Lectures

Workshop Delivered Via Zoom - I'm a Zoom Fan!

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I’ve now delivered my one-day workshop How To Create Competition Winning Images via Zoom and it works really well. Actually, remote delivery brings some advantages;

  • I split it over 2 mornings so it’s easier for everyone to keep their concentration levels up - and that includes me! Room hire costs & set up would prohibit this normally

  • when I demonstrate the live Photoshop sessions it’s much easier to see the detail of what I’m doing because you see it on your own screen which is set up in a comfortable viewing position for you. It can be difficult to see the detail on a projected screen unless I can get the room really dark

Interaction is still good because questions can be asked at any time either directly or via the chat facility.

One-to-one tutorials on Photoshop & Lightroom are popular too for the same reasons. One hour sessions allow for real concentrated attention to one aspect of image editing.

I’ve also delivered 26 lectures via Zoom over the last 9 weeks of lockdown and never had a problem with any of them. At least 50% of these have been for camera clubs that would have been too far to travel for one lecture, both in terms of time & cost, so they probably would not have happened in normal times.

I know we’ve had Zoom forced upon us by this awful pandemic, but I really think that it has established a positive role in amateur photography that will continue into normal times. I certainly hope so because I’m definitely a Zoom fan!

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Incorporating Videos into Lectures

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Whilst I would never describe myself as a competent video producer I do use a lot of video in my lectures to give an idea of what it was like to be on the shoot. They are shot quickly with little preparation and rarely last more than 3 or 4 minutes - I really enjoy creating them and audiences seem to find them interesting. Here’s a 60 second example showing how I shot my High Board Diver images.

I’m often asked how I then incorporate them into my lectures, particularly now that I’m using Zoom to deliver lectures (in these days of lockdown). Here’s my method;

All the videos I use in my lectures are MP4's & embedded in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

- to create slideshows of my images I use the Lightroom Slideshow module & output as an MP4 video

- I shoot videos either with my phone (90% of the footage) or a GoPro. I use software called Camtasia to edit them & output as an MP4

It's easy to incorporate them into Powerpoint - just insert them as you would a JPEG image. The whole presentation then runs from Powerpoint, making it ideal to deliver remotely using Zoom.

For Zoom lectures the only other important thing to note is that when you share your screen with the audience make sure you tick the 2 boxes on the share screen - highlighted in the first image below.

Make sure your Zoom meeting is set up so only one person can share their screen - you’ll not be able to tick the box “Optimize Screen Sharing For Video Clip” otherwise. If you’re hosting you can set this option yourself in your Zoom control panel, otherwise ask your host to make you the host (or co-host) & do it from your “Share Screen” - see second image below.

When you share your screen via Zoom make sure these 2 boxes are ticked

To be able to tick the boxes make sure “One participant can share at a time” is selected

To be able to tick the boxes make sure “One participant can share at a time” is selected

Zoom Presentation to the Royal Photographic Society

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I’m really enjoying delivering my lectures via Zoom - I’ve done 8 so far & have another 15 booked over the next couple of months. It was a bit strange talking to myself to start with but I find the chat facility keeps me fully aware there’s people watching. Anyone can ask a question at any time using the chat box; I see the question come up & then answer at an appropriate point. Works a treat!

But of course the main thing is that the audience seem to be enjoying them too & the feedback below (from the E.Mids RPS region) is pretty typical. It’s such a shame that the scaremongering over privacy issues has scared a few clubs away from trying it - such a shame.

If you want more information you can get that here & here

A Zoom Lecture - What Does it Look Like?

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I delivered my second Zoom remote lecture last night - it was Sport to Lowestoft. I know some clubs are still deciding on its usefulness so I thought I’d create this 4 minute video showing you how it comes over as a viewer.

All the audience need is an internet connection and a PC, Mac, laptop, tablet or phone with the ability to hear sound. You don’t need a webcam (unless you want to be seen) or microphone (unless you want to ask questions). Almost all laptops, tablets & phones have all these features built in.

So if you're a camera club or lecturer, thinking about trying it, go for it - I unreservedly recommend it :-)

First Remote Zoom Lecture Goes Well

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I delivered my first remote lecture via Zoom last night. It was to Hebden Bridge and 32 members tuned in to hear my Underwater talk. All went well I’m pleased to say - here’s the feedback from Bill Pilkington, their programme secretary;

“David presented his first live video lecture via Zoom to our camera club. It was absolutely fabulous. David's professional commentary matched the stunning images and had all of our members mesmerized. The talk works perfectly "remote live" with members being able to ask questions throughout. If you're looking for a guest speaker to give a live, remote presentation, I can recommend David without hesitation.”

*Note; Bill is happy for you to contact him if you’re thinking of setting up Zoom for your club - just email me & I’ll pass you his details

Zoom Remote Lecture