We all showed up with big heavy bags and long zoom lenses.  Ralph, on the contrary, came with a very small bag carrying 2 Leicas with 50 mm lenses.  One camera was for colour film and the other camera was for B&W film.  That was it.  From an equipment standpoint he made photography look so simple.  He said that he generally shoots 50 mm lens and uses only Leica cameras and he knows his equipment and lenses inside out.  

After the introduction he started to review and critic the photographs and digital images that we submitted.  He found a shortfall in every digital image he critiqued, and pointed out the deficiencies with digital workflow.

Ralph Gibson is a master photographer and one of the most famous living fine art photographers of our time.  His books are usually sold out and  are very difficult to acquire.  We shot everyday in the afternoons and Ralph reviewed and critiqued our shots the next morning.  It was an inspiring workshop with a great photographer, friendly participants and great models.

The workshop was arranged by “Vancouver Photo Workshops”.  The locations were outstanding.  The  first couple of days, we shot in Edwardian mansion located in Shaughnessy.  This is how Vancouver Photo Workshops described the location:

• Built at the beginning of the 20^th century and completed in 1911
• A 30 room house, coach house, mews cottage and surrounding grounds.
• Eclectic furnishings and décor to inspire photographers
• Outstanding landscape for outside shooting.

For the last couple of days, the shoot location was totally different but equally inspiring.  We shot in Brian Adam’s recording studio.  This is the description of the studio provided by Vancouver Photo Workshops:

Built by the Oppenheimer family during the gold rush in the 1800’s, its original purpose was a Klondike supply warehouse, and it even served as Vancouver first City Hall.  It is now the oldest brick building in Vancouver with restorations inside and outside that have retained the historical integrity of the original  structure

Bryan Adam’s Studio, used mainly for music recording and high end commercial photo shoots, had the following features:

·         25 foot ceilings

·         Studio is 2000 sq. ft.

·         Many windows flood the facility with natural light

·         Completely private courtyard open to photography

·         Original brick walls, arches and metal doors provide a modern backdrop

·         Large lounge and kitchen open to photography

During the workshop, on almost every occasion  Ralph stressed the superiority of analog photography.  He pointed out shadow details and blown out highlights in every critique. 

Towards the end of the workshop, I developed and urge to use one of my film cameras which I haven’t used for more than 4 to 5 years.  I recently shot a roll of color print with my Contax G2 camera.  The results were not any greater than digital images.  I will be using film from time to time but only for black and white.