Expand your awareness
Rejuvenate your photography
Learn the building blocks of visual design
In October of 2001, I attended a photography workshop in New Brunswick, Canada, led by Freeman Patterson and Andre Gallant, that fundamentally changed the way I approached photography.
The theme of the workshop was visual design, but it was really about learning to see. Patterson and Gallant are experts at the art of seeing the underlying form and beauty of the world.
I remember staring helplessly at a field of dying plants. Freeman saw my dilemma and advised me to get down on my stomach and poke my camera in those plants, focus close and see what was there. The image to your right is what I saw.
It taught me that there is always something new to see and different ways of seeing things. I came home seeing the world differently and also knowing that my way of seeing was unique, as is everyone else’s.
Since then, I have kept this experience close at hand, as I have honed my photographic skills around the world and even in my own backyard. In Photo By Design 1, I try to create a similar experience for you right where you are.
Please join me in a six-week, online and interactive class
in visual design for photography.
You Will Receive:
- 6 Weekly lessons via email (on Mondays) on a topic related to visual design.
- Short emails (Tuesday through Friday) with quotes, tips and encouragement on the topic for that week.
- Lessons available in pdf format, which can be downloaded and printed.
- Weekly photographic assignments on the visual design topic for that week.
- The ability to share your photos on a private Flickr group for comments, critique or feedback. While this is optional, I highly encourage you to join in on Flickr. The images posted and ensuing discussions are what makes the material come alive.
- Access to me during the class via email or on Flickr.
And the best part is …
- You will gain confidence in your unique way of seeing and photographing.
- You will be part of a community of photography friends for support and encouragement.
- You will learn how to expand your perceptions, your ability to see, and this will carry over into other areas of your life.
Other have taken this workshop because …
- They wanted to rediscover their love for photography.
- They hope to “see” more, rather than just documenting events.
- They wanted to learn by doing.
- They wanted to strengthen the part of them that photographs just to make them happy.
- They wanted to explore a more thoughtful approach to photography.
The 2012 Schedule
Session 1: January 16 – February 24, 2012 (Finished)
Session 2: May 7 – June 15, 2012 (Currently in session)
Session 3: October 8 – November 16, 2012 (Registration will open September 24th)
If you would like to receive notice of workshops, including special discounts for newsletter subscribers, please sign up for my email list below.
You will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. Please look for that email and confirm, otherwise you won’t be added to the list.
Workshop Overview
You will receive an opening email and a link to the private class page and Flickr group.
On the first Monday of the workshop, you will receive the first week’s lesson and assignment. This will continue for each of the six weeks. On Tuesday through Friday of each week, you will receive a short email with encouraging tips and quotes for that week’s lesson. I will be doing the class right along with you, so will also be sharing my experience and photos.
You will have the opportunity to upload your photos to the private Flickr group for feedback. Here, you will learn just as much from the other participants in the class as from the lessons themselves.
Note: Flickr is a photo sharing site that is free to join. While participating in the Flickr group is optional, I highly recommend it. In our first class, this part of the workshop was key to its success. This is where you learn from each other.
Week 1 – Light, The Foundation
Week 2 – Lines, Building Block #1
Week 3 – Shapes, Building Block #2
Week 4 –Texture, Building Block #3
Week 5 –Perspective, Building Block #4
Week 6 – Putting the Elements Together
What do you need to take this class?
- Openness to learning and seeing in new ways.
- Time. I assume if you are interested in this class that you will take the time to do the assignments. However, the beauty of online learning is that you can do them at your own pace. The materials will always be available to you. That being said, you will get maximum benefit if you interact with the other participants, meaning uploading photos weekly and commenting on others’ images.
- A camera and computer. Any camera is fine, since it is your eyes that will be doing the most work. The computer is so that you can, of course, read the materials and upload pictures to the Flickr group.
What Others are Saying
This workshop prompted me to “dance” with my camera again. Kim provided informative material and tips, plus suggestions for further reading. Her comments (in the Flickr group) were helpful and she pulled us together as a group. She truly shared with us what she so believes ~~~ “the meaning of life is to see” ~ Liz Buckley.
I loved Kim’s Photo by Design workshop. Kim inspired and stretched me into new ways of seeing as a photographer. I found myself looking at life from a whole new lens and my photographs are evolving — and improving — as a result. I’d recommend Photo by Design for any photographer — beginning or seasoned — who is ready to be more aware and masterful of the elements of good photo composition. ~ Shannon Jackson Arnold, Flowering Wisdom.
I would highly recommend the Photo by Design Online Workshop for anyone who likes photography, regardless of the type of camera you have, or the amount of experience. ~ Kathy McGraw (See her full review on Squidoo)
You’ve helped me become a more confident photographer in shooting and in speaking about my work. how can i thank you enough for that?! From an open “thank you” letter from Rachel at [en]framed photography!
Still Have Questions?
- How experienced do I need to be? You just need to know how to operate your camera and a desire to learn more about how to express what you see through photography. While little experience is needed, every photographer could benefit from the exercises in seeing in this workshop.
- How many participants are in the class? For the last two sessions we have averaged around 15 participants. I plan to limit the class to 25.
- What is the price for this class? The price is set at $84 (approx. 64 euros) for the full six weeks.
- How do I pay for the class? Payment is made through PayPal and you can use a credit card through PayPal if you wish. If you would like to discuss other payment options, please email me at kimmanleyort@mac.com
- What if I am away at some time during the class? While a new lesson will be sent each week, you are free to do them on your own schedule.
- Will you be offering this class again? Yes, it will be offered several times per year. However, if you take it now, you will have access to the materials forever.
- Is there homework? There will be photo assignments each week on the topic for that week. These are fun assignments for your own personal and professional growth. There are no deadlines and there will be no grades. Like most things, it is up to you what you do with it. It will be to your benefit to upload photos for critique or feedback and to ask for help.
- Will I have access to the lessons when the class is over? Yes, the page on the website will continue to be available to you, but you can download the lessons to your computer and save them there too.
- How is the content for the class delivered? Most of the class content will be delivered via email, including a weekly lesson and assignments. There will be short, daily emails Tuesday through Friday with tips and encouragement. All of this content will also be available on a password-protected page on my website, which you can access at any time. Lessons will be downloadable in pdf format. There will be a private Flickr group, where participants can upload photos and interact with other participants. Note: A free Flickr account allows you to upload 2 videos and 300MB worth of photos each calendar month. This should be more than sufficient for the duration of the class. A paid Flickr membership is $24.95 per year for unlimited uploads.
If you have other questions, please contact me at: kimmanleyort@mac.com
