It’s always rewarding when someone benefits from one of my photography workshops. It’s even better when participants take the time to write a review. I spent three wonderful days photographing with Steve, and I’m sincerely grateful that he took away things that he can use in his wedding photography.
On a recent trip to New Mexico I had the opportunity to meet with Chuck Jines, a documentary photographer who is best known for his work covering news and social events, the homeless and heroin addicts on the streets of Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis, and any other place he deems worthy of covering.
I had become aware of Chuck through his YouTube Channel Grit Street Photography about a year and a half ago. Chuck was based in Chicago at that time and gave private instruction and group workshops on street photography.
I was planning a trip to Albuquerque to do some photography with my finance’ when Chuck announced on his YouTube Channel he was moving to New Mexico. The timing couldn’t have been better. I contacted Chuck and arranged a private, one-on-one workshop that would correspond to my scheduled trip to the state.
I scheduled two days with Chuck and prior to meeting with him, we talked over the phone. Chuck wanted to know certain things about me relating to my photography background, what I wanted to learn and get out of the workshop, etc., so he could prepare and customize the experience to my wants and needs. It was from this first contact with him that I could tell that he was genuinely interested in me and wanted to make my time with him worthwhile and memorable.
The workshop ended up being more than worthwhile and memorable, it was an adventure to say the least. I went there hoping to learn techniques that Chuck uses in street photography that would be transferable to other areas such as doing weddings. That was my main goal. Not only did I achieve that, but I learned techniques that took my photography to the next level and the level beyond that. Chuck turned out to be an excellent teacher and his extensive knowledge base made it possible for me to see the world in a whole new way and the way I approach doing photography. No matter what photography you are into or what level you are at, you can learn a great deal from this man. Don’t let the label “Street Photography” keep you from attending one of his workshops thinking it doesn’t apply to what you do or want to do. Yes, it is what the man is known for, but you can learn a great deal of things, tricks, and techniques that can be applied to other areas of photography. I did.
Because of my flexible schedule on the trip, I was able to schedule additional time with Chuck. As a result, we had time to do extra things, such as explore certain parts of southern New Mexico, do a portrait shoot with a model, and go over some tips and techniques using Lightroom. Afterwards, Chuck took time to review everything we had gone over and done, including giving me ample time to ask any final questions I might have had.
I found Chuck Jines to be a true professional, an excellent teacher, and a gentleman, who will truly take an interest in any person seeking knowledge, wisdom, and the truth. Be it in photography, the human condition, or life in general.
So, if you decide to take one of his workshops, become a sponge like I did and soak up all you can. You won’t be disappointed. -Steven Abrams