Perspective or Point of View

Composition

Exposure

The Photo Essay

Introduction to Digital Workflow

Crunching Pixels

Photoshop

Equipment

Critiques

 

 

The concept of perspective in an image is more easily understood noting that the distance of objects from the lens and from each other affects perspective.

In other words, the perspective of an image is controlled by the lens-to-subject distance. By manipulating these characteristics a photographer has the ability to uniquely create an image depicting an individualized point of view. In this workshop we will explore a varying range of methods to change perspective within an image.

 

By physically moving more within a scene you can alter perspective. Maybe a vantage point above the subject is more effective? We will explore vantage points and other examples of how to change perspective in slideshows onboard Don Jose and then employ these lessons in practice during our shooting sessions.

 

Perspective can also be affected by other factors that test our cognition. Do we see the lower half of an image as being closer to us? Are warm colors (reds and oranges) perceived to be closer than cool colors (blues and greens)? How does the horizon influence the perspective of an image? Recognizing these ideas and many other characteristics in an image can help a photographer develop a range of perspectives within their work.

 

 

In simplistic terms, composition is the pleasing arrangement of elements including the main subject, the foreground and background, and supporting subjects within a scene.

The photographer is tested with a number of questions before a composition is created. Where do the edges of the frame begin and end? Is the focus sharp on a foreground object and not in the background? How much empty space (detail) do we leave in the corner?

 

Among other ways to create a composition we will review examples using lines and curves, repetition, patterns, and color combinations. This list goes on and on and as you think about these attributes in a scene more your compositions will evolve dramatically.

 

 

When is the light the best if you want to emphasize details, or textures, or colors? Everyone knows the time at which you photograph plays an important role in the quality of an image. During the workshop we will aim use hands-on opportunities to discuss the characteristics of ambient light during different periods of the day so you can learn to take advantage of light for your particular purposes.

 

What is color balance? How does your camera help you in specific ambient light condition? We will explore a range of topics that elucidate the idea of controlling your exposure.

 

 

A photo essay is a set or series of photographs that aims to tell a story. Photo essays can be presented with or without textual information in the form of descriptive captions or extended full text. The set or series of photographs can be presented sequentially in nature or in a particular order decided upon by the photographer who is sharing the story. A quick glance through the magazine pages of National Geographic or TIME would showcase varying examples of photo essays.

 

During our "Digital Photography Workshop and Wildlife Cruise" we will ask participants to develop a photo essay (5-7 images) utilizing the experience each photographer brings with them and the techniques and concepts presented during your time with us. This photo essay will develop throughout the week after each participant chooses a theme or topic for their photo essay. A participant can identify his or her own theme or story topic or choose from a list that we will provide.

 

The following is a small list of example themes and story topics:

- Space                         - Juxtaposition                               - Life and Death

- Energy                        - Opposites Attract                        - Reproduction

- Macro Life                  - Origins                                          - Earth

- Time                           - Geometry in Nature                    - High and Low

- Motion                         - Defense                                       - Journeys

- Textures                     - Unity                                              - Marine Wildlife

- Light                            - Groups                                         - Island Life

- Color                           - Individual Life                              - Sea of Cortez

- Water                           - Nature's Patterns                       - In the Shadows

 

Each participant will be asked to voluntarily present their 'photo essay' at the end of the week. The images will be projected onboard the Don Jose during the critique session while each participant describes their story.

 

From the moment you take a photo to the final delivery of an image there are a number of steps a photographer needs to take. My introduction to digital workflow will equip each participant with the basic knowledge of this process so their images can be used for:

 

- print in magazine

- fine print production

- e-mail transfer

- upload to internet 

 

What settings should the camera be set at before you even take the photo? What applications exist that help us rename our files? How do you fix a corrupted memory card? Where do the final digital files belong? We address these questions and more during this lecture which aims to familiarize each participant with know-how for archiving digital material properly.

 

 

How does cropping affect an image size? Is it easy to enlarge an image for printing purposes? How big can you print one of your digital images? Do techniques exist that allow you to reduce and enlarge pictures optimally? We can answer these questions in this lecture so all of us can become more creative with our images.

 

We will also investigate the availability of camera functions that both enhance and degrade image quality. What these functions do to the pixels?

 

 

Post-production in Photoshop* involves the manipulation of pixels for the best representation of an image. Developing skill or an understanding of this application can be very advantageous for both amateur and professional photographers. During the 'Educational Lecture Series' onboard Don Jose we can explore the range of post-production techniques that I use in Photoshop. From basic image enhancements to the sophisticated application of some of Photoshop's power tools we will learn how to get the most from our original digital files and all the while maintaining a strict recognition of the ethics of this practice. * Photoshop is an application produced by Adobe that allows photographers to carry out post-production editing of their images.

 

 

 

What equipment do you need? Is there one lens that is best to have in your kit? What new equipment is worth buying? What equipment do I use on assignments that take me into remote areas in the field? What equipment exists to experiment with?

 

I will answer these questions and others to shed light on the technology that usually enhances our photography but sometimes can be intimidating.

 

 

Throughout the week onboard Don Jose each participant will have the chance to have their work reviewed during critique sessions. This portion of the workshop is divided into three sessions. In the first session we will focus our attention on the creative aspects of image making. We can identify an individual participant's interest in the week and what each individual can do throughout the week given their current level of experience. We can set individual goals based on areas of strength and weakness. In this first session, participants will present three images captured in the first three days onboard Don Jose. They can be recognized as a participant's three best images or images that simply present a discussion point. Think of this first session as a strategic way to show images that might allow you to learn more about your goals, or perhaps get some early feedback on images you might include in your photo essay (See Photo Essay). Emphasis will be placed on efforts that might best inform the group.

 

In the second session, another 3 images will be presented by each participant. After being onboard Don Jose for four days now participants will have both a collection of images to choose from and a good start on the photo essay. This session has been purposely left open to participant's discretion. Images presented can be exclusively from the photo essay or examples of images that still need work. How an image can be improved could be discussed. This session will involve more technical feedback from me and emphasize the efforts that might best inform an individual participant.

 

The third session will involve the presentation of the photo essay if a participant carried out this objective for the week. Emphasis will be placed on an individual participants efforts to tell a story of a theme or topic with a set or series of images. Individual images can be addressed within a set or series for comments but overall critique will focus on the collective presentation. For participants that do not complete a photo essay they are encouraged to talk about individual images similar to sessions two and three.