TESTIMONIALS
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I know I moaned that there were no ‘less-than-effusive’ testimonials on your website, but having now experienced the course first hand, I can fully understand why – I know that I thoroughly enjoyed the two days and feel that I have gained a lot from it. I came along with a basic understanding, but having the time to properly put into practice some of the techniques under your expert guidance has made me far more able and comfortable with my camera. John Ridd ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Having had no previous experience with SLR photography, the stated goals of the workshop were daunting to me. I never imagined that I would experience such a transformation on so many levels as the result of the professionalism, patience, teamwork and camaraderie of your staff. Jessica Cook. Valerie Wilson Travel - NY ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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I have just arrived home in Zermatt! I have been dreaming photography, thinking photography and practicing photography since I left Mallorca on Thursday! What an amazing few days it was. I can't thank you enough for for the workshop. It truly has been incredible. I loved it! Caroline Lukic ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Thank you for the tips on the follow up email and thank you again for a fantastic day on Saturday. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and simply did not want it to end! .............The course has given me the ability to look for interesting shots everywhere and triggered the desire to construct a picture rather than being just a mere observer waiting for the right moment! Marco ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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I do feel that under your guidance and with the intimate group at Petersham that I have begun to come of age with my photography and not least to understand and get to better grips with my camera itself...... Michael, I am truly grateful to you for your time and attention that you have given me, which has now opened the door for me to go into new pastures with much more confidence. Chris ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Having previously attended four EYE workshops (three in London, one in Mallorca) I knew that the workshop in Lamu would be good but never imagined it would leave such great an imprint. One month later and the magic has yet to wear off. I find myself making constant reference back to the images to hold tight to the memory and relive each colourful experience.... Alex Freeman ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Wow, what a wonderful two days with Michael Potter's Eye Workshop in their studio in London…. we opted for the weekend course and were instantly put in a good mood as Michael warmly greeted up and got us fired up with his up-beat, positive tempo! ............... We enjoyed the course so much that we are now looking into future workshops abroad with Eye… thank you both for a fantastic weekend – you have further ignited our passion for photography and provided us with some brilliant skills and knowledge to get there! Louisa Salussolia ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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What an enjoyable day with Michael Potter and the Eye Photographic Workshop. I absolutely loved every minute of my one-on-one tuition on photography. Michael’s knowledge of photography and his willingness to share trade secrets was worth every moment of my time. Naomi Moreno-Melgar ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Thanks to Michael Potter from EYE Photographic Workshops for the near impossible challenge of making me a competent photographer in less than two days. ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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My life as an amateur photographer has changed completely since attending your course. I arrived as a snappy snapper, to be confronted in your home with Apple computers, high end Cannon cameras, with a variety of rather large and imposing lenses - a far cry from my pocket Nikon digital camera! A compact and complete introductory course to digital photography and a wonderful way to spend a couple of days learning a new skill. You made us realise that photography is a true art form and that there is a huge amount to learn ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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I cannot thank you enough for the past two days. You comment that we were good students. That was as a result of your patient approach and comprehensive teaching methods. You made the two days "whizz by" in such lovely, relaxed surroundings imparting so much information and making it all so much fun. ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| Two very happy days for which a large thank you. A lot of patience shown which was much appreciated and feel I understand a hell of a lot more than I did on Wednesday morning at 9.30 am!!
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| I feel that I made a significant step, in terms of creating shot rather than capturing an image (relying on the auto functions rather than manual configuration) I can not imagine achieving more in a two day period. read more >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| Thanks so much for a wonderful couple of days, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the course. It was lovely to get to know you and I am sure my photography/patience has benefited no end. read more >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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I left the studio with a skip in my step last Tuesday, buoyed by the experience. It was informative, inspiring, enjoyable . . . what more could I ask, other than for the clocks to have stopped and allowed us more time? I will keep trying. In the meantime, my thanks again. I couldn't have asked for a more amazing birthday gift. ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| I just wanted to say what an absolutely fantastic three of days I had during the workshop. Working in your studio makes for such a relaxing atmosphere and having all the equipment ready meant that all we had to do was focus on channelling our creative energy into the photographs! read more >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| Many thanks for this. I really enjoyed my 2 days with you and feel much better prepared for my travels! I've been inspired to practice some portrait photography this weekend and have some quite good results (surprisingly!!). I'm committed to getting a new lens - am sure this will help! read more >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| May I say again how much we enjoyed the course and how much we feel that we have gained from the experience. The company of you both was wonderful and we would not hesitate to recommend you, the course or location to any one. read more >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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| I thought the workshop was excellent. You and Esther both knew your stuff, and you shared it with flair and enthusiasm. Hovington House was a great location - comfortable, natural, easthetically pleasing. I was glad you used a camera with which I am familiar. There was a feast of images in the house and garden and nearby. read more >> ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Dear Michael, My life as an amateur photographer has changed completely since attending your course. I arrived as a snappy snapper, to be confronted in your home with Apple computers, high end Cannon cameras, with a variety of rather large and imposing lenses - a far cry from my pocket Nikon digital camera! Your introduction quickly put us at ease, setting the scene and objectives for our two days course. ISO, F stop, settings, light, wide angle, telephoto, and all the technical terms, were presented in your natural engaging manner, explaining everything in a straight forward and understandable way, which bolstered our confidence as the day progressed. I particularly liked the way you changed our mind-set as to how we should look at the subject matter, sitting in it's own space of air, what we wanted to achieve from the photograph, the story we wanted to convey, and how to produce different effects and visual feel by effective use of the lenses, and manual settings. Then the outing to the village fete in Barnes, to photograph and convey the whole event and tell the story visually. People, movement, stalls, children, food, parents, objects, passing cyclists, the church, each photo a challenge and attempting to put what we had learnt into action. I appreciated the way you helped us individually, giving us advice how to set up the shots and making suggestions as to how it could be done, but making us talk about why we were selecting the settings we had selected. Then a great lunch in the pub, and discussing the shoot over a pint. Back at the ranch, learning how to download onto the computer, how to set up an album, then how to edit, how to select the good photo from the bad, select 45 out 250 to 300 shots taken, and putting them in an interesting running order. Day 2: a completely different photo challenge in the park, with nature, cricket match, architecture, ponds and people. Being the second day, we were thinking more about the shots, and dare I say becoming more "arty" and starting to progress in the focal field, making great use of he F-stops. All the time with our tutor at hand! More editing, and a final presentation to my fellow students complete with music, critical analysis and a disc to take home of our photographs. A compact and complete introductory course to digital photography and a wonderful way to spend a couple of days learning a new skill. You made us realise that photography is a true art form and that there is a huge amount to learn. This was the tip of the iceberg, now to buy a good camera, great lenses - thanks for the good advice as to where and what to buy - and to go out and shoot, shoot, shoot! I will indeed be back for another course, perhaps persuade some of my friends to go to one of the exotic locations you have on offer. The ranch in Colorado sounds wonderful, or Lamu perhaps... Please keep me informed on further courses. I am looking at everything with a different eye nowadays! Best regards return to top >> |
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| Dear Michael,
I have just returned to a wind beaten, cold and very damp Ashdown Forest to find your welcome email, great photos and camera tips. I cannot thank you enough for the past two days. You comment that we were good students. That was as a result of your patient approach and comprehensive teaching methods. You made the two days "whizz by" in such lovely, relaxed surroundings imparting so much information and making it all so much fun. I have to say I felt quite anti-climaxed at the end of the course as I did not want it to end. On returning to Canary Wharf I ventured out with my camera and started using it - it had become more of a friend than a foe. You certainly have given me the confidence to now "get going". I realised just how much we had been taught, whether it was to do with taking photographs, observing what is around us and correcting or highlighting what we had taken by editing. Thank you for the delicious lunches and all the light refreshments, which were all much appreciated. I loved Steven's pasta dish and as for the sausages and mash - they were so delicious. It was great meeting Francesca and Steven. Jocelyn and I were very fortunate to be with such super people. Picasa will be downloaded this afternoon. I can't wait to play with it. I think the only negative comment was my frustration with myself and with my camera. I found it rather confusing tryng to master the Olympus, when Canons were being used and using a different computer, but that was my problem - not yours. I just felt that I was wasting valuable minutes at times. Maybe I should have looked at the instruction disc supplied with the Olympus before I came to you. However, I found it so daunting when I initially did that I decided to come to the course first and have things explained. Maybe this was an error. However, it will now be a pleasure to go through it. With very best wishes and all my thanks for so many wonderful memories. Like Jocelyn, I too hope to meet again in the future, Vera return to top >> |
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| Two very happy days for which a large thank you. A lot of patience shown which was much appreciated and feel I understand a hell of a lot more than I did on Wednesday morning at 9.30 am!! Don’t have any criticisms as found the whole experience relaxing, informative, and fun. Now its over to me to get a camera and of course practise so that when we next meet will show much improvement. Thank you for all those luverly photos –and thanks for the camera tips. Will keep them with me when I get my camera. Will send you all the odd photo that I think looks good when I go away!! It does make one look at everything in a different way – as I walked home this evening even though marching quickly still looked around for photo opportunities – found some but no camera!! Ciao again – Jocelyn return to top >> |
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| Hi Michael,
Just a note to confirm I really enjoyed the course. I feel that I made a significant step, in terms of creating shot rather than capturing an image (relying on the auto functions rather than manual configuration) And what a lovely two days. I know Zoe and I both felt the instruction was excellent, the environment relaxed, comfortable and conducive to working, the food fabulous and the experience thoroughly enjoyable. Honestly, I cant offer any constructive criticism. I hope to see you again to further develop my skills. One slight snag. My laptop cant play the slideshow disk. It’s a PC format. Do I need to download some software in order to view it? Thanks Joe Joe Temple return to top >> |
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Hi, Thanks so much for a wonderful couple of days, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the course. It was lovely to get to know you and I am sure my photography/patience has benefited no end. My only advice would be not to feed us so much, I am sure I have put on at least half a stone!!! I will definately do another course just let me know availability. Will let you know how I get on with the camera purchase. Thanks again return to top >> |
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Dear Michael and Esther I'm sorry for the delay in putting 'pen to paper' - it's been a whirlwind of a week. But a BIG belated THANK YOU to you both for such a *fabulous* two days. I left the studio with a skip in my step last Tuesday, buoyed by the experience. It was informative, inspiring, enjoyable . . . what more could I ask, other than for the clocks to have stopped and allowed us more time? You'll be pleased to learn that I have used my camera since . . . . sadly with really disappointing results. First I tried photographing fireworks - hopeless! Then we attended an indoor wedding at the weekend and no matter how many bees-with-their-buckets I employed the photos were really dark - not even my new found editing skills could resurrect them. In frustration and with disgust (!) I set the camera on automatic - they weren't great either. Hey-ho. I have made a conscious decision to concentrate on what I *did* learn from you both rather than focus too heavily on what I have yet to learn. And, as I walked to school to collect Maya this afternoon, I found myself wishing I had my camera with me to capture a tree with gold and red leaves on one side; bare on the other side; with the evening sun shining directly on it; set against a black, heavy sky. Beautiful . . . but no camera. I will keep trying. In the meantime, my thanks again. I couldn't have asked for a more amazing birthday gift. Very best wishes Alex return to top >> |
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Mike I just wanted to say what an absolutely fantastic three of days I had during the workshop. Working in your studio makes for such a relaxing atmosphere and having all the equipment ready meant that all we had to do was focus on channelling our creative energy into the photographs! It certainly was not as easy as I thought but having such close attention from you and Steve meant that I didn't feel stupid asking questions and really enabled me to experiment with different techniques that you'd taught us throughout the day. The way you explained everything was so clear that when we started taking photos ourselves I knew exactly what I was aiming for, you really are such an inspiring teacher. I'm so pleased with the slideshow I put together. I know that the course was focused on the photography but I definitely have to make special mention to the amazing lunches that we had! What a great way to spend a few days. I felt so relaxed and able to learn and now have been totally inspired!! I have bought my own camera and have spent the past few weekends in different markets putting into practice what I have learnt and hopefully I'll be at the next workshop to develop the skills that I have learnt even further! Thank you so much for such a wonderful workshop and I will definitely be back Lots of love return to top >> |
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Hi Michael Many thanks for this. I really enjoyed my 2 days with you and feel much better prepared for my travels! I've been inspired to practice some portrait photography this weekend and have some quite good results (surprisingly!!). I'm committed to getting a new lens - am sure this will help! Here is a photo that I took with you helping Lizzie out - thank you again! Would love to stay in touch - the Africa experience sounds fab! Best return to top >> |
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Dear Michael Kind regards and all the best to you both return to top >> |
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| I thought the workshop was excellent. You and Esther both knew your stuff, and you shared it with flair and enthusiasm. Hovington House was a great location - comfortable, natural, easthetically pleasing. I was glad you used a camera with which I am familiar. There was a feast of images in the house and garden and nearby. The hunt and Tetbury were excellent locations in which to develop and test our skills. The food was brilliant and Barbara was an elegant and eloquent hostess. The weather was great too, although the credit for that probably lies elsewhere.
I'm racking my brains to think what you might do to improve the experience. return to top >> |
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What an enjoyable day with Michael Potter and the Eye Photographic Workshop. I absolutely loved every minute of my one-on-one tuition on photography. >Michael’s knowledge of photography and his willingness to share trade secrets was worth every moment of my time. Surprisingly one of my favourite parts of the course was the initial introduction to the SLR camera over a morning tea. Despite having been on previous photography courses, Michael explained things that made everything come alive and become completely clear. Not only did I come away from this course full of excitement and wanting more, but also with a head full of knowledgeable facts on our home city from whizzing around London. Thank you for great company, thank you for great fun, and thank you for the amazing knowledge of London you shared and for the excitement and passion I now have to be creative in photography. In the meantime thank you so much once again and for your recommendation with the lens etc. I am due to sit down with Michael tomorrow afternoon so we can look at putting this together as a package as soon as possible. Kindest regards Naomi Moreno-Melgar
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Wow, what a wonderful two days with Michael Potter's Eye Workshop in their studio in London…. we opted for the weekend course and were instantly put in a good mood as Michael warmly greeted up and got us fired up with his up-beat, positive tempo! I was apprehensive when we booked, as knew very little about how to work an SLR and wasn’t sure if I was going to end up in the depths of technical confusion and left deflated! However, I’m happy to say I was pleasantly surprised and the outcome was the complete opposite. Michael's workshop technique puts you at ease instantly and is very attentive and patient, and openly happy to go over anything we wanted to re-cover, again and again, without making you feel awkward or incompetent! The course is informal and runs at a steady pace, with a perfect combination of theory, analysis and actually getting out there and putting it to practise. Having known so little before, we were surprised how much we learnt and how much confidence we were left with by the end of it… we finished the two days full of enthusiasm and itching to put our new founded knowledge to practise, having been very inspired. We enjoyed the course so much that we are now looking into future workshops abroad with Eye… thank you both for a fantastic weekend – you have further ignited our passion for photography and provided us with some brilliant skills and knowledge to get there! Louisa Salussolia January 2010
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Having previously attended four EYE workshops (three in London, one in Mallorca) I knew that the workshop in Lamu would be good but never imagined it would leave such great an imprint. One month later and the magic has yet to wear off. I find myself making constant reference back to the images to hold tight to the memory and relive each colourful experience. Against a backdrop of “pole pole” (Swahili for “slowly slowly”), Michael led an action-packed week, providing one eye-opening experience after another. At the end of each day I found myself questioning: “How does one better this?” – the following day’s activity always did. Out of seemingly nowhere, Michael conjured up one willing sitter after another – decorative Masaii, supple yogi, and a Nubian black camel herder with the most beautiful physique. Like putty in his hands, Michael had them coated in almond oil and modelling in the midday sun thereby providing his four ‘students’ with unique photographic opportunities. Travelling with EYE is like going behind the scenes – experiencing a place at a different level; engaging with locals in a way that one rarely does on one’s own. And here I should credit Gillies and his staff who have created an oasis of green and calm at Fatuma’s Tower, and the locals who welcomed us so warmly. I had never before experienced Africa in such a peaceful state, where the much-used phrase “Hakuna Matata” (“no problem”) is sincerely meant and so apparent in people’s actions. It made leaving the island – the setting, the islanders’ approach to life, and the potential to capture amazing images – quite difficult. So, in short, my week with Michael and fellow participants was superb – challenging, inspiring, blissfully hot and worthy of many Roahl Dahl adjectives that reach beyond my vocabulary. I can’t imagine a photography workshop that betters Lamu but have learned from experience not to underestimate EYE. I look forward to the next - wherever it may be - for it’s sure to be good. Alex Freeman ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Dear Michael, I do feel that under your guidance and with the intimate group at Petersham that I have begun to come of age with my photography and not least to understand and get to better grips with my camera itself. Photography, I believe, is a continual challenge to achieve the best possible shot(s) which are dependent upon the actual subject matter, the conditions and the environment. Following the workshop and submission of a sample of my photos, I am most appreciative of your comments and encouragement together with the time taken to critique my submissions. I have always enjoyed taking photographs but not really achieving much more than snaps. However, even after just one EYE workshop I feel much more confident in my ability to be off the "Automatic" setting and now propose to be regularly using the "Aperture and Shutter" priority settings. Depth of field is an exciting area that I have neither been able to enter nor achieve in, let alone considering ISO levels. Michael, I am truly grateful to you for your time and attention that you have given me, which has now opened the door for me to go into new pastures with much more confidence. At some point of time, I should very much like to attend a further EYE Workshop with you. With Kind Regards, April 2010 ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Thank you for the tips on the follow up email and thank you again for a fantastic day on Saturday. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and simply did not want it to end! Anybody visiting my house now has to endure a mandatory 3 minutes viewing of the DVD. Marco ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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I have just arrived home in Zermatt! I have been dreaming photography, thinking photography and practicing photography since I left Mallorca on Thursday! What an amazing few days it was. I can't thank you enough for for the workshop. It truly has been incredible. I loved it! My fellow participants were so lovely, we have all become firm friends and are already corresponding regularly - which is all credit to you and your team (Fiona and Steve). The whole atmosphere was perfect, and even though we were all at different standards, you managed to keep us all together and the bond just got stronger and stronger. Caroline Lukic ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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Having had no previous experience with SLR photography, the stated goals of the workshop were daunting to me. I never imagined that I would experience such a transformation on so many levels as the result of the professionalism, patience, teamwork and camaraderie of your staff. As you know, at the outset I thought I understood the fundamentals of SLR photography as you explained them, but was challenged in translating those concepts to the actual use of the camera. I was truly disheartened and not particularly hopeful about any results I might produce by the end of the day. Happily that all changed once we got outside and I was able to see for myself the difference it makes to use those features of the camera that you explained. From there I quickly became absorbed in the process and was spurred on by the enthusiastic support of you and your colleagues. We received so much encouragement not only in the execution of the photography but in the unique way in which each of us envisioned the city through the lens. This feeling was reinforced throughout the process of choosing the photographs we thought were best and learning even more through the editing process. I had no idea how much more you can learn and expose through the use of color, cropping, intensity and light. The results were amazing. I believe the difference between an educational experience and the transforming one I enjoyed was in your team’s ability to understand and empathize with the insecurity we felt as we stumbled through this brand new, intimidating, yet exciting adventure. You made each one of us successful in the process of discovering a new way of seeing and capturing the world. I can’t wait to learn and discover more and for that I am truly grateful". Jessica Cook. Valerie Wilson Travel - NY ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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I know I moaned that there were no ‘less-than-effusive’ testimonials on your website, but having now experienced the course first hand, I can fully understand why – I know that I thoroughly enjoyed the two days and feel that I have gained a lot from it. I came along with a basic understanding, but having the time to properly put into practice some of the techniques under your expert guidance has made me far more able and comfortable with my camera. Before the course I think I was intimidated by my camera, and at the first sign of problems resorted to ‘Auto’; now I feel that I am at least in charge, although still not its master (thinks - another course perhaps? John Ridd ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
