Composition - Framing the Shot With Gerald Seligman: Nov 3, 10, 17

3 Sessions to Greater Photos through composition

Tuesdays, November 3, 10 and 17
6-9pm

The greatest single qualitative leap a photographer can make is learning the keys to good composition.

It’s not the camera or the lens or costly accessories, it’s not whether you prefer film or digital -- it’s how you approach the frame and how you go about populating it. Where’s the subject? Do you center or skew? Where’s the horizon line? What’s in the foreground? What’s a frame within a frame? Do you go for a vast overview or the telling detail? How do you make use of environmental elements to lead the eye where you want it to focus? How do you approach abstracts and minimalism? What is storytelling?

The rules of composition are easily identified and just as easily learned, yet most photographers use intuition, a hunch, rather than tried-and-true compositional techniques. In just 3 classes, with hundreds of photos to examine – and a portfolio review in the final class – you’ll come out with a whole new aesthetic for your photography.

In three sessions over three weeks, learn…

• The rule of thirds

• How to think about foreground, mid-ground, background

• Leading lines

• Frame within a frame

• When to center, when not to

• Painting with light

• Depth of field and how to create a strong sense of flow

• How to lead the eye through an image using balance and perspective

• Portraits

• Storytelling

• And more...

In the first session we will examine scores of photos to flesh out the various ways of seeing, exploring how each of the principals listed above apply. On a large screen and using examples by the teacher as well as some classic photos and even famous paintings, we’ll go through compositional concepts such as the rule of thirds; foreground, mid-ground, background; leading lines; frame within a frame; when – and when not -- to center; and more. We’ll end the session with students’ own ‘favorite’ photos, ones sent in before the first class. Students will be amazed how many of their favorites followed the rules we’ll be exploring.

The second session will continue looking at rules of composition, including painting with light; depth of field and how to create a strong sense of flow; how to lead the eye through an image using balance and perspective; portraits; storytelling; and more.

The third session: The session will feature an extensive portfolio review of student photos from past work. These will include ones they feel are very strong from a compositional standpoint; photos where they tried to capture something and feel they didn’t quite achieve their objective (especially useful for classroom learning); and, finally any favorite photos from other photographers. Depending on the level of student experience, me might also cover how to ‘get off’ using auto and use aperture and shutter priority for more control over your photography.

Reviews from past courses:

 “Gerald has a thoughtful approach to teaching – supporting and challenging students to figuratively and/or literally change their focus - to be more attentive to framing and the structural elements of an image. Gerald made wonderful use of his own work, and the photos of others, to illustrate a point or a concept. His observations about the people he photographed, and the ways he interacted with them, were most instructive.  Gerald’s composition course is helpful for both beginning photographers as well as more experienced photographers.”  Suzanne

“I really enjoyed your class.  I knew nothing about photography when I started, and now I feel I have a handle on the basics of composition. My favorite part was looking at the art photography you shared and critiquing it. I’m grateful for what I learned, and for having a new way of seeing the world around me.” Lauren L “I found the class most helpful.  Gerald is a great teacher... he made the course stimulating and challenging.  Hope he’ll be teaching another class in the future.” Sophie

“I really enjoyed how Gerald used his photographs to illustrate the various concepts - in particular I felt the comparative shots that he shared to illustrate foreground, middle ground, background were interesting (this was the concept that I think about less when taking photos). I also really enjoyed seeing the participants work and hearing Gerald’s thoughts on how they could be improved (mine included!). Spread kindness like confetti.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the class and learned so much. 10 out of 10!” Barb

Biography:

Gerald Seligman has been a photographer for over 50 years, with photos published in newspapers, magazines, featured in galleries and on album covers for Universal/Verve, EMI Hemisphere, Rounder, Rykodisc and more. He spent most of his career working in the international music industry and has lived in Rio de Janeiro, London and Berlin. He lives now in Portland, Oregon. He has taught photo courses at the McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy and Research, New York University; for the Josephine Herrick Project; for pro photography stores, and locally for art schools’ libraries.

Artist statement:

“In photography, I try to find order in chaos, compassion in random encounters and the human spirit in the day-to-day. I wander and attempt to capture the moment, alternating among abstracts, geometry and the human face and form. To some degree I allow the setting to determine the sort of photography I engage in, looking for some fleeting essence that will set the style of what I am seeking -- ‘finding photos,’ I like to call it.”

Please note:
All guests must agree to and sign our Code of Conduct and Release Waiver. Please read and sign these documents prior to your class.

Sliding scale available here.