Composition & Field Experience Workshop
Over the last few years I have helped over 100 students! I am excited to offer my years of experience as a passionate photographer to teaching people at the beginning of their photo journey. Photography is such a great means of expression. It's the exploration of your vision and ideas mixed with light, composition, storytelling, technique & sometimes luck. When these elements come together it can feel like magic. It can also be very addicting!
This workshop is for people who are familiar with how to use their camera and are looking for instruction and inspiration on how to incorporate composition, lighting & technique to make great images. We carry on where we left off with the DSLR Workshop and get into topics like leading lines & curves, using a foreground element, tonal contrast, perspective, rule of thirds, negative space, patterns & texture, symmetry and much more.
This Workshop is four sessions with two at my home in Welland and two on location; learning & practicing composition techniques with hands on instruction.
workshop schedule:
TBA, 7:00pm to 9:00pm (Seminar)
TBA, 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Location Shoot)
TBA, 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Location Shoot)
TBA, 7:00pm to 9:00pm (Review and Discuss Images)
Cost is $225 due with registration to hold your spot.
Participation will be limited to 7 or 8 people
email me dropdcreighton@gmail.com to get yourself registered
Here is what students are saying ……
This DSLR workshop is hands down fun! If you are looking to learn or just be reacquainted with your love of photography Darren is a great guide. His experience is stellar, his knowledge of terms and ease of expression is what made it easy for me to transition from film to DSLR. Before I took Darren’s class I’d often get so frustrated that I’d just put the camera away and forget that I love to see life through a lens. Thank you Darren for offering such an excellent program, I can’t wait for the next one! Amanda T
Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed your photography workshop. It was comfortable, fun, easy to follow and packed with information and hands-on learning. Our small group made it easy for discussion too. It was a great way to get a better understanding of our cameras. I know that this understanding is a big step to better images. Your encouragement to putting this understanding to work is truly appreciated. I am looking forward to Part 2. Here’s to enjoying our cameras! Thanks again. Fran D
Russell and I would like to thank you for an incredible photography course. We both learned so much from you, beyond our expectations. We came to you with no knowledge – at all – of our camera, and we were scared to mess with the buttons in fear we would completely mess our camera up. However, with your great teaching and expert advise you were able to break down our fear and taught us to embrace our camera. You also explained to us all of its nifty little buttons and showed us what it has to offer. You taught us photography vocabulary and wonderful techniques. Your patience and kindness showed through in your teaching. We loved the individual attention you gave each of us. We loved your camera course and teachings so much that we cannot wait to start your next class. You taught with a smile and passion – which was passed on to your students. We cannot thank you enough. Russell and I are grateful to be going on this adventure with you. Not only did we gain a great photography teacher, we gained a friend and some photography skills. It is an hour to have met you, and a privilege to have taken your course. Looking forward to the next group session. Kelly & Russell G
Just dropping you a line to tell you how grateful I am for the workshop you offered. You gave us the basics and while shooting I realized that this is something you need to practice again and again to learn the camera. Many, many thanks for all your tips, your patience and, above all…the best sharing of knowledge I could ask for. Looking forward to the second level! Jane K
Images from past workshops
Composition & Field Experience Workshop – Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for photographers who understand the basics of their camera but want to improve how they see and compose images. If you feel like your photos are technically okay but lack impact, this workshop will help.
What will I learn in this workshop?
The focus is on developing a stronger eye for photography, including:
Composition techniques
Framing and subject placement
Using light in real-world situations
Recognizing strong vs weak images
The goal is to help you create more intentional and visually engaging photos.
Is this a beginner workshop?
A basic understanding of your camera is recommended. You don’t need to be advanced, but you should be comfortable adjusting settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Will this be hands-on?
Yes — We start with one evening as a lecture, then a couple evenings out shooting.You’ll be actively shooting, observing, and making adjustments, with guidance throughout these sessions. We end with the last evening reviewing and discussing the images captured.
Do you teach composition rules?
Yes — but more importantly, you’ll learn when to use them and when to break them.
The focus is on understanding why an image works, not just following rules.
What kind of photography does this apply to?
These skills apply to almost any type of photography, including:
Portraits
Landscape
Street photography
Travel
Everyday shooting
Strong composition is what makes an image stand out, regardless of subject.
Will this help me take more interesting photos?
Yes — this workshop is designed to help you move beyond “snapshots” and start creating images with more thought, structure, and impact.
Where does the workshop take place?
Workshops are held in the Niagara region. Full location details are provided after booking.
How long is the workshop?
4 evenings of 2 hours each
How many people are in each workshop?
Group sizes are kept relatively small, between 5 & 8 people. This is so everyone gets individual attention and has the opportunity to ask questions.
What should I bring?
Please bring your camera, a charged battery, a memory card, a tripod if you have one.
Do I need special lenses or gear?
No — any camera and lens combination will work. The focus is on how you use what you have, not on specific equipment.
Will I get feedback on my photos?
Yes. You’ll receive guidance during the workshop, including feedback on composition, framing, and how to improve your shots in the moment. We also have the last evening dedicated to reviewing images captured. This is an opportunity for us all to learn from each other.
How is this different from your other workshops?
This workshop focuses less on camera settings or lighting, and more on how to compose and build a strong image in real-world conditions. It pairs well with both the camera workshop (for fundamentals) and the lighting workshop (for controlled environments).
How much does the workshop cost?
Pricing is $225 also shown above.
How do I book a spot?
You can reach out here dropdcreighton@gmail.com , sending an e-transfer to that address for the registration fee will get you signed up and hold your spot.