HESSLER CREATIVE

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COURSE DESCRIPTION 

 

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STAY INSPIRED. STAY ENGAGED. STAY CONNECTED. KEEP CREATING.

 

This reflective and pragmatic workshop invites you to practice different ways of seeing, challenge your approach to photography, and discover the motivation behind your work. Built around weekly meetings, one-on-one support, and engaging assignments, this workshop is a practical work-out for photographers who are either looking to expand upon a current project, or start a new body of work. Designed to bring greater depth into your approach as an image maker, students will be invited to a comprehensive study of what makes a successful image, breaking down the work of established photographers, and expanding their visual literacy. Lessons to be translated within their own practices. Pairing visual fluency with a photographer's tool kit, students will learn the fundamentals of production, brainstorm creative solutions for practical constraints, and together navigate the space between ideation and execution. Students will develop, execute, and present their ideas for both group and one-on-one critique. At the core of this workshop is a desire to understand the motivation behind your work, and to discover simple ways you can elevate your practice. These are skills to keep in your back pocket as you continue to evolve your own visual language.

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WEEK 1: DISCOVERY (visual fluency) 

• Introduction and background

• Critique; visual introduction of work from students past portfolios

• Lecture; photography as visual language, introducing artists who have a distinct vision, breaking down a successful image (light, color, composition, subject matter, meaning), exploring the difference between the single frame and a series, establishing boundaries without our own practice

 

Assignments:

• 10-minute writing assignment (establishing personal goals, what students are looking to achieve)

• 15-minute writing assignment (establishing personal experience, what students are living through)

• Research assignment (establishing visual taste and preferences) • Shooting Assignment (camera work designed to reinforce different elements of successful images)

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WEEK 2: PRODUCTION (PHOTOGRAPHER'S TOOL KIT) 

• Critique; students to share images from the shooting assignment. Example of how personal language defines visual language, same prompts produce different results.

• Lecture; idea vs ideation, introducing a comprehensive breakdown of the fundamentals of planning a photography shoot, irrespective of budget or size, how planning can help fuel inspiration, how fluency builds confidence, how constraints create freedom, how magic comes from flexibility.

 

Assignments:

• 15-minute writing assignment (breaking down practical and conceptual project constraints)

• 10-minute writing assignment (mind map of idea, color code it for extra points)

• Research assignment (making inspiration boards that illustrate direction)

• Shooting Assignment (test your direction, use the tools from last week’s assignment to illustrate your idea)

 

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WEEK 3: APPLICATION 

• Critique; students to share images from the shooting assignment. Example of how successful and unsuccessful images can be achieved from this process. Reminder that the integrity of the image, and the integrity of the message will always be more important than following the script.

• Lecture; successful images, looking at the transition from idea to ideation, understanding the relationship between content and form, discuss the practice of introspective voyeurism, finding your voice, and developing your personal visual identity

• Closing statements, Q&A's

 

Assignment:

• 15-minute writing assignment (artists statements)

• Prepare for one-on-one session, images you would like me to look at, future goals, photographic ambitions, and how I can best support you

 

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WEEK 4: OPTIONAL STUDENT ONE-ON-ONES 

Individual 20-minute critiques with any student who is interested. Discuss portfolio, strengths & weaknesses, and future goals.

 

*There will be some flexibility to the course structure based upon the needs and prior skills of the students enrolled.