Composition, The Key to Great Photography: Three Sessions to Better Photos

The single-most important route to great photography is composition. It’s not the camera, it’s your eye. Come with whatever you have. From smartphone to film to digital, from amateur to pro model, composition remains the same — and knowing how it all works will change the way you look at the world through a lens. And the results.

This class takes place over 4 weeks, with 3 classrom sessions and 1 group outing. Registrants will gain great knowledge with the following…

• The rule of thirds
• How to think about foreground, mid-ground, background
• Leading lines
• Frame within a frame
• When to center, when not to
• Painting with light
• Depth of field
• Portraits
• Storytelling
• And more...

SESSION 1
We will examine and explore a plethora of photos to flesh out the various ways of seeing, exploring how each of the principles listed above apply. On a large screen, using examples created by the teacher as well as some classic photos and even famous paintings, we’ll go through compositional concepts such as the rule of thirds; foreground, mid-ground, background; leading lines; frame within a frame; when – and when not -- to center; and more. We’ll end the session with students’ own ‘favorite’ photos (these photos are to be sent in before the first class). Students will be amazed at how many of their favorites followed the rules we’ll be exploring.

SESSION 2

We will continue looking at rules of composition, including painting with light, depth of field and how to create a strong sense of flow; how to lead the eye through an image using balance and perspective; portraits; storytelling; and more.

SESSION 3

The group will meet at a location (TBD) for a photowalk lead by Gerald with the assistance of Pro Photo Supply staff. Registrants will be given a 50% discount from the Pro Photo Supply Rental Department that we hope will be used for this weekend, as this will be a great opportunity to work on the skills and techniques learned in the first two sessions as well as try out some new/new to you gear! After the photowalk attendees will have the option to join us for a group lunch to debrief and socialize.

SESSION 4

We will have an extensive portfolio review of student photos from past work. These will include ones they feel are very strong from a compositional standpoint; photos where they tried to capture something and feel they didn’t quite achieve their objective; and, finally, any favorite photos from other photographers. Depending on the level of student experience, I might also cover how to ‘get off’ auto and use both aperture and shutter priority for more control over your photography.

Equipment: Bring what you have. While a dedicated camera is best so that we can discuss aperture, depth of field, and shutter speed, even a simple smartphone will suffice. The rules of composition are the same regardless of how you capture photos.

Attendees of this class will receive 50% off, a 1-day lens, and/or camera body rental. The hope is that you utilize this offer during the in-the-field session on March 7th, but it will remain valid through the end of March. Information about how to utilize this offer will be provided at the first class session.

ABOUT GERALD SELIGMAN

Gerald Seligman has been a photographer for over 50 years, with photos published in newspapers, magazines, featured in galleries, and on album covers for Universal/Verve, EMI Hemisphere, Rounder, Rykodisc, and elsewhere. He spent most of his career working in the international music industry and has lived in Rio de Janeiro, London, and Berlin. He has taught photo courses at the McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy and Research, New York University; for the Josephine Herrick Project; and locally at art schools and libraries. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Check out Gerald's work HERE!

Artist statement:

"In photography, I try to find order in chaos, compassion in random encounters, and the human spirit in the day-to-day. I wander and attempt to capture the moment, alternating among abstracts, geometry, and the human face and form. To some degree, I allow the setting to determine the sort of photography I engage in, looking for some fleeting essence that will set the style of what I am seeking -- ‘finding photos,’ I like to call it."

REVIEWS FROM PREVIOUS ATTENDEES

“I feel this was a very comprehensive course. Since the students had a variety of cameras -- it would not have been beneficial to discuss camera use although you did give some pointers and more important you set time aside after class to help individual students with their cameras. The quotes you emailed us about photography were very useful. It is obvious that you prepared a great deal for the class with the many slides and illustrations you provided and the examples given of various ways to frame a photo, zoom in, etc. You provided the students with various resources and links for online editing and processing sites. Actually having a "lab" to take photos outside was very helpful. I think if the course was longer-at least 5 sessions--then 3 could be on composition and the other two on camera use or settings or even a session when students bring their computers to learn how to connect to editing sites. In summary it was an excellent, thoughtful and well planned course.” Franny A.
“Gerald has a thoughtful approach to teaching – supporting and challenging students to figuratively and/or literally change their focus - to be more attentive to framing and the structural elements of an image. Gerald made wonderful use of his own work, and the photos of others, to illustrate a point or a concept. His observations about the people he photographed, and the ways he interacted with them, were most instructive. Gerald’s composition course is helpful for both beginning photographers as well as more experienced photographers.” Suzanne
“I really enjoyed your class. I knew nothing about photography when I started, and now I feel I have a handle on the basics of composition. My favorite part was looking at the art photography you shared and critiquing it. I may never graduate from my iPhone to a real camera, as it's not an investment that's currently in my budget. But I'm grateful for what I learned, and for having a new way of seeing the world around me.” Lauren L
“I found the class most helpful. Gerald is a great teacher... he made the course stimulating and
challenging. Hope he’ll be teaching another class in the future.” Sophie
“I really enjoyed how Gerald used his photographs to illustrate the various concepts - in particular I felt the comparative shots that he shared to illustrate foreground, middle ground, background were interesting (this was the concept that I think about less when taking photos). I also really enjoyed seeing the participant's work and hearing Gerald's thoughts on how they could be improved (mine included!). Spread kindness like confetti.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the class and learned so much. 10 out of 10!” Barb

ABOUT REGISTRATION

By, registering for this event, you also agree to receive future emails from Pro Photo Supply on new events, promotions, and tips on photography. You can unsubscribe at any time.

This multi-part class is limited to 15 spots with a minimum of 5 registered attendees needed. In the event the minimum isn't met, the session will be canceled and registered attendees will receive full refunds.

This event has limited space, as a result, registration is required for each attendee. If you are on the waitlist for this event, you will receive a notification, via email, if a space becomes available for you.

PRICING, FEES & REFUNDS

In the event of a refund, Eventbrite Fees are not refundable. Eventbrite fees are only refunded if an event is canceled.

Refunds will be considered until 48 hours before the first session of this workshop.

Refunds are unavailable post-event date.

Info: In the first session, we will examine famous and personal photos in a classroom setting to discover the various ways of seeing, exploring how each of the principles listed below applies. Using examples taken by Gerald as well as famous photographers (and even famous paintings), viewed on a large screen, we’ll go through compositional concepts. We’ll end the first session with students’ own ‘favorite’ photos, ones you'll have sent in before the first class. Students will be amazed at how many of their favorites followed the rules we’ll be exploring. 

Info:
In the second session, we will continue looking at rules of composition, including painting with light, depth of field, and how to create a strong sense of flow; how to lead the eye through an image using balance and perspective; portraits; storytelling; and more.

Info: The group will meet up at location TBD for a photowalk outing where we will put the techniques discussed in the first two sessions to practice and ensure everyone has some recent images for the final week's portfolio review.

Info: The final session: The final session will cover the final two compositional concepts, Portraiture and Storytelling, as well as an extensive portfolio review, which will reinforce all the principles covered. At home, students will select their 10 favorite photos from the previous outing, past portraits and group photos, as well as photos they feel tell dramatic stories. Students will also send photos for an extensive critique session. These will include ones they feel are very strong from a compositional standpoint; photos where they tried to capture something and feel they didn’t quite achieve their objective; and, finally, their favorite photos from other photographers. Duration 2.5 hours.

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