Self-Taught Photography vs Attending Workshops with Experienced Photographers
By Jeff Walsh – Photographer, Educator, Adventurer.
Photography is a fascinating blend of creativity and technical skill. For many beginners, the journey starts simply: pick up a camera, experiment, and see what happens. That’s the heart of being a self-taught photographer—learning by doing, making mistakes, and gradually refining your eye and technique.
But here’s the big question many ask: Is self-taught photography enough, or do photography workshops make a difference? As Jeff Walsh Photography, I’ve experienced both paths, and the truth is, each one brings unique value.
The Freedom of Self-Taught Photography
One of the biggest appeals of self-teaching is freedom. You set your own pace, follow your instincts, and build a style that feels completely yours. The internet is overflowing with resources—YouTube tutorials, blogs, and forums—so you can explore any topic at any time.
Benefits of Being Self-Taught
You decide what to learn and when.
It encourages resilience and independence.
Mistakes become powerful lessons.
Common Challenges of Going Solo
While self-taught photography gives you flexibility, it can also leave gaps in your learning that you don’t realise are there. Technical foundations, composition theory, and even practical problem-solving often come together more slowly when you’re figuring it out alone.
Why Photography Workshops Make a Difference
This is where photography workshops come in. When you learn directly from experienced photographers, you don’t just hear about camera settings; you see the thinking process behind each shot.
Learning Beyond Camera Settings
Workshops reveal how professionals approach light, composition, and timing.
Real-Time Guidance and Feedback
You get immediate feedback, see how experts adapt to unexpected conditions like weather, and gain insider knowledge you simply won’t find online.and out
The Value of a Photography Mentor
Another often-overlooked benefit of workshops is mentorship. Having a photography mentor accelerates growth in ways self-teaching alone simply can’t.
My Experience Learning from Peter Eastway
For me, this came through working with Peter Eastway, the renowned photographer behind Better Photography magazine. His mentorship gave me constructive critiques, practical guidance, and the confidence to push my creative limits. Attending his workshops transformed the way I approached my craft.
Why Mentorship Speeds Up Growth
Even professional photographers continue to learn from mentors. Photography is always evolving—new perspectives, techniques, and challenges keep us growing. Having someone more experienced in your corner keeps you accountable, inspired, and constantly improving.
Do You Need to Choose One Path?
Here’s the good news! You don’t have to choose between being self-taught or attending photography workshops. The most effective learning often comes from combining both:
Experiment freely on your own to develop your style.
Join workshops to fill in knowledge gaps, get feedback, and accelerate progress.
Seek mentorship to keep moving forward with clarity and purpose.
This balance saves you years of frustration and opens up new ways to see the world through your lens.
Whether you start as a self-taught photographer or dive straight into photography workshops, the key is to keep learning. Every photo you take adds to your experience, and every new perspective can spark creativity in ways you don’t expect.
Do you want to fast-track your growth? I run beginner photography workshops designed to give you the practical skills and confidence to capture better images, faster.
This is a great time to reflect on your photography journey. Were you self-taught, did you attend workshops, or did you learn from a mentor? Share your story in the comments. I’d love to hear it.
