Photography is an art that is constantly challenged by technology thus technology drives the representation of the image. In today’s digital culture, photography has become even more global, inexpensive and accessible.  For most people learning to draw or paint might prove impossible, but the techniques used to take good pictures, albeit as an amateur might seem daunting, are actually quite easy to learn. Nevertheless, whether or not one has an “eye” for what makes a good photograph is a different story.  

Determined to hone my photographic skills, I recently attended a Shoot Experience Photography for Beginners workshop taught by photographer Andre Penteado. Expecting a typical, “this is how to use your digital camera” course, I was pleasantly surprised to find so much more. The atmosphere was casual and the structure of the two-day course was organised to include a brief history of photography, starting with Niépce's View from the Window at Le Gras, 1826, technical instruction that was tailored to students individual digital camera features and artistic conjecture pondering questions such as, "Why am I taking this picture?" and "Where should I position myself to make this interesting?." The theoretical and practical components were further enhanced by hitting the streets of Shoreditch, where their office is located, to practice taking pictures and then returning to the classroom to analyse the pictures that were taken.

Pentaedo’s enthusiasm for the art of photography is obvious and his methodical way of teaching made it easy to learn the basics. When he is not teaching photography courses for Shoot Experience, Pentaedo keeps busy with magazine spreads, and customized portraits for clients such as Vogue Interiors and the BBC. His recent extraordinary project involved Pentaedo taking photographs of himself wearing the clothes of his dad who committed suicide last year, as a way of coping with the loss.