UPDATE: ONLY 4 SEATS LEFT
"Photographers may or may not make a living by photography, but they are alive by it." - Robert Adams
Well I'm biting the bullet and jumping head first into the world of workshops! After I graduated college I seriously considered going on to receive my Master's degree in photography so I could pursue a collegiate teaching position. Eventually I came to the conclusion that my desire to earn a living by shooting was stronger than teaching full time, but my love of education has continued to linger. I've always enjoyed helping people learn and I finally feel it's time for me to start teaching photography.
Here is the official website for the workshop: www.papertoprint.com
This workshop is not about how to become a 'rockstar' photographer, nor is it about placing technical skill as the chief end of photography.
The goal of this workshop is to help photographers start down the path to finding their own unique vision and to empower them with the ability to communicate their ideas effectively.
I firmly believe in encouraging people to make their photography about what excites them most instead of what pays them most. While it's great to make a living through photography, it's best to feel alive through it. My goal is to help photographers express their point of view and discourage them from becoming clones of people they admire.
I'm not teaching people to shoot like me, but equipping them with technical skills and visual literacy to communicate their vision effectively.
Robert Adams says it best and I'm paraphrasing, 'Photographs that are based on the equipment and post production processes used are not very important.' He goes on to say that 'At our best and most fortunate we make pictures because of what stands in front of the camera, to honor what is greater and more interesting than we are.'
This workshop is designed to explore the latter quote to it's fullest!
Day One Overview
The concept behind the name 'Paper to Print' is to guide photographers through the process of making their ideas a reality. The first day will be spent explaining 'how' to pull off your creative ideas. Some of the topics will include: manual exposure, off-camera lighting, how to use ambient light, post processing techniques and anything else you want to talk about. All of these topics will be taught with the idea that 'Technique is only a vehicle.' You will also be shooting twice on Friday to help you learn by doing. First you will shoot in the afternoon during a hands on session covering lighting techniques and second for a photo assignment that night.
Day Two Overview
The second day will be focused on critiquing your current work and photographs from both of the shoots on Friday. You'll also be learning the four steps to correctly critique a photograph. I believe that knowing the proper critique methods and how to 'read' imagery is crucial to evaluating your work along with the works of others. I'll also be taking you through a whirlwind tour of the most influential photographers throughout photo history. This will give you a visual foundation on what the the current state of photography is built on. At the end of the day there will be an open Q and A session where any topic is fair game.
Here are two quotes that apply directly to how the second day will function:
''Minor White said, 'Honor thy response and honor thy neighbor's response.' In criticism you are trying to move someone to your point of view; in critique you have a shared experience where you are trying to move the artist to a stronger place...it is not a blood bath. When you are talking about the work, it is about the work; you are not talking about the person.'' - Craig Stevens, Savannah College of Art and Design, GA
"I think learning to talk about images is a task that you spend your entire life on. I don't expect verbal equivalence, but I think the point is that you need some kind of clues...Your career will benefit greatly if you can learn to articulate your visual and ideological concerns." - Jerry Uelsmann
What to Bring:
- Digital SLR Camera with at least one lens
- Hot Shoe Flash w/ battery pack
- Lightstand w/ hot shoe modifier to hold your flash
- CF Cards
- Fully Charged Batteries
- Pocket Wizards if you have them, if not I'll be supplying some to use.
- Laptop for editing your work (Having Photoshop and Lightroom installed is ideal)
- 5 of your favorites photos from your current work for critique (These need to be digital files at least 12'' x 18'' at 240 dpi. The files need to be on a disc or zip drive so I can transfer them over to my laptop for projection)
Cost:
The cost is $282.87 per person. That includes breakfast, lunch and drinks both days. For those that want to go out for dinner on Saturday night after the workshop please plan accordingly.
You can follow me on twitter as well to keep up with workshop announcements. My twitter profile is michaelhphotog
This 2 day workshop is designed take photographers through a microcosm of a fine art photography program. Topics will include technical knowledge, correct critique methods, portraiture, subject matter, personal expression and more.
The workshop will be held on Friday, March 5th at 8am until Saturday, March 6th at 5pm.
Attendant Capacity: ONLY 4 SEATS LEFT
Tuition Includes:
Personal Journal
Breakfast and Lunch both days
DVD of resources from the workshop
Here is a schedule breakdown of topics that will be discussed:
Friday, March 5th 2010
8 am - Breakfast / Meet and Greet
9 am - Artist vs Technician Discussion
10 am - Exposure / Composition
11:30 am - Break / Lunch
12:00 pm - Live Instructional Shoot with natural light
1:00 pm - Live Instructional Shoot with simple off camera lighting
2:00 pm - Split into groups for hands-on natural light and off camera lighting shoot
4:00 pm - Post-Production Example
5:00 pm - Assign Evening shoot / Break for the night
Saturday, March 6th 2010
8:00 am - Breakfast
8:15 am - How to Correctly Critique a Photograph
9:45 am - Break
10:00am - Group critique of Friday's Photo Shoots
12:00pm - Lunch
12:30pm - Articulating your Intuition / Group critique of current work
2:30pm - Break
2:45pm - Presentation: The most influential photographers throughout photo history
4:00pm - Open Q and A
5:00pm - Done / Head to dinner!
Exact Location will be announced soon!
Here you can reserve your spot!
(Schedule is subject to change)
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Michael Howard Congrats to James Byrd! I can't wait to meet you at the workshop! For those that did get their name drawn, I hope to see all of you as well! I can't wait to help you on your photographic journey! (01.16.10, 1:29pm)
Chelsea Tudor I would love nothing more than to attend your workshop! As I tell you all the time, I think you are an amazing photographer and I admire your work! Iwould be blessed to continue to learn from you and be able to walk away from the workshop knowing that I am learning from the best! I enjoy photography so much and would love to use this experience as a stepping stone toward my future and toward the future of my studio! While the price for the workshop is completely reasonable, a discount would be awesome as well! (01.13.10, 5:57pm)
Elise Like everyone else, I would LOVE to be able to attend! I just started my business less than a year ago, and I am constantly reading and studying and trying new things with my camera. I know how important workshops are, but with my husband in school full time and the money it takes to raise a family, I can't afford it yet. The money I make in photography right now is going towards paying bills and only somewhat toward upgrading equipment (let alone attending really expensive workshops). This workshop is great because, unlike most that are located somewhere on the west coast, this would be within driving distance! Finally!! I am so thirsty for some knowledge and hands on experience (I am definitely a visual person), I would be beyond grateful for an experience like this right now! Please consider me for this opportunity! I am always so in awe of the truly creative and successful photographers in this field and would love to learn first hand from one of them! (01.13.10, 8:46am)
Michelle I SO badly want to come to this workshop! Just what I've been looking for to improve my skills! I don't WANT to learn how to be a rockstar, I want to learn how to be an awesome photographer who takes amazing pictures! (01.12.10, 10:33am)
James Byrd Hi Michael
My Wife and i want to attend the workshop but cant pay yet.
We have been shooting weddings in the lou ky area for 3 seasons and are allways inspired by your work.
Is there a way to hold us 2 spots we can pay you sometime in feb.
If not if spots are still open then we will see you in march.
(01.12.10, 9:51am)
Rhiannon Trask Would so, so love to come! Though I get positive feedback on my pictures from friends & family, I am still developing my eye for photography. All of my skill is self-taught, so I'd love a chance to learn from a pro, especially one so talented!
The workshop is very affordable, but a discount would be super-awesome!
Thank you for the consideration and thanks for offering this workshop--sounds very cool! (01.11.10, 3:47pm)
Kris I would love to attend. I think finding your own view artistically is one of the hardest parts of getting started.. Following your own instincts rather than doing or copying what you have seen is a challenge. I would love to attend to help build my courage and develop my own style! (01.10.10, 9:39pm)
Amber It's about dang time!! I want to come!! Calling John now to get the a-ok for fundage :) (12.02.09, 12:51pm)
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