Workshops: Photographic Explorers

This week, I had the great pleasure of presenting my workshop, Photographic Explorers, at The Fitzgerald of Palisades. This is the third of a three-part art program curated by The Fitzgerald, in conjunction with my exhibition "Where In The World", on view there until September 29th.

Photographic Explorers is focused on exploring ways of seeing and creating. I love gathering with people to explore creativity, and our workshop group was truly curious, insightful, and artistic!

Slow Looking

We started with the creative exercise "Slow Looking", a study from Harvard's Project Zero by Shari Tischman, that I studied through the National Gallery of Art during COVID. This practice of slowing down to see, look, and wonder about an image invites viewers to notice what first captures their attention, to share the thoughts with the group, and then to look more closely, listening to your mind's eye and also to one another. We each found that there is always a perspective we hadn't considered until someone else noted it.

Without knowing details about the maker and subject, the group noticed the instances of light, the hands, varied textures, the pose, negative space, what drew our eyes most, and everyone wondered, who and why... intrigue.

After shared observations, I revealed the artist and subject, which lead to more wonder and connections! And much appreciation for this study of an artist herself.

Georgia O'Keefe, by Yosuf Karsh

Ways of Seeing

The next step in the workshop is a short study of varied artists work, discussing each piece's impact, storylines, the artist's techniques, and what draws us to them. This reflective exercise readies us to create our own images, and reflect on our own and those presented by our group.

Our next focus on composition techniques prepared us to wander the space around us to create our own images for discussion. One approach was to capture different viewpoints of one subject, from angles, to distance, to juxtapositions. Another was to choose varied subject matter, and with each, we were prepared to pose our challenges to the group.

While exploring the space through the lens of our cell phones, we also reviewed some cell phone camera features to support creative goals. There is always more time needed for that!

When we all came back together, I was in awe of the talents among us. I am sharing some pictures here of Paul Schmidt's work.

Images by Paul Schmidt, created at The Fitzgerald of Palisades
As you may know, some of my favorite photography projects are about artists at work, so I had to include Paul here, creating!

Reflections

Contemplating the piano study, the group shared their observations of the angle as if it were from the finger's point of view, the power of the light reflections being on the face of the outside two keys but not the center two, the circles dotting the horizon, the red stripe amidst blacks and whites, and the clever offset of "donner".

For the angles of shadow and light, the texture of the table revealed in the shadows drew the attention of the group, which commented about the abstract nature Paul found in such a simple object, by shaping the composition with light tones.

The magnolia is a wonderful slow looking exercise. I invite you to see, look, and wonder. Consider Paul's choices as he considered all the elements and how he decided to bring them together here.

Thank you to the Fitzgerald for hosting a creative afternoon, open to seeing and sharing what everyone brings to the group.

If you are interested in exploring my Photographic Explorer's workshops, I would love to chat with you. I am forming classes, offered both online and in person, in the next few weeks, and will post information on my Photographic Explorers page. If you'd like to stay in touch with happenings at the studio, you can sign up for communications here. I would love for you to join us for your photographic exploration.

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Workshops: Photographic Explorers

Slow Looking

Ways of Seeing

Reflections

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