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Testimonials > Previous
Students
Previous Students
Gavan Caldwell: Social Course 1
"I have been recently promoted to senior staff photographer in one of N Ireland's national morning papers "The Newsletter" indeed I was offered the position of Picture Editor which I turned down, but every day at work is like being on holiday and I really enjoy not just the photography, but meeting different people and being in different places every day.
I still consider myself very much a rookie in photography and its a daily learning experience, but I once again want to say thanks for the fantastic experience I enjoyed at Barrett & Coe for it made a major impact to my photography.
I have held on to many principles taught to me and was recently in London doing a feature on the Chelsea pensioners. I photographed the top model Caprice this morning and the first thought that came into my head when taking the photographs was what I was taught in Norwich on my very first day. There are countless other things that I come across and thanks to my trips to Norwich, I can put them into practice. I enjoy a good salary and enjoy taking photographs for others and myself. I can trace that first step into a professional photography career to Barrett & Coe."
To see some of Gavan's images click here.
Gavan Caldwell: Social Course 1
Malcolm Byrom: Portrait Course 2
"I now reside on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Since arriving here a lot has happened and I now work here as a photographer for some local newspapers, both English and Spanish.
I photograph many subjects - football, boxing, golf, fiestas, fashion etc. Also I have just began to take on weddings. Without the Barrett & Coe training there would have been no way I would have had the confidence to take such a task on. Having had the training I had the confidence to take it on and I am improving quite fast! There is still a lot to learn, top light out here is 'something else', and I have had my first experience of lens flare out here.
I have attached some shots I have taken, they may not be perfect by Barrett & Coe standards but my quality is improving with experience.
When I can, I do take my photos the same way you taught me, always use a light meter etc. Obviously at football and such events you cannot meter, but at most football matches I have learnt to overexpose the camera by two thirds of a stop to counteract the brightness of the background.
I am enjoying my photography enormously and I thank you and Brian for all the soundly based training you gave to me."
Best Regards,
Malcolm Byrom: Portrait Course 2
To see some of Malcolm's images click here.
"It gives me great pleasure informing you, that I have recently gained an Associate of the Master Photographers Association. Five photographs I took during The Portrait Course level 1, formed part of the panel.
The course
has helped me tremendously in running my business. It
has given me the confidence and determination l could
not find in other courses and seminars that l have attended
over the years. I would like to thank you both and all
the staff who helped me during the course. The patience
and endurance is unbelievable of all the staff.
Keep up the good work."
Harshad Pisavadia: Portrait Course 1
"I recently attended a BIPP informal assessment and advice day at Stevenson College in Edinburgh, expecting merely to be given advice on the suitability of my portfolio for future submission.
To my surprise and delight, I was awarded Licentiate membership of the BIPP so this has given me further encouragement. I need hardly add that the Inclusion of some of the work I did while on the Barrett & Coe course this summer contributed significantly to my success.
It is likely that I will do Part 2 of the Portraiture Course next year, but in the meantime I am interested in the two day course you run on Make-Over Photography - perhaps you could send me some information on this."
Donald Montgomery: Social Course 1
"Thank you for a brilliant course - The hard work and support given by you all is outstanding and credit to you all. The course content has been invaluable and put across in a way that is easy to understand and fun to learn. Even the reading materials were fun, not something you can say about most books.
I shall use all my course work critiques for years to come as I endeavour to improve and master my chosen profession.
The last six months has been a most enjoyable time for me... and has helped me to achieve a goal that in the past I could only dream about. I just wished I had done the course sooner when I first saw your advert in the Practical Photography magazine. For all the sceptics out there, give it a go, you won't regret it"
Peter Hunt: Social Course 1
"It was on the 22nd June last year that I tentatively attended the first seminar of the Portrait Course 1. Earlier this week, just less than a year later, I attended and passed the BIPP Licentiate panel in Ware. The panel members were very kind and assured me that my submission was of a very high standard (considerably above the level required for Licentiate). My business is going well.
I am doing a variety of work including family portraits, nursery sessions and commercial work for a group of hairdressers. My average sitting revenue this year is 1600 and I have bookings going forward the next 5 months. Not that my diary is completely full for that time... but enough for me to see a steady revenue stream.
It seems very weak just to say "thank you" but I thank you and Brian for giving me the skills and confidence to build a viable business in such a short space of time. I hope all is well with you and Brian."
Dawn Wellbelove - attended Portrait Course 1
"I would like to thank you all for your help, advice and encouragement given to me during my time on the Barrett & Coe Portrait and Social courses. I have achieved so much in such a relatively short period of time that I now intend to set up my own small photographic business this year.
I thoroughly enjoyed the final examination in Social photography and the critiques that followed. It helped enormously to understand how people act under stress and how to avoid the pitfalls that this may lead to. Sadly; I did not get the opportunity to participate in an exam when I finished the Portrait course in October. I have spoken to Maria, who I attended the course with, and neither of us had the opportunity to discuss sitting the examination with you.
As I am now in possession of a very large and impressive certificate to hang on my studio wall, I would very much like the chance to obtain the complimentary certificate in Portraiture.
Looking forward to hearing from you shortly; and perhaps catching up with you all at the Focus exhibition in February
Thanks again,
Karen La Borde: Social Course 2 - October 2004
Portrait Course 2 - April 2004
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