Composition - The Key to Great Photography

The single-most important route to great photography is composition. It’s not the camera, it’s your eye.
Come with whatever you have. From smartphone to film to digital, from amateur to pro model,
composition remains the same — and knowing how it all works will change the way you look at the world through a lens. And the results.

We will cover:

• 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...

Session 1 - June 22nd

We will work indoors, examining 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; and 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. Duration: 2 hours

Session 2 - June 29th

We 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 class will end with more examination of student photos and those from famous photographers. The session ends with a quick review of what we’ve covered. Duration: 2 hours

Session 3 - July 6th

We will meet at Pioneer Place. We’ll photograph together for 45 minutes, suggesting the many ways in which given scenes can be composed. Those with cameras, as opposed to smart phones, can stay to learn more about camera settings to control depth of field, aperture in general and shutter speeds. The instructor will then be available for private consultations as students will be free to roam in in the park, along the river and elsewhere to photograph on their own. Duration: 3 hours

Session 4 (Final Session) - July 13th

The session will feature an extensive portfolio review of student photos, from the previous outing and/or 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; and, finally any favorite photos from other photographers. Duration 2.5 hours

Equipment:

Bring what you have. While a dedicated camera is best so that we can discuss aperture,
depth of field and shutter speed, even a simple smartphone will suffice. The rules of composition are the same regardless of how you capture photos.

ABOUT GERALD SELIGMAN

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 elsewhere. He spent most of his career working in the international music industry and has lived in Rio de Janeiro, London and Berlin. He lives 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; and locally at art schools and libraries. Check out Gerald's work HERE!

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."

REVIEWS FROM PREVIOUS ATTENDEES

“I feel this was a very comprehensive course. Since the students had a variety of cameras -- it would not have been beneficial to discuss camera use although you did give some pointers and more important you set time aside after class to help individual students with their cameras. The quotes you emailed us about photography were very useful. It is obvious that you prepared a great deal for the class with the many slides and illustrations you provided and the examples given of various ways to frame a photo, zoom in, etc. You provided the students with various resources and links for online editing and processing sites. Actually having a "lab" to take photos outside was very helpful. I think if the course was longer-at least 5 sessions--then 3 could be on composition and the other two on camera use or settings or even a session when students bring their computers to learn how to connect to editing sites. In summary it was an excellent, thoughtful and well planned course.” Franny A.

“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 may never graduate from my iPhone to a real camera, as it's not an investment that's currently in my budget. But 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 participant's 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

ABOUT REGISTRATION

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This multi-part class is limited to 15 spots with a minimum of 5 registered attendees needed. In the event the minimum isn't met, the session will be canceled and registered attendees will receive full refunds.

This event has limited space, as a result, registration is required for each attendee. If you are on the waitlist for this event, you will receive a notification, via email, if a space becomes available for you.

PRICING, FEES & REFUNDS

In the event of a refund, Eventbrite Fees are not refundable. Eventbrite fees are only refunded if an event is canceled.

Refunds will be considered until 48 hours before the first session of this workshop.

Refunds are unavailable post-event date.