Photography Masterclass

One Year Course

The Masterclass program, our one-year course, laying down the essential foundations in photography, has been immensely popular a since we introduced it at the beginning of 2019.

January 2025 will see our 10th intake of Masterclass students.

NEW for Masterclass 10

Masterclass has been a real success story for us, and as we approach our 10th student intake, it is time to look back and reflect on the experience to see what we have learned (as well as the students).

In a recent poll, we discovered strong feedback from photographers to change some of the course content to include greater emphasis on the creative element of photography. We have listened and for January 2024, Masterclass has a brand new look.

See below to see the new, updated curriculum.

About this Workshop

Students on the Photography Masterclass will immerse themselves in photography for a whole year.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo projects between sessions and students can choose to work on their projects entirely on their own - or by teaming up with others in their group.

Each session lasts three and a half hours and will include time to examine project images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Although it runs over the course of a year, the class closes during August and December.

Masterclass runs on weekends from 10:30 am - 2:00 pm. Check below to see the dates of the next season.

Who is this workshop for?

This one-year Masterclass attracts new photographers and those seeking to revitalise their interest (and skill level) in their existing hobby.

By immersing yourself in photography, through not just the monthly sessions, but also via the monthly projects and the social connections with other students on the course, you will develop the habit of using your camera and seeing like a photographer.

Which best describes you?

New to Photography?

You’re looking for the best learning solution to master your camera

Want to Improve?

You’re frustrated with your photography and need expert guidance

You’re a bit Rusty

You’re looking to rekindle your hobby with fresh inspiration

Looking for a gift?

You want to buy a unique and very special gift for someone you love

The best photographers learn from a diverse range of photographic disciplines, giving themselves a deeper understanding by seeing the ‘bigger picture’

Once you have completed the first three modules looking at some essential building blocks, you’ll begin to focus on developing your creative skills.

We devote three whole modules to seeing as photographers. How to look, what to look for, how to compose, and how to break the rules of conformity.

We have a special module, which is a whirlwind introduction to the world of photo-editing, looking at both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. This is just to whet your appetite to what is possible, but not enough to overwhelm.

Then there are separate modules on the skills you’ll need to capture great images of people and places. Shooting people; both candid and formal… Shooting landscape, learning pitfalls to avoid and learning good practice to make your photos pop!

Finally, we end with a module that takes you into the world of black & white photography. Most people love B&W images, but few know how to spot them, how to take them and how to process them in the editing suit. This last session will introduce you to a range of simple techniques.

Masterclass Video

Our first Masterclass started in early 2019, and despite the break in classes due to Lockdown, we have averaged two Masterclasses annually since then. Each year the contents get tweaked, partly to remain fresh and partly to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology.

One thing that hasn't changed though, is the camaraderie between students. Great friendships have developed from spending so much time with each other, sharing the experience and growing together in knowledge and skills.

Video
This video was filmed over two different Masterclasses and clearly demonstrates how well everyone gels together. It includes some additional footage of our new Highfield Park venue.

Course Dates

2025

Jan 19 - Digital Photography Overview & Aperture

Feb 16 - Shutter & ISO

Mar 16 - Controlling Your Camera

Apr 13 - Developing Your Eye (Part 1)

May 18 - Developing Your Eye (Part 2)

Jun 15 - Developing Your Eye (Part 3)

Jul 20 - An Introduction to Editing

Sep 14 - Skills for People Photography

Oct 12 - Skills for Landscape Photography

Nov 16 - Black & White Photography

Your investment

The course is not cheap. Indeed, if you are new to photography, it's likely that Masterclass costs more than your camera. And that should not be surprising.

If there's one thing that Kevin has learnt over the years, it's that the camera plays a relatively small part in the photographer's success story, a small part in building the photographer's skill level... and a small part in building his/her confidence. Whilst the camera is essential to take the photo, training is where your investment is needed in those early years.

Training is crucial, absolutely essential if you want to see genuine, rapid and structured progress in camera skills, technical competence and creative development.

For an investment of £1500 you can transform your skills, as you learn under the guidance of a working professional. Not many photographers ever have that kind of opportunity.

Spreading the Cost, Interest-Free

To make it more affordable, you can now spread the cost over the year, completely interest-free.

Even though interest rates are high at the moment, we won't charge you any fees or interest for spreading the payments. We are so keen to make Masterclass affordable to as many people as possible, we will absorb the costs ourselves.

Therefore, you just need to pay a deposit of £500, which is followed by ten monthly payments of £100 (A total of £1500).

Once your deposit is received, you will be presented with a link to set up a direct Debit with GoCardless (who administer all our DDIs).

If you prefer to pay all in one go, we still have that option too.

Superb Local Location

Masterclass is run from the superb meeting facilities at the award-winning Holiday Inn Express in the centre of Fleet, North Hampshire.

Our training room is modern, well-equipped, comfortable, there is free wifi access, and the coffee is amongst the best in Fleet!

How to Find Us

The hotel is located right in the heart of Fleet, opposite the civic offices and the local Wetherspoons pub (Prince Arthur). There is free onsite parking with a locally run council car park across the road, if the hotel carpark is full.

Find us on Google or What3Words

What kind of Camera do you need?

Almost any digital camera is suitable, but it probably favours those with interchangeable lenses like DSLR cameras or the new ‘Mirrorless’ technology cameras.

Suitable for owners of Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and Pentax cameras.

In addition

During the course of the year, you may need to invest in additional gear to help you with your projects. 50mm and 85mm lenses (or equivalent for those with crop sensor cameras) would be really helpful, as well as some editing software. We would recommend Adobe's Photoshop and Lightroom Classic. Together, they represent the industry standard. They are the software programs that we use, and teach from.

You may also feel the need to buy some filters to help with the Landscape project.

Advice will be given.

Learning to shoot Landscape, People and Black & White

Course Instructor

Kevin Ahronson - HSP Founder

You will be learning from industry professional Kevin Ahronson and you can expect instruction at the very highest level.

Kevin, who founded the HSP, is one of the best photography teachers in the UK and has personally taught hundreds of students from beginners through to those who want to go professional.

With over 50 years of experience behind the camera and having been teaching photography since 2009, Kevin’s passion these days is to share that knowledge with the next generation of photographers.

Thursday-Saturday 11:00am-17:30pm

The Photography Teacher

Visit The Photography Teacher, Kevin's blog, with more teaching and photography insights

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Registered company address and Training Centre:

Hampshire School of Photography Ltd
10a, White Hart Parade, London Rd, Blackwater, Camberley GU17 9AD

Company Reg No. 11905308

Email: info@hampshirephotoschool.com

Tel: 07954 400554