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1st April 2025

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Len has been teaching this course since 2009. Join many of the graduates who have benefited immensely from this unique course.

Len only takes a handful of people every few years into this program. Each time it is run it grows and develops. It is constantly changing.

Most importantly, you get to work with Len over the whole year. This is how you take your photography to the next level.

You need to have time to invest in your photography for this course to reach its full potential for you. Without concerted efforts from you, your photography won’t grow. It is through ongoing feedback, suggestions, and targeted learning, that the deepest learning occurs.

This course is fully facilitated. You will have Len with you, holding your hand if needed, every step of the way.

You will learn through project based methods, where you will work on your own projects over two months, finishing them and then starting new ones.

You will have exercises and homework to do.

You will immerse yourself in photography for the year.

It is the ultimate gift to yourself.

One of the benefits is working together in a learning community with other keen adult learners who have just as much enthusiasm as you do. Often more.

It is in this safe environment you will be encouraged to explore, and challenge yourself. You will feel compelled to make photographic art.

This course is not rooted in genres. You are welcome to explore anything that inspires you. Bring to it your own interests, your own subjects, and develop your own voice and looks (style).

The course is inclusive, positive and supportive.

Weekly presentations discussing the work and the creative processes of these incredibly inspiring photographers.

Features

• twenty live classes with Len - two per calendar month

• more than a hundred presentations - two to three per week

• 2 - 3 hours of training per week

• be part of an enthusiastic cohort of like minded students

• access to our private online community

• access to a master photographic artist for the course

• all live sessions recorded

• all questions answered

• your work critiqued and guided personally by Len

• work on personal projects - our goal is four, one every two months

• photographic exercises and challenges

• lessons on giving valuable feedback

• Len has over 40 years professional education, art and photography experience

Benefits

• enjoy the enthusiasm and encouragement from other learners

• be personally mentored by your teacher and mentor Len Metcalf

• be told where you are going right, and shown what to work on in a supportive and encouraging manner

• have all of your questions answered

• experience demonstrations with your photographs and projects

• get timely support and encouragement

• watch and rewatch valuable presentations in your own time to ensure the content is understood

• we learn best working on photographs and projects around the things that move us the most

• access the course from your phone, tablet or computer anywhere in the world with internet access

• work at your own pace

• learn and grow your photography knowledge that will last forever

• experience content not available in other courses - this is not your standard photography course

Len has a long history as an educator, and photographic artist. Leaving school he dived headlong into a lifelong love affair with teaching and art. He used education to support himself through art school with his first degree, then through his second degree as an art educator, and finally completing his studies with a masters in adult education.

Len spent a few years contemplating what he would do if he had the opportunity to mentor and teach an intermediate photographer. He had this idea that if he used all his skills in education and put them into one course aimed at taking photographers to that next level, magic would happen.

On a sunny day in the Wolgan Valley, in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Len started writing the course. It just flowed out effortlessly that day. Len put an add in the local newspaper and ran the first Master Class in Katoomba in 2009, to six students in an art gallery he rented. The premise was one night a week for a year. The course aligned with the school terms. At the end of the year the class had an exhibition in the gallery. It was such a success, that the next year Len had 18 students and was able to retire from his government teaching postition at TAFE NSW and turn to teaching photography full time. The dream of Len’s School was finally realised, despite starting teaching photography twenty years prior.

Len now runs his master class intermittently. Usually every couple of years he will have an intake. On the years he isn’t running one, he travels more, and does more tours and week long workshops.

The course has changed a lot over the years. More and more content keeps getting added to the bank of presentations. The course today has incredible depth and exploration of so many inspirational ideas. A handful of students have found it so inspiring they have returned to do it a second or even a third time. They love working with others in a facilitated learning community.

Having prerecorded presentations means that Len can spend more time with you and your work, helping you and the rest of the class develop and grow. You can watch the content on demand at your leisure.

“The Master Class was a pinnacle for me. It capped and consolidated the variety of workshops and travel I have done with you since my first workshop with you in the Blue Mountains in November 2013.”

— Graham Masterman

“The course this year has been fabulous. When I reflect on what I have learnt, it is very difficult to describe.  At one level it is easy.  I have learnt many new techniques and I have  connected with a much broader photographic community than previously.  

The aspect that is more difficult to put into words, is the way I have grown and matured as a photographer.   Your course has given me structure, it has challenged me in ways that I have never been challenged before, it has made me think in a new ways and it has given me the confidence to take risks with my photography.  

In your own quiet way you have allowed me to discover a photographer within that I had not previously been confident enough to recognise.  I am now attempting different types of photography than before. You have helped me discover what my strengths are, or more importantly, what my photographic strengths can be.  I find myself speaking about my work with more confidence than ever before.  I'm not afraid to use photographic and artistic language in discussions about my work.  You've given me language I can use and you've believed in my photography enough for me to feel pride in what I've produced this year.  This in itself is a major outcome.  I started the year knowing I loved photography but not knowing if I had the potential to be really good at it.”

— Shirley Steel

“Len’s fantastic ability to make everyone feel comfortable was vital, especially when critiquing other people’s work. The bond between the class members is very strong and supportive. This was even more apparent on our outings. The days were not just for learning and sharing knowledge, but were for having fun.

The homework and projects that were set not only enabled us to use the information learnt in our own work, but allowed Len to guide us to produce some outstanding work throughout the year. This culminated in an end of year exhibition. This was daunting at the beginning of the year, but with the extra knowledge and confidence gained throughout the year, it became an exciting prospect.

Len’s teaching and leadership has helped me to create a style of my own that I am comfortable with, but I’m also willing now to try different ways to communicate with my audience. I have learnt to watch the light more and be patient, both with myself and the subject. I believe I will continue now to grow as a photographer thanks to Lens class. I cannot thank him enough.”   

— Dot Radley

“Len is a master of adult education to the point where you assimilate information without even realising it. I was guided to focus in new areas of photography revealing strengths that I did not know I had. It challenged and stretched me well beyond any of the photographic courses I had done before. I am completing the course with a much greater depth of knowledge; of skills; of confidence and a vibrant excitement with photography. The dynamics of the group, gently guided by Len, contributed greatly to the best course I have ever done.”

"Hello Len, Well the wonderful break is behind you and now embarking on more adventures to be fully supported by photography. From your newsletter all sounds very exciting and potential for a blossoming future. I just wanted to send you a note wishing you the very best for this afternoon, evening and the same again tomorrow - Master Classes.  The year spent with you has been one of the highlights of my life and corrected the photographic dead-end I was on, not realising it but the road was getting narrower and would probably have petered out. Boy have things changed - the full joy and pleasurable challenge has returned; I have made a Learning Contract and 5 weeks into it am going energisedly (if that's a word) strong. So again thank you and warm wishes, and I am pleased for your participants as they are in for a wonderful time. See you in the future."

— Paul Hulbert

"I'm still persuing the learning journey which commenced in Len's Master Class and enjoying the rewards."

— Kay Gordon

"Had a fantastic time doing the Master Class, sitting around a table with other like minded individuals discussing photography and getting critiques was a major step in taking my photography to the next level. Thanks to Len for all his help and support."

Ben Coope

"I enjoyed the Master Class very much, I learnt a lot, and I met a great group of people who have inspired me to take my photography further........ I hope to do more with this group and Len in the future........."

Sue Lightfoot

“I was going to write a few thoughts and decided to keep it brief. I just wanted to say that I am really enjoying the Masterclass and all the classes that I have done. I looked back on my old training and feel like this time it is really sinking in and making me think. So thank you for that.

The videos of various artists are inspiring and much more than just a name in my notebook.”

— Di Clark