“My photo tour with Geraint was worth every penny. He is a master at seeing beautiful compositions where most would drive by without a second glance. The tour was from 9-5: no sunrise, no sunset, yet he still found many good subjects. Geraint gave suggestions on how to frame, focus, and expose the shots. He brought a laptop and for some of the shots we did post-processing. This immediate feedback was helpful in visualizing the final result when taking shots. While driving between locations, we had the opportunity for unhurried conversation about photography. This tour is about the art of photography, not the camera gear. Afterwards, I felt creatively re-charged. I would recommend Geraint’s photo tour for any level of photographer, from beginner to professional.”
–Colin Barnett – Albuquerque, NM
“Geraint, Susan and I wanted to thank you for the wonderful day we were able to spend with you last Wednesday. Thanks for so many things – for showing us how to use our camera features more efficiently, for new ways of “seeing” a subject, balance and composition, we could go on and on! We have lived in NM most of our lives but had never seen many of the places you took us. The weather was stunning; thunder clouds, rainbows, mountain villages. It was a day that we were truly filled with wonder at all we saw! You were so very patient with us as we would try to grasp concepts that come naturally to you. And finally, it was a pleasure to get to know you as a person, not just a photographer. Thank you for sharing a day with us.”
–Mark and Susan – Maine
“I just completed a three day intensive photography tour with Geraint Smith of Taos, New Mexico. I dumped my Nikon DSLR heavy and bulky camera and accoutrement and treated myself to a new Lumix G85 mirrorless 35 mm camera and new glass in preparation for my journey into the unknown.
After many years as a public school teacher, university instructor and professional photographer I think it’s fair to say that I know a bit about teaching and learning in my areas of expertise.
And now, I have bumped into Geraint Smith. And, yes! He has rekindled the flame in me as a photographer. I am filled with gratitude for the many ways he has gifted me with his amazing ability to transfer his knowledge technically and philosophically around seeing, sensing and composing photographic images. This is the “stuff” of life for me.
Hanging out with Geraint for so many richly filled hours, following my heart and heeding his advice and wisdom, made the entire experience truly worthwhile…and it all came so unexpectedly! That is how I often know when I am living life most fully. Being with Geraint has proved again that at least for this man, I believe that “life is a rip-off when you get what you expect!”
I’ve often spoken about the difference between “change” and “transformation,” both with friends and in college courses I’ve conducted. The problem with “change” is that all too often, people who value “changes” in their lives seem to come around sooner or later to lament that, “yesterday I was different…today I’m the same…”
My time touring and talking with Geraint was without a doubt, one of the finest and most satisfying learning experiences of my life. I now recognize it as transformative. The writer George Leonard wrote in the 70’s in his powerful book, “Education and Ecstasy,” that learning should be an ecstatic experience. That describes exactly what happened over the course of my three days with Geraint. I will never forget the lessons learned from Geraint because many things have moved inside me in terms of how I see Mother Nature, still objects and of course, people. Yes, I have had an ecstatic learning experience with Geraint Smith and I wish the same for you.
So, in gratitude, I want to share some of the numerous superlatives that come to mind about this charming Welshman, Geraint Smith. How about…Master Teacher, genius at through the lens composition and light, kind and patient, bold in giving feedback, generous and strong, wily as the foxes and wolves he photographs, loving and compassionate, thorough and committed to his art and that of the student and yes, the sweetest guy you could ever wish to talk with about the meaning of life and the importance of taking photographs from within.
So, you see, my testimonial stems from a very deep place. I returned to my home in Mill Valley, California, renewed, more aware of my surroundings than I can recall in way too many years and eager to go right back to study with Geraint again and again. I love photography like never before and I am ready to leave my lazy-making I-Phone at home in a drawer now that I have reclaimed my passion and my chops for photography.
Thank you, dear Geraint for being you and sharing yourself so fully with your students. You make all the difference in the world to those who are open and willing to just stop, look and listen. After all…why not!”
–Don Kline – Mill Valley