How photography workshops can enhance your skills and creativity

Learning a new way of seeing from the wonderful Paul Harrison

By Michael Wilson

March 11^th, 2025

Recently, I was lucky enough to attend a photography workshop by the wonderful Paul Harrison.

If you haven't seen Paul's work before, he's known for taking fascinating photographs in art galleries. He has a knack for capturing moments where viewers seem to visually connect with the artwork, whether it's through similar poses, matching colors, or other subtle details. His eye for detail is impressive, and his photographs often bring a smile.

Paul's photography is a complete 180 from my own, and that's precisely what drew me to his workshop. I was eager to get out of my comfort zone and learn a completely different approach.

How photography workshops can enhance your skills and creativity

First stop, Tate Modern

Of course, the perfect spot for a photography workshop with Paul was an art gallery, so we started at the Tate Modern. We began with a really relaxed coffee session, which was great for getting to know Paul and hearing him talk about what he looks for when he's taking his photos. It was a really good way to start.

After the coffee, it was time to put what we'd talked about into practice. We hopped into a gallery for a quick spin, and the game was to throw keywords at everything – art, people, you name it. Basically, we were trying to nail down the big stuff, like, "What's the main color in that painting?" or "That dude's got a crazy pattern on his shirt!" Just quick hits, to capture what jumped out at us.

After heading back to the start, now came the fun part. We used the keywords we'd come up with to try and find people and artwork that matched up. We took our time this time, really looking for those connections as we slowly moved through the gallery.

Since we were in the Tate Modern, there was a ton of modern art, which meant lots of cool patterns and colours to play with. For what I usually look for in photos, I actually found spotting matches easier here than in the galleries we visited later.

I was shocked by how many of those matching moments I spotted in just a short time at the galleries. Before the workshop, I'd have thought that stuff was super rare. Of course I'm not saying anything I took was great work, but turns out, if you're actually paying attention and know what to look for, those connections are more common than you think.

National gallery and portrait gallery

Then we hit the National Gallery and the Portrait Gallery, which was a whole different vibe. Way more traditional portraits and really expressive paintings. So, there, it was less about matching colours and more about finding people who looked like the subjects in the art, or who were holding similar poses. You had to be quick on the draw with your camera, though, because those moments would pop up and disappear in a flash.

Paul really showed us how people are creatures of habit. He pointed out that if someone does a certain pose or action, like pointing at art, they'll likely do it again. It's like reading people's routines, which is super useful for street photography.

Seriously, when you first spot someone matching a piece of art, it's like a little jolt of excitement. And then, when you actually snap the picture and get it? That feeling just skyrockets. It's so satisfying!

Why photography workshops can be so great

Ever since that workshop, i'm seeing colour matches, pattern similarities, and people blending into their surroundings everywhere I go. It's awesome to have a whole new layer of stuff to look for when I'm out shooting. Hopefully, it'll become second nature after a while and happen without me even thinking about it.

Honestly, photography workshops are such a good investment. They're perfect for getting inside someone else's head and seeing how they work, what they look for. Plus, you get to hang out with other photographers, swap tips, and see how they do their thing. Every time I've done a workshop, I've left feeling completely recharged and ready to get out there and shoot.