Packing for my Plate To Page Food Styling And Photography course in Ireland a few weeks ago (eeek, seems SO long ago now) was an exercise in minimalism. Hand luggage only so double duty clothing and no extras. Camera, lenses, chargers, batteries, cables and laptop. A tangled mass of wiring and enough technology to fill a small branch of Dixons and keep the average teenager happy for hours. Good Lord, this is my case, me a complete technophobe, I look like Geek-On-The-Go!
The course was being held at Decoy Cottages just outside Dublin in the beautiful Irish countryside. The eleven participants shared two cottages while the tutors holed up in another which had a huge dining room where we met up for wonderful meals that made your heart sing, taste buds tingle and jeans tighten minute by minute. We were treated to feasting on a grand scale and with an abundance of the finest red wine and Prosecco from the Nino Franco vineyard in Tuscany it is a wonder any of us managed to hold a camera far less learn how to improve our photography.
But learn we did and from four of the finest instructors, Meeta K Wolff, Ilva Beretta, Jamie Schler and Jeanne Horak-Druiff. Anyone can amass knowledge but few can impart it to others in a way that both educates and enthuses. These ladies did the job admirably and the full on course went by in a whirlwind of questions and answers, clicking shutters, charging cameras, moving props, pen chewing, laptop tapping and show and tell.
We moved from writing classes to camera tech, food styling and back to scribbles. It was full on and non stop. I have to say I was awed by some of the photographs and really marveled at the creativity. I found myself trying photo styles I have never thought of, daring to dance with darkness and light and tweaking settings I’d been scared to touch. Realised early on that I hated my camera. Oh I know, a good workman never blames his tools and all that, but my camera (God knows why I changed to the smaller system last year) really wasn’t up to the job at hand, I learned that the hard way.
On the Saturday we attended the Sage And Stone Market where vendors profered a vast array of homegrown produce, artisan cheeses, breads that make you groan with anticipation and preserves that gleam like a jewelled wall in the rain drenched sunlight.
We worked in pairs and I was blessed to have Andre as my partner, a man who can make magic with the camera and shows remarkable patience when dealing with someone who throws a tantrum whenever they can’t get their settings right.
I shared a cottage with some fabulous ladies, Ann Marie from Ireland, Kate and Sam from South Africa and Lidija from Slovenia. We are an international bunch who bond instantly and spend every spare moment round our kitchen table chatting like old friends.
I discovered many things during the weekend; new friends from far and wide (language is no barrier when you have a love of photography and food in common), new ideas on the writing front and a whole new dimension to photography. So much so that on return I found myself trading in my camera and embracing the intricacies of a huge Nikon D7000, having loads more fun with photography and only wincing slightly when I look at my dwindling bank balance.
I said before I went that this course was a bit of a dream come true for me. I went over to Ireland with all sorts of hopes for learning new techniques and getting input from top professionals. I didn’t realise just how much I would learn and how much fun it would all be. At times I was swamped by inadequacy and self doubt, felt I was out of my depth and couldn’t cope. Then kind words and patience especially from Ilva would drag me back and point me in the right direction.
So here is to Plate To Page Ireland, what a weekend, what a joy, what a learning experience and what FUN!
Thanks to Meeta, Jamie, Jeanne and Ilva – you really are the best in the business and I do hope we will meet again.
Karon x
PS To the girl team in our cottage, we really MUST meet again!
Sounds fab, I’d love to do a food photography course.
Oh I love your post! I loved your passion and enthusiasm during the weekend – even your Gollum-type outbursts were simply passion in another direction – the sign of your creativity, imagination and that passion. We all get frustrated; it is part of the creative process! We hold these workshops in the true hope of inspiring others, teaching them to look at things they may not have otherwise thought of or trying things that might not have crossed their minds, daring them to stretch beyond their limits and we saw this happening to you in front of our very eyes! I am thrilled we could do this for you! I do hope we meet again! The best thing about Plate to page workshops? All the new friends we make – and keep! xo
Thanks Jamie for those lovely words, I really appreciate them. Just hope Gollum wasn’t too much of a pain in the ass!
I’m thrilled to have attended and love what I have learned, just hope I can put it all to good use.
Thanks again for everything.
All best
Karon
Karon, I’m so happy to hear that you now have a new camera that is on your same wavelength, it is so important to be one with your camera, isn’t it? But I have to say that you did shoot some fantastic photos with your old one too! I really enjoyed meeting you in Ireland, I’m always happy to meet honest and direct people who have the courage to show how they feel and are ready to work hard to gain from their experiences. I hope we will meet again but in the meantime you know I’m here if you need feedback or encouragement!
hugs, ilva
My dear Karon, you are the epitome of an artist, all frustration and self criticism and stomping of feet only to produce something uniquely you and beautiful. I simply cannot wait to see what you and your new camera create.
Aw shucks Sam, that’s lovely, but me, an artist? Anyway I’m definately trying with the new camera and trying not to stamp the feet too much.
love
Karon
Well if these photographs are anything to go from the course was well worth it. Only truly creative people get frustrated with themselves the way that you do, and through that frustration comes learning and bettering of oneself, you’re on a very exciting road.
Karon, I must say that working with you was a pleasure. And although you had some problems with your camera you still managed to produce a brilliant outcome. Imagine what you can do with the new one. And what’s the next step? RAW! Once you start you wont be able to stop. 😉
Hi Andre, thanks so much. I am determined to master RAW next so fingers crossed for me.
Thanks again
Karon
There is so much I need to learn about photography. I love all of the ladies at Plate to Page.
Sounds like it was a terrific course. Can’t wait to see more of the results
Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments, this course was just so perfect for me. I loved every minute of it and learned so much.
love
Karon x
Oh to have been a fly on the wall! What fun!! I thought your photos were brilliant before so I can’t imagine how you could improve but I’m looking forward to seeing them! xo, Nan
What a lovely post Karon – I know that of all the participants you probably struggled the most with your inner demons – but that made it all the sweeter to see you letting go of your doubts and really getting the most out of the workshop. A wonderful post that evokes so many memories! Thrilled to hear that you and your new camera are getting along, and am watching your Lightroom progress from afar 😉
Thanks Jeanne, that is so nice of you to say so. I enjoyed the weekend so much and learned a lot.
All best
Karon x