At its most basic level taking a picture produces a record of an instant in time.  It’s not a complete action, it can barely record what we are seeing, but it’s quick and easy.  The art of photography is the preparation that comes before the image is taken, and the processing that comes afterwards when it is chemically developed or digitally edited.  These actions alter the image to effect certain viewpoints and emotional reactions.  A good photograph becomes its own memory.  It gives us permission to look and re-experience. We welcome you to take one or more of the following classes.

 

 

Classes at Photography at the Center:

 

 

Photographic Memorials - What conventions do you follow when you want to honor the memory of someone or something?  How do you compose the image to convey integrity and loss?  With the aid of your photos and mementos you will create a still life composition in the studio and print it for framing.

 

Snapshots to Portfolio - Bring to class the photos you took of your time in the military.  Talk about what they mean to you and what you would like them to really say.  Select the strongest images and work with various editing techniques to prepare them for printing into a portfolio collection.

 

Exposing Contrasts - The juxtaposition of contrasting images can be very powerful and can present ideas that would be hard to put into words.  For example, take meal time.  One photo shows you eating an MRE in the field, the contrasting image shows you eating spaghetti with the family.  For this class, you will be helped to select some of your military photos, and then be challenged to take contrasting photos of your life in Minnesota.  The goal may not be to say something is different, but to be able to express something that is constant throughout.

 

Finding Your Voice - This is a wonderful opportunity to begin to understand what it is to have a personal vision and how you make it happen through your photographs.  You will study the work of several well known artists, summarize some of the decisions they are making, and then go out take your own images.  Week by week your efforts will be shared with the class and your knowledge expanded.