Thanks for starting this thread off. It was my first convention too but I got so much out of it I am sure I will be back next year.
It was great to meet some of you (not saying that the rest of you weren't great... just that I didn't meet all of you).
I seem to have spent a lot of my time explaining why I chose such an unpronounceable and meaningless nickname for the forum, and I also only just realised that I hadn't got notifications sorted out so I was only really following the discussion about accommodation and seats for the dinner
I will rectify that this year.
Coming out of a corporate environment in January last year and deciding to follow my passion for photography is the best thing I have done in a long time. I hope to meet more of you and participate more in the forum during the coming year.
Looking at the pictures, I seem to have missed out on all the seminars with models and I apologise for missing the ones by forum members. Dave... if you have any notes from yours I would love to see them.
I was introduced to Adam as a forum member and thought hmmmmm he looks a bit like Ian Beale...... before kicking myself when Damian McGillicuddy picked on him unmercifully for the rest of the seminar. Oh dear me..Sorry Adam....
Next year I am definitely going to get myself within walking distance of the conference hotel.... Spent far too much time on tubes and buses AND late night Taxis costing 25 quid
I had been a bit worried about the Monday seminar with Joe Photo, having heard it was going to be heavy psychological experience.. but I really enjoyed it.. Also the walkabout with our bridal couple around Hammersmith.. not the most obvious of locations.... The bride swinging from the Basketball hoop was amazing!!!!!!!!!!.
Awards Dinner was great fun. My table companions were great company and Soris's little surprise drink had us smiling....(and one or two coughing)
Very impressed by the organisation. In my previous life I was on the exec of UKCMG and experienced running conference and trade show, but not quite on this scale. That trade show was Massive. And cleared away So quick.
Minor niggles were: There could be something for newbies to have it explained how things happen and how to get the best out of the whole thing. I plumped for the super ticket but then missed out on what turned out to be Full day seminars.
It wasn't always obvious when lunch was being provided for us and where.
Some speakers were left dangling at the end of their presentations and didnt get the applause they deserved. Could be helped by having a moderator perhaps.
Posing and lighting seminars seemed to be pitched up against each other, and I counted 9 streams in parallel at one point. maybe if there were less streams and staggered ... you could still get the attendance at the trade fair up...... its a knotty problem cos newbies want to do everything and old stagers want a rest in between seminars....and trade fair needs to see punters.
Loved the singing round the piano...
Just to say once again how good it was to meet you in person and if I don't get my nickname changed, at least you now know I am Graham.
