Color, Form, Space and a Sense of Place

What is Fine Art Photography?  What is Documentary Photography? 

During this eight week course, students will learn how to identify the qualities of the image to characterize a "Fine Art Photograph" and how to compose and express their creativity using digital or film cameras.  Conceptual considerations considerations will include: from pattern to idea and from part to whole.  We will learn compositional techniques to create an aesthetical ability to see our photographic values.   We will also learn how to achieve the photographic qualities in our work expressing: from surface to depth and from optical to tactile.  Depth of field will not be discussed.. rather the volumetric quality of form.  We have all accepted the art form of painting on canvas and its advantages; constructing forms, creating layers, lighting highlights, shadows and texture.  The fine art photographer must rely on the camera, lenses and paper/canvas to convey their artistic vision.  We will not focus on effects using digital image manipulation.  Rather, the intent of the class is to establish your ability to see artistically to render fine art photography using the camera not your PC or Mac.  The class will study the work of Ansel Adams, Paul Strand, Cartier-Bresson, DeCarava and Edward Weston. There is a Weekend field trip to Hart Plaza - Downtown Detroit included in this class, guest speakers and another field trip to an industrial studio.  Class size is limited to 10.