pop up.

You will define a strategy for capturing the rich daily life of people on the street; overcoming fears and shyness, approaching strangers, framing, juxtaposition, layering your compositions, letting the image come to you and whether color or black and white best suits your vision. And you will have fun!

Street Tech

You will talk street-tech and both Steve and Edmond, you will give you their minimalist view on gear along with a simplified shooting process to maximizing your response time to capture decisive moments. Steve Simon's street tools include Nikon Mirrorless Cameras including the Z9 with a carefully curated selection of lenses; but he’s familiar with a wide range of equipment to help you maximize your mirror-less, compact, rangefinder, DSLR or even your camera phone for compelling street images. Edmond has used various brands of camera throughout his decades as a photojournalist, shooting with Canon (for whom he has run workshops and talks), Nikon, Leica (for whom he has taught at the prestigious Leica Akademie), Olympus (for whom he was an Olympus Visionary for a number of years) and Lumix (for whom he has collaborated for the last several years, as an ‘Expert’, in Panasonic’s words).  

We will talk lenses, auto focus, zone focusing, shooting form the hip, using live view, flash and a host of other tips, tricks, distractions and ideas that will improve your work dramatically.

It’s a street photography workshop but the lessons learned will benefit you in all genres of image-making. In class, your tutors will look at a selection of your best work from the previous day. These daily critiques are of crucial importance, where they share ideas and constructive criticism as you look through each others’ images. The workshop will be a “safe place” for group discussions with suggestions and new ideas put forward.

You will be encouraged to take on a theme over the week for your final portfolio and slide show. We will also be providing assignments to push you to a higher level in your work.

Testimonials

Gary Niederpruem, Chicago

“What a fabulous experience. I learned more about photography in one week than I had in 5 years. Steve is very knowledgable about the technical side as well as composition. He is very patient, gives excellent feedback and will work one on one with you on any photography subject you want. I asked him for help on night photography and at 10 PM he was out on the streets of Havana with me with step by step instructions on how to take the shot. 5 star plus rating!!”

Anna Blanco, New York City

“Best workshop I’ve ever taken! Steve is not only a great photographer, he is also a terrific teacher. He is patient and very hands- on. In some workshops the instructor sends students out to shoot after a short lecture–Steve goes out with his students, coaching them throughout the process. His course is well organized and covers diverse topics. He is funny and engaging and generous with his time and knowledge. I had SO MUCH fun and am ready to sign up for the next one. Highly recommended!”

Anne Dunford, Ithaca, New York

"My week in Steve’s Street Shooting workshop challenged me tremendously. There’s nothing like taking your work apart and putting it back together with new vision to make you a better photographer. If you take this workshop, I guarantee you will see the world differently at the end."

Paul Lavergne, San Juan, PR

"Steve’s passion for photography is contagious and his teaching abilities and knowledge extraordinary! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in photography."

Chapman Solomon, Mountain View, CA

“Participating in the NYC Street Photography Workshop was an enriching and exhilarating experience. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone to improve my skills. Steve’s curriculum and hands on approach offered me an opportunity to learn new techniques, add some creativity and visualize subject matter from another perspective. Each day presented abundant photo opportunities, resulting with the capture of some amazing images, exceeding my greatest expectations.”

Stephen Sholl, New York City

"Not only is Steve a great photographer, he is also a caring, compassionate person as well. He is constantly trying to help participants achieve their photographic goals in a gentle, caring, and sincere manner. Sadly, the critiques of my work were very helpful. Steve was right-on in terms of his suggestions to better my work. The totality of the workshop was terrific, primarily because the parts were all excellent as well. Choice of shooting locations, image reviews, suggestions, videos shown, and galleries visited were all great. Steve also promoted wonderful interactions among the participants. The venue was perfect for the workshop. We could spread out, leave your things there, use the facilities, and eat the goodies provided. You know you’re in good hands with Steve! An outstanding workshop!!"

Steve Lavelle, London

"This is an outstanding workshop, led by a world-class photographer. It is impossible to spend time in a room with Steve Simon and not be inspired to get out there and make great images …I had high expectations and you exceeded them…Steve is very personable, articulate and passionate about photography, very welcoming with a warm, engaging personality. Steve’s style is outstanding. I knew of Steve from the TWiP podcast and would have attended if he was talking about how to watch paint dry…”

Oscar Piñeyro, Dallas

"I just spent the last three days with Steve Simon, What a wonderful experience, the best time spent in a workshop ever. Steve is a perfectionist, every presentation not only had spectacular photography but also the perfect music to enhance the mood, a roller coaster of emotions. He cannot hide his journalistic background every single image tells a story. His technique is flawless; his teaching patience unparalleled. I am eager to start a new chapter of my photography applying what Steve taught me in the last few days."