DATE: TO BE DETERMINED

Simply stated “composition,” as it relates to photography, is the selection and arrangement of objects within a frame. In painting the artist creates their own compositions by arranging elements from their minds eye, or inspired by the visual world, on the canvas. Photographers, on the other hand, must select what they photograph from the ”real world” and create compositions as they encounter an existing scene. The aspects of composition, subject selection, and lighting are more important in creating a successful image than any technical abilities with your camera, yet it is common for beginning photographers struggling with learning basic camera operation, or technically minded folk, to overlook these artistic aspects of making great photographs.

This workshop addresses using creative composition, and learning to see and understand the qualities of light, in order to make beautiful photographs. Anyone with a camera, from the cellphone camera user to the DSLR aficionado, can benefit from what they learn. Topics include compositional rules and guidelines, understanding the role of color and tone, visual balance, learning to use forms, shapes, lines, and patterns for visual interest, and understanding how to guide the viewer’s eye with your compositions. We will work on understanding how light reveals form and texture and can elicit emotion in your images. Participants are asked to bring up to a dozen of their favorite images to share with the class. We will discuss how to improve your work going forward and how to increase the number of great images you create using compositional and lighting techniques.