Photography Workshop – Find Your Direction | Practical Photography Experience

In Wan Chai, this workshop treats photography as more than learning which button to press. Thomas Bertson starts with the question of what you want your photographs to say, then pairs discussion of composition, framing, and light with a photo-walk where you can try those ideas yourself.

I like the mix of personal artistic direction and practical technique: you can work on your own visual style while also learning how to frame a stronger picture. I also like that the session is open to photographers at any experience level, and that Thomas is described as a patient, step-by-step teacher who welcomes questions.

The main consideration is the format: this is a three-hour workshop, not a long course or a promise of a finished portfolio. You bring your own camera, and the walk involves enough time on your feet that comfortable shoes are a sensible choice.

• Three hours of theory and practice: Begin with photographic principles, then put them to work on a photo-walk.
• A focus on your own direction: Consider what kind of photographer you are and what you want your pictures to express.
• Core visual tools: Work on composition, framing, and lighting rather than relying only on camera settings.
• Led by Thomas Bertson: He is a photographer and educator whose projects include documentary work and a book about Hong Kong.
• Bring your own gear: A camera with manual settings is preferred, but the workshop is for enthusiasts at any level.
• Meet in Wan Chai: The starting point is NINETYs, 222 Queen’s Road East.

Start with the photographer, not the camera

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The title, Find Your Direction, points to the workshop’s central idea: technique matters, but a distinctive photograph starts with choices. What do you notice? What do you leave out of the frame? What feeling or idea do you want the image to carry? Those are the questions this session is designed to help you consider.

That makes the workshop a different proposition from a camera tutorial focused on settings alone. You will discuss the basic aesthetics of photography, including composition, framing, and lighting, while also thinking about the form and content of your work. The aim is to help you identify a personal visual identity and develop a body of photographs that feels more cohesive.

If you are still learning how to use your camera, there is room for that too. The workshop is intended for enthusiasts regardless of experience, so you do not need to arrive with a polished portfolio or a fully formed style. You should, though, be ready to look closely at your own pictures and think about what you want to improve.

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Meet Thomas Bertson in Wan Chai

The workshop begins at NINETYs, 222 Queen’s Road East, in Wan Chai. That is the stated meeting point; no further route or travel arrangements are specified, so plan to arrive there rather than assume the session starts elsewhere.

Your instructor is Thomas Bertson, a photographer and educator whose career has moved between a broad range of subjects and documentary projects. He began working in 2008, photographing subjects that included still life and portraiture, before turning more toward documentary work. His projects include coverage of the Arab Spring in 2011 and Prison Escape in 2012.

Bertson also brings a personal connection to the city. In December 2020, he published Hong Kong: Photographic Journey in Search of Peace. That background gives useful context for a workshop built around photographic identity and expression, though the session is not described as a tour of the book’s locations or a documentary-history walk.

The teaching style matters as much as the instructor’s résumé. A participant described the explanations as step by step, supported with examples, and said Bertson took questions patiently. That is encouraging if you prefer a teacher who makes room for discussion rather than racing through technical terms.

Begin with composition, framing, and light

The first part of the three-hour session is devoted to discussion and instruction. You will cover principles of photography and the basic visual tools that shape an image: composition, framing, and lighting. The supplied details do not list a fixed lesson plan or specific camera settings, so think of this as an introduction to how photographs are constructed, not a technical syllabus with guaranteed topics.

Composition is about arranging what you include in the frame. Framing is the decision about where the edges of the image fall and what you exclude. Lighting affects how a subject appears and what mood the photograph carries. These ideas sound simple, but they are useful precisely because they apply whether you are using a phone or a camera with manual controls.

The emphasis on examples and questions should help turn broad ideas into choices you can make with your own photographs. One participant specifically noted learning to frame better. That is a practical outcome to look for: not just hearing that a picture could be stronger, but understanding how a different crop or point of view might change it.

The session also asks you to consider artistic integrity. In plain terms, that means making deliberate choices that reflect what you see and want to express, rather than copying a style simply because it looks fashionable. You may not leave with a ready-made personal style, but you should have prompts for deciding what feels like your own work.

Take the lesson onto a photo-walk

The second part is a photo-walk, where you put the discussion into practice. The location is described as Wan Chai, but no exact route, subjects, or stops are specified. Expect an opportunity to apply the workshop’s visual ideas as you walk, rather than a fixed sightseeing itinerary with named landmarks.

This practical shift is valuable. Composition can feel abstract when you only talk about it indoors; making choices in a real setting gives you something immediate to test. You can look at a scene, decide how to frame it, and consider how the light affects the result. The walk is also a chance to ask questions while working with your own camera.

The focus is not simply on collecting attractive pictures of Hong Kong. The workshop’s stated aim is to help you connect what you see with your artistic vision. You may find that the exercise changes how you look at ordinary scenes, because the task is to notice and make choices rather than just point and shoot.

Be prepared to walk for much of the practical portion. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and there is no need to bring extra equipment beyond your preferred camera gear. The organizer recommends a camera with manual settings, but does not state that one is required. If your camera has them, bring it; if you are unsure how to use them, this is a sensible point to raise during the session.

Think of the three hours as a working session

The workshop lasts three hours and combines theory with practice. That is long enough to move from discussion to field application, but short enough that you should not expect a full photography course or extensive one-to-one portfolio review unless that is confirmed separately. The stated goal is to offer constructive opinions on participants’ work and help them shape a cohesive body of photographs.

The session’s structure suits people who learn by trying something soon after they hear about it. You discuss the principles, then take them outside and test them. If you have a specific question about your work, bring it with you; the format is designed to support questions and constructive feedback.

There is no stated group size, language information, or detailed breakdown of how much time is spent on each topic. Those details may matter if you want a highly tailored critique or prefer a very small class. The available description is clearest about the overall sequence: instruction first, photo-walk second.

Is US$85.29 good value?

The workshop starts at US$85.29 for the Practical Photography Workshop. For that price, the core value is three hours of instruction and guided practice with a working photographer, not equipment rental, a printed course pack, or a sightseeing transfer. No such extras are specified, so I would not factor them into your comparison.

The price makes most sense if you want feedback and a clearer way to think about your photographs. If you only want a scenic walk or a few ready-made portrait shots, this is not described as that kind of experience. Its value lies in learning to make more intentional pictures and in having a teacher available to discuss your work.

There is one five-star participant rating, with a particularly useful note about better framing, clear examples, and patient answers. That is a positive sign, but it is a very small sample. Treat it as a helpful indication of teaching style, not proof that every participant will get the same result.

Who will get the most from this workshop?

This is a good fit if you already take photographs and want to understand what makes your images feel more deliberate. Beginners can come, too, especially if they are curious about composition and want a friendly setting in which to ask basic questions. A camera with manual settings is preferred, but the workshop is presented as suitable for all experience levels.

It may be especially useful if you have a folder full of pictures but are not sure what links them, or if you want to move beyond taking technically acceptable shots. The emphasis on identity and a cohesive body of work gives the session a reflective side that many short photography classes leave out.

It is less suited to someone looking for a technical deep-clean of camera functions, a full-day course, or a guaranteed set of polished photographs. Those outcomes are not promised. You are signing up to learn, practise, and think about your direction, which takes some attention and willingness to experiment.

A few practical points before you go

Bring the camera gear you like using. A camera with manual settings is preferred, but there is no stated requirement to own a particular model or lens. The workshop does not specify equipment rental, so do not count on borrowing a camera.

Wear comfortable shoes, since the session includes plenty of walking. The voucher is valid only for the date and time specified, and the stated cancellation terms allow no cancellations or refunds. Confirmation is expected within minutes; if it does not arrive, contact customer support.

Should you book Find Your Direction?

Book this workshop if you want a compact, hands-on session that joins photographic technique with questions about your own style. The combination of composition, framing, lighting, and a photo-walk gives you a clear reason to bring your camera and practise rather than just listen. Thomas Bertson’s documentary background and patient teaching approach add useful perspective.

Skip it if you mainly want a sightseeing excursion, a gear-focused masterclass, or a long course with a detailed syllabus. At US$85.29, the best value comes when you arrive with a camera, a few questions, and a genuine interest in making more thoughtful photographs.

FAQ

How long is the photography workshop?

The workshop lasts three hours and includes both theory and practice.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at NINETYs, 222 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

Who teaches the workshop?

The instructor is photographer and educator Thomas Bertson.

Is the workshop suitable for beginners?

Yes. It is intended for photography enthusiasts regardless of experience level.

What will I learn?

The workshop covers photographic principles and basic aesthetics, including composition, framing, and lighting. It also aims to help you identify your photographic direction and develop a cohesive body of work.

Do I need a camera with manual settings?

A camera with manual settings is preferred. The workshop information does not state that it is required.

Should I wear anything in particular?

Comfortable shoes are recommended because the workshop includes a lot of walking.

Can I cancel or get a refund?

No. The stated terms do not allow cancellations or refunds.