David Rann taught photography at Birmingham Botanical Gardens from Jan. 2007 to July 2012, and has also taught at MAC, and Stratford-upon-Avon College (NCFE Level 2).

Since roughly the same time, he's also been running his own workshop events at the Fotofilia studio as well as other locations.

We now run a much wider range of courses and workshops from our own studio. Here are some forthcoming courses...

REMEMBER TO CHECK AVAILABILITY BEFORE PAYING FOR ANY COURSE

Live Boxing Shoot: (7:30-10pm TBC) – Friday 10th May FULL

Your chance to photograph an evening of real boxing (approx 10 bouts scheduled) from ringside. Not for the faint-hearted, you will need a fast lens (a 50mm f1.8 will suffice) and quick reflexes to rise to the challenge of one of the most demanding subjects you will ever photograph. Numbers are very limited as this is an exhibition show in front of a live audience in a working mens' club near Dudley. I have been documenting Priory Park ABC for over 5 years now and Fotofilia continues to support the great work that they do with local youth. Apart from minimal expenses, proceeds go to the club's fund for new premises.

Price: £55 (£50 CLUB/f2 members)

Photoshop One-Dayer: (10:30am-3:30pm) – Saturday 18th May

Always a popular workshop - All you need to know to get you started in the wonderful world of Photoshop in one day. Learn about cropping, re-sizing, contrast, levels, colour, layers, file types, borders, dodging, burning, filters, and all manner of digital tweaking. You will need to bring your own laptop with a version of Photoshop CS or Elements already installed (you can download a month’s free trial version from the Adobe website). You can bring along your own images to work on (although I can supply images if you’d prefer). For absolute beginners. Small group size.

Price: £40 (£35 CLUB/f2 members)

Spring Night Photo Safari (7:30-10pm) – Tuesday 21st May NEW DATE

A change of evening for this ever-popular event - the original night-time Birmingham photo walk. Photograph the picturesque streets of the Jewellery Quarter by night with plenty of guidance on-hand and in the safety of a group. And if that's not enough to inspire you, there will be a great model along with us for you to photograph in some of the key locations. You will need a tripod for this event but if you don't have your own, we have a couple available to borrow (please ask when booking). NOTE: With the lighter nights, don't expect too many opportunities for funky light trails but at last you shouldn't need your thermals for a change and you might even get to make the most of that "golden hour" light.

Price: £25 (£20 CLUB/f2 members)

Studio Lighting Crash Course (10:30am-4pm) – Friday 24th May WEEKDAY DATE & LOWER PRICE!

All you need to know to get you started in the studio. So if you don't know your butterfly from your clamshell, or your high key from your house key, or your softbox from your lunchbox, this might be the place to start. Starting with the absolute basics, you'll progress to shooting and directing two live models. Learn to understand and control studio lighting to produce quality results. Note: A weekday slot this time hence lower price!

Price: £65 (£60 CLUB/f2 members)

Portrait Photography (10:30-3:30pm) – Tuesday 4th June

A slightly changed format for the return of a workshop I've been running occasionally for over 5 years. Pictures of people account for most photographs taken, but this is your chance to improve your portrait photography both in the studio and on location. We will cover: composition, lens choice, lighting (natural and artificial), reflectors, direction, and the psychology of the portrait. You will be working with models who will offer very different photographic experiences but you will be rewarded with some great images.

Price: £65 (£60 CLUB/f2 members)

Cyanotypes (7-9:30pm) – Thursday 6th June NEW

This historical photographic printing process is possibly where photography and painting meet. You will be shown how to create unique and beautiful prints from your own photographs using just two base chemicals and watercolour paper.

I have been working in this process for some years and have exhibited work produced using historical (or alternative) printing processes such as this. To me, this is photographic alchemy. Price includes all materials. Booking for this event will close 7 days beforehand so that your negatives can be created for the workshop. Max. 6 places.

Price: £35 (£30 CLUB/f2 members)

The Nude In The (Industrial) Landscape (11am-2pm) – Saturday 13th July NEW

Last year we ran an art nude "Nude In The Landscape" workshop in a wonderful location in the Warwickshire countryside. It was great fun, with some excellent images produced, but as one might expect - it rained. So until the weather warms up (and dries up) a little, this is our urban - and indoor - equivalent. The location is a large empty industrial unit in Digbeth with great natural light and a suitably grotty contrast for the beauty of our female model's form. If weather permits, there may also be the opportunity to also shoot outside but don't bank on it!

Price: £55 (£50 CLUB/f2 members)

Advanced Photography Course: (7-9pm) – 10 Week course commencing Wednesday 25th September NEW DATES NOW CONFIRMED

Very much along the same lines as the very successful course we’ve been running at Botanical Gardens for several years, but now at Fotofilia’s studio. The main difference, apart from the location and smaller group size, is that this is no longer exclusively for DSLR’s: you can use film/ lomo, camera-phones - or even just a scanner – or a mixture of all of these. This course is very much about the 12 inches behind the camera. There will be 2 projects which you will need to undertake in your own time but with ongoing guidance. The course also includes two seminars by photographers who have been specially-selected to inspire your projects. Also included Is a studio lighting demo with a model, which you will be able to participate in if you wish. This course is not about going deeper into your camera’s menus or improving your technical skills, although this may happen as a “by-product”. Instead, it is aimed at those who already have some knowledge of their equipment but want to develop their own style, keep motivated, and broaden their understanding of the photographic medium in all its forms. Half term week: 30th October.

Price: £105 (£95 CLUB/f2 members)

DSLR For Beginners: (7-9pm) – 10 Week course commencing Thursday 26th September NEW DATES NOW CONFIRMED

Very much along the same lines as the very successful course we’ve been running at Botanical Gardens for over 5 years, but now at Fotofilia’s studio. All you need to know about your DSLR and quite a lot besides including portraits (photographing a model), night photography, and basic photo editing. This is a largely practical course which is suitable for absolute beginners and improvers but you will need a DSLR – not a bridge/hybrid camera. If in doubt, please ask. Half term week: 31st October.

Price: £95 (£90 CLUB/f2 members)

Also...

Fotofilia also has its own two photographic societies, called, imaginitively, THE CLUB and f2. Both were quickly fully subscribed but places are made available from time to time. Book your place now!

To Book: Phone or email initially to reserve your place and then payment will be required as soon as possible to secure. You can now do this via the "Pay" page.

TERMS: Once reserved, you may still be charged for your course if you cancel within 7 days of the scheduled start of the course.