|
|
Date: August 10 – 14, 2012 (5 Days)
Instructor: Bruce Barlow
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Class Description: Developing a clear vision for your work will help you create excellent pictures. In this class we will work on how to set a path that will constantly improve our photographic vision. This workshop sets aside the mechanics of cameras, lenses, film, Photoshop, and gadgets to concentrate on seeing pictures in the world, and making them. Fine Focus Workshop instructor Bruce Barlow will structure a unique learning experience, covering such topics as: Right- and left-brain concepts, and training the brain to see photographs, balancing head, hands and heart, ruthless editing, separating the admirable from the wonderful, “rules” of composition, and breaking them, why composition is only part of the answer, rhythm and radiance, “is this picture alive?”, working through creative blocks, lighting, setting goals, defining projects and finishing work.
Digital cameras are required, preferably those with SD cards, since we’ll upload exercises to a PC for review. Actually, a point-and-shoot is ideal, but if you want to use what you’re used to, that’s fine. There will be many exercises, including before-breakfast image-making. This workshop will be concrete and practical, giving you many real strategies for improving your vision and photographs. We’re likely to have a lot of fun, too. Only an open mind and heart are required. Five days will be intense. All levels of experience are welcome, and in fact beginners will have less to unlearn! If you know the basics of how to use your digital camera, you know enough about the technology. When you leave, you should be able to ready yourself to find good compositions, understand elements of composition and how to combine them into "keepers.” In short, it's possible to expect a quantum leap in your photography.
Instructor Bio: Bruce Barlow is a photographer, workshop instructor, and award-winning video producer. He wrote Finely Focused: Mechanics and Creativity in Large Format Traditional Photography. He has been a speaker at the View Camera Conference. His articles have appeared in View Camera and LensWork magazines. He and Richard Ritter run Fine Focus Workshops in southern Vermont and New Hampshire. Bruce and Richard produced the videos "Camera Repair in the Field with Richard Ritter" and "The Richard Ritter Ultra-Large Format Camera Owner's Manual." Bruce's documentary, directed by his son, "Swanzey Rural Character," won three awards at film festivals in 2009. Bruce advocates separating the mechanical and creative aspects of photography, practicing the mechanics until they are automatic, thereby freeing the brain to be creative and see pictures in the world. His book contains many of the exercises he will use in this workshop, and in fact he is currently revising it, removing the large format emphasis to make it more applicable to all photographers.
Tuition: $530
(tuition includes lunch during workshop)
Studio/Materials Fee: $75
A $30 Registration Fee will be added to your course total. This is a one-time annual
fee for non-members. If you are a current member, this fee will be removed before
credit card processing.
|
