What is a reasonable price for a workshop?

[David Brown]

Workshop prices seem to be all over the spectrum; (as does content and credentials of the presenters ...)

However, given that the presenter is well known and well thought of, and the content of the workshop is attractive to one, what would a one-day workshop be worth?

 

[Xmas]

Dont no...

http://www.johnfreephotography.com/street-photography-workshops/

 

[David Brown]

Let me re-phrase the question.

I have researched many workshops and the prices are "all over the spectrum". What would a workshop be worth to you?

 

[doughowk]

A 2-day workshop I took 5 years ago has now more than doubled - $1500 + all expenses. Its becoming like an elitist thing that only the wealthy can afford.

 

[Xmas]

Hi David

I did one for John (Free) for free in the middle of one of his.

Have you a more direct question, eg

- John Free's workshops are normally over subscribed.

- If you ask for enough you might make a living?

Noel

 

[Rick A]

I seem to remember Sandy King getting $400 for a two day carbon transfer workshop last year.

 

[Trail Images]

You might check Michael Gordon's site as he has workshops running year around. Most as I recall are three day events and come in around $700. Keep in mind some of the prices for workshops vary as a result of the overall support with any type of lodging, meals, transportation.....etc. For the most part many presenters avoid getting involved with the items beyond the actual instructional support charges. However, I've seen several presenters who do arrange it all and of course the prices match it too.
http://www.michael-gordon.com/

What would a workshop be worth to you?

I've never even thought of taking one.

 

[Photo Engineer]

I got $900 and later $1000 for a 1 week workshop (5 days, 8 - 5). This was for emulsion making.

This included lunch, chemicals and utilities. I lost money. I was also told by my insurance company to double my liability coverage, and then I stopped giving them.

Taking photos is much less intense and costly, except for the processing if done in the workshop.

At GEH, we make the emulsion, coat it, take photos, process the plates, then print them or make a print emulsion, coat it and then print the plates. Ex Kodak engineers and scientists attend on an as available basis to add "flavor" and expertise to the lectures and lab work. This, in itself is beyond costing out. It is priceless in some cases.

All in all, the GEH workshops are not for the wealthy and are appreciated by their students. The number of students tell them what is "good" and what is "bad", along with the surveys that they fill out.

PE

 

[gzinsel]

I find "the concept" of a workshop to be . . . . between a class at college and antidotal story secession ( i remember when. . . . . .) . I feel most are serving a social "networking" thing, not a "how to" . If the person who is instructing is good/proficient- I think $250 USD a day is about what I would spend. if its a social call. . . . . well that could be a $1,000 -$10,000 USD a day to say "you printed/you learned from XYZ famous artists" . IMO "your experience" in the field or in the darkroom is more valuable then "saying" you learned from XYZ. Just sayin'. . . . .

 

[winger]

Workshop prices seem to be all over the spectrum; (as does content and credentials of the presenters ...)

However, given that the presenter is well known and well thought of, and the content of the workshop is attractive to one, what would a one-day workshop be worth?

A one-day workshop, to me, wouldn't be worth much more than $150 'cause you'd only scratch the surface. It would also need to be close as I wouldn't travel far just for a one day workshop. I took a weeklong one in MT with RMSP in 2006 and I think it was around $900 for the week (plus hotel, meals, and transportation). I'm hoping to take one of Michael Gordon's LF ones in January. I'm not thinking about the cost as much as whether it'll cover what I want and be useful to me (which I'm fairly sure it will be, but I need to be sure I'll be available).

 

[Photo Engineer]

The GEH Workshops are more like college classes. At the same time, the information presented is quite detailed and at a level tailored to the individual student/class by means of Q&A at the initial class. Mark and Nick do a very good and professional job at this. Remember that this is their job. Most everyone else does it as a sideline.

PE

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I would say anywhere from $150 up to about $500 - I've paid anywhere from $150 up to about $350, but that was some years ago. It depends on what your costs are, which I think Ron's post alludes to. David, are you asking about conducting or attending a workshop?

 

[darkosaric]

It depends also in which country the workshop is done. In Poland I have seen 2 days collodion workshop for 75€ - chemistry, lunch and accommodation for one night included! One need to bring your own 4x5 camera and glass plates.

 

[Ian Grant]

It depends on too many factors and market forces.

Just checking here in the UK some one day workshops are £285 ($445) which I think is far too expensive but sells out. In comparison a 5 day workshop in the US with an APUG member - John Sexton - is $1250, that's $250 a day.

Some workshops are partially or fully funded by arts organisations or charities, I went on a free 2 day Albumen printing workshop along with another APUG member 3 or 4 years ago at Dimbola House, where Julia Margaret Cameron lived.

In terms of value for money here in the UK a 2 day B&W analog workshop in Sept this year with John Blakemore is £275 ($430).

Ian

 

[Bob Carnie]

I took four Dan Margulis workshops at $2500 each - three 15 hour days...

These courses were worth every penny to me.. A lot depends on how you value the workshop to your current life situation.. casual entertainment - low value course.

high energy detailed information - high value course.

I have taken hundreds of courses over my career, with conflicting results and satisfaction...

 

[RalphLambrecht]

The best B&W workshop I ever took was with John Sexton about 10 years ago and it cost $600 for the week;it was well worth it

 

[Lench]

Honestly about $300 for a 1 day course, anything more than that then I lose interest very quickly. Unfortunately some 'internet famous' photographers I've seen lately ask for $1500-$2500 for a 2 day course. I'd much rather spend that on supplies or gear and experiment on my own, but I guess there are people out there that are willing to pay that kinda money.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[jovo]

I've taken a few workshops and found their value had more to do with comments on prepared work from the presenter and fellow attendees than anything else. Similar results can be gleaned from portfolio reviews at much less cost. Regarding technical value, there's so much available on line that I'd want to exhaust those sources long before I'd feel the need to attend an expensive workshop. OTOH...when I decide what to charge for a private cello lesson, I take into account what an auto mechanic, plumber, or other qualified tradesman charges for services I can't perform for myself. That is a sobering notion for prospective students. Add in a percentage for artistic guidance, and it ain't gonna be cheap!!!

An anecdote seems to fit here. When I was a conservatory student in Manhattan, I got a call from a 'doctor's' orchestra in Queens. I was asked to play as a 'ringer' without remuneration. I asked if there might be reciprocal free doctor's services. The caller hung up.

 

[Peter Schrager]

I can certainly vouch for the classes at the GEH. I learned an arcane process; POP Colloidion which had been basically lost. Mark Osterman is a great teacher and the facilities superb. Also did a emulsion coating class with Ron himself in NYC. We had a blast!!
Michael And Paula's VISION workshop comes highly recommended if you care enough to learn to "see" The rest is easy; anyone can learn to develop film
There's also Richard Ritter for one on one from the man himself who actually built the Zone VI cameras and now his own ULF cameras
have a great day everyone!!
peter

 

[Photo Engineer]

Thanks Peter, it was great seeing you again at GEH.

And, BTW, one of the photos in my book was taken by Peter. He gave me one of the 4x5 plates that he shot in the class at NYC using our Ammonia / PA wash emulsion.

Thanks again Peter. And apologies, I think that I forgot to give proper credit for that Photo. But with a portfolio like yours, who needs credit for a dinky little photo like that one. Right?

PE

 

[Peter Schrager]

As an aside the "best" workshop I have ever done was the zone VI with fred picker and crew. this was an extremely beneficial time for me as I had no comprehension of the relationship between the film;paper and being able to see. it was 5 or 6 days of extreme photo in-depth workshop;from out in the field in the day to talks at night. we even watched Fred print in his own darkroom. there were so many talented teachers who really gave a damn; who showed me all their tricks and methodology.
held on the grounds at the Putney school where fred went to school. I made my first REAL print that time with full tonality from black to white. Wow; what a mind blower that was!! I think I was the only one who showed up with a 5x7 camera; my old kodak with the ross lens.
well you can't go back in the time machine but if anyone else here took that workshop you know what I'm talking about!!
Best and have a great day!!
peter

 

[DWThomas]

If I were going to explore one of the alternate processes about which I know little or nothing, I could probably go along with a few hundred dollars for a one day workshop to get some knowledge and access to the "stuff," as well as a head start on the learning curve. But like some others upthread, when I look at hundreds of bucks for sessions to "improve my way of seeing" or some such thing, my overly pragmatic mind starts figuring out how many rolls of Acros 100 and boxes of Ilford WT that number would buy -- and thinking it might be the wiser move. I mean, we continue to learn or we are dead, but I can't help doing some mental cost/benefit analysis. And keeping track of what I do from the technical/process side along with submitting to shows and exhibiting my work can provide a basis for improvement too. (And then I'm old and retired and not really looking for international recognition, just wanting to have some fun! )

 

[David Brown]

Thanks, for the comments everyone.

… are you asking about conducting or attending a workshop?

First, I should say that I posted the thread because I was considering taking a workshop. I signed up the next day, but the comments are still interesting.

I've tried giving workshops, but I don't have the name recognition necessary to command any sort of price where it's worth my time to do so. If I may be so bold, I am a good teacher, but then, I am not a former AA assistant, have a famous last name, or have a vault full of AZO ...

These courses were worth every penny to me.. A lot depends on how you value the workshop to your current life situation.. casual entertainment - low value course.

high energy detailed information - high value course.

I have taken hundreds of courses over my career, with conflicting results and satisfaction...

That really sums it up, doesn’t it? Like so much in life, one gets out of something in proportion to what one puts into it. And, of course, some workshops are good, some are crap.

Like other posters, I, too am generally skeptical of workshops and their perceived value. I have taken very few over the years. On the other hand, my wife is a painter, and she takes one or two a year and considers them money well spent. Yet, (as she and I were discussing as I posted the thread) her painting workshops tend to be much less expensive than the going rate (based on my research) for equivalent photo workshops.

Aware of the cost, that is why I restated the question to how much is it worth “to you”. Obviously to some folks, not much or nothing. Fine. YMMV

The last workshop I took was 10 years ago. The late apugger Lee Carmichael had brought in a well-known printer, and I took the workshop to 1) help out Lee and 2) meet some other apuggers. Both purposes were accomplished, but I also learned some things.

This is probably going to follow pretty much along those lines. I’ll probably learn a few things that may or may not be applicable to my own work. But, I will support the local community, and get to spend the day in the company of a well-known photographer that I think highly of, whether or not I adopt any of his practices.

 

[MattKing]

Depends on whether they supply food.

Sometimes the greatest benefits are quite intangible. I really enjoyed one a couple of years ago where I was already familiar with most of the techniques taught, but where the presenter brought so much energy and enthusiasm and joy to both her photography and the workshop I ended up leaving completely inspired.

In addition, some workshops are great because of the others who attend.

 

[David Brown]

Depends on whether they supply food.

I'm getting lunch ...