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workshop testimonials Bruce Percy
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There's nothing more satisfying for me than knowing people have enjoyed themselves on the trips I run. But perhaps more importantly, it's great when I see people improve their photography over the space of a week and getting some really nice feedback is always an added bonus too.
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| Isle of Harris from Bruce's workshop on Harris, Outer Hebrides: |
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 Image © Dudley Williams |
H Bruce, The trip surpassed my expectations in terms of scenery, company, hospitality and of course creative input. I hope you mean what you said when you mentioned in the cafe in Stornoway that there might be a landscape photographer in me. You have taught me how to slow down, consider and reflect and learn. Something clicked inside me on the course. I know how to use a camera but didn't know how to use myself. I'm chuffed to bits with the images I got and can see how to improve already. All the best Bruce Dudley, Duds, Dug, Duggy, England |
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| Isle of Eigg from Bruce's workshop on the Isle of Eigg: |
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 Image © Christian Egedius Bendtsen |
Dear Bruce, I want to thank you for a great time at the workshop. I had big expectation to the workshop and the trip to Eigg. I must say that you and the workshop (and Eigg) exceeded beyond any expectations I had! It was really a fun, educational and a great experience for me. First of all – it was a great group. It seemed like everybody enjoyed themselves. There was a good synergy and everyone was keen on sharing there skills and ideas. And you Bruce have great human skills. I loved you approach about wanting to figurer everybody out skill wise, so you could shape your help accordingly. Everybody has different needs of help and even with big differences in peoples skill level, I think that everybody got something out of the course. Another good thing was that you listen to input and wanted the dialog. This made the workshop alive and made one feel that they are a part of it. And you have a great sense of humor – that is important. Furthermore – you were well prepared. It was a good idea with the hardcopies you handed out. As for the schedule, it could not have been more perfect for me. The critics during the daytime were important if one wants to develop themselves though a few days. I did find the trip very inspiring and I learned a lot. Most important was the time of day so we could capture the good light. And the use of grade filters. Finally the workshop wanted me to go and take pictures and I think that is what is most important. Thank you for a good time in Scotland and Bruce, if you are coming to Copenhagen please drop by for dinner or a cup of coffee. Christian Egedius Bendtsen, Copenhagen, Denmark |
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 Image © Luciano Teghillo |
Hi Bruce, is good to be back home with my wife but I miss the long days we had and your company and that of the other guys. I had really a great time and I have learned a lot. I showed the images to my wife and she was amazed - just that is worth 100 points :-) The organization of the workshop was perfect with a comfortable place just for the participants, really a photographer's place. The days were really busy usually organized with a sunrise and sunset shoots, critiques of images of all participants, and a scouting trip during the afternoon to visit a possible new location. By day three I was feeling already a slump in my energy level but it was enough to think about what I would be missing by sleeping in that I got an immediate boost. On the photography side, Bruce is really good at inspiring, making sure you look around the scene, always reminding you to move around the scene so you don't miss the image you saw in your mind's eyes. Another suggestion from Bruce (because he always suggests, never imposes), was to zoom with my feet. And this zooming with your feet business was the hardest part to implement. At first it was slow and frustrating but once I started realizing the difference, I was sold. I imposed to myself a focal length of 24 mm and never moved out of that for the entire week. In the end it became a fun exercise, a way to challenge my imagination and vision. Bruce has a real passion for photography and he is a very nice human being. He is modest and loves to share his passion and inspire you to see differently, to find your true photographic self. What can I say more: great instructor, great location, great group of people (I think 8 is a perfect number). It was really hard getting back home. Bruce, thanks for everything, and I hope to meet you again soon. Luciano Teghillo, Italy |
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 Image © Peter Boehi |
Hi Bruce, First of all, thank you very much for your inspiring and engaged course, it opened the door to a new world of photography to me, additionally my understanding of how pictures should be created has been tremendously improved. I learned an awful lot, apart from that, I had a lot of fun and many great experiences. You have set an example with your work, I admire the simplicity of your images, they are uncluttered and to the point (what good art basically is). So looking at your images once in a while was not only a pleasure to do, it was also part of our learning experience. You are a sharing person, I never had the feeling that you withheld any crucial information, you told us all your secrets, so all left for us is to add our own vision to your techniques. I also liked the critiques, they gave us not only the opportunity to see each other's work, but helped us to improve over the course of the week. The course was well organized, the van was a necessity, and your information you gave us prior to the course allowed proper preparation. My photography skills literally have leapfrogged and I thank you for that! Peter Boehi, Switzerland |
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 Image © Calum Watt |
Hi Bruce, I very much the enjoyed the week, and particularly the relaxed atmosphere and your laid back approach, although everyone was serious about their photography. As someone with a long standing interest in photography, but who had never done more than take snapshots on holiday, it was great to immerse myself for five full days. Now that a few days has passed, I took another look at my images from Eigg. I could never have dreamed of taking photographs of that quality before the workshop. I am sure I will attend another workshop in the not too distant future. Calum Watt, Scotland |
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 Image © Andrew Falcke |
G'day Bruce, A short note to say thanks for the Isle of Eigg workshop. The workshop was not only very well structured and run, but was also a lot of fun with a great bunch of people who all shared a love for photography and being out there. Throughout the workshop, your creativity and artistic craft was inspiring and I admire your vision. The location and venue was terrific, finding different worlds as we explored along that beach. An amazing landscape, very different from home... I enjoyed the regular critique of work produced by all very much, as I feel critique by those whose photographic/artistic expertise you respect to be an invaluable learning experience. The facilities were excellent and your sharing nature and fun personality made it all the more enjoyable. Thanks mate. I had a great time, experienced a wonderful location, learnt a lot and met great people along the way. Cheers, Andrew (from Oz) |
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| Hi Bruce, I'm home, but my body and my mind are not yet in the same time zone here on the West Coast of America. By tomorrow I should have it all together. My passion is travel photography, having never made the leap toward landscape photography,( a fact which undoubtedly was painfully obvious) . My goal in taking the workshop was first, to see how it is that you get such incredible images, and second, to widen my circle a bit toward landscapes. I wanted to break it all down into parts, as that's the way my brain works. I met my goals, and then some. If there is one word to characterize my state of mind after the workshop, it would be "inspired". That inspiration came from you, your images, and your passion for photography. More specifically, it came from your ability to create a new reality that a beautiful image represents. That new reality seems to be created by putting together the various pieces of the puzzle of great photography. The workshop taught me that those pieces seem to include include an initial attraction to subject, then visualization, composition, technique, color, personal style, post processing technology, and of course, the most important, light. I learned from my mistakes that if one piece is missing, the image suffers. But when all the pieces come together, as yours so often do, it's magic. I learned also from your travel portraits that when all those pieces come together, it doesn't matter if your subject is a sunrise in Patagonia or a person in a sari. The workshop didn't make me a great photographer. I don't know how anyone can do that for anyone else. But what you did give me was a heightened awareness of the process for making great images. I had several "ah ha" moments, thinking "so that's how it's done!". I now understand things better, and I'm inspired to get better and evolve by working on each of those puzzle pieces until they come together instinctively-that thing that happens when you've finally "got it". To summarize, I know where I want to go. You showed me how to get there. Bruce, it's obvious you put your heart and soul into your images, and your web site, and you did the same for the workshop. It was a terrific experience. Thank you. As you know, I am a huge fan, so keep up the great work, and don't forget to take some time to recharge your own batteries. Put the camera down for 30-60 days, ride a bike across Scotland, train for a 10K, volunteer, prepare an outline for your book, whatever the hell it might be. We all need to recharge, particularly creative people, and particularly people like you who work so hard at their art. All the best, Sam Blair, Oregon, USA |
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 Image © Stephen Scott |
Hi Bruce, Just a short note to thank you for your excellent workshop. For me, it was a revelation to see how you approached the subject of Landscape Photography. In particular, I was struck by how you noticed the small things; patterns in the sand or subtle differences in the quality of light. There is no doubt that I learned a great deal during the week and I am sure that this will have a major effect on the way I approach my photography in future. I was also impressed by your relaxed style of teaching and could see that you made a huge effort to spend time with every member of the group. The accommodation and food during the trip was also excellent. Many thanks again. Stephen Scott, Scotland |
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| Torridon from Bruce's workshop in Torridon: |
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 Image © Sonja Grubenmann |
Hi Bruce, I hope you had a good journey back to Edinburgh and made it home on time. I wanted to drop a line to thank you again for the brilliant workshop this weekend in Torridon. It’s just been a perfect experience for me in all ways.. a great bunch of people, the location, the weather, the hosts, the tutor and the tution... this all made it a really enjoyable weekend to remember. I was so carried away reviewing and editing my photos this evening that I had to cook dinner twice... the first pasta got so overcooked that not even a toothless person would have eaten it anymore – don’t remember when that happened to me the last time, if ever.. (having to lose a reputation about my cooking..);-). Looking at some of the images I still find it difficult to believe that it was actually me who did that. I am trying to analyze what happened here, arriving as an absolute, unsecure beginner and coming back with some pictures like this. I just don’t get it yet; was it the locations you scouted for us, was it the moments I had your sole attention helping me with my compositions, or was it the reviews and critiques after the shootings... maybe it was the package that made it. But what I know for sure is that I am truly pleased with the work I am taking back and that I am also massively proud of some of the shots. For me this workshop has been a huge step forward, making me a lot more confident and I think it definitely got me sort of infected... I could hardly keep my eyes on the road this afternoon with all the lights and scenery around me and I can’t wait to get out again with my camera tomorrow and for the rest of the week I’ll still be in Scotland! Thanks again for your brilliant tution, the inspiration and motivation and the relaxed atmosphere this weekend! I will sure be back for another of your workshops as soon as I can. Keep in touch, would be nice to hear from you once in a while. Sonja Grubenmann, Switzerland |
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| Hi Bruce, I was really pleased to come on a second course Bruce and I gained a lot of practical knowledge first time round and brushed it up on the second trip. The locations you take us to are truly inspiring and not the standard scenes one would expect on a course; it demonstrates how generous you are as I don’t think many professional photographers would share so many of their secrets with a bunch of amateurs. The critiquing sessions are particularly valuable, done with humour and sensitivity you really engaged with everyone making us all feel as if we too had some small drop of that special talent. I am looking forward to another trip this year, only difficulty is deciding which one! Lynne Douglas, Bearsden |
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 Image © Jérome Muller |
Hi Bruce, Thank you again for the great workshop last week end. It was a blast! The workshop definitely had an impact on my photography. I am now thinking a lot more about composition, light conditions, etc before shooting. My pictures look a lot better as a result. I was really happy with the pictures as I was able to see the impact the workshop has had right away! , Thank you! Best regards, Jérome Muller, Switzerland |
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 Image © Michael Marten |
Hi Bruce, thanks again for a brilliant weekend! I just loved every minute, and got so much out of it. In my usual academic way, I need to describe it in words as well as pictures, and so you might like to look at my blog - there are 3 entries relating to the weekend, and a fourth one will follow later this week, as I explain at the end of the third one: http://tpdv.wordpress.com/Present/11/01/torridon-the-art-of-adventure-photography-part-3/ I know that I have 'upped my game' enormously as a result of this. Even coming in to work today, I stopped in Bridge of Allan and photographed Stirling Castle (on my FM2 with a 50mm lens and Velvia film!) in a consciously different way this morning - the light was great, after all the rain yesterday. Thanks again! All the best, Michael Marten, Edinburgh |
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 Image © Mabel Forsyth |
Hi Bruce thanks again so much for a fantastic workshop. It was such an adventure- getting up before dawn and squelching through the grass with our headtorches to find a good spot before the sun came up-back to the hotel for 9 ish for a huge breakfast, critiques of the morning shoot, and then out again in the afternoon, till well after the sun went down. I loved it! You managed to pack so much into the short time we were there- from our well-organised trips to the photoshop sessions, and then the critiques which were incredibly helpful to see what could be improved in our shots. Everyone had at least one shot they were proud to show off by the second day, but more importantly, everyone was fired up to get out and take more pictures! It really didnt matter about the rain (well most of the time!) and it really helped that the rest of the group were such good fun, and were up for getting out and about no matter what the weather. Nobody wanted to waste a single second. Learning to use the ND filters was an absolute revelation- it's like learning a secret that other great photographers must be keeping to themselves! You are such a patient teacher, great fun, and generous enough to share your own work processes, so we can learn from them. I found the workshop inspiring, and I've come home with a new buzz about my photography. I'd recommend the experience to all photographers-no matter what your skill level, it will improve after this workshop. Thanks again Mabel Forsyth, Edinburgh |
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| Glencoe | ||||||||||||
 Image © Kieron Monahan |
Hi Bruce You know, when I first saw your website a year or so ago I was pretty stunned actually. It is rare that I react like that to other photographers' work. Some photographers can produce one or two stunning images, but the mark of a real talent is being able to produce a body of work and keep adding to it without it becoming more of the same. I think that's what you do. And that's why I came up to Glen Coe for the weekend. To shoot an awesome landscape but to chat with you, share what we both do and learn what I could from the group. Thanks for showing us some amazing locations, for ordering that unreal light on Saturday morning, and I look forward to the next time we can do more of the same. Thanks again. Kieron Monahan, London |
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| Hi Bruce I had a great time on the trip. I really enjoyed it, it was such a pleasure just to be able to eat, sleep and breathe photography for a couple of days. So thanks very much for that, I’ve really taken a lot away with me. I’ve definitely come away from the trip inspired to take more pictures and really excited about my photography. (It was a real chore to be sitting in an office again this week when all I really wanted to do was to get my boots on and get out there.) The course has definitely helped me move my photography on. Getting an insight into how you look at a scene and set up a shot was very useful. On reflection I probably take too many shots too quickly. So just picking up little things like your point about keeping moving around a location, and if you’ve got the shot not to take another that’s the same, etc is really useful. As was seeing what everyone else had done and how they’d shot the same location. And I found the critiques very useful as was the session where you took us through a selection of your work. I thought your relaxed, informal style worked well. You put everyone in the group at ease and I thought the contribution of everyone else, especially Kieron, added to the trip. The hotel & logistics were good in that they just happened in the background – always a sign that if you don’t notice that sort of thing then it’s been well planned and executed. Grant Nairn, Edinburgh |
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| Hi Bruce, It was great to meet you at the weekend – both Louise and I learned a whole load and very much appreciated your advice and direction. It was really good to be amongst such a diverse range of people too and to have such interesting and varied conversation. Clearly we have been nicely set up by your cunning “I will pretend that this is a training weekend when in fact it’s just a taster for my week-long courses” strategy, so I suspect you may have to put up with us on a course again in the not too distant future! Jonathan Binnie, Edinburgh |
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| Patagonia I conduct an annual photo Safari to Torres del Paine National Park, in Chilean Patagonia. Here are some testimonials from participants on this trip had to say to the tour operator (Andean Trails) |
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 Image © Bruce Percy |
"The Torres del Paine photo workshop/tour was fantastic. Bruce is extremely down-to-earth, humble, and genuine. He is very easy to get along with, and makes people around him very comfortable. The small group size allowed Bruce to spend sufficient time with each person. I only wish the course was longer - Torres del Paine is an amazing location, and I hope to return there some day." Milind Paranjpe, California, USA "Bruce was helpful, he allowed people freedom to do their own thing while helping out whenever someone wanted guidance, and the critiques he did were very helpful. I think its always difficult to keep a group of any size happy but Bruce did a great job, and i think everyone came away happy." David.Sheehan, London "Bruce Percy is a very talented photographer and an enthusiastic leader. Chris and I felt we learned a great deal from him. His critique sessions were valuable as learning tools and it was interesting to see everyone else's photos." Mary Joakim, Toronto, Canada Bruce's photos inspired me to go on the workshop in Torres del Paine, a place I knew next to nothing about. The workshop was well organised - Bruce knows the area well and has scouted out many possibilities for all times of the day, so we got the most we could from our time. The critiques of my day's photos helped me hone my compositions. I definitely felt I learned a lot from Bruce and came away with both an improved technique and a strong collection of photos with fond memories behind them. Niall Connaughton, Australia I can’t imagine a better photo group leader than Bruce. Even though I’ve been on about a dozen photo tours all over the world, Bruce is by far the best. Of course he knows his photography and takes beautiful pictures that inspire us continually. More importantly, he gets us to those same locations at the right time of day so we can try our hand at emulating his success. He knows the area thoroughly, updates his information by asking questions of locals throughout the trip, and is ready to quickly shift gears if the weather or some other condition dictates a better photo location. Bruce is extremely responsive to the wishes of the group and each individual in it. He climbs all over the mountain to spend time with each of us, recommending other locations if he thinks we would benefit from moving. Not to rely on generalities, he literally looks through the lens regularly to see how we are framing a shot and to offer helpful hints. Later when shooting is over, he welcomes the opportunity to go over our photos and offer advice. His attention to detail doesn’t stop at photography. The trip ran like clockwork because he was careful to make sure that all logistical elements were not only properly arranged but double-checked at the final moment. Bruce is not only a great photography tour leader but a great guy—lots of fun with many stories and lively conversation. Roger Pool, New York |
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Copyright Bruce Percy Present, all rights reserved |
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