I was invited to teach a workshop for the first time in 2008. I was terrified. Turns out being a workshop instructor was a very good fit for me. It came to me naturally. A good friend was in this first session on Platinum printing and made a set of notes from what I said in class.  I used those notes as a handout for many years, still do. I started with Platinum printing and later developed workshop programming in most of the alternative processes. The underlying goal for me was the success of my students. For the time we had together, I wanted to convey the heartfelt joy I had for photography.  I learned that not all of my students would go on to make the process they learned a part of their journey, but I know in my mind that I have planted a seed. 

During those almost 30 years of teaching, I rarely signed up for workshops myself, a combination of being too busy and not being able to hire someone at my own rates. 

Last week, I was a student, on the other side of the desk.  The workshop was to learn multicolor copper plate intaglio printmaking, taught by master printmaker Yuji Hiratsuka. We worked together with 7 other students for 5 days. For one of the first times I can remember, I had only a basic idea of how the process worked. I was mostly lost. It was then that I made the commitment to myself to be extra kind to any students that join my workshops without any experience.  I have always been helpful and kind, but now I will be that person with a new passion. 

With all the struggle, all the mistakes, and the vast learning curve, I had the best time ever.  Yuji is the perfect teacher, and flexing this old brain and body in new ways turned me on.  I was on fire. 

I recommend to y’all, take some chances, learn some new tricks, and never stop.

Be well,

Ray