The Art of the Image

There are two reasons I love to teach photography.

One is that I believe the act of creating art, creating anything, is an essential part of our humanness. We love to make, we love to look at the world and respond with our experiences.

(Because “We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” Ralph Hattersley)

The other reason is that I believe we are all artists. We all have something unique to say, to offer to the world. Our experiences, our stories are particular to us and so, too, is our creativity.

For a good couple of years I have been mulling over the idea of making my workshops and teachings more accessible. Of creating a fully recorded, downloadable photography course.

I know not everyone can access my location workshops – or my live online courses that are impractical to many time zones.

So Di and I decided it would be amazing to create a recorded online course that covers all of the fundamental things I teach on my workshops – and that I use each and every day in my life as a photographer.

And most importantly – the lessons are focused on taking an artist-led approach. The course is totally and entirely created to helping you develop your inner artist.

This online workshop will totally transform both how you think about photography, and how you take photos.

I will be teaching my methodology of creating great images.

These are the techniques I have used to become an award winning photographer, a published artist and having exhibitions internationally.

The techniques I have used to create a career where I have had my photography books commissioned, been featured on BBC World and in many international publications.

These are also the techniques I teach in my workshops all over the world – from Cuba to London, Venice to Hong Kong. I have taught for the Guardian Masterclasses, the London Mayor’s office, written about photography for Huffington Post, Digital Photography School

I don’t launch anything lightly – I mean it took me 4 years of running workshops and honing my teaching craft, to even consider teaching a live online workshop – and another two years to think about recording one.

In every class or workshop I do I have to first work out – what can I teach you that is unique and will vastly improve your photography? What can I do that is not currently being offered?

I can’t offer something that is already available – it has to be something you cannot find anywhere else. Otherwise what’s the point?

What I have to offer as an artist, as a photographer, is unique. All artists have their own visions that have been honed over years of developing their craft and their style.

I want to help you learn from what has brought me to the level that I am at. My techniques and skills. The way I approach a subject, look at the world, capture my images and then process them.

This course is all about developing an artistic photographic approach.

The only in-depth technical teaching will be the two in-depth lessons on Lightroom. This is because how I process images and is totally in line with my artistic vision.

I process my images like a painter paints – I work the feeling and innate qualities of the photograph. That is why my photos stand out. These are lessons I want to give you.

All of my teaching is about learning the various tools and techniques and making them your own. Using leading lines, learning it, and then creating something new with that technique.

So, aside from some basic technical information that I talk about in the course – you will be immersed in the creative, artistic aspects of photography.

Why?

Because there is lots of great info out there on the web already about how to shoot on manual, shutter speeds etc. (and I will provide you with a list of these great resources).

What there’s a really lack of is information about how to develop your personal style, how to see like an artist, how to inhabit the world and create as I do, and other artists do.

In this course I won’t be telling you how to shoot in my style – I will be sharing the processes I use so you can create the very best photos in your own style.

Whether you love to shoot abstract black and whites, street photography, landscapes, travel, portraits, it’s not the genre but the approach you take that matters.

Now, what I have been most obsessed with in this course is getting format right. I know my teaching is good because I get great reviews from my workshops. But the online course has to be of the same quality.

In this course I want to help you develop your unique style and voice. I want to challenge you to push yourself out of your comfort zone, to go way beyond where you are now, so that when we finish you have a whole new body of work and an exciting new direction for your photography.

The Art of the Image

12 week online course you will receive:

12 weekly lessons – The lessons will be made up of short and longer video presentations and supporting PDF documents.
6 hours of video lessons –There will be an in-depth presentation on each concept, with supporting videos and texts with plenty of examples – so I am not just covering the subject once and moving on, but making sure you understand the techniques and concepts fully.
40 written resources – including cheat sheets, resource guides, inspiration material.
12 challenges – which can be done weekly or when you are looking for new ideas to shoot. This is aimed at helping you embed the learning by doing. You only really know something when you can explain it to someone else – or demonstrate it. These challenges are fun!

All videos and lessons are yours to keep forever. You can watch them and access them at any time.

Who is this for – the beginner or advanced photographer?

I would say this is for the inspired, motivated beginner looking for how to build an approach and methodology of creating beautiful images.

For the intermediate to advanced photographer – this is for you if you are looking for new ideas or a fresh approach. If you want to develop beyond what you are doing now, if you are stuck or frustrated with your efforts and you want consistently better results.

We never stop learning as photographers, as artists. There are always fresh ways of thinking. I am always seeking out new ways to see the world, from other perspectives.

I read books on philosophers and neuroscientists, I watch documentaries on writers and painters, I go to exhibitions and talks, I take classes offered by other artists. You never know when other ideas will spark new journeys and inspiration.

What kind of camera do I need?

Any! This course is about developing your skills as an artist, to compose interesting, beautiful and compelling images. Regardless of if you have a smartphone, film camera or DSLR – this course is not about your equipment but about developing your vision as a photographer.

The Art of the Image