WORKSHOPS, MENTORSHIPS, CONSULTS, AND PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES

Joel talking about his fine-art prints at the New York City workshop. © David Fowler.

About My Teachings & Specialties

My workshops are customized towards the preferences of the students and cover in-depth knowledge of a broad range of topics and skills but my specialties for which I enjoy a worldwide reputation are the following:

• B&W photography and post-processing: Since 2011 I’ve been teaching my iSGM2.0 method of B&W post-processing that has since become the B&W method for many award-winning photographers. From 2018 onwards I’ll be introducing and teaching the next evolution of this method to private workshop and mentorship students only. I’m calling it iSGM3.0 and now includes techniques for B&W post-processing and masking on which I’ve spent the last 2 years inventing, refining and then perfecting. They are the natural result of my personal skills and views on B&W photography and art in general. Therefore these techniques are out-of-the-box, yet, they touch the very essence of what B&W photography is and provide an almost 100% level of control and transparency in the way of working. It’s therefore very unlikely that these advanced techniques are in use or being taught anywhere else. I believe that the combination of these new techniques for processing and masking with the existing and more publicly known iSGM2.0 workflow, will enable the student to create any B&W photograph the student can possibly envision with a subtlety and control that is unmatched. If you are a photographer who likes to be on the forefront of what is possible in digital B&W photography, then I will put you there and show what’s beyond.
• Fine-art photography: Fine-art photography is more than just a beautiful B&W photo. It is also about intention, meaning and emotion. My ideas on Fine-art are supported not only by artistic/emotional motives but also by more scientifically based findings and the history of art. I can introduce you to the world of fine-art photography and to my personal ideas on what fine-art photography and what art in general is. With a few simple criteria, you will be able to separate art from everything else. Last but not least: I can teach you how to create fine-art photographs.
• Architectural Photography, landscape photography and still life photography: These are the genres I’m specialized in but that I always approach from a fine-art point of view, never from a commercial or editorial point of view. From 2010 to 2014 I’ve won all major international photography awards in those genres. My contribution to the evolution and development of fine-art architectural photography over the past years has been acknowledged by many photography lovers over the world.

Private and Semi-Private Workshops

Exclusive Private and semi-private real life workshops anywhere in the world.

**LATEST NEWS: registration for the remaining places is open now** 

If you prefer the intimacy of a private workshop that is tailor-made for you in any place around the world, with you only, or if needed with 2 or more other students (max. 5) to make it a more semi-private workshop to reduce costs per attending student, then see the options below with private workshops all over the world. I offer the following types of private and semi-private workshops:

1. B&W post-processing workshop focused on giving you the right tools and skills using my own developed and popular method of iSGM2.0 and the new iSGM3.0 (2018 and later) that gives you complete control over your black and white photograph to ensure it is perfectly aligned with your personal artistic vision. I will use those methods in combination with my B&W Artisan Pro panel. This also includes portfolio reviews and in-depth and detailed suggestions on how to improve.

2. A fine art architectural workshop in any location in the world for a maximum of 3 days. I’m specialized in architectural workshops in New York City, Paris, London, and Chicago. Of course, other locations around the world are also possible and I’m happy to advise you on that and give you the experience that fits your needs.

3. A long exposure photography workshop in any location in the world. This can be in any great architectural location in the world or specifically focused on long exposure seascapes.

4. A combination of all the above. Anything is possible, you provide your personal preferences, I will advise you on that and will suggest the best options including routes and hotel accommodations.

Indicative price range:

– in the Netherlands and Belgium: varying from €475 to €1100 per person, depending on the number of students attending and 1 or 2 workshop days. Each private workshop will be concluded, 2 weeks after the workshop has taken place, with a 1-on-1 video-session (1.5 hrs) to review your work post-workshop and answer remaining questions.

– anywhere else in the world: varying from $1347 (when 5 attend) for the cheapest workshop location outside of the Netherlands and Belgium (Berlin) up to $4850 (when only 1 attends) per person for a 3-day workshop in the most expensive location in Melbourne, Australia. The more students, the less the workshop fee per person. Each private workshop will be concluded, 2 weeks after the workshop has taken place, with a 1-on-1 video-session (1.5 hrs) to review your work post-workshop and answer remaining questions.

If you don’t mind to have a semi-private workshop with one or max. four other students, then prices can decrease significantly since my personal expenses for travel/accommodations and fees will be spread out over the participants. Click on the “I’m interested buttons” for private workshops in NYC or anywhere else in the world, below, to see the prices per person, per location and number of attendees. Or click here for the prices for worldwide private workshops and here for the prices for private workshops in The Netherlands and Belgium. Note that the prices mentioned don’t include travel and accommodation for the student and note that you can still have a ‘full’ private workshop with other students that you’ve enlisted yourself. You can indicate all this via the ‘I’m interested’ buttons.

Online Workshops And Mentorships

Online private workshops and mentorships from the comfort of your home, supported by live video conference

1. An online workshop focused on the art of black and white photography post-processing: the black and white private Masterclass. Duration 6 to 8 weeks using online one-on-one live video conference via Google+ or Skype and email/chat communication supported with pre-recorded HD video tutorials. Extensive portfolio reviews and real-time online demonstrations on how to improve are an essential part.

2. An online workshop focused on Long exposure photography: the Long Exposure Masterclass. Duration 6 to 8 weeks using online live one-on-one video chats via Google+ or Skype and email/chat communication supported with pre-recorded HD video tutorials. Extensive portfolio reviews and real-time online demonstrations on how to improve are an essential part.

3. A combination of both Black and White Photography private Masterclass and the Long Exposure Masterclass. Duration 6 to 8 weeks.

4. A private mentorship. This course is designed to guide you over a longer period of time, again using online tools like Google+ video hangouts or Skype video chats. A private mentorship will also allow going into what fine-art photography is and discuss related important topics that are important in the natural progress of an artist.

Difference workshop and mentorship

The difference between a workshop and mentorship is that workshops are usually designed for acquiring a set of mostly practical skills within a limited period of time (6 to 8 weeks) while the mentorships are designed for acquiring the same practical skill sets over a longer period of time in which continuous evaluation is an essential part. There is more time to discuss topics, complete practical assignments and hence there’s a more realistic learning curve and a more realistic assessment of the progress. Due to the longer time frames, mentorships also allow for acquiring more theoretical knowledge and skills on top of the practical skills, that will give you broader insight into what fine art photography is. This allows you to not only know HOW to photograph and edit a scene but also WHY you do that and place that in a specific perspective, meaning: development of artistic vision will play a more prominent role in online mentorships.

An indicative price range of online workshops and mentorships (exact prices depend on the personal preferences, additional modules, etc.):

– online workshops: $600 for a 6-8 weeks course. Note that there will be discounts a few times per year.

– online mentorships: $400 per month for an online mentorship of at least 3 months. After 3 months it will be assessed and advised if the mentorship should be extended for 1 or more months. If you live in the Netherlands you will have the option to have a one-on-one in-person meeting with me to shoot together for a small additional fee. If you live abroad then this is also an option but of course, this option will cost more depending on travel costs.

*If you are interested in an online workshop or mentorship, then please fill out one of the forms by clicking on the ‘I’m Interested’ buttons below

Portfolio Reviews And Other Live Video Consults

Online, live video consults or portfolio reviews using Skype or Google Hangout

Roughly a portfolio review will be performed according to the following criteria:

1. Technical execution (basic camera skills, composition, etc.).

2. Black and white conversion (optional, if the photo is in B&W).

3. Realization and expression of the original artistic vision: “how did the artist express his vision and is this visual expression a logical and effective one, keeping in mind the artistic vision?” – this will include both criteria #1 and #2.

Online portfolio reviews will include in-depth reviews of specific images with detailed suggestions and if needed on-line live video demonstration on how to improve.

Besides online portfolio reviews, I also do video consults on anything related to black and white fine-art photography, architectural photography or long exposure photography. So if you have a question that can be handled in roughly less than 1.5 hours then you can fill out the form below and we will set a date together.

Indicative price range for portfolio reviews and live video consults

– varying from $150 to $300 per portfolio review session depending on the needs, additional options and size of the portfolio.  If more portfolio review sessions are needed, then discounted packages of max. 3 portfolio review sessions are possible.

–  live video consults are set at $130/hour (max. 1.5 hours).

Public Group Workshops

Real life workshops anywhere in the world for larger groups.

Commissioned Work And Other Professional Photography Services

Other professional services include licensing of images for any commercial purpose. Please contact me at info.bwvision@gmail.com for more info.

To get an impression of my work, other than architecture: please have a look at the few examples for which my work have been used, in the gallery below.

Contact Me

Note: All prices of the above mentioned real life and online workshops are depending on the type of workshops, the location and the personal preferences. Of course, private online workshops are usually cheaper than real life workshops since the compensation for travel and accommodations are not included. At the same time, if you don’t mind to have a private workshop with one or max. two other students, then prices can decrease significantly since costs for travel/accommodations and fees will be spread out over the participants.

Testimonials