December 2-4, 2005
“Learning to See”, a Workshop at Rookery Bay, with Dave Graff for Beginning and Intermediate SLR photographers, Naples, FL.

"Those persons who have perceptive eyes enjoy beauty everywhere."
Paramahansa Yogananda

In my workshops I try to help people to look at things afresh. We all need to shake up our thinking so we don't get stuck. In learning the art of seeing, in understanding what it is we want to communicate we will more easily learn to use the tools of our art - camera equipment.

In my workshops I always discuss photographic ethics. Then I begin with the elements of nature photography

(1) One's Vision which includes concepts of light, both natural and artificial, ambient and reflected, knowing the ecology of one's photographic subject, and the elements of composition;

(2) Technical Accuracy which includes knowing one's equipment, and exposure. Here we try to understand concepts of mid-tone gray and the variables that make up proper exposure - film speed, shutter speed and aperture. On aperture, we learn not only its effect on exposure, but how it effects focus and composition as well. I offer a bibliography of reference books, and "Tips Not Found In the Books."

I include "chalk talk," handouts as reminders, projected images to illustrate the points made, and to go beyond the basics, and practical, hands-on help.

One concept prevails: You are smarter than your camera! And beyond that, I offer help in evaluating students' photographs and learning from that continual self-criticism.