Modern photography is an art form that combines technology and art in a unique way. Technology is required to record what we see, and we need to see things in interesting ways to create meaningful images. Today’s cameras are technological wonders that easily handle tasks like accurate focus and exposure. Our job is to use cameras to see and record the world with our own artistic vision. Developing this vision is one of the hardest things to achieve because it is something that must be experienced in order to be really learned.

This 4-week series is designed to help you exercise and refine your creative vision with new ways of seeing. Each session focuses on specific challenges that compliment and build upon one another to help you find new ways to express yourself. By the end of the series you will have a new visual vocabulary that will enable you to create compelling and meaningful images.

Classes will meet four consecutive Saturday mornings in locations in and around Portland, Oregon

#1: Abstract & Alphabet ~ Saturday April 25, 10am – 1pm

The first week in the series begins with an exercise in seeing things that are normally unseen. The goal is to find abstract representations of every letter in the alphabet in everyday scenes. We will explore one of Portland’s unique neighborhoods looking for and capturing hidden symbols around us. This exercise helps you begin looking at the world around you with heightened awareness of pattern and shape. Once you begin seeing the alphabet, you’ll find it everywhere! Here’s an example of an alphabet series: www.youtube.com/watch?v=heq1d4t3-oQ

#2: Breaking the Rules ~ Saturday May 2, 10am – 1pm

Photography is all about rules. Technical rules for operating the camera and visual rules that represent accepted ways of seeing. As a photographer it’s important to know these rules. But as an artist, it’s important to know when to break them. Some of the concepts we will explore during a photo walkabout are: angle of view, intentional camera movement and defocusing. The goal of this project is to break the rules of normal representation to create images that evoke ideas and emotions rather than representational objects.

#3: Street Photography in Black & White ~ Saturday May 9, 10am – 1pm

Much of the iconic work that has impacted street photography is black & white. That’s partially due to the history of film-based street photography. But even today, many street photographers prefer to work with black and white because the absence of color helps them focus on the subject and the light illuminating it. In this class you will set up your camera so that you will be seeing (If your camera has that feature) and shooting in monochrome. Once that’s done, we will have a short discussion about different ways to approach street photography. Then we will explore one of Portland’s neighborhoods, searching for interesting black & white photography opportunities. You will also receive handouts detailing a variety of black and white postproduction techniques to help you add the finishing touches to your images.

#4: Reinterpreting the Landscape ~ Saturday May 16, 10am – 1pm

Most photographers approach landscape photography with the intention of capturing the natural beauty in a realistic way. There is nothing wrong with that if the intention is traditional landscape photography. Capturing the landscape in a more contemporary and creative way requires a new way of seeing. In this class we will visit one of the iconic natural areas where you will be encouraged to see the landscape with new eyes. Your goal will be to visually deconstruct and reconstruct the world around you to show it in unconventional ways. Some of the ideas we will explore are: unconventional framing and angle of view, deep and shallow focus, long exposure, and other ways to reinterpret the landscape through photography.

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In addition to our four outings each participant will receive a high-quality photo book with images from every photographer and each weekly session. Participants will also receive weekly notes and links to articles related to the week’s class. And we will set up a private Facebook group where participants can share images and commentary with Mark, Lew and the rest of the group throughout the four-week series.

Registration for the Spring Tune-Up is limited and we expect it to fill-up quickly. So be sure to register soon to save your spot. We are excited about this year’s lineup of challenges and hope you will join us for this fun, informative series.

About Lew & Mark:

Lew Tarnopol: Many of Lew’s images have won awards or accolades in local, national and international competitions. In 2015, Lew was named a Platinum Medalist by the Professional Photographers of America. “I’ve become totally seduced by the night sky and go out regularly each summer and fall to photograph it. Every time I learn something new and have finally perfected techniques that create interesting images.” You can see more of Lew’s work at www.lewtphotography.com

Mark Fitzgerald: Mark is photographer, author and teacher based in Portland. He is a PPA Master Craftsman Photographer whose images have won numerous awards. “Modern digital cameras reveal the night sky in ways we’ve never been able to photograph. By combining these new sensors with age-old light-painting techniques, it’s possible to create spectacular images that weren’t possible only a few years ago.” Learn more about Mark at www.ddroom.com.