Zen and the Art of Photography
Split Rock Art Program, Northern MN, with Doug Beasley, July 5 – 11, 2009
This workshop is currently full.
Revitalize your photography while exploring your relationship to your subject, your camera and yourself. This will be a unique opportunity to rethink our expectations of what it means to 'see'. We will work on cultivating simplicity and making more insightful photographs, supporting the notion that a photograph is not 'taken' but 'made'. We learn to become better photographers by becoming more in touch with our inner selves and then use that awareness to clarify our approach and connection with our subject; whether it's a person, place, or thing. We will also learn about natural light, composition, depth-of-field and exposure issues. Much practical advise will be given but more importantly you will practice how to use this information to make more powerful images.
Inspiration will be sparked by a balance of conversation, critiques, sharing, meditation, readings, poetry or whatever means necessary. Daily photographic exercises and assignment will be site specific and concerned with both internal and external growth. Participants will learn to deepen their visual awareness while clarifying their approach, making their image making both more personal and more meaningful. Most days will also include field trips with Doug to local treasures such as the beautiful rocky North Shore of Lake Superior and the surrounding forrests. You do not have to be a 'nature' photographer to benefit from this workshop.
This is a challenging invitation to redefine not only what is personally suitable subject matter but your whole approach to creative epression. Students will leave the workshop with the start of a new body of work that has more clarity, power, simplicity and more reflects who they really are as well as a new framework in how they see themselves as photographers and how their art fits into their daily life.
Split Rock Arts Program, now in its 26th year, is run by the University of Minnsota. This retreat is being hosted at the University's Cloquet Forrestry Center in Northern Minnesota, near Duluth, about a 2 and a half hour drive from the Twin Cities. We can help arrange car pooling from the Twin Cities. Delicious healthy meals are prepared from many locally-sourced ingredients and are raved about by those who have been there before.
See some student photography from Vision Quest Photo Workshops.
Student testimonials from this workshop:
“Just wanted to thank you for your insight, inspiration and instruction! I love the way you put so much of your soul into your work and your teaching methods! Thanks so much!” — Mary Hendricks, Mora, MN
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“Just wanted to thank you for your insight, inspiration and instruction! I love the way you put so much of your soul into your work and your teaching methods! Thanks so much!” — Mary Hendricks, Mora, MN
“Because of your amazing teaching and this awesome workshop I’m actually toying with the idea of of persuing a career in photography. Thank you for opening my eyes to the artistic and spiritual world of photography. You are an incredible teacher. So full of passion and an honest love for life.” — Andrea Olson, River Falls, WI
“I wanted to thank you for an enlightening workshop. I appreciate your photography and your attitude is very motivating.” — Kristine Siiro, Minneapolis, MN
“Many thanks for the *wonderful* workshop (said with a deep bow to you, oh photo guru and wize one). You have given us so much information that I will be busy for months trying to use it all. And most of all, thanks for your generous and beautiful soul.” — Rebecca Pavlenko, Saint Paul, MN
“My thanks to all who attended, each of us had things to contribute and things to learn. I feel my vision has grown because of this experience. I am more confident of my ability, and can see new possibilities of where to go with this Art form. Special thanks to Doug Beasley. A kinder, gentler instructor/guide could not be imagined. Doug’s Zen like philosophy and lifestyle is an inspiration.” — Jef Murphy, Portland, OR
“I am hanging on to the new skills and way of thinking that you have instilled in us. Some of it I think will stay with me forever.” — David Pitzer, Portland, OR
“I feel like my work has really catapulted to a new level, and my energy and creative flow are so much smoother.” — Annie Frantzeskos, Eugene, OR
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Who should attend:
While participants must have a working knowledge of their camera, the creative process of image making will be emphasized over the mechanics of camera use. Both digital and film, in all formats, welcome but to receive feedback on work in progress digital is required. Open to all levels of experience but better suited to those looking to expand their creativity and vision.
Split Rock Arts Program website:
For more information about Split Rock Arts Program please visit: www.cce.umn.edu/splitrockarts
Dates:
Sunday July 5 at 4:00 P.M. to Saturday July 11 at 11:00 A.M.
Cost:
Tuition and fees $645; add $99 for 2 undergraduate credits; add $279 for 2 graduate credits; Shared room and board $464.
Class limit:
16
Registration information:
To register, please contact Split Rock Arts Program, 612.625.1976 or visit: http://www.cce.umn.edu/events/