Basic Photography Camp

In this five-day intensive camp, students will have the opportunity to learn basic photography composition concepts, simple techniques for improving photography practice, ideas for practicing photo editing, and how to use the Feldman Method to critique their own photography work and the work of others.

Students will be able to create and use their own photography logbooks, create their own instruction manuals, and curate/compare collections of their own photography to continue to improve capture techniques in a variety of settings.

Students will be able to continue practicing basic techniques for processing and managing photos taken on any number of cameras (phones, tablets, DSLRs) using mobile photo editing apps and cloud-based apps/platforms.  Students will also learn how to use available resources (help files, YouTube videos, etc.) to continue to learn about specific features and functions of any photo editing software or camera device.

These methods and skills will enhance their ability to make composition decisions in the camera and to continue the improvement of photography practice through intentional processing and (self-)critique.

Years ago, one of my photography teachers told me “the best camera you’ve got is the one in the hand.”  Basically, what this means is that you’ve got to understand how each of your cameras works, and how to use each one when it’s the only one you've got available to get the shot that, perhaps you’ve got a single opportunity to capture, ever.

I’ve been practicing a variety of styles of photography for over twenty-five years, and I’ve been formally trained in media composition, capture, and production at the undergraduate and graduate levels of education.

I keep all of my old smartphones to use as extra cameras.  The current Google Pixel phone I have is, in many ways, MUCH better than the first digital camera I had twenty years ago.  As I’ve continued to hone my craft through tens of thousands of captures per year over more than two decades, I’ve become increasingly impressed with the ability to capture, process, and export stunning photography with a smartphone and one or more cloud-based apps.

However, all of my cameras have strengths and weaknesses, and so I generally keep them all handy in preparation for whatever photography project may come next.  I know that there are tools that are better for one job than the next, and it’s important, as a photographer, to be prepared to get the shot.

This camp introduces students to a photographic mindset, giving them methods to practice and improve (through critique) their photography using any camera they already have, including any smartphone.  Hopefully, this camp will set them on a pathway of a larger interest in photography and aesthetic practice.

There is no homework required during this five-day class.

Students have the option to practice as much photography as they would like between class meetings and share as much of their work as is feasible during our class discussions.  All work outside of class is optional.

This camp is run as a workshop, and, learner progress is assessed informally.  Basic verbal feedback is given, based on what the learner does and what kinds of questions he or she may have.

5 hours per week in class, and an estimated 2 - 4 hours per week outside of class.