I was shown to my room, which had a half outside living area, with a view of the Pitons to my left and the sea to my right. Through a door was my bedroom with a huge bed and colourful surroundings. After taking in the fantastic views, I was down at the beach on a sunbed within the hour. After climbing down the many steps to the beach. That in itself was a workout every day. Anse Chastanet is on a mountain, therefore it's a steep climb to wherever you want to get to. Thankfully my room was only about 100 steps away from reception.... Another 100 to the beach.... Other rooms were at least double that... They must have known I'm unfit and don't like stairs :)
(Forgot to mention... as I sat in reception waiting to be checked in, alone.... I was asked, so are you here for your honeymoon?.... erm yes, as I sit here alone, jilted?.... I should have said yes. Maybe I would have got upgraded out of pity)
I had two days until the photography workshop started, so made the most of the time by going to a yoga class, diving and a sunset cruise around the Pitons with another member of my group who I'd met in Vienna. We also went snorkelling in which I was a poor snorkel partner... I swear a school of yellow fish were following me... I was taking underwater pics of them and they'd swim toward the camera not away! Posers! I had yellow fins on, so I think they thought I was one of them and decided to swim with me. I tried hard to pretend they weren't there, until I looked left and saw a long skinny fish, about a foot long with a bit pointy sharp nose. That was enough for me. I swam as fast as I could back to my sunbed leaving my buddy in the sea probably wondering where I'd gone... I must be the only person to be scared and swim away from fish while snorkelling. Loser!!!
On Sunday night I went to the Tree house restaurant to meet up with the rest of the photography group. We had welcome drinks and dinner all together. It was great to see Joe and his gang again, and to meet everyone. I'm not great at meeting new people. It scares me. Part of the reason why I take these courses is to push myself to be outside of my comfort zone. I'm one to stay quiet and observe until people get to know me well. Unless I click with someone instantly, that happens from time to time.
The workshop consisted of classroom talks by Joe (McNally) and RC Concepcion (HDR/Adobe guru) in the mornings. We would go out in the afternoons, playing with lighting setups, capturing natural light and learning how Joe sees a picture. We had models to photograph and even went to the fire station in Soufriere to photograph the firemen. I took 3 photographs on the Tuesday which have been the best photos I've ever taken. And for me that's saying a lot, as usually I criticise my work so much and never like how my pictures turn out. The fire station for me was another story. My snorkel buddy and I were teamed up and scouted the station for a location with a story. We found a room upstairs that the guys use to rest in. It had a bed, clothes hanging up, boxes and old newspapers and books in the corner. A pretty dark room with a couple of windows for natural light. We may as well have found a sauna, sat in it for an hour before taking photos, then proceed to lose energy and any inspiration while continuing to sweat. I saw the picture I wanted, same goes for my partner...but the moment we set up our lighting, all rational seemed to have left via the sauna window. We called for help from Cali, one of Joes assistants, and he talked us through some ideas and left us to get our shot. No shot in sight. I'd lost the ability to see my picture anymore. We were happy when Joe came to find us and left us with a few more ideas and critique on what we were doing. What we were doing is making a big deal and getting no photo... RC then tried to help... Again, we tried his ideas and still no shot... We both eventually gave up, getting the best shot we could at that point and joining the others looking like we'd just stepped out of a swimming pool. We then got some inspiration and placed our next fireman on top of his truck, used big lighting on him and lit up a fire truck and glowed it's insides green. Finally, some creativity!
That day, my thinking came back. I don't like failure. And I felt like I'd failed. I unrealistically compare myself to people like Joe who has been a master of his art for the best part of 40 years. And my impatience expects myself to be able to do what he does in 5 years on and off. The next couple of days, I felt pretty low. Wishing I could be who and what I want to be and frustrated that I wasn't.
The day before I was on a huge high from getting photographs that little bit closer to where I'd wanted to be. To finally capture a shot and think "yeahhhh that's exactly what I was trying to do", and for the first time felt like I'd achieved something with my photographs. Even though, I got those shots with Joe as my lighting assistant, so of course they were going to be lit well!
The rest of the week got better again. Watching how Joe works and seeing him see the frame, set it up and capture it within minutes, and have an awesome photograph was both frustrating and fascinating. Frustrating because I wish I could do that.
Now, Joe McNally.
In my opinion, he is the best photographer I know of. I have followed him through my whole photography life. That whole 5 years! The first time I saw his shots online, I was amazed and inspired.
To have now done 2 of his courses and to be able to watch how he works and learn from him is one of the best experiences I've ever had. Not only is he an amazing photographer he is also the most genuine, humble and funniest man that I know. I could sit and listen to his stories for hours.
If you look at his website, you will see all the famous people he has photographed. The enormity of the shoots he has done. Wouldn't you expect an egocentric asshole, protecting his photography secrets and not really giving a shit? He is the opposite. He answers everything genuinely, helps you as much as he can and takes the time to make sure you get it and openly speaks about everything. The first day I walked into his workshop in Vienna, within 5 minutes, he knew everyone's name and remembered them. That alone impressed me! I've been to photography classes with unknown photographers who are exactly what I described above. I don't think they even asked my name. Just as long as I knew theirs... I wont be doing any more courses with randoms.
There's a couple of specific occasions this week that I have been truly inspired, honoured and grateful for. I won't go into detail, but Joe, if you read this, a few words; 'Pizza night, D4 breakfast and the words "Steph, You had a good day"' Honoured.Grateful.Ecstatic.
The course ended with a night shooting models on the beach with flambeaus around us. An awesome end to an amazing week.
I had two days left to chill before flying home, so spent those relaxing on the beach, another yoga class and more snorkelling. This time I managed not to swim away.
I met some other inspiring people. A beautiful couple who proved that love exists. Beautiful both inside and out. And I hope we will stay in touch and shoot together again. Another two who made my stomach muscles hurt from laughing, both so talented and beautiful souls. One of whom, I had a very thought provoking chat with before we left, and was surprised how similar we were.
I'm now on the plane home and it's the first time ever that I don't mind how long the flight is. I used my points from travelling days to book a business flight....so flying with some space. This is awesome!!!!
This week has been one of the best experiences I've ever had and has been an inspirational and thoughtful holiday.
