Doug and Laura Bennett

Great landscape photography is about making images that connect with viewers, making them feel something about the subject.  If you are seeking knowledge and skill to improve the impact and artistic appeal of your landscape photography, then this workshop is just what you are looking for. 

 

Laura and I will first share elements of photographic craft and technique essential to landscape photography and to making high quality large landscape prints for high-end sales and for PPA Competition entries.  In sharing these techniques, you will learn the underlying “whys”.  You will get practice with our assistance to develop the mental and muscle memory in applying these techniques in an outdoor shooting exercise.

Beyond craft and technique, it is most important to communicate emotions and bring artistic vision and quality to your imagery. As in all visual and musical arts, composition is the key.  This class will take you far beyond the very limited value of “rule of thirds” to your compositions. 

First, we will delve into “Dynamic Symmetry” teaching its design concepts and how these concepts promote communication of mood and create an artistic feel in your imagery.  As it has for us, this knowledge will totally transform your approach to landscape composition and vastly improve your enjoyment in photographing the landscape. We will have a shooting outing to develop your ability to see and apply these compositional techniques.  Just as the we do, once you learn these techniques, you’ll no longer be using the “rule of thirds” as your principal approach to composition.  And be aware that Dynamic Symmetry has total applicability to all genres of photography to include portraiture.

 

Complimenting this advanced compositional approach, we will share techniques for creating “visual depth” in your landscape images thereby overcoming the limitations of prints only having two dimensions, width and height.

This visual perception of depth is accomplished by incorporating various visual transitions in your images to include “progression of blacks” and the “hierarchy of light”.  You will learn how these visual transitions can be captured at the time the image is taken as well as incorporated during post-processing. 

Towards the end of the class and time permitting, we will share our observations on the suitability of these compositional insights relative to MIR and IPC print reviews/competitions and contrast these observations with other high level international landscape competitions.  What works for one competition doesn’t necessarily mean success in other competitions. Knowing the differences here will enhance your potential for success in both competitions and in the MIR.

 

Student Photographic Equipment for this Pre Con:

-         Digital SLR or Mirrorless Camera

-         Lenses:  24-70mm or 24-120mm, an ultrawide such as a 12-24mm will be very useful (we will be teaching techniques in using ultrawide lenses).  No need for focal lengths beyond 120mm.

-         If convenient to bring a tripod, bring it.  But not essential.

 

Description of Friday Session

Doug and Laura will outline and demonstrate their post-processing for landscape images.  While this will obviously include a lot of “how to”, there will be a lot of focus on the “what to do”. 

Laura will also share all that we have learned in selling our images from high-end galleries to art shows.  We will also explore selling and conducting landscape photography workshops which can be very lucrative for landscape photographers.  Laura will also share the unconscious psychological factors landscape photographers need to be aware that make for appealing landscape photography that sells.  And you will be surprised to learn what red shirts can do for you!

We look forward to you joining us at TNPPA!